Preparation, Characterization and In Vitro Evaluation of Novel Gellan Gum-Raloxifene HCl Nanoparticles

Raloxifene HCl is a BCS (Biopharmaceutics Classification System) class-II drug with low solubility and poor bioavailability (2%). The present study was undertaken to develop a nanoparticles system using the biopolymer gellan which has not been explored well for its direct use in nanoparticulate systems. Gellan gum nanoparticles encapsulated with raloxifene HCl was prepared by emulsion cross linking method and the developed nanoparticles showed narrow particle size distribution with an average size of 472 nm, zeta potential of -40.6 mV along with 98±3% entrapment efficiency. FTIR studies demonstrated chemical interaction between the polymer and drug. In vitro release studies showed an initial burst release within 30 min followed by a continuous release for 24 hours. In vitro cytotoxicity studies performed with MCF7 cell line revealed that the raloxifene HCl-gellan gum nanoparticles exhibited higher cytotoxicity compared to free raloxifene HCl.