Formulation and In Vitro Evaluation of Gelatin Nanospheres for the Oral Delivery of Selegiline

A controlled drug delivery system which provides stable plasma concentration could be the most appropriate dosage form for the successful delivery of selegiline. The objective of this study was to develop nanospheres of selegiline using gelatin and evaluate in vitro for the feasibility of oral delivery. Nanospheres of selegiline were prepared by spray drying method and evaluated for compatibility, particle size, surface morphology and in vitro drug release. Compatibility studies indicate no interaction between selegiline and gelatin. Moderate production recovery (89.52 +/- 3.71%) and high drug content (98.41 +/- 1.22%) were observed for the prepared formulation. Scanning electron microscopy images indicate that the prepared nanospheres possess round external smooth surface with a continuous wall, although they were shriveled. In vitro drug release profile suggests two phase drug release, an initial burst release followed by a slow release over an extended period of time (similar to 10 h). The release kinetics indicates higher regression coefficient values (R-2 = 0.9641) with Korsmeyer-Peppas fit, suggesting that the release of the drug primarily governed by Fick's law of diffusion. The in vitro data provided above indicate that the newly developed gelatin nanospheres have the desired characteristics for the controlled delivery of selegiline by oral route, which necessitate further in vivo studies.