Self-association behavior of an amphiphilic drug nortriptyline hydrochloride under the influence of inorganic salts

Abstract

Herein, the micellization phenomena of an amphiphilic antidepressant drug nortriptyline hydrochloride (NOT) have been studied using tensiometric technique in the absence and presence of different concentration of inorganic salts (NaCl, NaBr and KCl) at 298.15 K. NOT is employed for the relief of symptoms of depression. In presence of inorganic salt the CMC value decreases which is explained on the basis of nature and ion size. Various parameters, i.e., the maximum surface excess concentration at the air/solution interface (Γmax), minimum area per head group at the air/solution interface (Amin), free energy of micellization (ΔG m o), minimum energy of surface (G min) and standard Gibbs energy of adsorption (ΔG ads o) were evaluated and discussed in detail.