Research paper MRPR
                     Research paper of Dr. Monica RP Rao
Title: Taste evaluation by electronic tongue and bioavailability enhancement of efavirenz.
Authors: Monica RP Rao, Kirti Bhutada, Pauroosh Kaushal
Journal Details: AAPS PharmSciTech, (2019), 20:56.
Publisher: Springer Science on behalf of American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists
Description:  Efavirenz  is  a  key  drug  used  for  treatment  of  Acquired  Immuno  Deficiency
Syndrome (AIDS).  It  produces  burning mouth  syndrome which  results  in  under  dosing  and
plasma level fluctuations. Efavirenz also has poor solubility and resulting poor bioavailability.
The  present  research  employed  self  nano  emulsifying  drug  delivery  system  (SNEDDS)  to
provide  dual  benefits  of  taste  masking  and bioavailability  enhancement.  Evaluation  of  taste
masking is usually undertaken by testing on humans. In this study the taste masked formulation
was evaluated by a unique electronic tongue apparatus by comparing with other taste standards.
Pseudo ternary phase diagrams facilitated selection of oil and surfactants for the formulation viz:
Capmul PG8 NF, Cremophor RH40 and Transcutol HP. The nanoemulsions had droplet size in
the range of 25 to 55 nm. For taste masking studies, quinine hydrochloride was used as reference
standard for bitter taste. The SNEDDS effectively reduced the burning mouth syndrome caused
by the drug and also led to a 4 fold increase in bioavailability.
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