Binary Solid Lipid Nanosuspension Containing Cefixime: Preparation, Characterization and Comparative In-vivo Evaluation

Abstract

Current study focused on resolution of poor oral bioavailability issues of cefixime through fabrication of its freeze dried binary solid lipid nano particles (SLNs). The nano formulation fabricated via hot melt encapsulation (HME) method was optimized using numerous formulation variables. Optimized nano formulation (CFX-4) showed particle size 206.6±2.3 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) 0.271±0.03, zeta potential (ZP) -30.7±3.1 mV, encapsulation efficiency (EE%) 88.2±2.3% along with drug loading capacity (DLC%) 4.83±0.16%. Micrograph of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) represented spherical shaped particles. Reduction in drug’s crystalline nature was acknowledged through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and x-ray powder diffraction (P-XRD) analysis. Drug-excepient compatibility was established through fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FT-IR) analysis. During in-vitro studies; sustained drug release was favored by increased drug payload. Stability studies exposed that refrigerated temperature imparts maximum stability to binary SLNs. In-vivo pharmacokinetic studies revealed the desired enhancement in oral bioavailability compared to the marketed product (Cefiget®). Presented investigations established the dominance of binary SLNs for improvement of oral bioavailability with sustained drug release characteristics. Based on the reported outcomes, binary SLNs can be employed as an advanced drug delivery system for other hydrophobic drugs.