Nasal administration of ondansetron using a novel microspheres delivery system Part II: ex vivo and in vivo studies.

Gellan gum-based mucoadhesive microspheres of ondansetron hydrochloride for intranasal systemic delivery were prepared to avoid first pass effect, an alternative route of administration to injection and to enhance systemic bioavailability of ondansetron hydrochloride. The microspheres were prepared using spray method. The evaluation results of microspheres were reported in our previous study. The aim of this work was to study the in vivo performance of mucoadhesive microspheres in comparison with oral and intravenous preparations of ondansetron hydrochloride. The nasal delivery system gave increased AUC(0-240) and C(max) as compared to those of oral delivery. In conclusion, the gellan gum-based microsphere formulation of ondansetron hydrochloride with mucoadhesive properties with increased permeation rate is promising for prolonging nasal residence time and thereby nasal absorption.