PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SPRAY DRIED MICROPARTICLE AND SPRAY CHILLED PARTICLE OF MEFENAMIC ACID BY SPRAY DRYING METHOD Research Article

Mefenamic acid, an anti-inflammatory drug, exhibits poor water solubility and flow properties, poor dissolution and poor wetting. Consequently, the aim of this study was to improve the dissolution of Mefenamic acid. Microparticles containing Mefenamic acid were produced by spray drying using isopropyl alcohol and water in the ratio of 40:60 (v/v) as solvent system and spray chilling technology by melting the drug and chilled by atomized with nozzle to enhance dissolution rate. The prepared formulations were evaluated for in vitro dissolution and solubility. The prepared drug particles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Dissolution profile of the spray dried micropartical was compared with chilled spray micropartical, pure sample and recrystallized sample. Spray dried micropartical and chilled spray particles exhibited decreased crystallinity and improved micromeritic properties. The dissolution of the Spray dried micropartical and chilled particles were improved compared with recrystallized and pure sample of mefenamic acid. Consequently, it was believed that spray drying of mefenamic acid is a useful tool to improve dissolution but not in case of chilled spray particles because the dissolution of spray chilled particles not increases significance compare to spray dried microspheres. It may be believe to be degradation of drug or variations in the resonance structure or could be due to minor distortion of bond angles. Hence this spray drying technique can be used for formulation of tablets of mefenamic acid by direct compression with directly compressible tablet excipients.