Zolmitriptan Intranasal Spanlastics for Enhanced Migraine Treatment; Formulation Parameters Optimized via Quality by Design Approach

Zolmitriptan is a potent second-generation triptan prescribed for migraine attacks. It suffers low bioavailability (40%) after oral administration due to the hepatic first-pass metabolism. Spanlastics are surfactant-based elastic vesicular drug carrier systems. This study aimed design and optimize intranasal spanlastic formulations as an alternative approach that directly targets brain delivery, enhancing its avoiding effect. The quality by was applied correlate formulation parameters (Span 60 Tween 80 concentrations) critical attributes (entrapment efficiency (EE%) particle size). Spanlastic were designed based on response surface central composite prepared via ethanol injection method. Designed characterized EE% size measurements select optimized formula (with combination of small high EE%). further subjected transmission electron microscopy, zeta potential measurement ex vivo permeation study. showed 117.5 nm 45.65%, with percentage error between observed predicted values. Seventy percent zolmitriptan permeated through nasal membrane within 30 min, it completely 2 h significantly higher steady-state flux compared plain gel. introduced successful promising suitable delivery analysis.