Development and optimization of candesartan cilexetil nasal gel for accentuated intranasal delivery using central composite design

The investigation was intended to create a mucoadhesive thermoreversible gel containing candesartan cilexetil for enhanced nasal drug delivery using a quality by design approach. Thermoreversible gel formulation bearing candesartan cilexitil was developed by cold method. The central composite design was used for the candesartan-loaded nasal gel optimization. The Pluronic® F-127 (poloxamer 407), carbopol 934P, and polyethylene glycol were used as independent variables while gelation temperature and drug content were taken as the dependent variables. The formulation optimized by design was further evaluated for pH, permeation study, and mucoadhesive strength. The optimized thermoreversible nasal gel formulation shows a gelation temperature of 27 ± 1 °C and drug content of 99.13 ± 0.55 %. The viscosity and pH of the optimized formulation were found to be 23.25 ± 0.36 Pa.S and 6.4 ± 0.1 respectively. Conclusion: The developed nasal gel formulation shows the enhanced delivery of candesartan cilexitil due to the presence of the permeation enhancer in comparison to the drug solution. The improved mucoadhesive strength, and the residence time of nasal gel of candesartan cilexitil for hypertension is of potential application and compliance.