Preparation, Characterization and In Vitro Evaluation of Aceclofenac Solid Dispersions

The objective of the present investigation was to study the effect of various water soluble carriers like urea, mannitol, PVP and PVP/VA-64 on in vitro dissolution of aceclofenac from solid dispersions. Aceclofenac binary solid dispersions (SD) with different drug loadings were prepared using the melting or fusion method. In vitro dissolution of pure drug, physical mixtures and solid dispersions were carried out. Solid dispersion of aceclofenac with all four carriers (urea, mannitol, PVP and PVP/VA-64) showed considerable increase in the dissolution rate in comparison with physical mixture and pure drug in 0.1 N HCl, pH1.2 and phosphate buffer, pH, 7.4. Solid dispersions containing PVP showed maximum dissolution rate in comparison to formulation containing urea, mannitol and PVP/VA-64. Amorphous nature of the drug in solid dispersion was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and a decrease in enthalpy of drug melting in solid dispersion compared to the pure drug. FT-IR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry studies indicated no interaction between aceclofenac and carriers in solid dispersions in solid state. Dissolution enhancement was attributed to decreased crystallinity of the drug and to the wetting, eutectic formation and solubilizing effect of the carrier from the solid dispersions of aceclofenac. In conclusion, dissolution of aceclofenac can be enhanced by the use of various hydrophilic carriers like urea, mannitol, PVP and PVP/VA-64.