An approach to enhance drug solubility: fabrication, characterization, and safety evaluation of Felodipine polymeric nanoparticles

In this study, Felodipine-loaded nanoparticles were prepared using the nanoprecipitation method, with quince seed mucilage serving as the polymer matrix and Tween 80 utilized as a stabilizing agent. The nanoparticles were thoroughly characterized using a range of analytical techniques, including dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential measurement, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The Felodipine nanoparticles displayed an amorphous structure, with formulation FEL 4 achieving the highest entrapment efficiency of 67.68%. This formulation also had an average particle size of 675 ± 2.04 nm and a zeta potential of − 31.7 ± 1.34 mV. Saturation solubility tests revealed a significant enhancement in water solubility for the nanoparticles compared to pure Felodipine. Additionally, in vitro drug release studies demonstrated a sustained release profile over 24 h in phosphate buffer. Acute oral toxicity evaluations confirmed that the Felodipine nanoparticles did not exhibit any signs of toxicity. Overall, this study showed the successful fabrication of quince seed mucilage-based Felodipine-loaded nanoparticles as a promising approach to enhance solubility and achieve sustained drug release, with no evident toxicity.