Solid lipid nanoparticle-loaded oral dispersible films of eletriptan hydrobromide for enhanced bioavailability and sustained migraine relief

The present study aims to develop and characterize a solid lipid nanoparticle-loaded oral dispersible film of eletriptan hydrobromide for migraine treatment. Eletriptan hydrobromide is a selective serotonin 5-HT1B/1D receptor agonist drug which is mainly used in the treatment of migraine. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) were prepared using high-pressure homogenization and optimized through Box–Behnken design. The drug-loaded SLN were evaluated by their size, polydispersity index, drug entrapment efficiency, and in vitro drug release. Oral dispersible films were prepared using the solvent casting method, with pullulan as the film-forming polymer and propylene glycol as the plasticizer. X-ray diffraction was used to assess the drug’s solid-state characteristics. Oral dispersible film containing SLN showed higher (87.02%) and sustained drug release over a period of 24 hours as compared to free drug loaded in oral dispersible film. A transmission electron microscope study illustrated that the SLN were dispersed uniformly in the film and spherical in shape. Results of the study demonstrate that our formulation enhances the poor oral bioavailability of the drug, avoids first pass metabolism, provides a rapid onset of action, and sustained drug release.