Enhanced delivery of ondansetron: Formulation, development, and evaluation of microemulsion systems

Year 2025, Volume: 29 Issue: 6, 2574 - 2586, 02.11.2025

Karan Lokhande , Dhanashree P. Sanap , Kisan Jadhav

https://doi.org/10.12991/jrespharm.1798376

Abstract

The present study aimed to develop a novel drug delivery system utilizing microemulsion as an
alternative to traditional oral formulations. This system sought to enhance dissolution rate and thereby improve
bioavailability while circumventing first-pass metabolism. To formulate the delivery system, oil was chosen based on
drug solubility, while surfactants and co-surfactants (Smix) were selected based on their ability to solubilize the oil and
efficiently create microemulsion. The existence ranges of microemulsions were determined through pseudo-ternary
phase diagrams, and multiple formulations were developed. The influence of Smix ratio on microemulsion formation
and in vitro permeation through a cellophane membrane was investigated. The optimized microemulsion formulations,
A7(w/o) and B2(o/w), exhibited globule sizes of 176 nm and 237 nm respectively, with polydispersity indices of 0.02
and 0.14. Additionally, they demonstrated pH values of 5.24 and 5.98, viscosities of 0.809 cp and 0.810 cp, zeta potentials
of -30 and 33 mV and conductance values of 47 μS/cm and 166 μS/cm. In vitro drug release for A7 and B2 batches
exhibited 71% and 99.5% release respectively. These findings suggested that the developed B2 batch microemulsion
holds promise as an alternative for Ondansetron therapy, particularly in mitigating nausea and vomiting induced by
cancer medications or radiation therapy.

Keywords

Microemulsion , ondansetron hydrochloride , surfactants , solubility , pseudo ternary phase diagram

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