Thermo-reversible flurbiprofen liquid suppository with HP-β-CD as a solubility enhancer: improvement of rectal bioavailability

Abstract

The purpose of this work was to develop a thermo-reversible flurbiprofen liquid suppository base composed of poloxamer and sodium alginate for the improvement of rectal bioavailability of flurbiprofen. Cyclodextrin derivatives such as α-, β-, γ-cyclodextrin and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) were used to enhance the aqueous solubility of flurbiprofen. The effects of HP-β-CD and flurbiprofen on the physicochemical properties of liquid suppository were then investigated. Pharmacokinetic studies were performed after rectal administration of flurbiprofen liquid suppositories with and without HP-β-CD or after intravenous administration of commercial Lipfen® (flurbiprofen axetil-loaded emulsion) to rats, and their pharmcokinetic parameters were compared. HP-β-CD decreased the gelation temperature and reinforced the gel strength and bioadhesive force of liquid suppository, while flurbiprofen was opposed to HP-β-CD. Thermo-reversible flurbiprofen liquid suppository showed the physicochemical properties suitable for rectal administration. The flurbiprofen liquid suppository with HP-β-CD showed significantly higher plasma levels, AUC and Cmax of flurbiprofen than those of the liquid suppository without HP-β-CD, indicating that flurbiprofen could be well absorbed due to the enhanced solubility by formation of inclusion complex. Moreover, the flurbiprofen liquid suppository with HP-β-CD showed an excellent bioavailability in that the AUC of flurbiprofen after its rectal administration was not significantly different from that after intravenous administration of commercial Lipfen®. It is concluded that HP-β-CD could be a preferable solubility enhancer for the development of liquid suppository containing poorly water-soluble drugs.