Comparative evaluation of microfluidic-synthesized nano-niosomes versus liposomal and micro-niosomal deferoxamine in murine iron overload models

Background and purpose: Microfluidic technology provides enhanced standardization for formulating nanoencapsulated drugs compared to traditional bulk methodologies. Here, microfluidic nano-niosomal deferoxamine (Nn-DFO) was compared to micro-niosomal (Mn-DFO) and liposomal (L-DFO) formulations synthesized by conventional thin-film hydration. Experimental approach: The formulations were subjected to physicochemical analyses. In vivo functional efficacy and safety were analyzed in mouse models of iron overload. Urinary and fecal iron excretion were also assessed. Findings/Results: Mean particle sizes were 180.89±74.34 nm for L-DFO, 87.06±2.67 nm for Nn-DFO, and 7.41 ± 0.19 μm for Mn-DFO. Encapsulation efficiencies of L-DFO, Nn-DFO, and Mn-DFO formulations were 64.54%, 57.1%, and 70.72%, respectively. The 4-h drug release rates for L-DFO, Nn-DFO, and Mn-DFO formulations were 20.95%, 31.34%, and 26.30%, respectively, compared to 59.46% release from free DFO (F-DFO) within 4 h. Animals treated with F-DFO, L-DFO, Nn-DFO, and Mn-DFO showed significant reductions in the iron content of the liver (45.03%, 49.36%, 41.63%, and 23.52%, respectively). Urinary iron excretion on day 1 st and fecal iron excretion on day 3 rd after drug administration were the highest in the groups treated with F-DFO and Nn-DF O compared to other groups. Fecal iron excretion on day 7 th was the highest in mice receiving Nn-DFO compared to different formulations. Conclusion and implications: Nn-DFO synthesized by the microfluidic approach showed iron chelation efficacy and immediate iron excretion profile comparable to F-DFO, while being superior to Mn-DFO and L-DFO regarding delayed iron excretion.