FORMULATION AND IN VITRO EVALUATION OF ACARBOSE-LOADED SOLID LIPID NANOPARTICLES

Dr. D. Vani*, Dr. K. Karthick, Ram Kumar M., Arun T.

ABSTRACT

The present study aimed to formulate and evaluate Acarbose-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) to enhance their therapeutic efficacy and overcome limitations related to their low oral bioavailability. SLNs were prepared using glyceryl monostearate as a lipid carrier and Tween 80 as a surfactant by the solvent evaporation/emulsification technique. Preformulation studies, including solubility, FTIR, and DSC analysis, confirmed the compatibility of the drug with selected excipients. Nine formulations (F1– F9) were developed and characterized for particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, drug content, entrapment efficiency, and surface morphology by SEM. Among all batches, formulation F6 exhibited superior attributes, including a mean size of 312 nm, a zeta potential of −26.4 mV, a drug content of 94.35%, and an entrapment efficiency of 88.15%. In vitro drug release studies using the dialysis bag method demonstrated a sustained release pattern over 24 hours, with F6 achieving 89.45% cumulative release, indicating controlled drug delivery potential. Stability studies conducted under various storage conditions for three months revealed no significant changes in the physicochemical properties.. The results suggest that Acarbose-loaded SLNs can serve as a promising nanocarrier system for improving bioavailability and providing sustained drug release in the management of diabetes mellitus

Keywords: Nanoparticle, Acarbose, Diabetes, Controlled drug delivery.