Abstract
The purpose of this study was to improve the bioavailability of the poorly water-soluble drug, apremilast (APT), by developing ethylcellulose (EC) based nanosponges. Three nanosponges (ANS1-ANS3) were prepared by varying the concentration of polymer, formulated nanosponges were optimized based on particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP), entrapment efficiency (%EE) and loading efficiency (%LE). The formulae ANS3 was selected as an optimized nanocarrier that showed the particle size = 324 nm, PDI = 0.253, ZP = -33 mV, %EE = 72.7%, %LE = 11.5%; SEM images reflects the porous-spongy surface. The ANS3 was further evaluated for FTIR, DSC, in vitro drug release and pharmacokinetic studies in male rats. A sustained release pattern of ANS3 nanosponges was observed with a burst drug release of 60.34% in the first hour. The pharmacokinetic profile ANS3 showed a 1.64-fold increase in bioavailability in comparison to pure apremilast suspension. Therefore, the ethylcellulose based apremilast loaded nanosponges could be used as an efficient nanocarrier for the effective treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis condition.