Pre-clinical Laboratory Investigation of Acyclovir-Loaded Nanoparticles for Targeted Antiviral Delivery

Abstract

Acyclovir is a widely used antiviral agent for the treatment of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections; however, its clinical utility is limited by poor oral bioavailability, short half-life, and the need for frequent dosing. Nanoparticle-based delivery systems offer a promising strategy to improve drug stability, enhance targeted delivery, and achieve controlled release. This study aimed to develop and evaluate acyclovir-loaded nanoparticles for preclinical application. Nanoparticles were prepared using a polymeric encapsulation approach and characterized for particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, morphology, and in vitro drug release. The nanoparticles exhibited nanoscale size with low PDI, favorable surface charge, and high encapsulation efficiency. In vitro release studies demonstrated sustained acyclovir release under physiological conditions. These findings suggest that acyclovir-loaded nanoparticles may enhance antiviral therapy by improving bioavailability, prolonging drug exposure, and enabling targeted delivery, warranting further in vivo and clinical investigation.