Development of Albendazole Nanosuspension by Various Techniques

Albendazole, an anthelmintic drug belonging to BCS class II, has poor bioavailability. Bioavailability is dissolution rate dependent and hence needs novel approach for enhancement of bioavailability. The aim of the study was to develop nanosuspension of albendazole by using various techniques like nanoprecipitation, emulsion template and sonication. Nanosuspensions were prepared using polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 as a stabilizer and Tween 80 as a surfactant. Average particle size, zeta potential, particle size distribution, pH, viscosity, photomicrography, sedimentation, redispersibility and % drug content were determined to characterize prepared nanosuspensions. In vitro release study was performed in 0.1N HCl using cellophane membrane and compared with marketed product. Residual solvent determination was carried out by gas chromatography for nanosuspensions prepared by nanoprecipitation and emulsion template techniques. All the results obtained for characterization were satisfactory. The prepared nanosuspensions showed particle size 673±9.18 nm to 893±21.6 nm, zeta potential -8.70±0.5mV to -8.96±0.8, polydispersity index 0.204±0.04 to 0.644±0.07. In vitro release study of the nanosuspensions showed 33.80% to 42.92% drug release in first hour which was higher than the marketed suspension (16.19% release in first hour). The optimized nanosuspensions showed up to 97.05 % drug release within 6-8 hours while marketed product showed up to 91.03% drug release within 10 hours.