Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Research
Vol. 14 No. 3 (2026)

Formulation and evaluation of SPAN-60-based valacyclovir proniosomal gel for ocular delivery

Nyanbeni Y Kikon (Department of Pharmaceutics, Uttaranchal Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand-248007, India)
Shalu Verma (Department of Pharmaceutics, Uttaranchal Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand-248007, India)
Nidhi Gairola (Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shri Guru Ram University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand-248001, India.)
Alka Singh (Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technology, Sardar Bhagwan Singh University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248001, India.)
Tarun Parashar (Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy & Research, Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248007, India.)



Article Info

Publish Date
15 May 2026

Abstract

Background: Ocular administration is a challenging route of drug delivery due to the eye's distinct anatomy and physiology. Valacyclovir is commonly prescribed to treat viral ophthalmological conditions. However, its poor permeability limits its effectiveness in ocular viral infections. In this study, valacyclovir proniosomal gels (F1-F14) have been prepared for ocular permeation. Methodology: The VCV proniosomal gel was prepared using varying ratios of cholesterol, Span 60, and lecithin via coacervation-phase separation. The prepared proniosomal gels were characterized for particle size and shape, viscosity, drug entrapment efficiency (EE%), surface morphology, zeta potential, and in vitro drug release. Result and Discussion: Data from experimentation indicate that all formulations prepared were found to have high entrapped efficiency (%), with the highest value being (90.70%) for F7. The final formulation showed a ZP of -27.40 ± 2 mV, a PDI of 0.231, and a vesicle size of 64.31 nm, indicating uniformly dispersed, nanosized vesicles well-suited for ocular drug delivery and exhibiting greater colloidal stability. Conclusion: The results from all fourteen formulations of in vitro drug release demonstrated that they all released their drug in a sustained manner for at least 10 hours following release. The patterns of drug release from the in vitro tests fitted into the Korsmeyer–Peppas model of drug release kinetics. Overall, the results show that using VCV in a proniosomal form enables prolonged, enhanced corneal permeation.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

joapr

Publisher

Subject

Medicine & Pharmacology

Description

Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Research (JOAPR) is an official publication of Creative Pharma Assent (CPA). It is an open access, peer review online international journal. JOAPR is primarily focused on multiple discipline of pharmaceutical sciences (Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Technology, ...