SCREENING OF BIODEGRADABLE POLYMER AND MOST EFFECTIVE VARIABLES IN PREPARATION OF ESSENTIAL OIL LOADED NANO PARTICLES FOR PULMONARY DELIVERY USING TAGUCHI DESIGN

The biodegradability of inhalable nanoparticles (NPs) is an important criterion in prevention of lung toxicity due to NPs which have been taken to cure the condition. Pulmonary inflammation may result due to non-biodegradation or insoluble polymers used to produce NPs. Biodegradable polymers are widely used for manufacturing safe drug-entrapped inhalable NPs for pulmonary delivery. Here in this study, for preparing ajwain essential oil loaded NPs for pulmonary delivery, biodegradable polymers chitosan, gelatin and alginic acid have been evaluated for suitability. Based on the results of trial batches prepared from each polymer, the responses particle size and entrapment efficiency were measured and compared. Out of the three polymers, chitosan was having very good entrapment efficiency, poly dispersive index, drug loading and zeta potential-favorable conditions for pulmonary delivery of essential oils. Further screening of most effective variables in manufacturing nano particles using chitosan, eight batches of nano particles have been prepared as per taguchi orthogonal 2 level array L8 experimental design (Design expert software, version 7.0) where two responses, particle size and entrapment efficiency, have been observed. Based on the results of eight batches, standard effects have been calculated and significant variables identified, for both particle size and entrapment efficiency, for further optimization under design of experiment.