PREPARATION AND IN VITRO EVALUATION OF BUTENAFINE HCL NANOSUSPENSION

Authors

  • NIBRAS MAHDI NAEEM Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
  • OMAR SAEB SALIH Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1369-3486

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22159/ijap.2026v18i2.56008

Keywords:

Nanosuspension, Solubility enhancement, Antifungal, Soluplus®, Nanotechnology

Abstract

Objective: One of the significant problems associated with poorly soluble drugs is low bioavailability. Butenafine HCl is classified as BCS Class II by the biopharmaceutical classification system, with low solubility and high permeability. Objectives: Formulation as a nanosuspension is an attractive and promising alternative to solve low solubility problems and low bioavailability

Methods: A nanosuspension of Butenafine HCL was generated utilizing a bottom-up method through the solvents/anti-solvents procedure characterized by particle size analysis, polydisperse index, and entrapment efficacy, and then the selected formula was described by dissolution testing, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray powder diffraction, FTIR, and FESEM. Nanosuspensions were prepared via the solvent/anti-solvent procedure, using different polymer types and ratios.

Results: Butenafine solubilized in PBS with 1% soluplus, PVP, PEG 400, and poloxamer was 14.32±0.011, 6±0.01, 10.48±0.012, and 2.025±0.001. To form a nanosuspension with particle sizes ranging from 78 to 516 ±0.01 nm, entrapment up to 96%, and a Drug content of 99%. Particle size of optimum formula, consisting of Butenafine HCL and soluplus® in a ratio of drug: stabilizer (Soluplus®):co-stabilizer (PEG400) is (1:8:2.5) measured in nanostructure, and it was equal to 78.3±0.03 with a PDI 0.2511±0.13, which is in the nanosized range, drug content of optimum formula 99.6±0.013, and entrapment was 96±0.012. Osmolarity adjusted to a range of 280 to 310 mOsm/Kg. The release of the drug after 120 min was 95%. FTIR spectra show a distinct peak for the drug, indicating no chemical interaction between BF and Soluplus®. DSC shows a slight shift in the melting point to 220.50 °C due to the presence of cryoprotectants. PXRD shows amorphous formation due to nanosuspension, and FESEM shows the size and shape of the nanosuspension, in which the size of the particle by FESEM was 72.9 nm, which is close to the measured particle size. The stability study of the optimal formula after three months showed a particle size of 78 nm at 5 °C and 80 nm at 25 °C.

Conclusion: Using soluplus as a stabilizer at various concentrations successfully produced a nanosuspension of Butenafine HCl. The best formula, consisting of Butenafine HCL and soluplus® in a ratio of drug: stabilizer (Soluplus®):co-stabilizer (PEG400) is 1:8:2.5.

References

1. Moskaluk AE, Vande Woude S. Current topics in dermatophyte classification and clinical diagnosis. Pathogens. 2022;11(9):957. doi: 10.3390/pathogens11090957, PMID 36145389.

2. Khan SS, Hay RJ, Saunte DM. A review of antifungal susceptibility testing for dermatophyte fungi and it’s correlation with previous exposure and clinical responses. J Fungi (Basel). 2022;8(12):1290. doi: 10.3390/jof8121290, PMID 36547624.

3. Jain S, Kabi S, Swain B. Current trends of dermatophytosis in eastern Odisha. J Lab Physicians. 2020;12(1):10-4. doi: 10.1055/s-0040-1713063, PMID 32792788.

4. Trypanosomosis A, Transcriptomics S, Choi B, Vu HT, Vu HT, Radwanska M. Advances in the immunology of the host–parasite interactions in African trypanosomosis including single-cell transcriptomics. Pathogens. 2024;13(3):188. doi: 10.3390/pathogens13030188.

5. Awad R, Ghaith AA, Awad K, Mamdouh Saad MM, Elmassry AA. Fungal keratitis: diagnosis, management and recent advances. Clin Ophthalmol. 2024 Jan;18:85-106. doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S447138, PMID 38223815.

6. Ghenciu LA, Faur AC, Bolintineanu SL, Salavat MC, Maghiari AL. Recent advances in diagnosis and treatment approaches in fungal keratitis: a narrative review. Microorganisms. 2024;12(1):161. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms12010161, PMID 38257986.

