Lipid liquid-crystalline nanoparticles sustained teicoplanin delivery for treatment of chronic osteomyelitis: in vitro and in vivo studies

The aim of our work is to formulate teicoplanin-loaded lipid liquid-crystalline (cubosomes) nanoparticles laden gel to sustain the release of teicoplanin for effective treatment of infected bone. Cubosomal gels were prepared by emulsification technique. The batches were characterised for morphology, size, entrapment efficacy, viscosity, in-vitro flux, in-vivo drug release and histopathological studies. Transmission electron microscopy images confirmed the bi-continuous liquid crystalline phase. The size (61-202 nm), viscosity (12 138-13 132 cp), and entrapment efficacy (69.0-81.8% w/w) increase with the level of glycerol monooleate. The in-vitro flux data showed sustain teicoplanin release from the cubosomal gels for 36 days, compared to 48 h from the control gel. The in-vivo teicoplanin release study (osteomyelitis induced by S. aureus) showed low serum drug-concentration from the gel (up to 14 days) compared to high-serum drug-concentration using intravenous injections. In conclusion the study demonstrated the potential of cubosomes for effective delivery of teicoplanin to replace injections.