Erythromycin dermal delivery by MoS2 nanoflakes

Objective This study developed a novel MoS2 nanoflakes platform for the drug delivery (erythromycin) into the skin. Method MoS2 nanoflakes were synthesized using one-step hydrothermal method and characterized for the structural and optical properties by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopies. Then, the photothermal experiment was performed for the MoS2 sample with the concentrations (100, 200, 300, and 400 ppm). Results The highest photothermal heat was produced in the sample with 400 ppm concentration. Erythromycin loaded MoS2 nanoflakes (ERY/MoS2) were successfully prepared by the different ratios of ERY to MoS2 nanoflakes (1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, and 5:1). ERY/MoS2 with the ratio of 5:1 showed the highest entrapment efficiency (EE%) (62.8%) which was selected as the optimized formulation. The sample was further studied for in-vitro ERY release and ex-vivo skin permeation patterns with and without the laser irradiation (808 nm). Results indicated that in the presence of near-infrared (NIR) laser radiation (1 W/cm(2)), the optimized ERY/MoS2 sample showed a controlled drug release of 47.3% through a silicon membrane which reached a sustained flux of 201.83 mu g/cm(2) through human skin after 24 h. Conclusion MoS2 nanoflakes with an appropriate sustained release pattern were suggested as suitable carriers in the dermal drug delivery system for ERY.