Development and In vitro characterization of mucoadhesive nanoemulgel (MNEG) for enhanced delivery of carbamazepine

ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE ABSTRACT Background: Carbamazepine (CBZ) is an antiepileptic orally administered drug, but due to its low solubility in water, its gastrointestinal absorption is slow and irregular, leading to delay brain uptake with consequent peripheral side actions. The main objective of this study was to assess mucoadhesive CBZ-loaded o/w nanoemulgel (MNEG) as a nasal delivery system with the aim of improving the solubility and enhancing the landing of drug in brain, to attain rapid onset of action with good efficacy at lower doses. Materials and methods: Preliminary screening was carried out to select proper ingredient combinations. Ternary phase diagrams were then constructed and an optimum system was designated. Results: An optimum nano emulsion system composed of oil (15%), Smix (44%) and water (41%). It possessed a mean globule size and polydispersity index of 58.3 and 0.152, respectively. 0.1% xanthan gum was found to be suitable for mucoadhesive nanoemulgel formulation exerted high bioadhesion strength to bovine nasal mucosa. Conclusion: The findings of the study demonstrate that CBZ-loaded mucoadhesive nanoemulgel for intranasal use could be a promising approach for successful landing of CBZ to the brain.