Characterization of Artemisinin Solid Dispersion in Maltodextrin and Gum Arabic by Freeze Dried and High Energy Milling Methods

Abstract

AbstractArtemisinin is an effective medicine for malaria treatment. Artemisinin has poor solubility in water that lowers the bioavailability of the drug. Solid dispersion is an efficient method for oral bioavailability improvement. This present study is conducted to prepare and characterize artemisinin solid dispersion in maltodextrin and gum arabic. Solid dispersions are prepared using freeze‐dried method with a ratio of artemisinin and carriers 1:19 and ratios of maltodextrin and gum arabic 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1. The particle size of solid dispersions is decreased mechanically using high energy ball mill machine type Hem‐E3D. Artemisinin solid dispersions are characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope, particle size analyzer, and different scanning calorimetry. The particle size of artemisinin solid dispersions in maltodextrin and gum arabic are 582–1196 nm after milling process. The solid dispersions are found to be in irregular shape and have good homogeneity. FTIR spectra of solid dispersion show lactone and peroxide group stretching peaks that indicate the presence of artemisinin in solid dispersions.