Effect of Hydrophilic Carriers for Solubility and Dissolution Enhancement of Sulfamerazine by Solid Dispersions Technique

Aims: The present research was carried out to investigate the effect of hydrophilic carriers in enhancing the solubility and dissolution rate of Sulfamerazine (SMZ) employing the fusion technique of solid dispersions (SD).

Methodology: SMZ is an oral antibacterial drug exhibiting a poor dissolution profile and water solubility. SD of SMZ was prepared using poloxamer 407 (PX407) and Polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG6000) as a hydrophilic carrier by employing the fusion technique.

Results: The powder SDs were subjected for solubility, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), in-vitro dissolution profile, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) study. The FTIR spectral analysis showed no significant incompatibility between drug and carriers and confirmed the presence of SMZ. From XRD and DSC, SMZ indicated the amorphous form in solid dispersion with larger specific surface area, resulting in a better in-vitro rate of dissolution of the drug from solid dispersions than pure drug. However, SD of PX407 (SDSMFF8) indicated higher aqueous solubility than pure SMZ. Further, SDSMFF7 showed higher in-vitro drug release 96.45±0.3% within 60 minutes, and pure drug (18.54±0.8%).

Conclusion: In conclusion, enhancing thesolubility and dissolution of SMZ using hydrophilic carriers by solid dispersion technique provides new strategies for broadening its potential clinical application.