Accelerated stability evaluation and in vitro antimicrobial activity of a preformed ciprofloxacin nanocrystal formulation.

Ciprofloxacin (CIP) is frequently used to treat variety of bacterial illnesses. Drugs can lose their therapeutic efficiency due to physical and chemical deterioration. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate CIP nanocrystals stability and antibacterial activity. Nanocrystals were formulated using CIP drug (250 mg) and poloxamer 188 (2.5% w/v) using probe sonication method. Stability investigations were carried out under International Conference on Harmonization guidelines. Various stability parameters like particle size, zeta potential and polydispersity index were examined at different storage conditions. Positive outcomes from the formulation's stability were observed and formulation was stable up to three months. The test parameters shown no discernible changes during stability. Accelerated stability testing was done to calculate shelf-life and was found 2.96 years. The antibacterial activity was evaluated by calculating the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against S. aureus and E. coli and CIP nanocrystals shown lower MIC than pure drug. This study revealed that the antibacterial activity of the formulation was maintained for 3 months at both temperatures (4 and 25°C) and CIP nanocrystals have excellent potential to treat infections caused by such microorganisms. Therefore, CIP nanocrystals could significantly increases its antimicrobial activity, which may translate into a significant improvement in therapeutic outcomes.