title: Paclitaxel-loaded niosomes for intravenous administration: pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the pharmacokinetic behavior and tissue distribution of paclitaxel, delivered as commercial preparation Taxol or through Span 40 niosomes, after intravenous injection to rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Paclitaxel-loaded Span 40 niosomes were prepared using the thin-film method. An HPLC method was developed and validated for paclitaxel determination in rat plasma and tissues.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The area under the curve value of the niosome-recipient group (3.22 ± 0.255 μg h/mL) was significantly higher compared to that of the Taxol group (0.725 ± 0.163 μg h/mL). The mean residence time and the elimination half-life of paclitaxel were 1.66 ± 0.133 h and 1.15 ± 0.085 h for Taxol administration, respectively. The elimination half-life (7.63 ± 0.380 h) and the mean residence time (11.0 ± 0.6 h) of paclitaxel were significantly increased, and a pronounced delay was observed in general excretion of paclitaxel from plasma (0.0925 ± 0.00490 h(-1)) after niosomal administration. The spleen was the main tissue that accumulated paclitaxel from both niosomes and Taxol.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of this study show that niosomal formulation might be a useful drug delivery system for intravenous administration of paclitaxel.
authors.forename: Zerrin Sezgin
authors.initials: ZS
authors.lastname: Bayindir
authors.forename: Arzu Beşikci
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Be
authors.forename: Nilüfer
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yüksel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008081:Liposomes; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D008081:Liposomes; D017239:Paclitaxel