Fabrication and characterization of rizatriptan loaded pullulan nanofibers as oral fast-dissolving drug system

Abstract

Fast drug-dissolving systems have been introduced to mediate the drugs which are difficult to swallow or having poor water solubility. Rizatriptan benzoate is a drug recommended for the patients of migraine which effect one out of every 5 women and 15 men globally. But least bioavailability (40%–50%) and reduced on set action always increases the demand of a drug carrier in order to overcome these limitations. Here in pullulan mediated fast drug-dissolving systems was developed by using rizatriptan benzoate as a model drug. While rizatriptan loaded pullulan nanofiber mat was prepared via electrospinning. Physiochemical outcomes (SEM, FTIR, and XRD) revealed good compatibility of pullulan nanofibers and rizatriptan thoroughly distributed on electrospun NFs matrix. Wetting time (1 s) and dissolutions time (3 s) suggests burst release of the drug from the polymers matrix as dissolution time is directly proportional with release profile. Further, this was confirmed by UV-release profile studies and maximum release was found within 30 s. In vitro release kinetics were analyzed by fitting the results with higuchi and korsmeyer models.

Keywords

• Fast-dissolving drug
• Rizatriptan
• Anti-migraine
• Pullulan Nanofibers
• Electrospinning