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Abstract
Starch macrocellular foam (SMF), a novel natural bio-matrix material, was prepared by the hard template method in order to improve the dissolution rate and oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. Nitrendipine (NDP) was chosen as a model drug and was loaded into SMF by the solvent evaporation method. SMF and the loaded SMF samples (NDP-SMF) were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray powder diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. In vitro drug release studies showed that SMF significantly increased the dissolution rate of NDP. In vivo studies showed that the NDP-SMF tablets clearly increased the oral bioavailability of NDP in comparison with the reference commercial tablets. All the results obtained demonstrated that SMF was a promising carrier for the oral delivery of poor water-soluble drugs.
Declaration of interest
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (no. 81302707), Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province (no. 2013022052), Dr. Start-up Foundation of Liaoning Province (no. 20141195), the Construction of Clinical Cardiovascular System Drug Evaluation Research Technology platform (no. 2012ZX09303016-002) and Supported by Quanmin Oral Graduate Sci-tech Innovation Foundation, the President Fund of Liaoning Medical University (no. QM2014012).