Phase transition of a microemulsion upon addition of cyclodextrin – applications in drug delivery

Abstract

This study reports on the impact of cyclodextrin addition on the phase behavior of microemulsion systems. Three distinct oil-in-water microemulsions were formulated and subjected to increasing concentrations of various cyclodextrins. The prepared formulations underwent visual, textural and microscopic characterization followed by the evaluation of their in vitro drug release and ex vivo tissue retention behavior. Combining microemulsions with cyclodextrins resulted in either phase separation or transition into a liquid crystalline state depending on the concentration and type of cyclodextrin utilized. Formulations combined with α-cyclodextrin consistently demonstrated transition into a liquid crystalline state as confirmed by polarized light and cryo-scanning electron microscopy. In these cases, cyclodextrin addition was also positively correlated with an increase in formulation hardness, adhesiveness and turbidity. Release and clearance studies revealed that drug diffusion from the microemulsions could be slowed and tissue retention prolonged by increasing the cyclodextrin content. These findings pave the way for the development of novel cyclodextrin-microemulsion-based liquid crystalline formulations in a variety of sustained drug delivery applications.

Keywords:

• Cyclodextrin
• microemulsion
• phase transition
• liquid crystal
• sustained drug release
• drug delivery

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Mrs. Angela Cunningham for the technical support received during the conduction of these experiments.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

JS was supported by a University of Auckland Summer Student Research Scholarship.