Optimized Enoxolone-Loaded Microsponges for Drug Delivery: A Design of Experiments Approach

Enoxolon is widely recognized for its pharmacological potential, exhibiting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antiviral properties. <b>Objectives</b>: This study aimed to develop an enhanced formulation of enoxolone-loaded microsponges as a novel drug delivery system. A des...

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Main Authors: Juste Baranauskaite, Sedef Sefer, Augusta Zevzikoviene, Andrejus Zevzikovas, Liudas Ivanauskas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Pharmaceuticals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/7/938
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author Juste Baranauskaite
Sedef Sefer
Augusta Zevzikoviene
Andrejus Zevzikovas
Liudas Ivanauskas
author_facet Juste Baranauskaite
Sedef Sefer
Augusta Zevzikoviene
Andrejus Zevzikovas
Liudas Ivanauskas
author_sort Juste Baranauskaite
collection DOAJ
description Enoxolon is widely recognized for its pharmacological potential, exhibiting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antiviral properties. <b>Objectives</b>: This study aimed to develop an enhanced formulation of enoxolone-loaded microsponges as a novel drug delivery system. A design of experiments (DoE) approach was employed for the optimization process. <b>Methods</b>: The microsponges were produced using the <i>quasi</i>-emulsion technique. The selected formulation was evaluated for yield, particle size, and entrapment efficiency. Furthermore, the microsponges were incorporated into a 1% MC solution matrix, and in vitro release studies were performed to assess their drug delivery performance. <b>Results</b>: The optimal formulation was determined through the DoE methodology, which involved varying the concentrations of methylcellulose (MC) (0.55–1.87%, <i>w</i>/<i>w</i>), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (0.5–1%, <i>w</i>/<i>w</i>), and Tween 80 (TW80) (1.5–2.5%, <i>w</i>/<i>w</i>). The results showed a particle size of 142.8 ± 10.02 µm and an entrapment efficiency of 80.3 ± 1.99%. When comparing the optimized microsponge formulation to pure enoxolon, a 1.29 times higher release rate was observed (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.05). <b>Conclusions</b>: Following optimizationand physicochemical characterization studies were conducted to further assess the formulation. These findings suggest that microsponge-based delivery systems hold considerable potential as an alternative platform for the topical treatment of chronic periodontitis.
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spelling doaj-art-076bcde55b48422a8882ec3a4ff2746a2025-08-20T03:08:10ZengMDPI AGPharmaceuticals1424-82472025-06-0118793810.3390/ph18070938Optimized Enoxolone-Loaded Microsponges for Drug Delivery: A Design of Experiments ApproachJuste Baranauskaite0Sedef Sefer1Augusta Zevzikoviene2Andrejus Zevzikovas3Liudas Ivanauskas4Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yeditepe University, Kayisdagi Cad., Atasehir, 34755 Istanbul, TürkiyeDepartment of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yeditepe University, Kayisdagi Cad., Atasehir, 34755 Istanbul, TürkiyeDepartment of Analytical and Toxicological Chemistry, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Mickeviciaus Str. 9, 44307 Kaunas, LithuaniaDepartment of Analytical and Toxicological Chemistry, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Mickeviciaus Str. 9, 44307 Kaunas, LithuaniaDepartment of Analytical and Toxicological Chemistry, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Mickeviciaus Str. 9, 44307 Kaunas, LithuaniaEnoxolon is widely recognized for its pharmacological potential, exhibiting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antiviral properties. <b>Objectives</b>: This study aimed to develop an enhanced formulation of enoxolone-loaded microsponges as a novel drug delivery system. A design of experiments (DoE) approach was employed for the optimization process. <b>Methods</b>: The microsponges were produced using the <i>quasi</i>-emulsion technique. The selected formulation was evaluated for yield, particle size, and entrapment efficiency. Furthermore, the microsponges were incorporated into a 1% MC solution matrix, and in vitro release studies were performed to assess their drug delivery performance. <b>Results</b>: The optimal formulation was determined through the DoE methodology, which involved varying the concentrations of methylcellulose (MC) (0.55–1.87%, <i>w</i>/<i>w</i>), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (0.5–1%, <i>w</i>/<i>w</i>), and Tween 80 (TW80) (1.5–2.5%, <i>w</i>/<i>w</i>). The results showed a particle size of 142.8 ± 10.02 µm and an entrapment efficiency of 80.3 ± 1.99%. When comparing the optimized microsponge formulation to pure enoxolon, a 1.29 times higher release rate was observed (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.05). <b>Conclusions</b>: Following optimizationand physicochemical characterization studies were conducted to further assess the formulation. These findings suggest that microsponge-based delivery systems hold considerable potential as an alternative platform for the topical treatment of chronic periodontitis.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/7/938microspongesenoxolonechronic periodontitis
spellingShingle Juste Baranauskaite
Sedef Sefer
Augusta Zevzikoviene
Andrejus Zevzikovas
Liudas Ivanauskas
Optimized Enoxolone-Loaded Microsponges for Drug Delivery: A Design of Experiments Approach
Pharmaceuticals
microsponges
enoxolone
chronic periodontitis
title Optimized Enoxolone-Loaded Microsponges for Drug Delivery: A Design of Experiments Approach
title_full Optimized Enoxolone-Loaded Microsponges for Drug Delivery: A Design of Experiments Approach
title_fullStr Optimized Enoxolone-Loaded Microsponges for Drug Delivery: A Design of Experiments Approach
title_full_unstemmed Optimized Enoxolone-Loaded Microsponges for Drug Delivery: A Design of Experiments Approach
title_short Optimized Enoxolone-Loaded Microsponges for Drug Delivery: A Design of Experiments Approach
title_sort optimized enoxolone loaded microsponges for drug delivery a design of experiments approach
topic microsponges
enoxolone
chronic periodontitis
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/7/938
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AT augustazevzikoviene optimizedenoxoloneloadedmicrospongesfordrugdeliveryadesignofexperimentsapproach
AT andrejuszevzikovas optimizedenoxoloneloadedmicrospongesfordrugdeliveryadesignofexperimentsapproach
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