DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF EMTRICITABINE LOADED NANOPARTICLES

Abstract

The present research work is based on the formulation, optimization and characterization of the delivery system of nanoparticulate drugs. The main aim of the work is to formulate a targeted drug delivery system with higher drug entrapment efficiency. Drug used in the work is Emtricitabine, an antiretroviral drug, while the polymer used is Eudragit, a biodegradable polymer. The development of the analytical method is carried out using acetonitrile and phosphate buffered saline. Optimizing the formulation also involves optimizing its various process and formulation parameters. Different organic solvents were tested and various surfactants were used to optimize the formulation of the nanoparticles. Size range and zeta potential were measured using the Malvern zetameter. Lyophilization was carried out using two different cryoprotectants. The stability test carried out revealed that the formulation was good. The best formulation was considered for zeta potential determination. Formulation (F9) showed a maximum deviation of 27 mV which showed the particles to be separate and highly repellent. This repellent property has been found to be more useful in reducing opsonization and promotes target specificity. The prepared formulation was sterilized by a membrane filtration technique. Keywords: Antiretroviral drug, Lyophilization, membrane filtration technique, repellent property