title: Development and characterization of gelatin based nanoparticles for targeted delivery of zidovudine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present work was aimed at development and evaluation of zidovudin (AZT) loaded gelatin nanoparticles (GNPs) by simple desolvation method and further couple it with mannose.
  
  
  METHODS
  Total seven batches of GNPs (A1-A7) were formulated by changing the concentration of polymer gelatin. Various parameters such as particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, % entrapment efficiency and in-vitro drug release of plain and mannosylated gelatin nanoparticles (M-GNPs) were studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies revealed that the average particle size of GNPs and M-GNPs were found to be 394 ± 3.21 and 797.2 ± 2.89 nm respectively (optimised batch A3). It was interesting to note that the average particle size of M-GNPs was more due to anchored mannose, whereas drug entrapment was lesser compared to plain GNPs. Studies have showed drug loading for GNPs and M-GNPs to be 66.56% and 58.85% respectively. Zeta potential studies demonstrated little reduction in solution stability of M-GNPs compared to GNPs. In-vitro drug release studies showed almost 80% release (bimodal) up to 24 h, following Korsmeyer-Peppas release kinetics model (GNPs, r = 0.9760; M-GNPs, r = 0.9712).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hence, it can be concluded that, development of GNPs and M-GNPs will pave the way for reticuloendothelial system uptake of AZT; thus, achieving targeted delivery, selectivity and reduction in associated side effect reduction in acquired immuno defficiency syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Pharmacy, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Namdeo R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Jadhav
authors.forename: Jadhav S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Tone
authors.forename: Preeti V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Irny
authors.forename: Sameer J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Nadaf
keywords: Desolvation; mannosylation; particle size; release; reticuloendothelial system uptake; zidovudine nanoparticles.