Clove Oil-based Nanoemulsion Co-loaded With Saquinavir, Ritonavir and Acyclovir for Enhanced Oral Pharmacokinetics and Brain Exposure in Herpes Simplex Encephalitis and NeuroAIDS
Goswami S, Khan I, Malik A, Siddiqi NJ, Kaul M, Dhotre K, Khan AA, Mukherjee A, Kumar S (2026)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2026
Journal
Book Volume: 37
Article Number: 137
Journal Issue: 6
DOI: 10.1007/s10876-026-03093-0
Abstract
The management of Herpes simplex virus (HSV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection is severely hindered by the poor oral bioavailability and restricted blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration of conventional antiviral therapies. In this study, a novel triple drug-loaded nanoemulsion containing saquinavir (SQV), ritonavir (RTV) and acyclovir (ACV) was developed and optimized using a Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD) to enhance systemic absorption and brain exposure. The formulation was prepared via ultrasonication and characterized for droplet size, zeta potential, and rheological properties. The optimized nanoemulsion exhibited favorable physicochemical characteristics, including nanometric droplet size, acceptable size distribution, high transparency, and good stability. In vitro release (p < 0.0001) and ex vivo permeation studies (p < 0.05) demonstrated significantly higher drug flux compared to the drug suspension. Pharmacokinetic profiling in Wistar rats confirmed a prominent increase in systemic exposure (p < 0.001). The nanoemulsion also significantly increased drug concentrations in brain tissue compared with the corresponding suspension formulation (p < 0.001), indicating enhanced brain exposure of all three antiviral agents. These findings suggest that the triple drug-loaded nanoemulsion represents a promising oral delivery platform improves the pharmacokinetic performance and brain exposure of antiviral agents, with potential application in the management of HIV-1 and HSV co-infections.
Authors with CRIS profile
Involved external institutions
Meerut Institute of Engineering & Technology (MIET)
India (IN)
King Saud University (KSU) / جامعة الملك سعود
Saudi Arabia (SA)
Northeastern University
United States (USA) (US)
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
India (IN)
India (IN)
King Saud University (KSU) / جامعة الملك سعود
Saudi Arabia (SA)
Northeastern University
United States (USA) (US)
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
India (IN)
How to cite
APA:
Goswami, S., Khan, I., Malik, A., Siddiqi, N.J., Kaul, M., Dhotre, K.,... Kumar, S. (2026). Clove Oil-based Nanoemulsion Co-loaded With Saquinavir, Ritonavir and Acyclovir for Enhanced Oral Pharmacokinetics and Brain Exposure in Herpes Simplex Encephalitis and NeuroAIDS. Journal of Cluster Science, 37(6). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10876-026-03093-0
MLA:
Goswami, Sahil, et al. "Clove Oil-based Nanoemulsion Co-loaded With Saquinavir, Ritonavir and Acyclovir for Enhanced Oral Pharmacokinetics and Brain Exposure in Herpes Simplex Encephalitis and NeuroAIDS." Journal of Cluster Science 37.6 (2026).
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