FORMULATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ROSUVASTATIN CALCIUM NANOPARTICLES

Article history The aim of this study is to formulate and characterize Rosuvastatin loaded Chitosan nanoparticles prepared by ionic-gelation method. Rosuvastatin Calcium has a low bioavailability (20%) due to poor absorption of the drug. Chitosan is a polymer of linear polysaccharide, which enhances transport of drug across epithelial surfaces and is biocompatible and biodegradable. The nanoparticles obtained were evaluated for percentage yield of drug, drug entrapment efficiency, particle size and morphology using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), compatibility studies using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and in vitro release kinetics. Among the four different drug to polymer ratios, 1:1 ratio showed high encapsulation efficiency and drug loading. The nanoparticles obtained were spherical in shape with a smooth surface with particle size range between 231.52 ± 24.12 nm to 405.25 ± 17.42 nm. The nanoparticles prepared proved to be a promising dosage form of Rosuvastatin, with improved bioavailability.