Author(s): Dhruvi Mehta, Riddhi Trivedi, Drashty Kakkad

Email(s): dhruvimehta09@gmail.com , riddhi.trivedi@sal.edu.in , drashtykakkad@gmail.com

DOI: 10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00537   

Address: Dhruvi Mehta1, Riddhi Trivedi2, Drashty Kakkad3
1PhD Scholar, Gujarat Technological University, Ahmedabad, India.
2Principal, SAL College of Pharmacy, Gujarat Technological University, Ahmedabad, India.
3Gujarat Technological University, Ahmedabad, India.
*Corresponding Author

Published In:   Volume - 19,      Issue - 8,     Year - 2026


ABSTRACT:
Hypercholesterolemia is a disease that is one of the main causes of ischemic heart disease and ischemic strokes. A widely prescribed fixed-dose combination (FDC) is Ezetimibe and Simvastatin, exhibit poor solubility, leading to suboptimal bioavailability. This work introduces a novel nanosuspension to enhance solubility and dissolution. After preliminary screenings, Poloxamer 188 as stabilizer and High Pressure Homogenization method were selected for further optimization. A 3² full factorial design was employed with surfactant and polymeric stabiliser concentrations as independent variables, optimizing for particle size, entrapment efficiency and dissolution rate. The optimized nanosuspension exhibited a uniform particle size of 104.33 nm with stable zeta potential, and substantially improved dissolution (84.67% and 84.20% in 60 min for Ezetimibe and Simvastatin, respectively) compared to a marketed FDC (30% and 69% in 60 min for Ezetimibe and Simvastatin, respectively). DSC, XRD, and TEM confirmed nanoparticle formation and stability. In vivo studies demonstrated a significant reduction in cholesterol and LDL levels in rats which underscores enhanced therapeutic performance. The formulated nanosuspension significantly enhanced the dissolution and therapeutic performance of Ezetimibe and Simvastatin, offering a promising nanotechnology-based approach for fixed-dose combination therapy in Hypercholesterolemia.


Cite this article:
Dhruvi Mehta, Riddhi Trivedi, Drashty Kakkad. Formulation, Optimization and Evaluation of a Nanosuspension for the Fixed‐Dose Combination of Antihyperlipidemic Drugs. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology. 2026;19(8):3809-6. doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00537

Cite(Electronic):
Dhruvi Mehta, Riddhi Trivedi, Drashty Kakkad. Formulation, Optimization and Evaluation of a Nanosuspension for the Fixed‐Dose Combination of Antihyperlipidemic Drugs. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology. 2026;19(8):3809-6. doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00537   Available on: https://www.rjptonline.org/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2026-19-8-54


