Preparation and evaluation of solid self-microemulsifying drug delivery system of eprosartan mesylate using vegetable oils

The current work deals with the designing of a solid self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (S-SMEDDS) of eprosartan mesylate (EPM) for improved bioavailability by enhancing the intestinal permeability of EPM. Two LSMEDDSs containing EPM (OF9 and PF5) were formulated successfully using Tween 80 as surfactant, PEG 400 as cosurfactant and two different oil phases (i.e., 10% oleic acid and 50% peppermint oil), separately. The LSMEDDSs were characterized by TEM image analysis and evaluated for self-emulsification efficiency, thermodynamic stability, droplet size and zeta potential, transmittance, cloud point, rheology and drug content. SSMEDDSs containing EPM were prepared using OF9 and PF5 L-SMEDDSs, when these were separately adsorbed on to the surface of Aerosil 200, which displayed excellent flow properties, high drug content, and nanometer ranged particle size. These prepared S-SMEDDSs (OF9S4 and PF5S4) were characterized by SEM, FTIR, DSC and XRD analyses. Prepared OF9S4 S-SMEDDS exhibited significantly enhanced (p < 0.05) in vitro drug release and enhanced ex vivo drug permeability than the pure EPM and L-SMEDDSs (OF9 and PF5). In addition, S-SMEDDSs remained stable enough at 40 +/- 2 <degrees>C/75 +/- 5% RH after 6 months of storage. Thus, it can be concluded that prepared S-SMEDDSs (OF9S4 and PF5S4) can facilitate the effective delivery of poorly soluble drugs with better therapeutic advantage.