Ihab Dahham Hammoodi¹ , Nawal Ayash Rajab²

¹Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Al-Esraa University,; ²Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq.

For correspondence:-  Ihab Hammoodi   Email: ph.ihab2020@esraa.edu.iq   Tel:0096 47710940574

Received: 11 May 2026        Accepted: 15 August 2026        Published: 31 August 2026

Citation: Hammoodi ID, Rajab NA. Formulation and characterization of lomustine-loaded solusomes nanovesicles. Trop J Pharm Res 2026; 25(8):1051-1060 doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/tjpr.v25i8.2

© 2026 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To design and characterize Lomustine (LOM) nanoparticles encapsulated by solusomes to enhance the physicochemical properties. Methods: Thin-film hydration technique was employed to prepare LOM-loaded solusomes. Sixteen formulations were produced and evaluated for entrapment efficiency, particle size, polydispersity index, and in vitro drug release. Then, the optimum formula was chosen for further evaluation using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and using a sheep nasal membrane to perform ex vivo drug permeation studies. Results: Solusomes-loaded LOM F4 (lomustine 10 mg, cholesterol 10 mg, phosphatidylcholine 98 % 50 mg and Soluplus® 25 mg) was selected as an ideal formula since it has the optimum characteristics: high entrapment efficiency 99.76 ± 1.64 %, a small particle size 90.4 ± 9.98 nm, and a stable zeta potential - 32.16 mV. Additionally, it demonstrated significantly (p < 0.05) faster in vitro drug release 93 % after 120 minutes and a higher ex vivo permeation coefficient compared to the LOM suspension. Finally, encapsulating LOM in a more soluble and amorphous state facilitates rapid absorption for brain tumour treatment. Conclusion: The LOM-solusomes could be considered a new approach to enhance the solubility and permeability of the drug and deliver optimum therapeutic benefit.

Keywords: Differential scanning calorimetry, Ex vivo drug permeation, Lomustine, Phosphatidylcholine, Solubility, Solusomes

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H-5 index (Google Scholar): 49 (2023)