Development of new drug formulations: Cetirizine-polymers nanoparticles

Abstract

Cetrizine (Cet)-encapsulated chitosan- (CSNP), alginate- (AlgNP) and chitosan-alginate- nanoparticles (CSNP-AlgNP) were prepared using the ion-ion interaction method to form Cet-CSNPs, Cet-AlgNPs, Cet-CSNPs-AlgNPs nanoparticles, respectively. The three nanoparticles were then subjected to drug delivery studies. The nanoparticles were prepared by the dropwise addition of Cet or CaCl2 or TPP solution to Alg and CS solution, depending on the nanoparticles prepared. These Cet-CSNPs, Cet-AlgNPs, Cet-CSNPs-AlgNPs were around 96, 95, and 109 nm in size, respectively, with zeta potential values of +6.7, -5.6, and -6.4 mV, respectively. The percentage loading efficiency was found to be 20, 45, and 35% for Cet-CSNPs, Cet-AlgNPs, and Cet-CSNPs-AlgNPs, respectively. Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis data indicate the successful formation of Cet-CSNPs, Cet-AlgNPs, Cet-CSNPs-AlgNPs. In vitro release of Cet shows about 83%, 90%, and 75% release in 30 h for Cet-CSNPs, Cet-AlgNPs, and Cet-CSNPs-AlgNPs, respectively, and were best fitted into Hixson-Crowell, Pseudo-second, and Higuchi models for Cet-CSNPs, Cet-AlgNPs, Cet-CSNPs-AlgNPs, respectively. The in vitro cytotoxicity data for the three nanoparticles does not show any toxic effect toward 3T3 cell lines, at least up to 100 μg/mL. The nanoparticles have good potential to be used as the extended-release formulation of Cet.