7. Gaidhani KA, Harwalkar M, Bhambere D, Nirgude PS. Lyophilization/freeze drying-a review. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Formulation. 2021;2(5):1685-703.

8. Pınar SG, Oktay AN, Karakucuk AE, Celebi N. Formulation strategies of nanosuspensions for various administration routes. Pharmaceutics. 2023;15(5):1520. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15051520, PMID 37242763.

9. Aldeeb MM, Wilar G, Suhandi C, Elamin KM, Wathoni N. Nanosuspension-based drug delivery systems for topical applications. Int J Nanomedicine. 2024;19:825-44. doi: 10.2147/IJN.S447429, PMID 38293608.

10. Tarivitla LP, Sunitha Reddy M. An overview of the biopharmaceutics classification system (BCS). GSC Biol Pharm Sci. 2021;14(2):217-21. doi: 10.30574/gscbps.2021.14.2.0012.

11. Bezerra Souza A, Fernandez Garcia R, Rodrigues GF, Bolas Fernandez F, Dalastra Laurenti MD, Passero LF. Repurposing butenafine as an oral nanomedicine for visceral leishmaniasis. Pharmaceutics. 2019;11(7):353. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics11070353, PMID 31330776.

12. Bezerra Souza A, Jesus JA, Laurenti MD, Lalatsa A, Serrano DR, Passero LF. Nanoemulsified butenafine for enhanced performance against experimental cutaneous leishmaniasis. J Immunol Res. 2021;2021:8828750. doi: 10.1155/2021/8828750, PMID 33880383.

13. Mahdi WA, Bukhari SI, Imam SS, Alshehri S, Zafar A, Yasir M. Formulation and optimization of butenafine loaded topical nano lipid carrier-based gel: characterization, irritation study and anti-fungal activity. Pharmaceutics. 2021;13(7):1087. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13071087, PMID 34371777.

14. Kumar S, Naved T, Alam S, Chauhan R. Design and optimization of telmisartan nanosuspension for improved drug delivery. Biochem Cell Arch. 2023;23(2):925-31. doi: 10.51470/bca.2023.23.2.925.

15. Gulbag Pınar S, Celebi N. Development of cyclosporine a nanosuspension using experimental design by response surface methodology: in vitro evaluations. Turk J Pharm Sci. 2024;21(5):428-39. doi: 10.4274/tjps.galenos.2023.68054.

16. Sopyan I, Gozali D, Sriwidodo, Guntina RK. Design-expert software (DOE): an application tool for optimization in pharmaceutical preparations formulation. Int J App Pharm. 2022;14(4):55-63. doi: 10.22159/ijap.2022v14i4.45144.

17. Alwan ZS. Preparation and characterization of febuxostat as nanosuspension. Iraqi J Pharm Sci. 2025;33(13):261-70. doi: 10.31351/vol33iss(4SI)pp261-270.

18. Ugur Kaplan AB, Ozturk N, Cetin M, Vural I, Oznuluer Ozer TO. The nanosuspension formulations of daidzein: preparation and in vitro characterization. Turk J Pharm Sci. 2022;19(1):84-92. doi: 10.4274/tjps.galenos.2021.81905, PMID 35227054.

19. Bellouniversity A. Formulation and in vitro evaluation of sustained release. J Pharm Sci Innov. 2013;12(1):1-5.

20. Wang D, Qian J, He S, Park JS, Lee KS, Han S. Aggregation-enhanced fluorescence in pegylated phospholipid nanomicelles for in vivo imaging. Biomaterials. 2011;32(25):5880-8. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2011.04.080, PMID 21601279.

21. Al wiswasi NN, Al Gawahri FJ. Brimonidine-soluplus nanomicelles: preparation and in vitro evaluation. Iraqi J Pharm Sci. 2025;34(1):246-55. doi: 10.31351/vol34iss1pp246-255.

22. Sumathi R, Tamizharasi S, Sivakumar T. Formulation and evaluation of polymeric nanosuspension of naringenin. Int J App Pharm. 2017;9(6):60-70. doi: 10.22159/ijap.2017v9i6.21674.

