Nanoparticle-based chewable gels of praziquantel

Abstract

Chewable gels present significant advantages over conventional dosage forms, despite their development is not comprehensively assessed. In this sense, six formulations, varying gelatine concentration, dose, and form of incorporation of praziquantel, were developed and characterized. The novelty of this approach focused not only on the development of the formulation itself but also on the incorporation of the drug in a nanoparticulated form. The obtained results for moisture content, water activity, pH, and drug content were within the expected values for this type of formulation. On the other hand, texture and disintegration parameters were influenced by the form of incorporation of praziquantel and the amount of gelatine added. Finally, in vitro dissolution of chewable gels showed significant differences with intermediate products, though the improved dissolution of the nanoparticulated drug was maintained. In conclusion, nanoparticulate drugs can be incorporated into these semisolid formulations and could be successfully applied to other low-aqueous solubility drugs.

Keywords:

• Antihelmintic
• chewable gels
• gelatine
• nanoparticles
• praziquantel

Acknowledgements

The authors kindly thank Universidad Nacional del Sur (PGI 24/ZB70), CONICET (PIP 11220150100704CO), Secretaría de Políticas Universitarias (VT42-UNS11735) and Agencia Nacional de Laboratorios Públicos (ANLAP) for the financial support, Dr. D. Genovese, Lic. F. Cabrera (PLAPIQUI, Argentina) and V. Amarilla, Lic. Rodolfo Salomón (UNS) for their technical assistance. M. A. Gonzalez is grateful to CONICET (Argentina) for the PhD fellowship.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).