Oleic Acid Coated Gelatin Nanoparticles Impregnated Gel for Sustained Delivery of Zaltoprofen: Formulation and Textural Characterization

Purpose: In the present study, we have formulated zaltoprofen loaded, surface decorated, biodegradable gelatin nanogel and evaluated its texture characterization.

Methods: The method used to prepare gelatin nanoparticles (GNP) was ‘two step desolvation’ and its surface decoration was performed with oleic acid (OA). The GNP was optimized by DOE software. Nanogels were evaluated for particle size entrapment efficiency, texture properties, SEM, in-vitro, ex-vivo drug release studies, in-vitro characterization, stability and in vivo evaluation of nanogel for anti-inflammatory activity was carried out by carrageenan induced rat paw edema method as an anti-inflammatory experimental model.

Results: The formulated GNP with particle size and entrapment efficiency of optimized batch was found to be 247.1 nm and 76.21% respectively. The SEM of GNP shows smooth and spherical shape. In-vitro and Ex-vivo drug release shows that there was 69.47% and 78.59% drug released within 48 hrs. It follows Ritger peppas model, which indicates sustained drug release. The good texture properties of nanogel were observed from texture analysis graphs.In vivo studies of our formulation give significant results compared to the marketed nanogel. Stability data revealed stability of nanogel formulation up to 3 months.

Conclusion: The present approach can provide us promising results of the sustained analgesic activity and the stability of drug within the GNP.