Preparation of meloxicam–β-cyclodextrin–polyethylene glycol 6000 ternary system: characterization, in vitro and in vivo bioavailability

Abstract

Ternary complexes of meloxicam (ML), a poorly water-soluble anti-inflammatory drug, with β-cyclodextrin (βCD) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 were prepared from an equimolar (ML–βCD) and 10% of PEG. Characterization of the ternary complex was carried out by differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffractometry. The solubility of ML increased as a function of increasing the concentration of βCD and PEG 6000. Ternary system increased significantly ML solubility in water. Ternary complexes improved drug release compared with ML and ML–βCD. The oral bioavailability of ML–βCD–PEG was investigated by administration to rat and compared with ML and ML–βCD. The results confirmed that the oral bioavailability of ML was significantly improved by complexation with βCD in the presence of PEG.