Abstract

NANOEMULSION SYSTEM FOR TRANSDERMAL DRUG DELIVERY OF NITRENDIPINE

Mohammad Wais, Priyanka Goswami* and Mohd. Aqil

ABSTRACT

Nitrendipine, a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker is used in the treatment of hypertension. It is a highly lipophilic, poorly water-soluble active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). Due to its extensive first-pass metabolism after oral administration it has bioavailability of only around 20%. Topical transdermal option of this potential API has been reported. Chemical penetration enhancers in many such products may cause skin irritation on prolonged therapy. As nanoemulsions do not need the chemical enhancers, they are advantageous over the conventional transdermal drug delivery systems. The aim of the present study was to develop Nitrendipine nanoemulsion formulation for topical administration. The nanoemulsion formulation consisted of Labrafac and Triacetin (1:1) was selected as the oil phase. Tween-80 and Transcutol-P were selected as surfactant and cosurfactant, respectively. Pseudoternary phase diagram was developed to determine the effect of the surfactant to cosurfactant mass ratio (Smix) on the nanoemulsion formation, a transparent region. The optimized nanoemulsion formulation was subjected to physicochemical and thermodynamic stability studies. All the selected formulations were found to be stable. Novel Nitrendipine nanoemulsion formulation could be designed and projected to be suitable for transdermal application.

Keywords: Nitrendipine, Nanoemulsion, Transdermal, Nonionic surfactant, Pseudoternary phase diagram.