BÜCHI nano spray dryer B-90: a promising technology for the production of metformin hydrochloride-loaded alginate–gelatin nanoparticles

Abstract

The current study aimed to formulate gelatin/sodium alginate nanoparticles utilizing BÜCHI nano spray dryer B-90. Nanoparticles possess many of the advantages including new routes of drug administrations and sustained release properties. Utilizing B-90 technology, metformin hydrochloride (MET) nanoparticles were successfully developed. Preformulation studies such as atomization head mesh size, flow rate, head temperature, polymer viscosity, and surface tension, were adjusted. Additionally, post-formulation characters such as particle size, flowability, surface scan, and dissolution profiles, were evaluated. Spray head (7 µm hole), flow rate (3.5 ml/min) and head temperature (120 °C) were optimized. Polymer viscosity was less than 11.2 cP with a surface tension less than 70.1 dyne/cm. Moreover, anti-diabetic effects of MET formulations were evaluated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Here, discrete, non-aggregated free-flowing nanoparticle powders with a particle size less than 850 nm were generated. Gelatin/sodium-alginate (1:3) produced nanoparticles were successfully sustained by the in vitro release profile of the drug. In vivo evaluations of the previous formula showed a significant reduction of blood glucose level over 24 h. In conclusion, Nano Spray Dryer B-90 (Büchi Labortechnik AG, Flawil, Switzerland) offers a promising technology for nanoparticles formulation as controlled drug delivery systems enhancing compliance of type-II diabetic patients.

Keywords:

• Metformin hydrochloride
• gelatin
• sodium alginate
• nanoparticles
• nano spray dryer

Acknowledgements

The authors want to thank Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt. College of Clinical Pharmacy, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia and Oman College of Health Sciences, Pharmacy Program, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Oman, for allowing to utilize the equipment and facilities during this research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.