Preparation and characterization of flurbiprofen capsules prepared by using liquisolid technique

Abstract

The current project is mainly focussed on the application of liquisolid (LS) technique in the enhancement of dissolution profile of flurbiprofen. Flurbiprofen is a NSAID indicated for acute and chronic osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and spondylitis. It is selected as model drug as it is a BCS Class II drug and has very poor aqueous solubility of 10.45 ± 3.2µg/ml. Hence, this study was designed to improve the dissolution rate of flurbiprofen using LS technique. Initially, saturation solubility studies were performed to select liquid vehicle showing higher solubility of drug to obtain liquid medication. PEG 600 was selected as non-volatile solvent, used at three different drug concentrations of 33.33, 40 and 50 % w/w to form LS formulations. Further, they were converted to powder by means of Avicel PH 102 and Aerosil 200 as carrier and coating materials to prepare LS formulations. Rheological tests were performed for the LS powder systems to study the flow properties. Later, several LS formulations were prepared, encapsulated in hard gelatin capsules. These capsules containing LS systems were subjected to evaluation tests and in vitro drug release studies. The results of dissolution profile of formulation CF3 showed maximum release of 98% within 30 minutes which was two folds higher than that of conventional capsule. FTIR studies revealed no drug excipient interaction. DSC, SEM and PXRD studies revealed that drug in the system was completely soluble and available in molecularly dispersed state. Finally, it can be concluded that LS technique proved to enhance the dissolution profile of Flurbiprofen.