Nanoparticle-based chewable gels of praziquantel

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Technology
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Materials Science

Background:

• Chewable gels offer advantages over conventional dosage forms but require further development.
• Incorporating drugs in nanoparticulate form presents a novel approach for enhanced bioavailability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize chewable gel formulations containing nanoparticulate praziquantel.
• To assess the impact of gelatin concentration and drug incorporation method on formulation properties.
• To evaluate the in vitro dissolution performance of the developed chewable gels.

Main Methods:

• Six chewable gel formulations were prepared with varying gelatin concentrations and praziquantel incorporation methods.
• Formulations were characterized for moisture content, water activity, pH, drug content, texture, and disintegration time.
• In vitro dissolution studies were conducted to compare the release profiles of different formulations.

Main Results:

• Physicochemical properties (moisture, pH, drug content) were within acceptable ranges for chewable gels.
• Gelatin concentration and praziquantel incorporation significantly influenced texture and disintegration.
• Chewable gels with nanoparticulate praziquantel demonstrated improved in vitro dissolution compared to conventional forms.

Conclusions:

• Nanoparticulate drug incorporation is feasible and beneficial for chewable gel formulations.
• These semisolid formulations show potential for delivering other low-aqueous solubility drugs.
• Further research can optimize chewable gel formulations for enhanced therapeutic efficacy.