23. Rashid AM, Ghareeb MM. Using ionic liquids-based surfactant in formulating nimodipine polymeric nanoparticles: a promising approach for improved performance. Iraqi J Pharm Sci. 2025;34(1):203-17. doi: 10.31351/vol34iss1pp203-217.

24. Khaira R, Sharma J, Saini V. Development and characterization of nanoparticles for the delivery of gemcitabine hydrochloride. Scientific World Journal. 2014;2014:560962. doi: 10.1155/2014/560962, PMID 24592173.

25. Al Edhari GH, Al Gawhari FJ. Study the effect of formulation variables on preparation of nisoldipine-loaded nanobilosomes. IJPS. 2023;32(Suppl):271-82. doi: 10.31351/vol32issSuppl.pp271-282.

26. Alsafar ZA, Jawad FJ. Preparation and evaluation of lercanidipine HCl nanosuspension to improve the dissolution rate. Iraqi J Pharm Sci. 2024;33(4SI):20-30. doi: 10.31351/vol33iss(4SI)pp20-30.

27. Keshari P, Sonar Y, Mahajan H. Curcumin-loaded TPGS micelles for nose-to-brain drug delivery: in vitro and in vivo studies. Mater Tech. 2019;34(7):423-32. doi: 10.1080/10667857.2019.1575535.

28. Salamanca CH, Barrera Ocampo A, Lasso JC, Camacho N, Yarce CJ. Franz diffusion cell approach for pre-formulation characterisation of ketoprofen semi-solid dosage forms. Pharmaceutics. 2018;10(3):148. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics10030148, PMID 30189634.

29. Costa P, Sousa Lobo JM. Modeling and comparison of dissolution profiles. Eur J Pharm Sci. 2001;13(2):123-33. doi: 10.1016/S0928-0987(01)00095-1, PMID 11297896.

30. Anusha G, Sunayana R, Ponnam M, Kumar BA. The application of marine natural products (MNPS) in anti‑COVID‑19 therapeutics. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Development. 2020;8(6):77-80. doi: 10.22270/ajprd.v8i6.809.

31. Salih OS, Jaber SA, Sulaiman HT. Ultra HPLC method development and validation for the determination of meclizine in pharmaceutical formulation. J Adv Pharm Educ Res. 2025;15(3):69-76. doi: 10.51847/3Wcyztstn0.

32. Salih OS. Study the sustained release effect of different polymers used in the formulation of aspirin-rosuvastatin tablets. Int J Pharm Pharm Sci. 2015;7(12):166-72.

33. Hussein AA, Samein LH, Ghareeb MM, Salih OS. Effects of mucoadhesive polymers combination on the properties of lisinopril buccal tablets prepared by the wet granulation method. Int J Pharm Pharm Sci. 2013;5(4):340-3.

34. Bhosale VA, Srivastava V, Valamla B, Yadav R, Singh SB, Mehra NK. Preparation and evaluation of modified chitosan nanoparticles using anionic sodium alginate polymer for treatment of ocular disease. Pharmaceutics. 2022;14(12):2802. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14122802.

35. Tomlinson A, Khanal S, Ramaesh K, Diaper CJM, McFadyen A. Tear film osmolarity: determination of a referent for dry eye diagnosis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2006;47(10):4309–15. doi: 10.1167/iovs.05‑1504.

36. Mastiholimath VS, Rajendra BA, Mannur VS, Dandagi PM, Gadad AP, Khanal P. Formulation and evaluation of cefixime nanosuspension for the enhancement of oral bioavailability by solvent-antisolvent method and its suitable method development. Indian J Pharm Educ Res. 2019;54(1):55-67. doi: 10.5530/ijper.54.1.7.

37. Abbas IK, Rajab NA, Hussein AA. Formulation and in vitro evaluation of darifenacin hydrobromide as buccal films. Iraqi J Pharm Sci. 2019;28(2):83-94. doi: 10.31351/vol28iss2pp83-94.

