Solubility enhancement of some poorly soluble drugs by solid dispersion using Ziziphus spina-christi gum polymer

Preparation and Evaluation of Berberine-Excipient Complexes in Enhancing the Dissolution Rate of Berberine Incorporated into Pellet Formulations

Berberine is used in the treatment of metabolic syndrome and its low solubility and very poor oral bioavailability of berberine was one of the primary hurdles for its market approval. This study aimed to improve the solubility and bioavailability of berberine by preparing pellet formulations containing drug-excipient complex (obtained by solid dispersion). Berberine-excipient solid dispersion complexes were obtained with different ratios by the solvent evaporation method. The maximum saturation solubility test was performed as a key factor for choosing the optimal complex for the drug-excipient. The properties of these complexes were investigated by FTIR, DSC, XRD and dissolution tests. The obtained pellets were evaluated and compared in terms of pelletization efficiency, particle size, mechanical strength, sphericity and drug release profile in simulated media of gastric and intestine. Solid-state analysis showed complex formation between the drug and excipients used in solid dispersion. The optimal berberine-phospholipid complex showed a 2-fold increase and the optimal berberine-gelucire and berberine-citric acid complexes showed more than a 3-fold increase in the solubility of berberine compared to pure berberine powder. The evaluation of pellets from each of the optimal complexes showed that the rate and amount of drug released from all pellet formulations in the simulated gastric medium were significantly lower than in the intestine medium. The results of this study showed that the use of berberine-citric acid or berberine-gelucire complex could be considered a promising technique to increase the saturation solubility and improve the release characteristics of berberine from the pellet formulation.

Polymer Matrix and Manufacturing Methods in Solid Dispersion System for Enhancing Andrographolide Solubility and Absorption: A Systematic Review

Background: Andrographolide (ADG) has poor aqueous solubility and low bioavailability. This study systematically reviews the use of solid dispersion (SD) techniques to enhance the solubility and absorption of ADG, with a focus on the methods and polymers utilized. Methodology: We searched electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus®, Embase and ScienceDirect Elsevier® up to November 2023 for studies on the solubility or absorption of ADG in SD formulations. Two reviewers independently reviewed the retrieved articles and extracted data using a standardized form and synthesized the data qualitatively. Results: SD significantly improved ADG solubility with up to a 4.7-fold increase and resulted in a decrease in 50% release time (T1/2) to less than 5 min. SD could also improve ADG absorption, as evidenced by higher Cmax and AUC and reduced Tmax. Notably, Soluplus-based SDs showed marked solubility and absorption enhancements. Among the five SD techniques (rotary evaporation, spray drying, hot-melt extrusion, freeze drying and vacuum drying) examined, spray drying emerged as the most effective, enabling a one-step process without the need for post-milling. Conclusions: SD techniques, particularly using Soluplus and spray drying, effectively enhance the solubility and absorption of ADG. This insight is vital for the future development of ADG-SD matrices.

Comparative assessment of solubility enhancement of itroconazole by solid dispersion and co-crystallization technique: Investigation of simultaneous effect of media composition on drug dissolution

Solubility of the drug is an important property of the drug as it affects the release, absorption, dissolution rate and ultimately bioavailability of the drug. Hence, the poorly aqueous soluble drug, need to be processed, to enhance its solubility and dissolution. The Biopharmaceutical System of Classification (BCS) II drugs are poorly soluble and have high permeability. Though their good ability to permeate through the membrane make them clinically useful but the problem associated with the solubility restrict their clinical use. Therefore, there is need to improve the solubility of such drug molecules to get effective pharmacological action. Itraconazole (ITZ) is an antifungal agent used in the treatment of fungal infections having poor aqueous solubility as belonging to BCS class II. The present study was aim to enhance the solubility of ITZ by solid dispersion and co-crystallization techniques. Investigation of simultaneous effect of media composition on drug dissolution was also the objective of this work. The ITZ-SD and ITZ-CCs were prepared from ITZ and other excipients like PEG 4000, oxalic acid, fumaric and malic acid by solvent evaporation, kneading technique, slurry conversion and solvent drop grinding methods. The prepared ITZ-SD, ITZ-OA-CCs, ITZ-FA-CCs and ITZ-MA-CCs were evaluated for FTIR, DSC, PXRD, % yield, micromeritic properties. The optimized ITZ-SD and ITZ-CCs were used to compress a tablet and subject to post-compression parameters. The results of FTIR and DSC showed the absence of interaction between the drug and excipients. The PXRD pattern demonstrated the formation of crystalline structures with 6 folds increased in solubility during saturation solubility analysis. In vitro dissolution was carried out in dissolution media with different pH which shows the maximum release from ITZ-SD and ITZ-CCs in pH 6.8. This also revealed the highly pH dependent solubility and dissolution behavior of the weakly basic BCS class II drug (ITZ) with pKa value of 3.7. The overall results in this study indicated the potential of solid dispersion and co-crystals for enhancement of solubility of the poorly water-soluble drugs.

