<i>In Vitro</i> Drug Release Kinetics and Antioxidant Activity of Metformin-Loaded Niosomes


MALOVA E. E., Aydin Y. C., ÖZBEK E. N., Alcin I., KILINÇ M. E., YETİK ANACAK G. Y., ...More

ACS OMEGA, vol.10, no.48, pp.58225-58237, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 10 Issue: 48
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.1021/acsomega.5c03679
  • Journal Name: ACS OMEGA
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Chemical Abstracts Core, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Page Numbers: pp.58225-58237
  • Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Metformin is an antidiabetic drug that is widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and is known to reduce oxidative stress. Drug-loaded niosomes enhance the cellular uptake of drugs, resulting in improved antioxidant effects. In this study, we formulated metformin-loaded niosomes, aiming to enhance cellular drug uptake and augment antioxidant effects. The particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential values were found to be 153.8 nm, 0.449, and -9.32 mV respectively. Morphological observations conducted through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided insights into the distinctive structure of the niosomes. Entrapment efficiency of drug-loaded niosomes was determined to be 68%. In vitro drug release studies, performed by using the dialysis bag method, exhibited a release profile consistent with Hixson-Crowell kinetics. After characterization of the formulations, the antioxidant activity of metformin-loaded niosomes on Pyrogallol-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation in the mouse brain was compared with metformin treatment alone. ROS formation was measured by a luminol-lucigenin chemiluminescence assay. Metformin-loaded niosomes significantly reduced ROS formation compared to metformin treatment alone. Metformin-loaded niosomes offer potential for enhanced antioxidant effects and bioavailability by increasing cellular uptake of metformin.