Fabrication and statistical optimisation of Nifedipine-loaded alginate nanoparticles using honey as a natural...

Nifedipine (NF) is widely used to manage hypertension and angina. However, its poor aqueous solubility limits oral delivery, warranting sustained, pH-responsive release systems. This study fabricated and optimised NF-loaded alginate nanoparticles (NF-loaded Alg-NPs) using honey as a green, natural stabiliser. NPs were prepared by ionotropic gelation and optimised via a 3² factorial design. The optimised formulation showed a mean particle size of 437 ± 4.58 nm, zeta potential of -10.98 ± 0.12 mV, and entrapment efficiency of 84.5 ± 0.8%. FTIR, XRD, DSC, and SEM confirmed successful, largely amorphous drug entrapment. Release was markedly pH-dependent and best fit by the Hixson-Crowell model (R² = 0.9557), consistent with erosion-mediated transport. Six-month accelerated stability studies confirmed acceptable retention of particle size and entrapment efficiency. These findings establish honey as a viable, eco-friendly stabiliser for pH-responsive NF nanoparticles, with relevance to other poorly water-soluble drugs.