Solid Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery System of Meclizine HCl: In vitro Dissolution and ex vivo Intestinal Permeation Study for Oral Delivery

Abstract

Background: Meclizine hydrochloride Solid Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery System S-SNEDDS) was formulated and optimized to improve solubility and intestinal absorption. Objectives: Solubility studies identified Transcutol HP (25 ± 1.2 mg/mL), Tween 80 (30 ± 2 mg/ mL), and Capryol 90 (30 ± 1.5 mg/mL) as ideal excipients. Materials and Methods: A Surfactant-cosurfactant mixture ratio of 1:2 yielded a broad nanoemulsion zone with stable Grade A emulsions. Thermodynamic stability was confirmed through stress tests. The optimized SNEDDS had a droplet size of 130.4 nm, PDI of 0.442, and -14.1 mV of zeta potential. X-ray Diffraction confirmed the drug’s amorphous state, while Fourier Transfer Infrared Spectroscopy revealed no drug-excipient interaction. Results: Scanning Electron Microscope images showed successful solidification with Neusilin US2, and excellent flow properties were observed. Conclusion: In vitro drug release exceeded 95% within 30 min compared to 55.96% for the pure drug. Ex vivo studies demonstrated enhanced permeability through the intestinal membrane (SNEDDS: 98.45%, S-SNEDDS: 96.15%) vs. pure drug (60.1%), suggesting improved oral bioavailability.