DOI: 10.21276/sajp.2019.8.8.1

Pages: 376-393

The aim of the present study was to prepare a nanoemulsion of diclofenac sodium for reduce side effects and improved oral bioavailability to treat arthritic conditions and investigate the potential of a nanoemulsion formulation for targeting and systemic delivery of diclofenac sodium. Various oil-in-water nanoemulsions were prepared by the titration emulsification method. The nanoemulsion area was identified by constructing pseudoternary phase diagrams. The prepared nanoemulsions were subjected to different thermodynamic stability tests. The nanoemulsion formulations that passed thermodynamic stability tests were characterized for viscosity, droplet size, transmission electron microscopy, size and zeta potential, and refractive index. The physical stability of nanoemulsion was studied using autoclaving, centrifugal, desorption (dilution effect) stresses and on storage. The selected formulations, F1, F2 and F3, were relatively stable during centrifugal stress, dilution stress and on storage. The cumulative percentage drug release from F1, F2 and F3 showed more release in pH 6.8 phosphate buffer than in pH 1.2 HCl. During oral bioavailability studies, the nanoemulsion showed higher serum concentrations than a suspension. The relative bioavailability of the nanoemulsion formulations F1, F2 and F3 were found to be that of F4 suspension and were statistically significant. Of all, the nanoemulsion (F3) was superior in improving bioavailability, when compared with plain emulsion (F1) and (F2). The study helps in designing the oral nanoemulsions to improve the oral bioavailability of diclofenac sodium.