Paliperidone Palmitate-Loaded Zein-Maltodextrin Nanocomplex: Fabrication, Characterization, and In Vitro Release

Purpose The purpose of this research was to employ maltodextrin as a stabilizer to stabilize the zein nanocomplex of paliperidone palmitate.Method A zein-maltodextr in nanocomplex was synthesized using an anti-solvent precipitation technique. Box-Behnken Design was utilized for the optimization of drug-loaded zein-maltodextr in nanocomplex. Physiochemical characterization (DSC, XRD, NMR, and FT-IR), surface morphology, and release behavior were carried out.Results The inclusion of polysaccharides resulted in spherical stable optimized nanocomplexes with a small particle size (184.30 +/- 0.067 nm) and an acceptable zeta potential (23.00 +/- 0.124 mV) and improved encapsulation. The solid-state characterization and zeta potential demonstrated that electrostatic interaction was the predominant driving force, with hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction serving as additional driving forces. The release profile of drug-loaded zein-maltodextr in nanocomplex indicated sustained release in vitro. In long-ter m storage (25 +/- 2 degrees C/60 +/- 5% RH and 4 +/- 2 degrees C), the drug-loaded zein-maltodextr in nanocomplex remained stable.Conclusion Thus, the protein-polysacchar ide nanocomplex can be used to deliver antipsychotic drugs.