Response Surface Optimization, Fabrication and In-vitro Investigation of Elastic Nanovesicles Loaded with Flunarizine.

BACKGROUND

Different variables have been used for the preparation of elastic nanovesicles. In this work, the ethanol injection method has been used to prepare flunarizine spanlastic nanovesicles and study the potential of these variables on vesicle size, encapsulation efficiency, and vesicle elasticity.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to encapsulate flunarizine dihydrochloride (FHC), a medication with low solubility in water, within nano-elastic vesicles made from Span 60. These vesicles, known as nano-spanlastics, were developed to provide non-invasive trans-nasal delivery and offer a potential therapeutic option for migraines. The ideal formula for flunarizine spanlastic nanovesicles should have the lowest possible particle size and PdI, highest possible zeta potential, vesicle elasticity, drug entrapment, and dissolving efficiency.

METHODS

An experimental design was followed during the preparation of flunarizine-loaded nanospanlastics utilizing the ethanol injection method and a number of edge activators (EAs). To investigate how the independent parameters affected the features of elastic vesicles and choose the best formula, Design-Expert®, software was used. The screening of 18 formulation and process aspects affecting vesicle size, polydispersity index, deformability index, zeta potential, drug entrapment, and in-vitro release was made easier by the experimental design.

RESULTS

The selected Flunarizine spanlastic nanovesicles exhibited a vesicle size of 135 ± 2.81 nm, PdI 0.2462 ± 0.01, ZP -28 ± 0.92 mV, relative deformability of 13.96 ± 0.76 g, EE% of 78.37 ± 1.42, and dissolution efficiency of about 90%.

CONCLUSION

The successful preparation of Flunarizine-loaded spanlastic nanovesicles using ethanol injection method significantly improved the drug's solubility. Flunarizine spanlastic formulations made up of Span 60 and EAs (Tween 40 and SDC) were prepared using various weight ratios of Span 60: EA. The study presented a viable and successful method for nasal delivery of the medication for migraine treatment.