Effect of biocompatible polymers on the physicochemical properties of fenofibrate in nanoparticle system

This paper aims to investigate the effects of biocompatible polymers on the physicochemical and dissolution properties of poorly water-soluble drugs innanoparticle systems. Four types of nanoparticles containing poorly watersoluble fenofibrate were prepared using solvent evaporation technique withdifferent biocompatible polymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose(HPMC), carbopol and ethylcellulose. Theirphysicochemical properties were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and powder X-ray diffraction. The solubilityand dissolution of nanoparticle-entrapped fenofibrate were compared with those of free drug powder. Biocompatible polymers affected the morphology andsizes of fenofibrate nanoparticles. PVP or carbopolbased nanoparticles showed spherical appearance,whereas HPMC or ethylcellulose-based nanoparticles formed aggregates with irregular shape. The particle sizes increased in the order of the nanoparticle preparedwithcarbopol B PVPHPMCethylcellulose. The size of PVP-based nanoparticles did not significantly differ fromthat of carbopol-based nanoparticles, showing themean sizes of ca. 10 lm. As compared to free drug powder, the solubility and dissolution of the drug innanoparticles increased in the order of PVP[HPMC [carbopol [ethylcellulose. The enhanced solubility and dissolution of poorly water-soluble fenofibrate viananoparticle system did not depend on particle size but on crystallinity. In conclusion, in nanoparticle development of poorly water-soluble drugs such asfenofibrate,the nature of biocompatible polymers plays an important role in the physicochemical and dissolution of poorly water-soluble drugs in the nanoparticles.

کلیدواژه ها:

Nanoparticle preparation method ، Fenofibrate ، Biocompatible polymers ، Dissolution ، Solubility