BINARY COMPLEXES OF GLIMEPIRIDE WITH β-CYCLODEXTRIN FOR IMPROVED SOLUBILITY AND DRUG DELIVERY

Cyclodextrin complexation is a one of the most investigated techniques of solubility and dissolution enhancement of drugs. In the present study, a poorly water soluble drug glimepiride, was complexed with β-cyclodextrin (βCD) with the aim of improving water solubility and drug dissolution. The complexes were prepared using two different methods (solvent evaporation and kneading) and then characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), powder x-ray diffractometry (X-RD), thermal analysis (DSC),scanning electron microscopy and in-vitro dissolution study. The phase solubility study revealed the most suitable ratio of drug to β CD (1:4 molar ratio). Analysis of various physical and pharmacokinetic parameters for the complex prepared by solvent evaporation method showed better drug content, solubility and drug release profile in comparison to the complex prepared by the kneading method. The complex prepared with solvent evaporation method showed better drug release as compared with that of kneading method and the pure drug. The FT-IR, DSC and X-RD data also confirmed the results. It was concluded that complex prepared with (1:4 drug:βCD molar ratio) using solvent evaporation method showed the better improvement in solubility and drug dissolution.