Development and optimization of solid lipid nanoparticles loaded with Glimepiride for enhancement of pharmacokinetic and therapeutic applicability

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus, particularly type 2 diabetes, is a growing global health concern. Glimepiride, a widely used antidiabetic drug, faces challenges related to its poor aqueous solubility and short half-life, impacting its pharmacokinetics and therapeutic efficacy. In this study, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) of Glimepiride were developed and evaluated through different analytical techniques. α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory assay were performed to determine the anti-diabetic effect of Glimepiride while in-silico ADME analysis was performed to determine the pharmacokinetic behavior of Glimepiride. Thereafter, network pharmacology analysis of Glimepiride was performed to determine multi-mechanistic and therapeutic response in context to the diabetes and other pathophysiological response. In this context, have emerged as a promising drug delivery system for improving the bioavailability and sustained release of poorly water-soluble drugs. This study focuses on the development and optimization of Glimepiride-loaded SLNs to enhance its pharmacokinetic profile and therapeutic applicability. A comprehensive exploration was undertaken to encapsulate Glimepiride within SLNs using various lipid matrices and surfactants. The resulting SLNs were characterized for their particle size, polydispersity, zeta potential, and drug encapsulation efficiency. The formulation was further assessed for in vitro release kinetics and stability. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of Glimepiride-loaded SLNs were evaluated in animal models, shedding light on their potential to enhance drug bioavailability and maintain prolonged antidiabetic effects. This research offers insights into the development of advanced drug delivery systems to address the limitations of conventional antidiabetic drugs. The results of this study indicate that Glimepiride-loaded SLNs have the potential to revolutionize diabetes management by providing improved therapeutic outcomes and patient compliance.