Composites of N-butyl-N-methyl-1-phenylpyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-3-carboxamide with Polymers: Effect of Crystallinity on Solubility and Stability

This work aimed to develop and characterize a water-soluble, high-release active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) composite based on the practically water-insoluble API N-butyl-N-methyl-1-phenylpyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-3-carboxamide (GML-3), a substance with antidepressant and anxiolytic action. This allows to ensure the bioavailability of the medicinal product of combined action. Composites obtained by the method of creating amorphous solid dispersions, where polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) or Soluplus® was used as a polymer, were studied for crystallinity, stability and the release of API from the composite into purified water. The resulting differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder X-ray diffractometry (PXRD), and dissolution test data indicate that the resulting composites are amorphous at 1:15 API: polymer ratios for PVP and 1:5 for Soluplus®, which ensures the solubility of GML-3 in purified water and maintaining the supercritical state in solution.

Integrated printed BDNF-stimulated HUCMSCs-derived exosomes/collagen/chitosan biological scaffolds with 3D printing technology promoted the remodelling of neural networks after traumatic brain injury

The restoration of nerve dysfunction after traumatic brain injury (TBI) faces huge challenges due to the limited self-regenerative abilities of nerve tissues. In situ inductive recovery can be achieved utilizing biological scaffolds combined with endogenous human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HUCMSCs)-derived exosomes (MExos). In this study, brain-derived neurotrophic factor-stimulated HUCMSCs-derived exosomes (BMExos) were composited with collagen/chitosan by 3D printing technology. 3D-printed collagen/chitosan/BMExos (3D-CC-BMExos) scaffolds have excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility. Subsequently, in vivo experiments showed that 3D-CC-BMExos therapy could improve the recovery of neuromotor function and cognitive function in a TBI model in rats. Consistent with the behavioural recovery, the results of histomorphological tests showed that 3D-CC-BMExos therapy could facilitate the remodelling of neural networks, such as improving the regeneration of nerve fibres, synaptic connections and myelin sheaths, in lesions after TBI.

Quantification of Caffeine Interactions in Choline Chloride Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents: Solubility Measurements and COSMO-RS-DARE Interpretation

Solubility of active pharmaceutical ingredients is an important aspect of drug processing and formulation. Although caffeine was a subject of many studies aiming to quantify saturated solutions, many applied solvents suffer from not being environmentally friendly. This work fills this gap by presenting the results of solubility measurements in choline chloride natural deep eutectic solvents, ccNADES, comprising one of seven of the following polyalcohols: glycerol, sorbitol, xylitol, glucose, sucrose, maltose and fructose. The ratio of ccNADES components was optimized for maximizing caffeine solubility at room temperature. Additionally, temperature dependent solubility was measured for the first four systems exhibiting the highest solubility potential, both in their neat forms and in mixtures with water. Results were used for intermolecular interactions assessments using the COSMO-RS-DARE approach, which led to a perfect match between experimental and computed solubility values. An important methodological discussion was provided for an appropriate definition of the systems. Surprising linear trends were observed between the values of fitting parameters and water-ccNADES composition. In addition, comments on selection of the values of the fusion thermodynamic parameters were provided, which led to the conclusion that COSMO-RS-DARE solubility computations can effectively compensate for the inaccuracies of these important physicochemical properties.

Fabrication, In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of Non-Ordered Mesoporous Silica-Based Ternary Solid Dispersions for Enhanced Solubility of Flurbiprofen

The aim of this study was to improve the solubility and prevent the ulcerogenic effect of flurbiprofen. Initially, binary and ternary solid dispersions (BSDs and TSDs) of flurbiprofen were prepared by using non-ordered mesoporous silica and gelucire. After preformulation testing (solubility, flow properties, % yield, and entrapment efficiency), four formulations were selected for further detailed studies. Solid-state characterization of optimized formulations (S1, S6, S7, and S12) showed successful drug incorporation in the solid dispersion at the molecular state without any noticeable interactions. The in vitro solubility and release study showed an increase in solubility and 98–100% of drug release in 30–45 min. The in vivo gastro-protective effect of the optimized formulations containing flurbiprofen and silica (1:1) with 25% w/w gelucire (S6 and S12) showed a reduction in the gastric lesion index (GLI) after four days of treatment. Moreover, histological images of the stomach lining (S6 and S12) illustrated normal epithelial cells and a partially protected mucosal membrane. Thus, TSD exhibited a significant increase in solubility and the dissolution rate and reduced the gastric ulceration. Therefore, TSDs are dubbed as efficacious carriers to enhance the bioavailability of flurbiprofen while simultaneously reducing its side effects.