Abstract

DEVELOPMENT AND CHARECTERIZATION OF RIVASTIGMINE LOADED CHITOSAN- POLYCAPROLACTONE (PCL) NANOPARTICLES

Deepika*, Tulsi Bisht and Popin Kumar

ABSTRACT

Rivastigmine loaded chitosan- Polycaprolactone (PCL) nanoparticles were prepared by solvent evaporation and diffusion methods in three different ratios with variable drug/polymer ratios (1:2, 1:3 and 1:5). The prepared nanoparticles were characterized and evaluated by FTIR, DSC, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), PSA and Zeta potential. From IR spectra studies and DSC thermograms we can draw a conclusion that the drug remains in its normal form without undergoing any interaction with the polymers. Further, drug entrapment efficiency and in vitro release studies were carried out. Among different ratios studied, 1:5 ratio showed highest drug entrapment efficiency (96.76%). Scanning electron microscopy results revealed that nanoparticles were spherical in shape. Particle size and Zeta potential was analyzed and showed average 339.1±63.2 nm and 46.1 respectively. In vitro release studies showed that rivastigmine loaded PCL and chitosan nanoparticles were capable of releasing the drug in a sustained manner. The experimental results showed the suitability of PCL and chitosan nanoparticles as a potential carrier for providing sustained delivery of rivastigmine.

Keywords: PCL, SEM, DSC, Sustained release.