Abstract

FORMULATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SIMVASTATIN NANOPARTICLES

Lingampalle Swapna*, K. Prathibha, Dr. Avinash Dundigalla and Dr. A. Yasodha

Abstract

The aim of this study is to formulate and characterize simvastatin loaded Chitosan nanoparticles prepared by ionic-gelation method. simvastatin Calcium has a low bioavailability (20%) due to poor absorption of the drug. Chitosan is a polymer of linear polysaccharide, which enhances transport of drug across epithelial surfaces and is biocompatible and biodegradable. The nanoparticles obtained were evaluated for percentage yield of drug, drug entrapment efficiency, particle size and morphology using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), compatibility studies using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and in vitro release kinetics. Among the four different drug to polymer ratios, 1:1 ratio showed high encapsulation efficiency and drug loading. The nanoparticles obtained were spherical in shape with a smooth surface with particle size range between 231.52 ± 24.12 nm to 405.25 ± 17.42 nm. The nanoparticles prepared proved to be a promising dosage form of simvastatin, with improved bioavailability.

Keywords: Simvastatin, Chitosan, Nanoparticles, Bioavailability, Ionic-Gelation.