Yujuan Mao,1,* Tianjiao Hao,2,* Hongxiu Zhang,2,* Xiaofei Gu,2 Jing Wang,1 Feifei Shi,1 Xiaolan Chen,1 Liuna Guo,1 Jie Gao,1 Yan Shen,2 JinLin Zhang,3 Shenglan Yu4 

1Jiangsu Agri-Animal Husbandry Vocational College, Taizhou, Jiangsu, 225300, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, People’s Republic of China; 3Jiangsu Institute for Food and Drug Control, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210019, People’s Republic of China; 4College of Animal Medicine, Jiangsu Agri-Animal Husbandry Vocational College, Taizhou, People’s Republic of China

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence: Shenglan Yu; JinLin Zhang, Email slyu70@126.com; zjluser@126.com

Introduction: Eprinomectin offers promise against parasitic infections. This study develops Eprinomectin (EPR) mixed micelles for transdermal delivery, aiming to enhance efficacy and convenience against endoparasites and ectoparasites. Physicochemical characterization and pharmacokinetic studies were conducted to assess its potential as an effective treatment for parasitic infections.
Methods: Blank and EPR mixed micelles were prepared using PEG-40 Hydrogenated castor oil (RH-40) and Nonyl phenol polyoxyethylene ether 40 (NP-40). Critical micelle concentrations (CMC) determined using the pyrene fluorescence probe method. Particle size, EE, DL, in vitro release, permeation, and skin irritation were evaluated. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies were conducted in male Sprague-Dawley rats.
Results: Results show that EPR mixed micelles present suitable stability, physicochemical properties, and safety. Moreover, the rapid release and high bioavailability of EPR mixed micelles have also been verified in the study. Pharmacokinetic experiments in vivo showed that an improvement in the transdermal absorption and bioavailability of EPR after encapsulation in mixed micelles formulations.
Conclusion: The results proved that the novel mixed micelles are safe and effective and are expected to become a promising veterinary nano-delivery system.

Keywords: eprinomectin, mixed micelles, transdermal delivery, pharmacokinetics