Abstract

FORMULATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MEFENAMIC ACID LOADED POLYMERIC NANOPARTICLES

Kinjal C Patel*and Soma Pramanik

ABSTRACT

In this study, we tried to formulate and evaluate the Mefenamic acid (MA) nanoparticles. Mefenamic acid loaded nanoparticles made up of polymers Eudragit RL 100 and Ethyl cellulose were prepared by nanoprecipitation and solvent evaporation method, using Pluronic F68 as stabilizer. Drug and polymer compatibility study was carried out with FTIR and DSC study and results indicated that there were no interaction between drug and polymers. The nanoparticles were characterized in terms of nanoparticle size, surface morphology, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro drug release profile, release kinetics and stability study. Results indicated that the particle size, drug entrapment efficiencyand drug release rate was influenced by verifying polymer ratio. The release rate of nanoparticles could be controlled by adjusting the combination of polymers in different ratios. The particle size analysis data revealed that the average particle size of the optimized formulation was 278.88 nm and the entrapment efficiency was 91.04% and drug release of about 95% at 12th hour. The in-vitro release profiles from nanoparticles were fitted into various kinetic models and the best fit with the highest correlation coefficient was observed in zero order plot, indicating that the predominant release mechanism was controlled release. The release profiles of MA nanoparticles stored at temperature of 3-5°C was stable during three months of storage condition. These results indicate that prepared MA nanoparticles could be prepared providing a sustained release in the intestine region and increase the solubility of MA.

Keywords: Mefenamic acid, nanoparticles, Rheumatoid arthritis, Antipyretic.