Nanostructured Lipid Carrier-Mediated Transdermal Delivery System of Glibenclamide for Gestational Diabetes: Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Evaluation.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) poses significant risks during pregnancy for both mother and fetus. Adherence to oral antidiabetic medications, like glibenclamide (GB), can be challenging, necessitating novel drug delivery methods. Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) offer a promising approach by efficiently permeating the skin due to their small size and lipid-based composition.

Objective: This study aimed to develop and evaluate transdermal patches loaded with glibenclamide NLCs to treat GDM.

Methods: Glibenclamide NLCs were prepared using hot homogenization with ultrasonication and melt dispersion method. A central composite design was utilized to optimize the formulations. Transdermal patches containing optimized NLCs were developed using HPMC K 100 and Eudragit L polymers. The patches were evaluated for various parameters, and their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies were carried out to assess their safety and efficacy.

Results: Optimized NLCs efficiently permeated rat skin. Cell viability studies indicated the nontoxicity of the formulations. NLC-loaded transdermal patches (F2 and F7) showed drug release of 1098 μg/cm² and 1001.83 μg/cm² in 24 h, with a 2.5-fold higher flux and permeation coefficient than the GB patch. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed Tmax of 8 and 10 h and C_max of 7127 ng/ml and 7960 ng/ml for F2 and F7, respectively, ensuring sustained drug action. AUC0-α was 625681 ng/ml·h and 363625 ng/ml·h for F2 and F7, respectively, indicating improved bioavailability.

Conclusion: Transdermal patches incorporating NLCs hold promise for enhancing glibenclamide's therapeutic efficacy in GDM treatment. Improved skin permeation, sustained drug release, and enhanced bioavailability make NLC-based transdermal patches a potential alternative with better patient compliance.