Tableted hydrophilic electrospun nanofibers to promote meloxicam dissolution rate

Abstract

This study investigated the ability of hydrophilic electrospun nanofibers to enhance the dissolution rate of poorly soluble drug Meloxicam (MLX). The drug was loaded into polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyvinyl caprolactam–polyvinyl acetate–polyethylene glycol (Soluplus®), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) nanofibers using electrospinning as fibers fabrication technique. The drug-loaded nanofibers were characterized for their diameter, inter-fibers porosity and drug dissolution profiles, carried out in four different aqueous buffers. Nanofibers loaded with MLX were grinded and used to prepare a solid unit dosage form (Tablets: 7 mm × 4 mm) to facilitate their administration. Fibers nanostructure was characterized through SEM analysis showing a mean diameter in a nanometer size range. Moreover, SEM confirmed the maintenance of fibrous structure within tablets cross section.Dissolutions rate of MLX-loaded nanofibers is improved, compared to free drug, suggesting that nanofibers could be used as suitable carrier to enhance MLX dissolution rate. Moreover, the tablet formulation proposed showed faster release rate in comparison with commercial oral forms (Mobic®) particularly in the dissolution media characterized by lower pHs.