Formulation and Characterization of Nateglinide Nanosuspension by Precipitation Method

Abstract

Poor water solubility and slow dissolution rate are major issues for the majority of upcoming and existing biologically active pharmaceutical compounds. Nateglinide is Biopharmaceutical Classification System Class-II drug that has low solubility and high permeability. The purpose of the present study was to improve the solubility and dissolution rate of Nateglinide by the preparation of nanosuspension by the nanoprecipitation technique. Nateglinide nanosuspension was evaluated for its particle size, in vitro dissolution study, and characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy. The optimized formulation showed an average particle size of 207 nm and zeta potential of -25.8 mV. The rate of dissolution of the optimized nanosuspension was enhanced by 83% in 50 min relative to micronized suspension of nateglinide (37% in 50 min). This improvement was mainly due to the formulation of nanosized particles of Nateglinide. Stability study revealed that nanosuspension was more stable at room temperature and refrigerator condition with no significant change in particle size distribution. These results indicate that the nateglinide loaded nanosuspension may significantly improve in vitro dissolution rate and thereby possibly enhance the onset of therapeutic effect.