Self-Nanoemulsifying Powder of Isotretinoin: Preparation and Characterization

Abstract

In the present investigation an attempt was made to enhance the solubility and dissolution of poorly soluble drug, isotretinoin, by formulating self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS). Liquid SNEDDSs were prepared using Transcutol P as oil, Tween 80 as surfactant, and PEG 400 as cosurfactant. Pseudoternary phase diagrams were constructed to identify the efficient self-nanoemulsification region. The formulation with 40% oil (Transcutol P) and 60% surfactant: cosurfactant (Tween 80: PEG 400) ratio of 1 : 1 was optimized based on evaluation parameters for droplet size analysis, self-emulsification capacity, zeta potential, and in vitro drug release performance. The optimized system contains mean droplet size of 36.60 nm and zeta potential ( ζ ) −26.73 mV. The optimized formulation A1 was adsorbed onto Fujicalin to produce solid SNEDDS, which exhibited good flow properties and preserved the self-emulsification properties of liquid SNEDDS. The differential scanning calorimetry, FT-IR studies of solid SNEDDS revealed transformation of isotretinoin into molecularly dissolved state in the liquid SNEDDS. In vitro dissolution profiles showed that dissolution rate of ISN from solid SNEDDS was significantly greater as compared to pure drug.