NOVEL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS: ENHANCING BIOAVAILABILITY THROUGH NANOCARRIER TECHNOLOGIES

 Oral administration of poorly soluble drugs often results in low bioavailability due to limited solubility, poor permeability, and extensive first-pass metabolism. Overcoming these challenges is essential to improving therapeutic outcomes and patient adherence. Objectives: This study aimed to formulate nanocarriers capable of sustaining drug release and evaluate their pharmacokinetic performance compared to conventional drug suspensions. Methods: The solvent evaporation method was used to create the nanocarriers, which were then thoroughly physicochemically characterized. This included evaluating the drug loading, zeta potential, polydispersity index, particle size, and encapsulation efficiency. Ex vivo intestinal permeation tests were carried out utilizing rat intestinal membranes, while in vitro drug release was evaluated over 48 hours. Wistar rats were used in in vivo pharmacokinetic experiments to assess relative bioavailability and systemic exposure. Results: Nanocarriers exhibited uniform particle size (178.4 ± 5.6 nm), high encapsulation efficiency (79.6%), and good colloidal stability. Sustained drug release was observed over 48 hours. Ex vivo permeation studies showed nearly double the permeability compared to free drug suspensions. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed a 268% increase in relative bioavailability, prolonged half-life, and significantly higher Cmax. Conclusion: Nanocarrier-based systems effectively improved bioavailability and sustained therapeutic concentrations. This study offers a reproducible framework for developing oral nanocarrier formulations and provides a foundation for future research in targeted and scalable drug delivery.