Abstract

Velpatasvir (VLP) as, a medication used to treat hepatitis-C virus (HCV). It has a very low oral bioavailability (25%). The aim of the current work is to prepare VLP loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (VLP-NLCs) as a potential way to enhance VLP aqueous solubility and bioavailability and increase its efficacy. The preparation of VLP-NLCs was carried out using the emulsification - solvent evaporation method, followed by ultrasonication. The prepared nanocarrier was examined for its particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency and in-vitro drug release of the selected formula. VLP-NLCs displayed narrow size distribution, spherical morphologies that were nanosized (105 ± 2.3 nm), and significant drug entrapment efficiencies (> 80%). Particle size ranged between 105 ± 2.3 to 1399 ± 2.8 nm and zeta potential between -14.6 ± 0.2 to -46.0 ± 1.1 mV. High entrapping efficiency was obtained due to incorporation of liquid lipid. The In Vitro release showed prolonged time dependent release. NLC 6 had the best results among the eight prepared formulae. These findings show that NLC is a potential carrier to improve the solubility of drug and enhance its bioavailability.