Preparation and Characterization of Spironolactone-Loaded Gelucire Microparticles Using Spray-Drying Technique

Abstract

The basic objectives of this study were to prepare and characterize solid dispersions of poorly soluble drug spironolactone (SP) using gelucire carriers by spray-drying technique. The properties of the microparticles produced were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy, saturation solubility, encapsulation efficiency, and dissolution studies. The absence of SP peaks in DSC profiles of microparticles suggests the transformation of crystalline SP into an amorphous form. The in vitro dissolution test showed a significant increase in the dissolution rate of microparticles as compared with pure SP and physical mixtures (PMs) of drug with gelucire carriers. Therefore, the dissolution rate of poorly water-soluble drug SP can be significantly enhanced by the preparation of solid dispersion using spray-drying technique.

Keywords:

• spironolactone
• spray drying
• gelucires
• microparticles
• aerosil
• differential scanning colorimeter

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Research Center at College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, for providing facilities to carry out the study (Grant C.P.R.C.214).