Quinapyramine sulfate-loaded sodium alginate nanoparticles show enhanced trypanocidal activity

Abstract

Aim: To reduce the dose, toxic effects and to ensure sustained release of quinapyramine sulfate (QS), a highly effective drug against Trypanosoma evansi. Materials & methods: QS-loaded sodium alginate nanoparticles (QS-NPs) were formed by emulsion-crosslinking technology using dioctyl-sodium-sulfosuccinate and sodium alginate. The formulation was characterized for size, stability, morphology and functional groups by a zetasizer, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. In vitro safety and toxicity studies were performed by metabolic assay in Vero cell lines, and in vivo efficacy was evaluated in mice. Results: QS-NPs were <60 nm with 96.48% entrapment efficiency and 3.70% drug loading. The formulation showed an initial burst effect followed by slow drug release in accordance with quasi-Fickian Higuchi diffusion mechanism. QS-NPs were much less toxic and able to clear the parasite at a much lower concentration than QS. Conclusion: The QS-NPs synthesized are safe, less toxic and highly effective compared with QS.