Revolutionizing Drug Delivery: Nicardipine Nanosuspension Formulation and In-Vitro Evaluation

Abstract

Nicardipine hydrochloride, is a potent calcium channel blocker, is commonly used in the management of hypertension and angina. It is a BCS class II drug which has low aqueous solubility and high permeability. In the present study, an attempt was made to formulate and evaluate nanosuspension of Nicardipine hydrochloride using different stabilizers, namely Tween 80, PVP K30, Poloxamer 188 by using Nanoprecipitation method with the objective to improve solubility and enhance dissolution of Nicardipine hydrochloride. Prepared nanosuspensions were evaluated for drug-excipient compatibility, particle size, PDI (Polydispersity Index), Zeta potential, Drug content, Saturation solubility, In-vitro release study, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) studies revealed the compatibility of the drug with excipients. Nanosuspension (F3), which had the lowest particle size and the highest % Drug Release, was selected as the optimum formulation. It showed the droplet size, PDI, ZP,% Drug content and %Drug release of 150.4 nm,0.243, -30.6 mV,95.52%,91.24%. Kinetic release profiles of the NS F3 revealed that it followed First order kinetics. This study showed the ability of nanosuspension system in improving the solubility and drug release of Nicardipine.
 Keywords: Nicardipine, Nanosuspension, Solubility, % Drug Release, % Drug content, Scanning electron microscopy.