38. Thamer AK, Abood AN. Preparation and in vitro characterization of aceclofenac nanosuspension (ACNS) for enhancement of percutaneous absorption using hydrogel dosage form. Iraqi J Pharm Sci. 2021;30(2):86-98. doi: 10.31351/vol30iss2pp86-98.

39. Gupta AK, Madan S, Majumdar DK, Maitra A. Ketorolac entrapped in polymeric micelles: preparation, characterisation and ocular anti-inflammatory studies. Int J Pharm. 2000;209(1-2):1-14. doi: 10.1016/S0378-5173(00)00508-1, PMID 11084241.

40. Rashid AM, Abdal Hammid SN. Formulation and characterization of itraconazole as nanosuspension dosage form for enhancement of solubility. Iraqi J Pharm Sci. 2019;28(2):124-33. doi: 10.31351/vol28iss2pp124-133.

41. Khafeef HK, Rajab NA. Eplerenone crystal nanosuspension for solubility enhancement: preparation and evaluation. Maaen J Med Sci. 2023;2(2):73-80. doi: 10.55810/2789‑9136.1024.

42. Ubgade S, Bapat A, Kilor V. Effect of various stabilizers on the stability of lansoprazole nanosuspension prepared using high shear homogenization: preliminary investigation. J Appl Pharm Sci. 2021;11(9):85-92. doi: 10.7324/JAPS.2021.110910.

43. Patil AS, Hegde R, Gadad AP, Dandagi PM, Masareddy R, Bolmal U. Exploring the solvent-anti-solvent method of nanosuspension for enhanced oral bioavailability of lovastatin. Turk J Pharm Sci. 2021;18(5):541-9. doi: 10.4274/tjps.galenos.2020.65047, PMID 34708645.

44. Ma Y, Cong Z, Gao P, Wang Y. Nanosuspensions technology as a master key for natural products drug delivery and in vivo fate. Eur J Pharm Sci. 2023;185:106425. doi: 10.1016/j.ejps.2023.106425.

45. Ismanelly Hanum TI, Nasution A, Sumaiyah S, Bangun H. Physical stability and dissolution of ketoprofen nanosuspension formulation: polyvinylpyrrolidone and Tween 80 as stabilizers. Pharmacia. 2023;70(1):209-15. doi: 10.3897/pharmacia.70.e96593.

46. Elmowafy M, Shalaby K, Al Sanea MM, Hendawy OM, Salama A, Ibrahim MF. Influence of stabilizer on the development of luteolin nanosuspension for cutaneous delivery: an in vitro and in vivo evaluation. Pharmaceutics. 2021;13(11):1812. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13111812, PMID 34834227.

47. Guembe Michel N, Nguewa P, Gonzalez Gaitano G. Soluplus®-based pharmaceutical formulations: recent advances in drug delivery and biomedical applications. Int J Mol Sci. 2025;26(4):1499. doi: 10.3390/ijms26041499, PMID 40003966.

48. Alwan RM, Rajab NA. Nanosuspensions of selexipag: formulation characterization and in vitro evaluation. Iraqi J Pharm Sci. 2021;30(1):144-53. doi: 10.31351/vol30iss1pp144-153.

49. Touqeer SI, Jahan N, Abbas N, Ali A. Formulation and process optimization of rauvolfia serpentina nanosuspension by HPMC and in vitro evaluation of ACE inhibitory potential. J Funct Biomater. 2022;13(4):268. doi: 10.3390/jfb13040268, PMID 36547528.

50. Lu P, Liang Z, Zhang Z, Yang J, Song F, Zhou T. Novel nanomicelle butenafine formulation for ocular drug delivery against fungal keratitis: in vitro and in vivo study. Eur J Pharm Sci. 2024;192:106629. doi: 10.1016/j.ejps.2023.106629, PMID 37918544.

Published

07-03-2026

How to Cite

NAEEM, N. M., & SALIH, O. S. (2026). PREPARATION AND IN VITRO EVALUATION OF BUTENAFINE HCL NANOSUSPENSION. International Journal of Applied Pharmaceutics, 18(2), 211–220. https://doi.org/10.22159/ijap.2026v18i2.56008

Issue

Section

Original Article(s)

Similar Articles

<< < 92 93 94 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.