Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a condition characterised by neurodegeneration that worsens over time, characterised by memory impairment, cognitive decline, and changes in behaviour. Memantine hydrochloride, which acts as an NMDA receptor antagonist, is employed in the clinical treatment of AD; however, its poor solubility, significant first-pass metabolism, and restricted ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) limit its therapeutic effectiveness. Nanoemulsions offer a novel strategy to overcome these drawbacks by enhancing solubility, stability, and facilitating targeted brain delivery.
Methods: Nanoemulsions of memantine were formulated with oleic acid serving as the oil phase, Tween 20 acting as the surfactant, and PEG-400/propylene glycol utilized as the co-surfactant. Pseudo-ternary phase diagrams were utilised to optimize the formulations. The formulations (F1–F8) were produced through high-shear homogenization and ultrasonication, and subsequently assessed for transmittance, pH, viscosity, particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, and in vitro drug release, ex vivo permeation and stability studies.
Results: All formulations exhibited high clarity, a nanoscale size, and a physiological pH. The optimized batch showed the smallest droplet size, lowest PDI, high stability, and maximum sustained drug release, permeability and stability.
Conclusion: Memantine nanoemulsion enhances drug solubility, stability, and brain delivery. This approach represents a promising therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease.
Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, Brain delivery, Memantine, Nanoemulsion, NMDA antagonist.
How to cite this article: Muzib YI, Shilpaja C, Formulation Strategy, Ex-Vivo Evaluation, and Characterization of a Memantine Nanoemulsion for Enhanced Alzheimer's Therapy. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(2s): 576-586; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.576-586