Development, Characterization and Evaluation of Entrectinib Nanosponges Loaded Tablets for Oral Delivery

Abstract

Objective: As Entrectinib is a lipophilic, basic, moderately permeable molecule with strongly pH-dependent solubility with antitumor activity in advanced and metastatic solid tumors, the current study was designed to improve the oral solubility of Entrectinib through incorporation into nanosponges tablets (NSs). Methods: Box-Behnken Design was used to optimize the independent variables of β-Cyclodextrin (β-CD) NSs formation. β-CD NSs were prepared by an ultrasound-assisted method using diphenyl carbonate as cross-linking agent, which were later characterized and formulated into tablets by wet granulation method. The prepared tablets were evaluated for the physico-chemical properties and in vitro release of the drug. Results: A series of fifteen experiments were performed based on the experimental runs generated from a three-factor, three-level Box–Behnken design (BBD). The range of mean particle size was 149-294 nm, the range for encapsulation efficiency % was 65.4%-87.3%, and the value for polydispersity index was 0.437. The zeta potential for the optimized formulation was found to be 38.1 Mv. The drug and excipients were compatibles as confirmed by Fourier Transformed Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) studies. Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) analysis confirmed that the Entrectinib has successfully entrapped in the core of polymer. In vitro release of the Entrectinib-loaded NSs tablets (six compositions) were compared with a marked product and satisfactory results were obtained. It was observed that rapid dissolution occurred in 0.1 N HCl for first 2 h (15.64±1.52% vs. 12.67±1.89%) and 98.94±2.43% of drug release was observed in Entrectinib loaded NSs and 91.78±1.37% in marketed product in 24 h. The prepared formulations were stable during 6 mo stability study period. Conclusion: The study results studies of Entrectinib NS tablets indicated rapid dissolution due to changed solubility properties of the drug, compared to pure drug meeting the set objective of enhanced absorption. The formulated Entrectinib-loaded NSs can be beneficial in the treatment of cancers.