Tocofersolan micelles for improved solubility and oral bioavailability of ritonavir Hitendra Shaligram Mahajan, Payal Hasmukhlal Patil, Dipak Dhanraj Patil, Prafull Bandopant Ninave, Pankaj Padmakar Nerkar Particulate Science and Technology, 2026 This study focused on the development of ritonavir-loaded tocofersolan polymeric micelles (RV-TCF-PM) to enhance the solubility and oral bioavailability of ritonavir. It is a BCS Class II HIV-1 protease inhibitor with low and variable oral bioavailability due to poor aqueous solubility, P-glycoprotein efflux, and extensive protein binding. RV-TCF-PMs were prepared using the thin-film hydration method and optimized through in vitro characterization and an in vivo pharmacokinetic study in rabbits. The optimized formulation (RV5) exhibited a particle size of 93.81 nm, polydispersity index of 0.170, and zeta potential of −23.8 mV, indicating good stability and uniformity. High entrapment efficiency (97.76 ± 1.34%) and drug loading (19.54 ± 1.53%) were achieved. Successful drug encapsulation was confirmed by DSC and PXRD analyses, while TEM revealed spherical micelles. In vitro drug release studies of RV-TCF-PMs demonstrated a significantly improved dissolution profile, with 80.18 ± 1.09% drug release within 18 h compared to 27.96 ± 1.35% from the ritonavir suspension. Oral administration of RV-TCF-PMs in rabbits resulted in a 2.77-fold enhancement in relative oral bioavailability. Overall, the findings suggest that tocofersolan-based polymeric micelles represent a promising approach to improve the oral delivery and therapeutic performance of ritonavir in HAART therapy.
Nanoparticle and Nanostructure for Enhanced Food Preservation Meghraj Suryawanshi, Pankaj Nerkar, Aarti P. Nikam, Shrinivas Bhumrela, Taufik Mulla Nanotechnology in Food Packaging and Preservation Principles and Practical Applications, 2025 Nanoparticle and nanostructure-based techniques offer promising avenues for enhancing food preservation. Numerous forms of NPs, including metallic, polymeric, and lipid-based, exhibit antibacterial and antioxidant properties, reducing the risk of foodborne infections. Nanostructures like nanocoatings and nanocomposites provide barriers against oxidation and spoilage, thus extending shelf life. Moreover, nanoscale delivery systems enable controlled release of bioactive substances, for example natural antibacterial agents and essential oils, further inhibiting oxidative processes and microbial growth. Despite potential safety and regulatory concerns, proper risk assessment and compliance can mitigate these issues. Integrating nanoparticles and nanostructures into food preservation strategies holds potential to elevate food quality, safety, and shelf life, thereby reducing food waste and enhancing food security. However, optimizing application techniques and addressing safety concerns through further research are necessary to fully exploit their benefits in food preservation.
Spray Dried Buccal Mucoadhesive Microspheres based on Okra Mucilage: Formulation and In vitro Evaluation Ashish Prakash Gorle, Pankaj Nerkar, Rajveer Bhaskar, Bhushan Bari Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology, 2024 The goal of this work was to create and assess spray-dried buccal mucoadhesive microspheres containing darifenacin Hbr based on okra mucilage. Okra mucilage was used to create the microspheres in various ratios. Several parameters were used to characterize the buccal mucoadhesive microspheres: drug release studies in vitro, ex-vivo mucoadhesive test, swelling test, percentage yield, thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, drug incorporation efficiency study, and stability study. In a modified Franz diffusion apparatus, the microspheres were tested for in vitro drug release in a 6.8 phosphate buffer solution for eight hours. The maximum release of 94.65% was displayed. Data was subjected to zero order, first order, Higuchi, and Korsemayers-Peppas models to ascertain the mechanism of release. The in vitro release study's findings indicated that a sustained release was seen. Studies on mucoadhesion have shown a clear relationship between okra mucilage concentration and mucoadhesion. Mucoadhesion and drug incorporation efficiency did not alter, according to the formulation stability analysis.
