title: Evaluation of dika wax-soybean oil-based artesunate-loaded lipospheres: in vitro-in vivo correlation studies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To formulate and evaluate artesunate-loaded lipospheres and study the in vitro-in vivo correlations (IV-IVC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Lipospheres were formulated by melt homogenisation using structured lipid matrices consisting of (1:3 and 1:6) soybean oil and dika wax and were characterised in vitro and in vivo.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The small angle X-ray diffraction (SAXD) results of the lipid matrices showed prominent reflection at 2θ = 2.49°, d = 3.55 Å while, wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) showed prominent reflection at 2θ = 20.83°, d = 0.42 Å. Lipospheres had maximum encapsulation efficiency of 80%, showed no significant decrease in pH with time (p < 0.05), and had sustained release properties. The ratio of the area under the curve (AUC) of the lipospheres and the tablets gave bioavailability enhancement factor of 2.108.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Artesunate-loaded lipospheres could be used orally or parenterally once daily, for the treatment of malaria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Nigeria , Nsukka , Nigeria .
authors.forename: Eric E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Chinaeke
authors.forename: Salome A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Chime
authors.forename: John D N
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Ogbonna
authors.forename: Anthony A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Attama
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Müller-Goymann
authors.forename: Vincent C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Okore
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D037621:Artemisinins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D000077332:Artesunate; D005260:Female; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008081:Liposomes; D008288:Malaria / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013024:Soybean Oil / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials; D037621:Artemisinins; D008081:Liposomes; D010938:Plant Oils; C023475:dika fat; D000077332:Artesunate; D013024:Soybean Oil
keywords: IV-IVC; artesunate; dika wax; lipospheres; soybean oil; structured lipid matrices