DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MEFENAMIC ACID EUTECTOGELS FOR CONTROLLED DRUG DELIVERY

The objective of this paper was to design and evaluate of some novel eutectogels based on xanthan gum (XAN), hyaluronic acid (HA) and Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) for the topical delivery of mefenamic acid (MA).Mefenamic acid, a poorly water-soluble non-steroidal drug, presents limitations in bioavailability.Integration of NADES into the gel matrix has overcome this drawback by improving the solubility and stability of the drug.A face-centered central composite design was used to investigate the impact of three independent variables, namely the percentages of water, HA and XAN respectively, on some physical-chemical and biopharmaceutical parameters of the designed eutectogels.Thus, rheological and textural analyses revealed that the inclusion of NADES significantly enhanced the viscosity and mechanical stability of the eutectogels, ensuring both ease of application and robust structural integrity under shear stress.In vitro drug release studies demonstrated a controlled, sustained release profile essential for maintaining therapeutic concentrations over extended periods.Overall, this study underscores the potential of NADES-based eutectogels as a promising platform for drug delivery, offering enhanced solubility, stability and an adequate mefenamic acid release profile. RezumatObiectivul acestui studiu a fost de a concepe i evalua unele eutectogeluri noi bazate pe gum xantan (XAN), acid hialuronic (HA) i solveni eutectici naturali (NADES) pentru administrarea topic a acidului mefenamic (MA).Acidul mefenamic, o substan antiinflamatoare nesteroidian cu solubilitate sczut n ap, prezint limitri n ceea ce privete biodisponibilitatea.Integrarea NADES n matricea gelului a permis depirea acestui dezavantaj prin mbuntirea solubilitii i stabilitii medicamentului.Pentru a investiga impactul a trei variabile independente, i anume procentul de ap, HA i respectiv XAN, asupra unor parametri fizico-chimici i biofarmaceutici ai eutectogelurilor concepute, s-a utilizat un design experimental de tip central compozit.Astfel, analizele reologice i texturale au artat c includerea NADES a mbuntit semnificativ vscozitatea i stabilitatea mecanic a eutectogelurilor, asigurnd att uurina aplicrii, ct i o integritate structural robust n condiii de stres de forfecare.Studiile de eliberare in vitro au demonstrat un profil de cedare controlat i susinut a MA.Acest studiu subliniaz potenialul eutectogelurilor pe baz de NADES ca formulri promitoare pentru administrarea medicamentelor, oferind solubilitate i stabilitate mbuntite, precum i un profil adecvat de eliberare a acidului mefenamic.