Development and Characterization of Albumin-Based Nanoparticles for Sustained Release of Repaglinide

Abstract

The study focuses on the development and characterization of repaglinide-loaded albumin nanoparticles for sustained drug release, aimed at improving the management of Type 2 diabetes. The nanoparticles were synthesized using a solvent evaporation method, resulting in uniform particle size (150 ± 5 nm) with a low polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.23, and a negative zeta potential of -20 ± 1 mV, ensuring colloidal stability. The drug loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency were 4.5 ± 0.2% and 75 ± 3%, respectively. In vitro release studies demonstrated a controlled drug release profile, with 80 ± 8% of repaglinide released over 48 hours, suggesting potential for reducing dosing frequency and enhancing patient compliance. Kinetic analysis revealed that the release followed a Fickian diffusion mechanism (R² = 0.982). The nanoparticles showed good stability over 30 days, with only slight increases in particle size and PDI. Additionally, cytotoxicity studies confirmed the biocompatibility of the nanoparticles. Comparative analysis with other drug delivery systems showed that albumin nanoparticles offer superior controlled release and drug encapsulation efficiency, making them a promising alternative for repaglinide delivery in diabetes management. Further clinical validation is required for realworld applications.