A large portion of newly discovered drug substances exhibits poor solubility and dissolution in water, which reflects in poor drug bioavailability. Solubility and dissolution enhancement is therefore an important aspect in pharmaceutical industry. Electrospraying is a promising technique to increase drug solubility by preparing solid dispersions in the form of micro- or nanoparticles.
In the present study we have used different mathematical models to examine interactions between clarithromycin and different polymers, which is highly important for successful preparation of solid dispersions. The latter were prepared by solvent evaporation or electrospraying method. Based on the results of interaction studies, literature sources and preliminary electrospraying experiments, polymer PVP K30 was chosen for our study. In order to achieve a stable eletrospraying process we examined different solvent mixtures. Combination of n-butanol and tetrahyrofuran proved to be optimal in aspects of process stability and solvent toxicity. We prepared 8% solution of clarithromycin and PVP K30 1:1 (m/m) using previously mentioned solvents. The solution was successfully electrosprayed by a multi-nozzle injector, resulting in 1840 nm particles. The particles and a conventional solvent evaporation solid dispersion were analysed by DSC, TGA, FTIR, XRPD and in-vitro dissolution test in deionised water and phosphate buffer (pH = 6,8) by HPLC. Clarithromycin was found to be present in amorphous form in electrosprayed particles and in n-butanol solvated crystalline form in conventional solvent evaporation solid dispersion. Both formulations exhibit superior solubility and dissolution to pure drug in water and buffer. A one month stability study of particles and solid dispersion was performed at 25°C and RH=0% using above mentioned analytical techniques. Minor solid state changes were noticed in solid dispersion while properties of particles remained the same.
Electrospraying is an easy and effective method of enhancing drug dissolution by preparing solid dispersions in the form of drug-loaded polymeric micro- and nanoparticles that exhibit superior stability to conventional solvent evaporation solid dispersions.
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