NANOCRYSTAL TECHNOLOGY AS A TOOL FOR IMPROVING DISSOLUTION OF POORLY SOLUBLE DRUG, LORNOXICAM

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to enhance the dissolution of a poorly water-soluble drug, lornoxicam by fabricating as nanoparticles using anti-solvent precipitation method and to investigate the effect of stabilizers on the particle size.Methods: Nanocrystals of lornoxicam were prepared by precipitation method using water as antisolvent with stabilizers, β cyclodextrin, and PVP-K30. Characterization of the unmilled lornoxicam powder and nanocrystals was carried out by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and dissolution tester.Results: Nano range (130-280 nm) particles were obtained which was confirmed by particle size analyzer. The dissolution of the drug nanoparticles (LBCD, LPVP) was carried out in pH 6.8 phosphate buffer solution and was significantly higher and almost complete compared with the pure drug. According to DSC, X-ray diffraction analysis, the nanocrystals were still in crystalline state after the preparation procedure. By reducing the particle size, the in vitro dissolution of lornoxicam was complete, 100% within 1 hr compared to the pure drug which showed an incomplete release of 37.35±1.09%.Conclusion: Nanocrystals of lornoxicam was prepared and nanocrystal technology can be an effective tool for enhancing the solubility of poorly soluble drugs