Proniosomal encapsulation of tenofovir for improved stability and controlled release: a factorial design-based study

Swarupa Arvapalli; Anka Rao Areti

doi:10.56782/pps.536

Published : 2026-07-17

Vol. 24 No. 3 (2026)

Proniosomal encapsulation of tenofovir for improved stability and controlled release: a factorial design-based study

Swarupa Arvapalli

Anka Rao Areti

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56782/pps.536

Abstract

Tenofovir, a widely used antiviral agent, suffers from poor stability, low bioavailability, and rapid renal clearance, limiting its therapeutic efficacy. Proniosomes, a vesicular drug delivery system, offer a promising approach to enhance tenofovir's stability and controlled release. A factorial design approach was employed to optimize tenofovir-loaded proniosomes, evaluating key formulation variables such as surfactant type, cholesterol concentration, and maltodextrin concentration. The formulations were evaluated for particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency (EE%), with morphological characteristics examined through SEM and TEM imaging. In vitro, drug release studies were conducted to assess the controlled release behavior, while stability studies evaluated the formulation's robustness under different storage conditions. The optimized formulation showed a particle size of around 420 nm, a low PDI (< 0.3), a zeta potential of -28.6 mV, and an encapsulation efficiency of 87.3%, reflecting its stability and uniform vesicle distribution. The in vitro release profile showed prolonged drug release over 24 hours, beginning with an initial burst phase followed by a controlled diffusion phase. The release kinetics followed the Korsmeyer-Peppas model, suggesting a non-Fickian diffusion mechanism. Stability studies showed minimal changes in physicochemical properties over three months, confirming formulation stability. The study highlights proniosomes as an effective delivery system for tenofovir, offering enhanced stability, sustained release, and improved encapsulation efficiency. This approach presents a potential alternative for improving the pharmacokinetic profile of tenofovir, ensuring better therapeutic outcomes in antiviral therapy.

Keywords:

tenofovir, proniosomes, controlled release, factorial design, encapsulation efficiency

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Arvapalli , S., & Areti, A. R. (2026). Proniosomal encapsulation of tenofovir for improved stability and controlled release: a factorial design-based study. Prospects in Pharmaceutical Sciences, 24(3), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.56782/pps.536

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Swarupa Arvapalli

Anka Rao Areti

drankarao83@gmail.com

Affiliation:

a:1:{s:5:"en_US";s:22:"KL College of Pharmacy";} India

Proniosomal encapsulation of tenofovir for improved stability and controlled release: a factorial design-based study

Swarupa Arvapalli

Anka Rao Areti

Abstract

Keywords:

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