MEBENDAZOLE LOADED NANOSPONGES CAPSULES FOR TREATMENT OF WORM INFECTIONS.

Mebendazole (MBZ), an anthelmintic, was incorporated into nanosponges to improve its delivery. The nanosponges were prepared using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as an emulsifying agent and ethylene cellulose as a polymer, via emulsion solvent diffusion. The formulation was optimized using Central Composite Design (CCD) and evaluated for various physicochemical properties, including production yield, entrapment efficiency, particle size, zeta potential and in vitro release. Analytical techniques like Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray Diffraction were used for evaluation. The production yield was 91.21 %, and entrapment efficiency was 89.13 %. Characterization confirmed successful encapsulation and nanosponge formation. FESEM showed porous, spherical structures and the zeta potential was +11.2 mV with particle size ranging from 514 nm to 554 nm. The in vitro drug release was 86.66 %, and capsule disintegration and content of active were found to be adequate. Stability studies indicated that the capsules were stable. These results suggest that mebendazole-loaded nanosponges effectively address challenges associated with conventional mebendazole formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]