Effect of semicrystalline polymers on self-emulsifying solid dispersions of nateglinide: in vitro and in vivo evaluation

Abstract

This study was undertaken to improve solubility and bioavailability of nateglinide by preparation of stable self-emulsifying solid dispersions (SESDs). The influence of semicrystalline polymers (poloxamer 407, gelucire 50/13) and method of preparation on dissolution behavior, in vivo performance and stability of nateglinide SESDs were investigated. After optimization, SESDs were prepared at 1:5 weight ratio of nateglinide and polymer individually. All the SESDs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Aqueous solubility of nateglinide was enhanced by 91.82-fold. The SESDs (poloxamer 407-based solid dispersions) achieved rapid and complete drug release (∼100% within 45 min) at pH 2. The improved dissolution appeared to be well correlated with the enhanced bioavailability of nateglinide in rabbits. After oral administration of SESDs (poloxamer 407-based solid dispersions), C_max and AUC of nateglinide were increased by ∼2.92 and 1.77-folds, respectively, signifying the effectiveness of solid dispersions to improve the bioavailability of nateglinide. Stability during storage was established to show prevention of recrystallization. In conclusion, SESDs with poloxamer 407 in solvent method appeared to be an economic and promising technique to improve the dissolution, bioavailability, and stability of nateglinide.

Keywords:

• Nateglinide
• semicrystalline polymer
• recrystallization
• bioavailability
• self-emulsifying solid dispersion

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Aurobindo Pharma Ltd., Hyderabad, India for supplying the pure drug nateglinide.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest in this article. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.