Application of Plakett-Burman Screening Design in Optimization of Process Parameters for Formulation of Canaglifozin Nanosuspension

Abstract

In this study, we sought to improve the dissolution characteristics of a poorly water-soluble BCS class IV drug canaglifozin, by preparing nanosuspension using media milling method. A Plackett–Burman screening design was employed to screen the significant formulation and process variables. A total of 12 experiment were generated by design expert trial version 12 for screening 5 independent variables namely the amount of stabilizer in mg (X1), stirring time in hr (X2), amt of Zirconium oxide beads in gm (X3), amount of drug in mg (X4) and stirring speed in rpm (X5) while mean particle size in nm (Y1) and drug release in 10 min. were selected as the response variables. All the regression models yielded a good fit with high determination coefficient and F value. The Pareto chart depicted that all the independent variables except the amount of canaglifozin had a significant effect (p<0.001) on the response variables. The mathematical model for mean particle size generated from the regression analysis was given by mean particle size = +636.48889 -1.28267 amt of stabilizer(X1) -4.20417 stirring time (X2) -7.58333 amt of ZrO2 beads(X3) -0.105556 amt of drug(X4) -0.245167 stirring speed(X5) (R2=0.9484, F ratio=22.07, p<0.001). Prepared canaglifozin nanosuspension exemplified a significant improvement (p<0.05) in the release as compared to pure canaglifozin and marketed tablet with the optimum formulation releasing almost 80% drug within first 10min. Optimized nanosuspension showed spherical shape with surface oriented stabilizer molecules and a mean particle diameter of 120.5 nm. There was no change in crystalline nature after formulation and it was found to be chemically stable with high drug content.