Formulation and investigation of differently charged β-cyclodextrin-based meloxicam potassium containing nasal powders

Nasal systemic drug delivery may provide an easy way to substitute parenteral or oral dosing, however, the excipients have an important role in nasal formulations to increase the permeability of the mucosa and prolong the residence time of the drug. In this work, we aimed to produce meloxicam potassium monohydrate (MXP) containing nasal powders by a nano spray drier with the use of a neutral, an anionic and a cationic β-cyclodextrin as permeation enhancers, and (polyvinyl)alcohol (PVA) as a water soluble polymer. The following examinations were performed in order to study the effect of the applied excipients on the nasal applicability of the formulations: laser scattering, scanning electron microscope measurement, XRPD, DSC and FTIR measurements, adhesivity, in vitro drug release and permeability tests through an artificial membrane and RPMI 2650 cells. Based on our results, spherical particles were prepared with a size of 1.89–2.21 µm in which MXP was present in an amorphous state. Secondary interactions were formed between the excipients and the drug. The charged cyclodextrin-based formulations showed significantly higher adhesive force values regardless of the presence of PVA. The drug release was fast and complete. The passive diffusion of MXP was influenced not only by the charge of the cyclodextrin, but the presence of PVA, too. The permeation of the drug was enhanced in the presence of the anionic cyclodextrin testing it on RPMI 2650 cell model.