BACKGROUND: Sustained release delivery system can reduce
the dosage frequency and maintain the therapeutic level
of drugs for a longer time. Biodegradable, biocompatible
and thermosensitive chitosan-beta-glycerophosphate (C-GP)
solutions can solidify at body temperature and maintain their
physical integrity for a longer duration. OBJECTIVES: To develop
a novel delivery system based on the integration of
liposomes in hydrogel using mesoporous silica nanoparticles
(MSNs) for sustained release of danofloxacin in farm
animals. METHODS: The MSNs were prepared using N-cetyltrimethylammonium
bromide and tetraethylortho silica.
The liposomes were prepared by thin film hydration method.
C-GP solution containing danofloxacin-loaded MSN liposomes
underwent different in-vitro tests, including evaluation
of the entrapment efficiency, gelation time, morphology,
drug release pattern as well as antimicrobial activities against
S. aureus and E. coli. RESULTS: The mean pore size of MSNs
was 2.8 nm and the mean MSN entrapment efficiency was
45%. Kinetics of danofloxacin release from liposomal hydrogel
followed the Higuchi’s model. This formulation was
capable of sustaining the danofloxacin release for more than
96 h. The FTIR studies showed that there were no interactions
between danofloxacin and hydrogel excipients. Scanning
electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the formed gel
had a continuous texture, while the swelled gel in the phosphate
buffer had a porous structure. Microbiological tests
revealed a high antibacterial activity for lipomosal hydrogel
of danofloxacin-loaded MSN comparable with danofloxacin
solution. CONCLUSIONS: The liposomal hydrogel solidified at
body temperature, effectively sustained the release of danofloxacin
and showed in vitro antibacterial effects