Formulation and evaluation of sustained-release pitavastatin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles for enhanced anti-hyperlipidemic activity.
A, A., M, Z., H, R., MS, H., W, I., S, A., Z, M., H, A., N, A., & HMA, R. (2026). Formulation and evaluation of sustained-release pitavastatin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles for enhanced anti-hyperlipidemic activity.. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences. https://doi.org/10.36721/PJPS.2026.39.10.295.1
A A, M Z, H R, MS H, W I, S A, et al. Formulation and evaluation of sustained-release pitavastatin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles for enhanced anti-hyperlipidemic activity.. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences. 2026; doi: 10.36721/PJPS.2026.39.10.295.1
A A, M Z, H R, et al. Formulation and evaluation of sustained-release pitavastatin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles for enhanced anti-hyperlipidemic activity.[J]. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences. 2026. DOI: 10.36721/PJPS.2026.39.10.295.1.
@article{a2026,
author = {Arshad A and Zaman M and Riaz H and Haider MS and Ishaq W and Adnan S and Masood Z and Ahmed H and Ameer N and Rahman HMA},
title = {Formulation and evaluation of sustained-release pitavastatin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles for enhanced anti-hyperlipidemic activity.},
journal = {Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.36721/PJPS.2026.39.10.295.1},
note = {PMID: 42489300},
}
TY - JOUR AU - Arshad A AU - Zaman M AU - Riaz H AU - Haider MS AU - Ishaq W AU - Adnan S AU - Masood Z AU - Ahmed H AU - Ameer N AU - Rahman HMA TI - Formulation and evaluation of sustained-release pitavastatin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles for enhanced anti-hyperlipidemic activity. T2 - Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences PY - 2026 DO - 10.36721/PJPS.2026.39.10.295.1 AN - PMID:42489300 ER -
BACKGROUND: Pitavastatin (PVN), a BCS class-II drug, exhibits poor aqueous solubility leading to limited oral bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to enhance the solubility and anti-hyperlipidemic efficacy of Pitavastatin (PVN) by encapsulating it in chitosan-based polymeric nanoparticles. METHODS: Pitavastatin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared using the ionic gelation method. Formulations were characterized by particle size, zeta potential, drug loading, In-vitro drug release and surface morphology. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis (TGA and DSC), ex-vivo intestinal permeability and in-vivo pharmacodynamic analysis were also performed. RESULTS: The size of PVN-loaded NP ranged from 219.9±1.11 to 292.7±2.29 nm with PDI 0.2-0.4, surface charge of +28.4 ± 0.43 to 32.5 ± 1.02 mV and entrapment efficiency 65±1.12-93±1.23%. Solubility in different media (PBS (pH 6.8), 0.1N HCl (pH 1.2) and distilled water showed a 56-102-fold increase compared to PVN. SEM analysis revealed a smooth surface and spherical geometry of the NP. FTIR analysis confirmed that there was no physicochemical interaction between PVN and chitosan in NP formulations (NP1-NP5). XRD and thermal analysis indicated the amorphous nature of PVN-loaded NP. In-vitro drug release from NP formulations (NPI-NP5) ranged from 80.97±4.80 to 81±3.90% indicating sustained release, while ex-vivo intestinal permeability was 1.5-fold higher than PVN. The optimized formulation (NP1) followed Higuchi release model, indicating Fickian diffusion. Pharmacodynamic analysis of lipid profiles in hyperlipidemic albino rats suggested that NP1 reduced low-density lipoprotein (LDL) by 33±1.24 %, total cholesterol by 29±2.13% and triglycerides by 23±1.21%, showing better results than PVN. CONCLUSION: Chitosan-based Pitavastatin nanoparticles successfully enhanced drug solubility and provided sustained release, leading to improved ex-vivo permeability and greater in-vivo anti-hyperlipidemic activity in albino rats. This approach represents a promising strategy for enhancing therapeutic potential of Pitavastatin.