Abstract
Nanotechnology facilitated drug delivery has been used to enhance the drug bioavailability, efficacy, reduce toxicity and improve patient compliance aiming to targetthe cells and tissues to produce anticipated pharmacological action. The aim of the present study was to formulate and evaluate rivastigmine (RT) loaded chitosan (CS) nanoparticles for sustained release. RT is a short actingreversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. In current research RT loaded CS-tripolyphosphate (TPP) nanoparticles were prepared by usingionic gelation method in fourdifferent polymer concentrations (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%). The prepared nanoparticles were evaluated by Zeta sizer in order to determine particle size, PDI and zeta potential. Further, drug entrapment efficiency and in vitro release studies were carried out. The results showed that particle size decreased by loading drug within nanoparticles when compared with unloaded nanoparticles. The particle size of RT loaded CS nanoparticles ranged from 125.9 +/- 2.5 to 356.0 +/- 7.9 by varying CS concentration from 0.1% to 0.4% w/v. Among different ratios studied, 0.4% ratio showed highest drug entrapment efficiency (80%). In vitro release studies showed that RT loaded CS nanoparticles could sustain release the drug.In conclusion, the current research results showed that the chitosan nanoparticles can be used as a potential carrier for providing sustained delivery of RT.