title: Development of flurbiprofen-loaded nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution using sucrose.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A novel flurbiprofen-loaded nanoemulsion which gave uniform emulsion droplets with a narrow size distribution was previously reported to be prepared using membrane emulsification method. The purpose of this study is to develop a novel flurbiprofen-loaded nanoparticle with a narrow size distribution and improved bioavailability.
  
  
  METHODS
  The nanoparticle was prepared by solidifying nanoemulsion using sucrose as a carrier via spray drying method. Its physicochemical properties were investigated using SEM, DSC and PXRD. Furthermore, dissolution and bioavailability in rats were evaluated compared to a flurbiprofen-loaded commercial product.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The flurbiprofen-loaded nanoparticles with flurbiprofen/sucrose/surfactant mixture (1/20/2, weight ratio) gave good solidification and no stickiness. They associated with about 70,000-fold improved drug solubility and had a mean size of about 300 nm with a narrow size distribution. Flurbiprofen was present in a changed amorphous state in these nanoparticles. Moreover, the nanoparticles gave significantly shorter Tmax, and higher AUC and Cmax of the drug compared to the commercial product (p < 0.05). In particular, they showed about nine-fold higher AUC of the drug than did the commercial product.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These flurbiprofen-loaded nanoparticles prepared with sucrose by the membrane emulsification and spray drying method would be a potential candidate for orally delivering poorly water-soluble flurbiprofen with enhanced bioavailability.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University , Dae-Dong, Gyongsan , South Korea .
authors.forename: Dong Hoon
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Yi-Dong
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Dong Wuk
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jong Oh
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Chul Soon
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Yong
authors.forename: Han-Gon
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D005480:Flurbiprofen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013395:Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D004337:Drug Carriers; D013395:Sucrose; D005480:Flurbiprofen