Objective: The aim of this investigation was to enhance the solubility and bioavailability of the BCS class II poorly water-soluble drug ambrisentan by solid dispersion (SD) techniques using Gelucire 50/13 as a hydrophilic carrier.
Methods: Solid dispersion of ambrisentan was prepared by kneading method using different dug: carrier ratios. Prepared SD was characterized for solubility, drug content, percentage yield, in vitro dissolution, ex vivo permeation and bioavailability. Solid-state characterization was performed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Results: All the SDs formulations showed increase in drug solubility and dissolution when compared with its pure form. Aqueous solubility of the drug was found to be increased 8.23 fold in SD. DSC study showed that endothermic peak of the drug was disappeared in spectra of SD, confirming its amorphous conversion, XRD study revealed the reduction to almost absence of specific high-intensity peaks of drug which confirmed the reduction of crysatallinity of ambrisentan in SD. SEM of optimized SD formulation demonstrates the complete encapsulation and solubilization drug. In vitro dissolution study showed that optimized SD formulation (ASD4) gives the faster drug release of 101.5% in 60 min, as compare to its pure form and other SD formulations.
Conclusion: Solid dispersion ASD4 prepared with 1:4 drug to carrier ratio showed the highest drug solubility and in vitro dissolution. The ex vivo and in vivo studies performed on optimized formulation ASD4 showed enhancement in drug permeability and bioavailability in Gelucire 50/13 based SD formulation.
Effect of Gastric Fluid Volume on the In Vitro Dissolution and In Vivo Absorption of BCS Class II Drugs: a Case Study with Nifedipine
