Enhancement of Dissolution Rate of Fenofibrate by Spray Drying Technique: Comparison of Eudragit E-100, Solutol (R) Hs15 and Hydroxypropyl Cellulose as Carriers

Abstract

The aim of the present study was the improvement of the dissolution rate of a poorly water-soluble drug fenofibrate (F) by using spray drying technique. Dispersions were prepared using Eudragit E-100 (E), Solutol (R) HS15 (S) and hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) at different ratios (1:1 and 1:5) by the spray drying technique. Aerosil (R) 200 was used as anti-sticking agent in FE and FS dispersions. The samples were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The morphology of the dispersions was studied by SEM and the dissolution rates of all samples were determined in comparison with their physical mixtures. The flow properties of the dispersions were measured by their angle of repose, Carr's index and Hausner ratio. The stability of dispersions was studied at ambient conditions for a period of 6 months. DSC and XRPD analysis confirmed the presence of the drug in crystalline state in the dispersions. All dispersions showed a higher dissolution rate than the corresponding physical mixtures and pure fenofibrte. Except for HPC that showed higher dissolution efficiency (DE) after 2 hours in the ratio of 1:5, Solutol (R) had higher DE in 1:1 than 1:5 ratio and in Eudragit there was no significant difference between the ratio of 1:1 and 1:5. Dispersions of FEA 1:1 showed crystalline state, better flow ability and compressibility than the other two excipients and showed no remarkable changes in their dissolution profile of the drug after 6 months storage at ambient conditions.