Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Pharmaceutical characterization and dissolution behavior of ibuprofen/Soluplus solvent cast films

Ahmad Salawi¹ , Jafrin Jobayer Sonju², Sami Nazzal³, Ahmed Abu-Fayyad⁴, Turki Al Hagbani⁵, Mohammad M Kamal⁶, Md Sabir Alam⁷

¹Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan, 45142, Saudi Arabia; ²School of Basic Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Louisiana Monroe, Monroe, LA 71201; ³School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Dallas, Texas, USA; ⁴College of Pharmacy, Chicago State University, Chicago, Illinois, USA; ⁵College of Pharmacy, University of Haâ€™il, Hail, Saudi Arabia; ⁶Research and Development, Akorn Pharmaceuticals, Vernon Hills, IL USA, 7SGT College of Pharmacy, SGT University, Gurgaon-Bali Road Chandu, Budhara, Gurgaon, Haryana- 122505, India.

For correspondence:- Ahmad Salawi Email: asalawi@jazanu.edu.sa

Accepted: 28 January 2023 Published: 27 February 2023

Citation: Salawi A, Sonju JJ, Nazzal S, Abu-Fayyad A, Hagbani TA, Kamal MM, et al. Pharmaceutical characterization and dissolution behavior of ibuprofen/Soluplus solvent cast films. Trop J Pharm Res 2023; 22(2):227-232 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v22i2.1

© 2023 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To characterize the physicochemical and dissolution properties of Soluplus®/ibupofen solid dispersions prepared by solvent casting technique.

Methods: Soluplus® was used as a film-forming agent whereas ibuprofen served as a poorly soluble biopharmaceutics classification system (BCS) class II active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). The solution casting of ethanolic Soluplus®/ibuprofen was carried out on a release liner and dried under a vacuum. The crystallinity of crushed films was examined using powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD), while a USP Type II apparatus was used to determine their dissolution behaviour.

Results: Ibuprofen was uniformly distributed in an amorphous form into the cast films. The PXRD-based confirmation of crystalline peaks' absence revealed a significantly higher dissolution rate in alkaline and acid media when compared to the pure drug.

Conclusion: Soluplus® (polymeric dispersant)-based solvent casting is a simple and efficient technique to prepare highly water-soluble solid dispersions of ibuprofen. This film cast technique may be suitable for various applications where a film or powder form of a drug with enhanced solubility in different aqueous media is desired.

Keywords: Solid dispersions, Spray drying, Film-casting, SoluplusÂ®, Ibuprofen