SNEDDS

The objective of the present work was to formulate and evaluate novel self-nano emulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) of poorly soluble drug Nateglinide. Poor water solubility and slow dissolution rate are major issues for most upcoming and existing biologically active pharmaceutical compounds. Nateglinide is Biopharmaceutical Classification System Class-II drug that has low solubility and high permeability. Surfactants and oil was selected based on solubility studies were further screened for their efficiency in formulation. Acrosyl K-135 was used as oil phase and Kolliphor RH 40 and Transcutol P were used as surfactant and co-surfactant respectively for formulation. Formulation F13 was found to be optimized formulation on the basis of in vitro dissolution studies, particle size and zeta potential. The particle size of the optimized SNEDDS formulation was found to be 74.6 nm and Z-Average was found to be 43.1 nm, indicating all the particles were in the nanometer range and the zeta potential of the optimized SNEDDS formulation was found to be -18.4 mV. The optimized formulation was then subjected to stability studies and was found to be stable after 6 months. Thus, the study confirmed that the SNEDDS formulation can be used as a possible alternative to traditional oral formulations of Nateglinide to improve its solubility.

Lovastatin belongs to the class of cholesterol lowering drugs and is the first clinically used statin. It is available as conventional and extended release tablets, but its low aqueous solubility finally escorts it to low oral bioavailability (less than 5 %). Therefore, improvement in aqueous solubility of Lovastatin is the foremost aim. In the present work Self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) of Lovastatin is being formulated to increase the water solubility. Lovastatin SNEDDS was formulated with various oils, surfactants and co-surfactants and tested for its maximum solubility and drug release. The optimized Lovastatin SNEDDS formulation (F8) has a composition of Acrysol EL 135 as oil phase, Lauro glycol 90 and Capmul MCM as surfactant and co-surfactant respectively. Formulation F8 was found to be best formulation based on evaluation parameters. No drug precipitation or phase separation was observed in the optimized formulation. The particle size of the optimized formulation was found to be 4.9 nm & Z-Average of 71.5 nm indicating all the particles were in the nanometer range. The zeta potential of the optimized SNEDDS formulation was found to be -13.7 mV which comply with the requirement of the zeta potential for stability. The current investigation of nano emulsion may serve as a promising approach for the formulation development of poorly soluble drug Lovastatin, which has undoubtedly proved the potential effectiveness of SNEDDS for formulating Lovastatin with improved solubility and dissolution. Key words: Lovastatin, SNEDDS, Statin, Lauro Glycol 90, Solubility