New glyoxalated pre-gelatinized starch as release retardant for extended release pellets containing zaltoprofen: statistical optimization, in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation Raju Onkar Sonawane, Savita Dattatraya Patil, Chandrakantsing Vijaysing Pardeshi, Hitendra Shaligram Mahajan, Pankaj Padmakar Nerkar Particulate Science and Technology, 2022 The aim of the present investigation is to develop zaltoprofen-loaded extended-release (ER) pellets formulation by an extrusion-spheronization technique using glyoxalated pre-gelatinized starch (GPS) complex as a novel matrix-forming polymer. The prime objective was to prepare an efficient and robust ER drug delivery system of zaltoprofen. Pellets were characterized by physicochemical, morphological, and solid-state characterization. The formulation was also analyzed for in-vitro drug release and in-vivo pharmacokinetic parameters. The FTIR analysis confirmed the GPS complex formation through the formation of the hemiacetal group while the ketone groups of glyoxal are abolished. Optimized formulation G5 containing 5:8 ratio of GPS complex and MCC showed 99.03 ± 2.12 percent cumulative drug releases in 14 h. The in-vivo study showed decreased C max and increased t 1/2 compared to bulk zaltoprofen, and hence would be a viable alternative for ER-type formulations. In the author’s opinion, the GPS-based ER pellet formulation would be an excellent delivery system for zaltoprofen.
Determination of Proton Pump Inhibitors by Spectrophotometric, Chromatographic and by Hyphenated Techniques: A Review Aditya A. Joshi, Pankaj P. Nerkar Critical Reviews in Analytical Chemistry, 2021 A detailed review to analyze the anti ulcer proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drugs, particularly for determination of their concentration percentage (assay) by analytical methods developed on analytical instruments i.e., UV visible Spectrophotometer, High Performance Liquid Chromatography, Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography, and Hyphenated techniques. The review includes literature survey of PPI drugs namely omeprazole (OPZ), lansoprazole (LPZ), pantoprazole (PPZ) rabeprazole (RPZ), dexlansoprazole (DLPZ), esomeprazole (EPZ), dexrabeprazole (DRPZ), ilaprazole (IPZ), and tenatoprazole (TPZ). The examined literature survey addressed chromatographic (HPLC and UPLC) and UV visible spectrophotometric methods with LC-MS/MS methods used in pure forms, pharmaceutical formulations, and human plasma and other biological fluids for their estimation. In case of validation parameters mostly Linearity, Recovery study, LOD and LOQ was considered and mentioned.
Development and Validation of Stability Indicating RP-HPLC Method for Determination of Enzalutamide Pankaj Padmakar Nerkar, Sameer Ansari, Shailesh Chalikwar International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Nanotechnology, 2019 A simple, isocratic, and accurate reversed phase HPLC method was developed for the quantitative determination of enzalutamide. The chromatographic separation was achieved on an Qualisil BDS C18 (250 mm x 4.6mm, 5 μm) column using methanol: ammonium acetate buffer pH 4.2 adjusted with glacial acetic acid: (60:40, v/v) as a mobile phase, at a flow rate of 1 ml/min and detection at 236nm. The linear range for enzalutamide were 2.0 to 10 μg/mL was obtained with correlation coefficients ≥ 0.998. The retention time was found to be 6.30min. Enzalutamide was subjected to stress conditions hydrolysis (acid, base) oxidation, photolysis and thermal degradation and the stressed samples were analysed by the developed method. The method was validated for the precision, accuracy, linearity and robustness. The developed stability indicating method for enzalutamide was validated as per ICH guidelines.
Development and Validation of Stability-indicating Reverse Phase HPLC Assay for Tramadol in Bulk and Tablet Formulations Pankaj Padmakar Nerkar, Vaishali Badjuar, Pradyum Ige, Hitendra Mahajan, Sameer Ansari International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Nanotechnology, 2019 This manuscript describes the development and validation of a simple, isocratic, and accurate reversed-phase HPLC method for the assay of tramadol in bulk powder form and tablet formulations. The chromato-graphic separation was achieved on an Qualisil BDS C18 (250 mm x 4.6mm, 5μm) column using acetonitrile: methanol: phosphate buffer pH 3.4 adjusted with orthophosphoric acid: (20:10:70, v/v) as a mobile phase, at a flow rate of 1 mL/min and detection at 271 nm. The linear range for tramadol were 2.0 to 10 μg/mL was obtained with correlation coefficients ≥ 0.999. The retention time was found to be 4.47 min for tramadol that was subjected to stress conditions, such as hydrolysis, oxidation, photolysis and thermal degradation, and the stressed samples were analyzed using the above methodology. The method was validated for the precision, accuracy, linearity and robustness. The developed stability-indicating method for tramadol was validated as per ICH guidelines.
