Preparation and evaluation of solid self-microemulsifying drug delivery system of eprosartan mesylate using vegetable oils

Abstract The current work deals with the designing of a solid self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (S-SMEDDS) of eprosartan mesylate (EPM) for improved bioavailability by enhancing the intestinal permeability of EPM. Two L-SMEDDSs containing EPM (OF9 and PF5) were formulated successfully using Tween 80 as surfactant, PEG 400 as cosurfactant and two different oil phases (i.e., 10% oleic acid and 50% peppermint oil), separately. The L-SMEDDSs were characterized by TEM image analysis and evaluated for self-emulsification efficiency, thermodynamic stability, droplet size and zeta potential, transmittance, cloud point, rheology and drug content. S-SMEDDSs containing EPM were prepared using OF9 and PF5 L-SMEDDSs, when these were separately adsorbed on to the surface of Aerosil 200, which displayed excellent flow properties, high drug content, and nanometer ranged particle size. These prepared S-SMEDDSs (OF9S4 and PF5S4) were characterized by SEM, FTIR, DSC and XRD analyses. Prepared OF9S4 S-SMEDDS exhibited significantly enhanced (p