Abstract

A REVIEW ON NANOENGINEERED FILM PLATFORMS FOR EFFICIENT DELIVERY OF SUMATRIPTAN IN ACUTE MIGRAINE THERAPY

Mr. Gopinadh Vuyyala, Mohd. Umar Farooq, Krishnaveni, V. Yogeshwari, Asma Tabassum, K. Kiranmayee

ABSTRACT

Migraine is a prevalent neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, debilitating headaches often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensory disturbances. Sumatriptan, a selective serotonin (5-HT₁B/1D) receptor agonist, remains a cornerstone in the acute management of migraine attacks. However, conventional delivery routes such as oral, nasal, and subcutaneous administration are associated with several limitations, including poor bioavailability due to first-pass metabolism, delayed onset of action, and reduced patient compliance. These challenges have prompted the exploration of advanced drug delivery strategies to enhance therapeutic efficacy. Nanoengineered film platforms have emerged as a promising alternative, integrating nanotechnology with thin, flexible polymeric films for efficient drug delivery. These systems incorporate drug-loaded nanocarriers—such as nanoparticles, liposomes, and nanoemulsions—within biocompatible film matrices, enabling rapid drug release, improved mucosal adhesion, and enhanced permeation across biological barriers. Such platforms are particularly advantageous for buccal, sublingual, and nasal administration, offering fast onset of action and bypassing hepatic first-pass metabolism. Additionally, nanoengineered films facilitate targeted delivery, including direct nose-to-brain transport, thereby improving drug concentration at the site of action while minimizing systemic side effects. This review highlights the design principles, functional mechanisms, and therapeutic advantages of nanoengineered film-based systems for sumatriptan delivery. It also discusses recent advancements and ongoing challenges, including formulation stability and large-scale production. Overall, nanoengineered films represent a novel and effective approach for optimizing acute migraine therapy and improving patient outcomes.

Keywords: Nanoengineered films; Sumatriptan delivery; Acute migraine therapy; Nanocarriers; Mucoadhesive drug delivery; Buccal and nasal films; Sublingual administration; Controlled drug release; Enhanced bioavailability; Nose-to-brain transport; Polymeric film sys