The aim of present study was the design, development, and evaluation of ondansetron hydrochloride loaded polymeric mucoadhesive microspheres for intranasal delivery to avoid hepatic first-pass metabolism and to enhance its residence time. The microspheres were prepared by solvent evaporation technique using carbopol 940 and HPMC K15M as a mucoadhesive polymer along with ethyl cellulose as a film-forming polymer. The objective of this study was to examine extensively the influence of formulation and process variables such as polymer to polymer ratio and stirring rate on the characteristics of the microspheres prepared. The microspheres were characterized for drug-polymer interactions, entrapment efficiency, drug loading, swelling property, particle size analysis, thermal behavior, morphological, in-vitro mucoadhesion, in-vitro drug release, ex-vivo drug permeation, histopathology, and release kinetic studies. The research will open new avenues for increasing the bioavailability of ondansetron hydrochloride in future.
Key words: Nasal drug delivery, Mucoadhesive, Microsphere, Solvent evaporation technique, Ondansetron hydrochloride, Bioavailability
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