In-Vivo Investigation of the Irritation potential of Lamivudine and Stavudine liposomal gels in rabbits

Abstract

Effective antiretroviral therapy is required on a long-term basis to maintain viral suppression and reduce disease progression in HIV infections. An attempt has been made to implement the principles of novel drug delivery to antiretrovirals in order to overcome the drawbacks of existing therapy. Liposomal gels of lamivudine and stavudine respectively were developed for the transdermal drug delivery. The irritation potential of drug loaded and blank formulations was investigated on shaved rabbit skin, in vivo, and compared to that of 5% sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) solution (a known irritant) as the positive control and untreated portion of the skin as a negative control. Skin irritation was assessed by visual observations and histological evaluations. We found that the drug loaded and blank liposomal gels caused no significant epidermal irritation and erythema. Thus we conclude that these liposomal gels may be used safely as transdermal drug delivery vehicles for the selected antiretrovirals.