FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF LEVOCETIRIZINE LOADED MUCOADHESIVE MICROSPHERES FOR NASAL DELIVERY

The purpose of research work was to develop and optimize mucoadhesive microspheres of levocetirizine for nasal delivery with the aim to enhance the residence time and improve therapeutic efficacy and at the same time increase the Local  absorption of drug and reducing systemic side effects and also to develop unique delivery system for patients suffering from allergy and rhinitis. Chitosan (mucoadhesive) based microspheres of levocetirizine were prepared by emulsification-crosslinking method. Glutaraldehyde was used as crosslinking agent. The mean particle size was significantly increased when high concentration of chitosan was used. Aqueous to oil phase ratio, stirring rate and dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DOSS) concentration also influenced the particle size distribution of the microspheres.  Microspheres were evaluated with respect to the production yield, particle size, entrapment efficiency, swelling index, FT-IR, in vitro mucoadhesion, % cumulative drug release, histological study and stability studies. Formulation Lf3 was found to be optimized. The optimized formulation Lf3 was mucoadhesive in nature which adhere onto the mucus and increase the residence time within the nasal cavity.