Rosuvastatin calcium loaded chitosan nanoparticles: Preparation evaluation and in vitro release studies

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the present study was to develop sustained release biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles of rosuvastatin calcium. Methods: Nanoparticles were prepared by modified ionotropic gelation method using 3² full factorial designs. From the preliminary trials, the constraints for independent variables X1 (concentration. of chitosan) and X2 (concentration. of sodium tripolyphosphate) have been fixed. Factors included concentration of chitosan and sodium tripolyphosphate, have been examined to investigate effect on particle size, encapsulation efficiency, zeta potential, % release, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transfer infrared study and X-ray diffraction and release study of rosuvastatin calcium nanoparticles. 0 Results: The prepared nanoparticles were white, free-flowing and spherical in shape. The infrared spectra showed stable character of rosuvastatin calcium in the drug-loaded nanoparticles and revealed the absence of drug polymer interactions. The chitosan nanoparticles have a particle diameter ranging approximately 114.5±3.61 to 724±.2.51 nm and a zeta potential-13.12 to-52.63 mV. The in vitro release behavior from all the drug loaded batches were found to follow first order and provided sustained release over a period of 10 h. The Zeta potential of all the batches were in the range of-13.12 to-52.63 mv. The release profiles of all batches were very well fitted by Korsmeyer Peppas model. Conclusion: The best-fit release kinetics was achieved with Korsmeyer peppas model. The release of rosuvastatin calcium was influenced by the drug to polymer ratio and particle size. These results indicate that rosuvastatin calcium nanoparticles could be effective in sustaining drug release for a prolonged period.