Natural halloysite nanotubes /chitosan based bio-nanocomposite for delivering norfloxacin, an anti-microbial agent in sustained release manner.

Applying nanotechnology to deliver drug could result in several benefits such as prolong duration of action, enhancement in overall bioavailability, targeting to specific site, low initial loading dose require, systemic stability enhancement etc. Halloysite is one of those clay minerals showing maximum effectiveness when consider as a nano drug carriers for different kind applications. Here, we have used norfloxacin as the model drug for loading into halloysite nanotube (HNT) for its anti-bacterial activity. Norfloxacin was loaded into halloysites by vacuum operation and sonication. The nanotubes were evaluated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical microscopy, water absorption studies, cytotoxicity studies, antimicrobial studies and in vitro diffusion studies. SEM, FT-IR and XRD analysis data showed that the norfloxacin was successfully loaded into nanotubes. TEM analysis confirmed loading of norfloxacin in halloysites' lumen. The halloysite/chitosan nanocomposites were prepared by solvent casting and freeze-drying method. SEM analysis revealed compact and rugged surface of nanocomposites due to existing norfloxacin loaded halloysite. FTIR and XRD confirmed formation of nanocomposite. The nanocomposites showed good antimicrobial effect and good biocompatibility in cytotoxicity study. The in-vitro release studies revealed that halloysite/chitosan nanocomposites were able to sustain the drug release. Also, the nanocomposites were stable in various humidity conditions. Therefore, all the outcomes suggest that the prepared nanocomposites can provide enhanced therapeutic benefits and they can be very potential nano vehicle for sustaining drug delivery.