Preparation and Evaluation of Salbutamol Sulphate Loaded Nano Structured Lipid Carriers

Salbutamol sulphate, a short-acting, selective β1-adrenergic receptor agonist used in the treatment of asthma (BCS Class III), is metabolized by oxidative deamination and excreted in the urine, resulting in a bioavailability of approximately 50%. To improve its bioavailability and physical stability, Salbutamol sulphate nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) were developed. These NLCs were prepared using the melt emulsification ultrasonication technique with Glyceryl monostearate and Capmul PG-8-70 NF. The analysis of the NLCs was conducted using FT-IR, XRD, PDI, zeta potential, and DSC parameters. In this study, the prepared NLCs were further developed into an in-situ gel. This Salbutamol sulphate-loaded NLC-based in-situ gel shows promise as a suitable nasal delivery system for the treatment of asthma. The optimized formulation exhibited a particle size of 85.6nm, a polydispersity index of 0.270, and a zeta potential of -19.41mV. The entrapment efficiency varied from 72.5% to 82.5%, accompanied by a drug loading of 1.81%. TEM images confirmed that the particles were spherical in shape. The in-vitro diffusion study and ex-vivo permeation study of the optimized nasal gel showed superior results compared to the marketed formulation. The results indicate the safety of Salbutamol sulphate NLC in situ nasal gel and its potential to enhance medication bioavailability.