Enhancement of solubility and dissolution rate of poorly water-soluble naproxen by complexation with 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin

Abstract

The solubility and dissolution rate of naproxen (NPX) complexed with 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (2-HPβCD) using coprecipitation, evaporation, freeze-drying and kneading method were investigated. Solubility of NPX linearly increased (correlation coefficient, 0.995) as 2-HP-βCD concentration increased, resulting in AL type phase solubility curve. Inclusion complexes prepared by four different methods were compared by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The NPX showed sharp endothermic peak around 156°C but inclusion complexes by evaporation, freeze-drying and kneading method showed very broad peak without distinct phase transition temperature. In contrast, inclusion complex prepared by coprecipitation method resulted in detectable peak around 156°C which is similar to NPX, suggesting incomplete formation of inclusion complex. Dissolution rate of inclusion complexes prepared by evaporation, freeze-drying and kneading except coprecipitation method was largely enhanced in the simulated gastric and intestinal fluid when compared to NPX powder and commercial NAXEN® tablet. However, about 65% of NPX in gastric fluid still remained unreleased but most of NPX dissolved within 5 min in intestinal fluid. In case of inclusion complex prepared by coprecipitation method, formation of inclusion complex appeared to be incomplete, resulting in no marked enhancement of dissolution rate. From these findings, inclusion complexes of poorly water-soluble NPX with 2-HPβCD were useful to increase solubility and dissolution rate, resulting in enhancement of bioavailability and minimization of gastrointestinal toxicity of drug upon oral administration of inclusion complex.