Enhancement of Solubility and Dissolution Rate of Ibuprofen: A Factorial Study Approach

This chapter highlights about enhancing the solubility and dissolution rate of ibuprofen by the use of βcyclodextrin ( βCD) and Solutol HS15. Ibuprofen (IBP) is a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) derived from propionic acid and used widely as an analgesic and antipyretic; although it is also used for relief from symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis in addition to treatment of dysmenorrhoea, amongst other indications. An UV Spectrophotometric method based on the measurement of absorbance at 221 nm in phosphate buffer pH 7.2 was used for the estimation of ibuprofen. The individual main effects and combined (or interaction) effect of βCD (Factor A) and Solutol HS15 (Factor B) in enhancing the solubility and dissolution rate of ibuprofen were evaluated in a 22 factorial study. The individual and combined effects of βCD and Solutol HS15 in enhancing the solubility of ibuprofen were highly significant (P < 0.01). βCD and Solutol HS15 alone gave respectively 12.83 and 42.32 fold increase in the solubility of ibuprofen. Combination of βCD with Solutol HS15 resulted in a much higher enhancement in the solubility of ibuprofen, 55.78 fold. When it came to increasing the dissolution rate (K1) and dissolving efficiency (DE30), the main and combination (interaction) effects of CD (Factor A) and Solutol HS15 (Factor B) were extremely significant (P 0.01). βCD and Solutol HS15 alone gave respectively 7.78 and 19.41 fold increase in the dissolution rate of (K1) of ibuprofen and in combination they gave a 27.11 fold increase in the dissolution rate (K1) of ibuprofen. Ibuprofen's ability to dissolve more quickly when Solutol HS15 and CD are combined than when they are used alone. Ibuprofen's dissolving rate was increased by 19.41 fold, and its dissolution efficiency increased by 3.23 fold, when solutol HS15 was used alone. In order to improve the solubility, dissolution rate, and dissolution efficiency of ibuprofen, a weakly soluble BCS class II medication, a combination of CD and Solutol HS15 or Solutol HS15 alone is advised.