Simultaneous Estimation of Curcumin and Gefitinib in Bulk and Tissue samples (Plasma and Brain homogenate) by RP-HPLC: Application to a Distribution Study Indian Drugs, 2019
Tocofersolan micelles for improved solubility and oral bioavailability of ritonavir HS Mahajan, PH Patil, DD Patil, PB Ninave, PP Nerkar Particulate Science and Technology 44 (4), 680-691 , 2026 2026
Next Generation Technologies for Sustainable Development SR Patil, SS Pancholi, GL Gupta, PC Sangave CRC Press , 2026 2026
Ketoconazole-loaded nanoemulsion in situ gel system for ocular delivery: development and evaluation S Makhijani, P Nerkar, H Mahajan Journal of Dispersion Science and Technology, 1-10 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Microneedles: A minimally invasive delivery system for ocular treatment J Jathar, H Mahajan, P Nerkar Annales Pharmaceutiques Françaises 82 (6), 953-965 , 2024 2024 Citations: 3
FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF POLYMERIC OCULAR NANOSUSPENSION CONTAINING AZELASTINE HYDROCHLORIDE. A Gorle, P Nerkar, M Ola, R Bhaskar, V Khalane Biochemical & Cellular Archives 24 (2) , 2024 2024
Spray dried buccal mucoadhesive microspheres based on okra mucilage: Formulation and In vitro evaluation A Gorle, P Nerkar, R Bhaskar, BBRC Patel Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology 17 (9), 4465-4471 , 2024 2024
Comparative study of regulatory requirement for preparation of dossier for registration of oral solid dosage form in Zimbabwe and Myanmar P Nerkar, A Patil, G Shaha, V Deshmukh Int J Drug Reg Affairs 11, 68-74 , 2023 2023 Citations: 3
Comparative study of regulatory requirements for preparation of dossier for registration of veterinary drug in US, EU and Canada S Raysing, P Nerkar, S Sanghavi, S Jogdand, A Patil International Journal Of Drug Regulatory Affairs 11 (3), 62-67 , 2023 2023
Micelles: An Insight for Nutraceuticals and Regulatory Status PP Nerkar Nutraceutical Delivery Systems, 339-360 , 2022 2022
Asian Journal of Nanoscience and Materials SM Chandankara, PP Nerkarb, HS Mahajana 2022
Fundamental features of quantum dots and their diagnostic applications SM Chandankar, PP Nerkar, HS Mahajan Journal of Medicinal and Nanomaterials Chemistry 4 (1), 48-62 , 2022 2022 Citations: 8
Indian Journal of Novel Drug Delivery S D CHAUDHARI, PP NERKAR Indian Journal of Novel Drug Delivery 12 (4), 186-192 , 2020 2020
Development and Validation of Stability Indicating RP-HPLC Method for Determination of Enzalutamide PP Nerkar, S Ansari, S Chalikwar International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Nanotechnology (IJPSN … , 2019 2019 Citations: 1
Development and Validation of Stability-indicating Reverse Phase HPLC Assay for Tramadol in Bulk and Tablet Formulations PP Nerkar, V Badjuar, P Ige, H Mahajan, S Ansari International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Nanotechnology (IJPSN … , 2019 2019 Citations: 1
Retraction notice to" Ondansetron loaded pectin based microspheres for nasal administration: in vitro and in vivo studies"[Powder Technol. 221 (2012) 168-176] HS Mahajan, BV Tatiya, PP Nerkar Powder Technology 342, 1016 , 2019 2019
Breast cancer: Recent review on micelles as nano-carriers for treatment S Suroshe, P Nerkar, K Patil, S Chalikwar Indo Am. J. Pharm. Res 9, 2231-6876 , 2019 2019 Citations: 6
Development and evaluation of chia seed mucilage-based buccal mucoadhesive, sustained release tablet of venlafaxine PP Nerkar, H Mahajan, P Ige, R Solanki International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Nanotechnology (IJPSN … , 2016 2016 Citations: 3
Development and in vitro evaluation of Eudragit® RLPO based polymeric nano-particles of lansoprazole P Nerkar, H Mahajan, P Ige, P Rajput Indian J. Nov. Drug Deliv 8, 165-174 , 2016 2016 Citations: 5
Formulation and In Vitro Evaluation of Liquisolid Compacts of Cefuroxime Axetil for Dissolution Rate Improvement PIGE JAYDEEP KOTHAWADE1, PANKAJ NERKAR1*, HITENDRA MAHAJAN1 IJNDD 7 (3), 116-125 , 2015 2015
