Self microemulsifying drug delivery system of lurasidone hydrochloride for enhanced oral bioavailability by lymphatic targeting: In vitro, Caco-2 cell line and in vivo evaluation.

The global aim of this research was to develop and evaluate self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) to improve oral bioavailability of Lurasidone Hydrochloride (LH). A chylomicron flow blocking approach was used to evaluate lymphatic drug transport. The developed LH-SMEDDS was composed of Capmul MCM C8 (oil), Cremophor EL (surfactant) and Transcutol HP (co-surfactant). Highest microemulsifying area was obtained at 3:1 ratio (surfactant:cosurfactant) and mean globule size was found to be 49.22 ± 1.60 nm. More than 98% drug release was obtained with LH-SMEDDS in phosphate buffer pH 6.8. Confocal microscopy and flow cytometry studies revealed higher fluorescence indicating deeper penetration across Caco-2 cells with Coumarin-6 SMEDDS as compared to Coumarin-6 solution. Mean Fluorescence Intensity (MFI) with Coumarin-6 loaded SMEDDS was increased 25.57 times with respect to Coumarin-6 solution. The permeability across Caco-2 cells was enhanced 3 times with LH-SMEDDS as compared to LH-suspension. Furthermore, Area Under Curve with LH-SMEDDS was found to be 2.92 times higher than that of LH suspension indicating improved bioavailability after formulating SMEDDS. Lymphatic transport in oral absorption of LH-SMEDDS was proved via lymphatic uptake study. All the findings suggest the effectiveness of lipid-based formulation i.e. SMEDDS of LH to augment the oral bioavailability via intestinal lymphatic pathway.