"FORMULATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND OPTIMIZATION OF NOVEL SLN EXTENDED RELEASE ANTIEMETIC PATCHES"

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to formulate, characterize, and optimize a novel scopolamine-loaded solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) extended-release transdermal patch for prolonged antiemetic drug delivery. Preformulation studies were performed to evaluate the drug’s organoleptic properties, solubility, pH, melting point, UV spectrum, calibration curve, and FTIR characteristics. Five SLN formulations were prepared using varying concentrations of Compritol and sodium lauryl sulphate and were evaluated for particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, and surface morphology. SLN 2 was selected as the optimized formulation, exhibiting a particle size of 176.34 nm, zeta potential of −29.0 mV, and entrapment efficiency of 95.89%. The optimized SLNs were incorporated into a transdermal patch and evaluated for physical and mechanical properties. The optimized patch showed good flexibility, folding endurance (82 ± 2.1 folds), tensile strength (19.2 ± 0.7 kg/cm²), elongation (41 ± 1.8%), uniform thickness (0.30 ± 0.01 mm), and drug content (92.15 ± 1.42%). In-vitro drug release demonstrated sustained release of 92.59% over 11 h, with the release profile best fitted to the zero-order model (R² = 0.975). Stability studies showed better retention of formulation characteristics under normal storage conditions over 90 days. Overall, the findings indicate that the developed scopolamine-loaded SLN patch has potential as an extended-release transdermal antiemetic delivery system. Keywords: Scopolamine, Solid lipid nanoparticles, SLN, Transdermal patch, Extended-release, Antiemetic, Drug delivery, Zero-order kinetics.