Fast dissolving electrospun polymeric films of anti-diabetic drug repaglinide: formulation and evaluation

Abstract

Objective: Repaglinide is a well-known FDA approved drug from category of meglitinide; used for the treatment of diabetes. However, its use is limited because of its poor water solubility which leads to erratic drug absorption. Present work focuses on formulation and evaluation of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) nanofibers to counter this problem of poor water solubility.

Significance: Prepared nanofibers with hydrophilic polymers were expected to tackle the problem of poor water solubility.

Methods: Nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning technique with the optimization of parameters affecting final product. Further prepared formulation was characterized using various techniques.

Results: Successful development of drug loaded nanofibers was commenced utilizing electrospinning technique. Further casted film of same polymeric blend was prepared and compared with nanofibers. Optimized nanofibers showed an average diameter of 600–800 nm with smooth surface morphology. Prepared nanofibers and casted film was analyzed in terms of surface morphology, mechanical strength, solid state of drug present, effects of hydrogen bond formation and drug release profile. Results from the glucose tolerance test suggested both the formulations to be having better control over glucose levels as compared to free drug.

Conclusion: Overall developed nanofibers presented themselves to be potential drug delivery candidates for drugs having poor water solubility.

Keywords:

• Electrospinning
• nanofibers
• diabetes
• casted film
• drug release

Acknowledgment

Authors would like to acknowledge Torrent pharmaceuticals (Ahmedabad, India) for providing Repaglinide as a generous gift sample and to Central University of Gujarat for assisting in SEM analysis.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Authors are thankful to Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India, for providing financial assistance in form of PhD Fellowships and would also like to acknowledge DST INSPIRE grant (LSBM-13) and DST SERB EMR(EMR/2016/007966) grant for financial assistance.