Nanosuspension-Based Repaglinide Fast-Dissolving Buccal Film for Dissolution Enhancement

Drug solubility and dissolution remain a significant challenge in pharmaceutical formulations. This study aimed to formulate and evaluate repanglinide (RPG) nanosuspension-based buccal fast-dissolving films (BDFs) for dissolution enhancement. RPG nanosuspension was prepared by the antisolvent-precipitation method using multiple hydrophilic polymers, including soluplus®, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidine, poloxamers, and hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose. The nanosuspension was then directly loaded into BDFs using the solvent casting technique. Twelve formulas were prepared with a particle size range of 81.6–1389 nm and PDI 0.002–1 for the different polymers.

Nanosuspensions prepared with soluplus showed a favored mean particle size of 82.6 ± 3.2 nm. The particles were spherical and non-aggregating, as demonstrated by SEM imaging. FTIR showed no interaction between soluplus and RPG. Faster dissolution occurred for the nanosuspension in comparison with pure RPG (complete release vs 60% within 30 min). The nanosuspension was successfully incorporated into BDFs. The optimum film formula showed 28 s disintegration time, and 97.3% RPG released within 10 min. Ex-vivo permeation profiles revealed improved RPG nanosuspension permeation with the cumulative amount of RPG permeated is103.4% ± 10.1 and a flux of 0.00275 mg/cm²/min compared to 39.3% ± 9.57 and a flux of 0.001058 mg/cm²/min for pure RPG.

RPG was successfully formulated into nanosuspension that boosted drug dissolution and permeation. The selection of the ultimate NP formula was driven by optimal particle size, distribution, and drug content. Soluplus NPs were shown to be the successful formulations, which were further incorporated into a buccal film. The film was evaluated for ex-vivo permeation, confirming successful RPG formulation with improved performance compared to pure drugs.

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Materials

Repaglinide (RPG) was procured from Huainan Lianke Biological Medicine Co. Ltd. in China. Polyvinyl alco-hol (PVA) and polyvinyl pyrrolidine k30 (PVP k30) were also purchased from suppliers in China. Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose E15 (HPMC E15), Poloxamer 407, and 188 (PXM 407, 188) were purchased from India. Soluplus® (SOL) was obtained from BASF in Germany. All other Solvents and chemicals utilized in the study were of analytical grade and used without additional purification.

Ghadhban, H.Y., Ahmed, K.K. Nanosuspension-Based Repaglinide Fast-Dissolving Buccal Film for Dissolution Enhancement. AAPS PharmSciTech 25, 161 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1208/s12249-024-02868-w

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