Functional Hybrid Nanoemulsions for Sumatriptan Intranasal Delivery

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• Intranasal sumatriptan (SMT) is used for migraines but limited by hydrophilicity and poor mucoadhesion.
• Advanced nanohybrid materials offer potential pharmaceutical advantages.
• Developing effective intranasal drug delivery systems is crucial for improving therapeutic outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and characterize hybrid nanoemulsions (NE) for enhanced intranasal delivery of sumatriptan (SMT).
• To improve SMT hydrophilicity and mucoadhesion through drug-biopolymer complexation.
• To evaluate the stability, drug release profile, and *in vivo* nanotoxicity of the developed NE.

Main Methods:

• Formulation of hybrid NE using copaiba oil and biopolymers (xanthan, pectin, alginate) with SMT.
• Optimization of SMT-biopolymer complexes to reduce hydrophilicity.
• Characterization using FTIR-ATR, DSC, TEM; stability testing; *in vitro* drug release studies; *in vivo* nanotoxicity assessment in zebrafish larvae.

Main Results:

• Stable hybrid NE (~120 nm, PDI ~0.2, zeta potential ~-25 mV) were developed and maintained for over a year.
• Encapsulation efficiency ranged from 41-69%, extending SMT release *in vitro* from 5 hours to over 24 hours.
• Alginate-based NE showed no adverse effects on zebrafish larvae's movement, morphology, mortality, or cardiotoxicity.

Conclusions:

• Alginate-based hybrid nanoemulsions represent a stable and effective system for intranasal SMT delivery.
• The developed NE significantly enhance SMT release profile and demonstrate excellent *in vivo* safety.
• These nanoemulsions show potential as a novel therapeutic strategy for managing migraine pain.