Background & aims

Compliance with treatment regimens in paediatric populations is often hindered by challenges related to dosage form, administration routes, and the physicochemical properties of certain molecules. Vitamin A, a key supplement for children aged 6–59 months, is typically delivered in high oral doses, raising concerns about toxicity and limited coverage, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Nanocarriers (NCs) offer a promising solution by enhancing solubility, controlling release, and potentially reducing dosage frequency. Additionally, 3D printing (3DP), particularly semisolid forms for mucosal delivery, enables the creation of personalised, point-of-care dosage forms such as buccal and nasal films. This project leverages these advanced technologies and aims to develop and assess the efficacy of novel semisolid dosage forms containing NCs for non-invasive micronutrient supplementation in paediatric populations.

Methodology & techniques used

The project will employ a range of advanced techniques across formulation, manufacturing, characterisation, and evaluation. Quality-by-Design (QbD) and Design of Experiments (DoE) will guide the systematic development of nanocarrier (NC) and semisolid formulations. NCs will be produced using solvent displacement, phase inversion temperature, and microfluidics. Characterisation will involve dynamic light scattering, nanoparticle tracking analysis, microscopy, and HPLC-UV/MS for vitamin quantification. Semisolid 3D printing will be optimised for buccal and nasal dosage forms, followed by mechanical, rheological, and thermal testing. In vitro and ex vivo assessments will include MTT assays and Franz cell diffusion studies, while in vivo studies in rodents will evaluate biodistribution, efficacy, and safety using HPLC, IVIS imaging, and histological analysis.