A novel lipid nanoemulsion system for improved permeation of granisetron.

A new lipid nanoemulsion (LNE) system containing granisetron (GRN) was developed and its in vitro permeation-enhancing effect was evaluated using Caco-2 cell monolayers. Particle size, polydispersity index (PI) and stability of the prepared GRN-loaded LNE systems were also characterized. The mean diameters of prepared LNEs were around 50 nm with PI<0.2. Developed LNEs were stable at 4°C in the dark place over a period of 12 weeks. In vitro drug dissolution and cytotoxicity studies of GRN-loaded LNEs were performed. GRN-loaded LNEs exhibited significantly higher drug dissolution than GRN suspension at pH 6.8 for 2h (P<0.05). In vitro permeation study in Caco-2 cell monolayers showed that the LNEs significantly enhanced the drug permeation compared to GRN powder. The in vivo toxicity study in the rat jejunum revealed that the prepared GRN-loaded LNE was as safe as the commercial formulation (Kytril). These results suggest that LNE could be used as a potential oral liquid formulation of GRN for anti-emetic treatment on the post-operative and chemotherapeutic patients.