Development and characterization of mucoadhesive nanosuspension of ciprofloxacin.

Mucoadhesive nanosuspension of ciprofloxacin was designed in order to improve the solubility, bioavailability and efficacy for the treatment of typhoid fever. The identity and purity of drug was established. The compatibility of drug with various excipients was ascertained by FTIR techniques, which indicated no interaction between the drug and excipients. Four different formulations were prepared by optimizing various parameters using different polymers like soya lecithin, pluronic F68, polyvinyl alcohol, and polyvinylpyrrolidone K30. Particle size and polydispersity index were determined by photon correlation spectroscopy. Average particle size of different formulations was found to be between 503-1844 nm. The zeta potential of all formulations was found to be around +/- 20 My indicating satisfactory physical stability. Scanning electron microscopy showed that process parameters affect the crystal morphology. The promising formulations prepared from combination of soya lecithin and pluronic F68 and those based on soya lecithin alone were subjected to dissolution profile studies. The later formulation exhibited fast dissolution rate as compared to the former. Thus nanosus-pension based on soya lecithin was incorporated into hydrogels prepared using different grades of carbopol 934 and 971 as mucoadhesive polymers. After 10 h, mucoadhesive nanosuspensions showed 45-56% release. The developed mucoadhesive nanosuspensions exhibited satisfactory physical stability. The studies indicated potential of these formulations as novel gastroretentive systems.