Formulation and characterization of intra nasal delivery of nortriptyline hydrochloride thermoreversible gelling system in treatment of depression

The purpose of the present study is to develop a thermoreversible intra nasal gel of Nortriptyline hydrochloride (NTH). The prepared formulations were evaluated for gelation temperature, viscosity, gel strength, mucoadhesion strength, and drug content, ex vivo drug permeation, and stability study. The results found that as the concentration of poloxamer 188 and HPMC K4M were increased, there was increase in viscosity and mucoadhesive strength and decrease in gelation temperature and percent drug permeation. The optimized formulation F4 containing 3.6% poloxamer and 0.04% HPMC K4M showed highest drug release 98.25 % through sheep nasal mucosa. The intra nasal gel was stable for 3 months. It was concluded that, developed thermoreversible intra nasal formulations increased patient complain in treatment of a depression.