Statistical modeling, optimization and characterization of solid self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system of lopinavir using design of experiment

Abstract

Objective: Lopinavir (LPV), an antiretroviral protease inhibitor shows poor bioavailability because of poor aqueous solubility and extensive hepatic first-pass metabolism. The aim of the present work was to investigate the potential of the solid self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (S-SNEDDS) in improving dissolution rate and oral bioavailability of LPV.

Materials and methods: Liquid SNEDDS (L-SNEDDS) of LPV were prepared using Capmul MCM C8, Cremophor RH 40 and propylene glycol and their amounts were optimized by Scheffe’s mixture design. L-SNEDDS formulations were evaluated for different physicochemical and in vitro drug release parameters. S-SNEDDS were prepared by adsorbing L-SNEDDS on Neusilin US2 and characterized for solid-state properties. In vivo bioavailability of S-SNEDDS, marketed Lopinavir + Ritonavir (LPV/RTV) formulation and pure LPV was studied in Wistar rats. Stability study of S-SNEDDS was performed as per ICH guidelines.

Results and discussion: Optimized L-SNEDDS obtained by Scheffe design had drug loading 160 ± 1.15 mg, globule size 32.9 ± 1.45 nm and drug release >95% within 15 min. Solid state studies suggested the transformation of the crystalline drug to amorphous drug. The size and zeta potential of globules obtained on dilution S-SNEDDS remained similar to L-SNEEDS. In vivo bioavailability study revealed that S-SNEDDS has 2.97 and 1.54-folds higher bioavailability than pure LPV and LPV/RTV formulation, respectively. The optimized S-SNEDDS was found to be stable and had a shelf life of 2.85 years.

Conclusion: The significant increase in drug dissolution and bioavailability by prepared SNEDDS suggest that the developed S-SNEDDS is a useful solid platform for improving oral bioavailability of poorly soluble LPV.

Keywords:

• Bioavailability
• dissolution
• lopinavir
• Scheffe design
• solid carriers
• solid self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the help of Hetero Drugs Limited (Hyderabad, India) for providing the generous gift sample of LPV. They also acknowledge the Abitec Corporations (Cleveland, OH, USA), BASF Corp. (Ludwigshafen, Germany) and Fuji Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. (Toyama, Japan) for providing the gift samples of Capmul MCM C8, Captex 100, Captex 200, Cremophor RH 40, Cremophor EL and Neusilin US2.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no declarations of interest.