REFERENCE:
1.    Gensini GF, Comeglio M, Colella A. Classical risk factors and emerging elements in the risk profile for coronary artery disease. Eur Heart J. 1998.
2.    Asian Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences [Internet]. [cited 2025 Dec 31]. Available from: https://ajpsonline.com/HTMLPaper.aspx?Journal=Asian%20Journal%20of%20Research%20in%20Pharmaceutical%20Sciences;PID=2011-1-4-8
3.    Pirillo A, Casula M, Olmastroni E, Norata GD, Catapano AL. Global epidemiology of dyslipidaemias. Nat Rev Cardiol. 2021;18:689–700.
4.    Martinez-Hervas S, Ascaso JF. Hypercholesterolemia. In: Encyclopedia of Endocrine Diseases [Internet]. 2023 Apr 23 [cited 2025 Aug 2]. p. 320–6. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459188/
5.    Research Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics [Internet]. New frontiers on hyperlipidemia in pharmaceutical education [cited 2025 Dec 31]. Available from: https://rjppd.org/HTMLPaper.aspx?Journal=Research%20Journal%20of%20Pharmacology%20and%20Pharmacodynamics;PID=2010-2-4-13
6.    Gallo A, Le Goff W, Santos RD, Fichtner I, Carugo S, Corsini A, et al. Hypercholesterolemia and inflammation—cooperative cardiovascular risk factors. Eur J Clin Invest. 2025;55.
7.    Stancu C, Sima A. Statins: mechanism of action and effects. J Cell Mol Med. 2001;5(4):378–87.
8.    Sireesha D, Monika ML, Bakshi V. Development and validation of UV spectrophotometric method for the simultaneous estimation of rosuvastatin and ezetimibe in pharmaceutical dosage form. Asian J Pharm Anal. 2017;7(3):135.
9.    Wang LJ, Song BL. Niemann–Pick C1-like 1 and cholesterol uptake. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids. 2012;1821(7):964–72.
10.    Bohula EA, Giugliano RP, Cannon CP, Zhou J, Murphy SA, White JA, et al. Achievement of dual low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein targets more frequent with the addition of ezetimibe to simvastatin and associated with better outcomes in IMPROVE-IT. Circulation. 2015; 132: 1224–33.
11.    Morrone D, Weintraub WS, Toth PP, Hanson ME, Lowe RS, Lin J, et al. Lipid-altering efficacy of ezetimibe plus statin and statin monotherapy and identification of factors associated with treatment response: a pooled analysis of over 21,000 subjects from 27 clinical trials. Atherosclerosis. 2012; 223(2): 251–61.
12.    Toth PP, Davidson MH. Simvastatin plus ezetimibe: combination therapy for the management of dyslipidaemia. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2005; 6: 131–9.
13.    Baumgartner A, Drame K, Geutjens S, Airaksinen M. Does the polypill improve patient adherence compared to its individual formulations? A systematic review. Pharmaceutics. 2020; 12(2): 190.
14.    Nandi S, Kaur A, Bansal AK. Dual drug nanocrystals loaded microparticles for fixed dose combination of simvastatin and ezetimibe. Pharm Dev Technol. 2020;25(1):40–53.
15.    Shailaja P, Ashok KS. A promising oral drug delivery system of microsponges: a brief review. Res J Pharm Technol. 2022; 15(9): 4319–24.
16.    Merisko-Liversidge E, Liversidge GG, Cooper ER. Nanosizing: a formulation approach for poorly water-soluble compounds. Eur J Pharm Sci. 2003; 18: 113–20.
17.    Uhlemann J, Diedam H, Hoheisel W, Schikarski T, Peukert W. Modeling and simulation of process technology for nanoparticulate drug formulations—a particle technology perspective. Pharmaceutics. 2021; 13: 1–25.
18.    Tupe A, Mankar SD. Nanosuspension: a novel approach to improve the solubility, bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of poorly soluble drugs. Asian J Pharm Technol. 2023: 194–200.
19.    Khandbahale SV. A review—nanosuspension technology in drug delivery system. Asian J Pharm Res. 2019; 9(2): 130.
20.    Jacob S, Kather FS, Boddu SHS, Attimarad M, Nair AB. Nanosuspension innovations: expanding horizons in drug delivery techniques. Pharmaceutics. 2025; 17.
21.    Patil V, Chopde K, Jadhav A, Shinde N. Advancements in nanosuspensions: bridging nanotechnology with medicine to transform drug delivery by nanonization for bioavailability boosting. Asian J Res Pharm Sci. 2025: 207–14.
22.    Chavda VP, Vaghela DA, Solanki HK, Balar PC, Modi S, Gogoi NR. Nanosuspensions: a new era of targeted therapeutics. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol. 2025; 105.
23.    Yadollahi R, Vasilev K, Simovic S. Nanosuspension technologies for delivery of poorly soluble drugs. J Nanomater. 2015; 2015.
24.    Ma Y, Cong Z, Gao P, Wang Y. Nanosuspensions technology as a master key for natural products drug delivery and in vivo fate. Eur J Pharm Sci. 2023; 185.
25.    Möschwitzer JP. Drug nanocrystals in the commercial pharmaceutical development process. Int J Pharm. 2013; 453: 142–56.
26.    Zielińska A, Soles BB, Lopes AR, Vaz BF, Rodrigues CM, Alves TFR, et al. Nanopharmaceuticals for eye administration: sterilization, depyrogenation and clinical applications. Biology (Basel). 2020; 9.
27.    Pravin P, Adhikrao Y, Varsha G. Different techniques for preparation of nanosuspension with reference to its characterisation and various applications—a review. Asian J Res Pharm Sci. 2018; 8(4): 210.
28.    Nawale RB, Deokate UA, Shahi SR, Lokhande PM. Formulation and characterization of efavirenz nanosuspension by QbD approach. Res J Pharm Technol. 2017; 10(9): 2960–72.
29.    Raj HD, Rajendra KS. Development and evaluation of nanosuspension of albendazole by nanoprecipitation. Res J Pharm Dosage Forms Technol. 2022: 1–6.
30.    Kesisoglou F, Panmai S, Wu Y. Nanosizing—oral formulation development and biopharmaceutical evaluation. Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2007; 59: 631–44.
31.    Sun M, Gao Y, Pei Y, Guo C, Li H, Cao F, et al. Development of nanosuspension formulation for oral delivery of quercetin. J Biomed Nanotechnol. 2010; 6(4): 325–32.

Recomonded Articles:

Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology (RJPT) is an international, peer-reviewed, multidisciplinary journal.... Read more >>>

RNI: CHHENG00387/33/1/2008-TC                     
DOI: 10.52711/0974-360X 

1.3
2021CiteScore
 
56th percentile
Powered by  Scopus


SCImago Journal & Country Rank

Journal Policies & Information


Recent Articles




Tags


Not Available