Preparation and evaluation of fast-dissolving albendazole sulfoxide and praziquantel-loaded polyvinylpyrrolidone nanofiber films by electrospinning

Albendazole sulfoxide (ALBSOX) and Praziquantel (PRZ) are broad-spectrum anthelmintic medications used in the treatment of both humans and animals that are challenging to manufacture for geriatric and pediatric populations and have poor oral bioavailability due to their low water solubility and high lipophilicity. To increase the solubility and bioavailability of the drugs, ALBSOX and PRZ-loaded nanofiber films were prepared using polyvinylpyrrolidone K90 (PVP), a non-toxic, inert polymer with high hydrophilic characteristics. SEM analysis of the produced ALBSOX and PRZ-loaded PVP nanofiber films revealed them to be uniform and smooth, with good uniformity and mechanical properties. The PVP nanofiber films of ALBSOX and PRZ disintegrated in phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) in less than 1 s and increased the solubility of ALBSOX and PRZ about five times compared to pure active ingredients. Furthermore, the prepared ALBSOX and PRZ-loaded PVP nanofiber films were found to have no cytotoxic effect in cell viability studies using L929 cells, and increased the protoscolicidal effect of the ALBSOX and PRZ combination approximately 2-fold in studies of Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces. The findings of the present study reveal that the developed PVP nanofiber films have the potential to improve the dissolution profile and pharmacological efficacy of the ALBSOX and PRZ. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.