Defining the process parameters affecting the fabrication of rosuvastatin calcium nanoparticles by planetary ball mill

PURPOSE: Rosuvastatin calcium (ROSCa) nanoparticles were fabricated by planetary ball mill to enhance ROSCa dissolution rate and bioavailability. METHODS: Milling time factors (milling cycle time and number as well as pause time) were explored. The effect of different milling ball size, speed, and solid-to-solvent ratio were also studied using Box–Behnken factorial design. The fabricated nanoparticles were evaluated in term of physicochemical properties and long-term stability. RESULTS: The obtained data revealed that the integrated formulation and process factors should be monitored to obtain desirable nanoparticle attributes in terms of particle size, zeta potential, dissolution rate, and bioavailability. The optimized ROSCa nanoparticles prepared by milling technique showed a significant enhancement in the dissolution rate by 1.3-fold and the plasma concentration increased by 2-fold (P<0.05). Moreover, stability study showed that the optimized formula of ROSCa nanoparticles exhibits higher stability in long-term stability conditions at 30°C with humidity of 60%. CONCLUSION: Formulation of ROSCa as nanoparticles using milling technique showed a significant enhancement in both dissolution rate and plasma concentration as well as stability compared with untreated drug.