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Nanoemulsion-based intranasal drug delivery system of saquinavir mesylate for brain targeting HS Mahajan, MS Mahajan, PP Nerkar, A Agrawal Drug delivery 21 (2), 148-154 , 2014 2014 Citations: 259
Solubility, dissolution rate and bioavailability enhancement of irbesartan by solid dispersion technique RJ Boghra, PC Kothawade, VS Belgamwar, PP Nerkar, AR Tekade, ... Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin 59 (4), 438-441 , 2011 2011 Citations: 79
Thermally reversible xyloglucan gels as vehicles for nasal drug delivery HS Mahajan, V Tyagi, G Lohiya, P Nerkar Drug Delivery 19 (5), 270-276 , 2012 2012 Citations: 67
In vivo, in vitro evaluation of linseed mucilage based buccal mucoadhesive microspheres of venlafaxine PP Nerkar, S Gattani Drug Delivery 18 (2), 111-121 , 2011 2011 Citations: 60
Retracted: ondansetron loaded pectin based microspheres for nasal administration: in vitro and in vivo studies HS Mahajan, BV Tatiya, PP Nerkar Powder technology 221, 168-176 , 2012 2012 Citations: 45
In-situ gelling system based on thiolated gellan gum as new carrier for nasal administration of dimenhydrinate H Mahajan, H Shaikh, S Gattani, P Nerkar International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Nanotechnology (IJPSN … , 2009 2009 Citations: 44
Cress seed mucilage based buccal mucoadhesive gel of venlafaxine: in vivo, in vitro evaluation PP Nerkar, SG Gattani Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine 23 (3), 771-779 , 2012 2012 Citations: 33
Development of pellets of nifedipine using HPMC K15 M and κ-carrageenan as mucoadhesive sustained delivery system and in vitro evaluation PP Ige, P Rajput, C Pardeshi, R Kawade, B Swami, H Mahajan, P Nerkar, ... Iranian Polymer Journal 22 (12), 911-921 , 2013 2013 Citations: 22
Oromucosal delivery of venlafaxine by linseed mucilage based gel: In vitro and in vivo evaluation in rabbits PP Nerkar, SG Gattani Archives of pharmacal research 36 (7), 846-853 , 2013 2013 Citations: 22
Design and development of sustained release swelling matrix tablets of glipizide for type II diabetes mellitus P Ige, B Swami, T Patil, J Pradhan, P Patil, P Nerkar, SJ Surana Farmacia 61, 883-901 , 2013 2013 Citations: 19
Development of stability indicating reverse phase HPLC method for aripiprazole from solid dosage form P Nerkar, P Gide, A Chitnis, H Mahajan, S Gattani International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Nanotechnology (IJPSN … , 2009 2009 Citations: 17
Dissolution and bioavailability enhancement of gliclazide by surface solid dispersion using spray drying technique HS Mahajan, GA Girnar, PP Nerkar Ind J Novel Drug Delivery 4, 115-24 , 2012 2012 Citations: 15
Simultaneous estimation of moxifloxacin hydrochloride and dexamethasone sodium phosphate in bulk and in ophthalmic solution by RP-HPLC DM Dhumal, AA Shirkhedkar, PP Nerkar, SJ Surana Journal of the Chilean Chemical Society 57 (4), 1344-1347 , 2012 2012 Citations: 12
Fundamental features of quantum dots and their diagnostic applications SM Chandankar, PP Nerkar, HS Mahajan Journal of Medicinal and Nanomaterials Chemistry 4 (1), 48-62 , 2022 2022 Citations: 8
Breast cancer: Recent review on micelles as nano-carriers for treatment S Suroshe, P Nerkar, K Patil, S Chalikwar Indo Am. J. Pharm. Res 9, 2231-6876 , 2019 2019 Citations: 6
Atorvastatin-Loaded Oleic Acid Nanoglobules for Oral Administration: In Vitro Characterization and Biopharmaceutical Evaluation PP Ige, NA Bachhav, HS Mahajan, PP Nerkar, SG Gattani Current Nanoscience 9 (2), 202-210 , 2013 2013 Citations: 6
Spray-dried buccal mucoadhesive microparticles of venlafaxine based on cress seed mucilage: In vitro, in vivo evaluation in rabbits P Nerkar, S Gattani Drying Technology 30 (9), 968-978 , 2012 2012 Citations: 6
Development and in vitro evaluation of Eudragit® RLPO based polymeric nano-particles of lansoprazole P Nerkar, H Mahajan, P Ige, P Rajput Indian J. Nov. Drug Deliv 8, 165-174 , 2016 2016 Citations: 5
Niosomes encapsulated with Gatiflaxacin for ocular drug delivery HS Mahajan, NN Shah, PP Nerkar, A Kulkarni, M Shirpur Recent Adv Pharm Sci Res 1 (1), 28-39 , 2012 2012 Citations: 5