Eman Elhassan

Dr. Eman Elhassan


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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30 May 2025 in Pharmaceutics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MOMichael Oboh
Michael Oboh
EEEman Elhassan
Eman Elhassan
Neil Anthony KoorbanallyNeil Anthony Koorbanally
Neil Anthony Koorbanally
Laurencia GovenderLaurencia Govender
Laurencia Govender
MSMuthulisi Siwela
Muthulisi Siwela
BMBlessing Nkazimulo Mkhwanazi
Blessing Nkazimulo Mkhwanazi
Objectives: This study characterised and evaluated the stability, solubility, and in vitro drug release of OA- and AA-loaded SLNs. Methods: The OA- and AA-SLNs were formulated using the emulsion solvent evaporation method and characterised based on particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Solubility studies were conducted in PBS (pH 1.2 and 6.8) and dH2O using HPLC, while in vitro drug release was assessed in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) (pH 6.8). Results: The optimised OA-SLNs (1:1 drug-to-lipid ratio) showed PS, PDI, ZP, and EE% values of 312.9 ± 3.617 nm, 0.157 ± 0.014, −17.0 ± 0.513 mV, and 86.54 ± 1.818%, respectively. The optimised AA-SLNs (1:2 drug-to-lipid: ratio) had a PS of 115.5 ± 0.458 nm, PDI of 0.255 ± 0.007, ZP of −11.9 ± 0.321 mV, and EE% of 76.22 ± 0.436%. The SLNs remained stable for 60 days at 4 °C and room temperature (p < 0.05). The solubility study revealed that free OA and AA showed no measurable values in the three solvents. However, OA-SLNs showed the highest solubility in H2O (16-fold) followed by PBS at pH 6.8 (10-fold) and pH 1.2 (10-fold). AA-SLNs significantly improved the solubility in PBS at pH 6.8 (88-fold), compared to dH2O (6-fold) and PBS at pH 1.2 (26-fold). In vitro drug release studies showed that OA release from the SLNs was significantly increased within 300 min (p < 0.05) compared to the free drug. Similarly, AA release from the SLNs was significantly increased within 300 min (p < 0.05) compared to free AA. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that SLNs enhance OA and AA solubility and drug release, suggesting a promising strategy for improving oral bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy.