By: Muhammad Junaid Asaad, Abdul Majeed, Syed Nisar Hussain Shah, Ghulam Abbas, Farhan Siddique, Muhammad Hanif, Furqan Muhammad Iqbal, Maryam Bashir
Keywords: Escitalopram; self-nano-emulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS); solubility boost; in-vivo ex-vivo and in-vitro studies; bioavailability; permeability.
DOI : 10.36721/PJPS.2025.38.1.REG.299-313.1
Abstract: This study aimed to develop SNEDDS to address the issue of low water solubility of escitalopram (ETP), which consequently leads to inadequate oral bioavailability. The formulation consisted of Tween 80, geranium oil, and polyethylene glycol 400. An evaluation was conducted to determine the surface charge and particle size of ETP-SNEDDS. The stability and compatibility of excipients were evaluated by TGA, DSC, and FTIR. Studies were carried out to examine the dissolution, digestion, permeability, in in-vitro, in-vivo, and ex-vivo settings. ETP-SNEDDS bioavailability was assessed in a group of six albino rats under normal conditions. The synthesized SNEDDS exhibited thermodynamic stability, characterized by a 145nm droplet size with a polydispersity index of 0.120 and a minute emulsification duration. Developed SNEDDS containing ETP in FSSIF had a dissolution rate of 96%. Based on the permeation results, the SNEDDS demonstrated a 4.2-fold and 3.1-fold increase in drug penetration relative to standard powder-ETP drug and a reference tablet, correspondingly. Statistically significant improvements (p<0.05) were reported in in-vitro digestion, dissolution and ex-vivo permeability. SNEDDS exhibited a 5.34-fold increase in Cmax and a 4.71-fold rise in AUC compared to the reference. Based on findings, the formulated SNEDDS have a valuable method for enhancing ETP oral bioavailability.
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