Open AccessARTEMETHER LOADED ETHYLCELLULOSE NANOSUSPENSIONS: EFFECTS OF FORMULATION VARIABLES, PHYSICAL STABILITY AND DRUG RELEASE PROFILE
Author(s) -
Nasrin E. Khalifa,
Abubakr O. Nur,
Zuheir Osman
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
international journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences/international journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2656-0097
pISSN - 0975-1491
DOI - 10.22159/ijpps.2017v9i6.18321
Subject(s) - particle size , artemether , pulmonary surfactant , materials science , chromatography , ethyl cellulose , particle size distribution , solvent , chemical engineering , polymer , chemistry , composite material , organic chemistry , medicine , artemisinin , immunology , malaria , engineering , plasmodium falciparum
Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the individual and joint effects of drug: ethylcellulose ratio, content of tween 80 and chloroform: water volume ratio on particles' size and size distribution of artemether loaded ethyl cellulose nanosuspension formulations, aiming to achieve nanosuspension with desired particles properties, stability and drug release profile.Methods: Mixed levels design was used to generate a series of artemether loaded ethylcellulose nanosuspensions that produced by emulsification-solvent evaporation technique. Formulations were qualified for particle size and size distribution using dynamic light scattering technique. Best ranked formulation was then evaluated for stability and drug release rate and kinetics.Results: Drug: polymer ratio, content of surfactant and organic: water volume ratio were found to exert considerable influences (p 0.05). Best ranked (optimal) artemether nanosuspension proved stable and capable to improve and maintain the release of loaded drug over 24 h, at least under the setting conditions of this study.Conclusion: Focusing on both the individual and joint influences of formulation variables assist in achieving nanosuspension with desired particles characteristics, stability and drug release profile.