OPTIMIZATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF RIVASTIGMINE-LOADED NANOSTRUCTURED LIPID CARRIERS

Objective: The objective of the present study was to develop Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) for improvement in the oral bioavailability of RT. Methods: RT-loaded NLCs were prepared by high shear homogenization technique using fish oil and flaxseed oil respectively. The prepared RT-NLCs were characterized using a phase-contrast microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Further, particle size, entrapment efficiency and sustained release of the drug were also studied. Results: SEM results revealed that the RT-NLCs were spherical in shape with a smooth surface. AFM results confirmed the formation of spherical particle dispersions by the NLCs in nanoscale. FTIR spectroscopy and DSC analyses revealed that there is no chemical interaction between the ingredients of RT-NLCs. The particle size of the RT-NLCs was found to be exponentially decreased with the increase in a surfactant solution. Conclusion: The results confirmed pronounced improvement in entrapment efficiency of optimized formulation of RT-NLCs. In vitro, drug release studies showed that RT-NLCs were capable of releasing the drug in a sustained manner. The experimental results showed that the NLCs are potential carriers for providing sustained delivery of rivastigmine