Design, development and evaluation of rufinamide loaded nanocochleates as delivery vehicle for the treatment of epilepsy

Rufinamide is the preferred medication for management Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS). Its gradual absorption from the gastrointestinal pathway is due to its restricted solubility and slow dissolving rate in gastrointestinal fluids. The restricted bioavailability of Rufinamide leads to inadequate transportation of drug to the brain. This research article explains the formulation of Rufinamide-loaded nanocochleates using liposomes as the core structure. Liposomes were produced via the ethanol injection method and optimized using a Box–Behnken experimental design. The optimization considered three independent factors lipid quantity, cholesterol quantity, and stirring speed and two response parameters: particle size and encapsulation efficiency. The optimized liposomes have a particle size of 130.1 ± 2.2 nm, a zeta potential of −13.3 ± 0.96 mv, an encapsulation efficiency of 86.13 ± 1.46% w/w and a drug release of 86.74 ± 0.87% w/w respectively. The refined liposomes were later transformed into nanocochleates utilizing the trapping process. The nanocochleates were evaluated for several factors including particle size of 157.5 ± 1.4 nm, zeta potential of −19.16 ± 3.02 mv, encapsulation efficiency of 89.78 ± 1.87% w/w and drug release of 80.39 ± 0.73% w/w in over 24 hours. Thus, this innovative method may serve as an improved alternative therapy for Lennox Gastaut Syndrome.