Abstract

The hydrolysis kinetics of mutual prodrugs of ibuprofen was investigated using high performance liquid chromatographic method. The hydrolysis kinetics of prodrugs was studied to access their utility as a prodrug. These kinetic studies were performed in 0.1N hydrochloric acid (pH 1.2), 10% rat gastric mucosal homogenate, phosphate buffer (pH 7.4), 10% rat intestinal homogenate, 80% human plasma (pH 7.4) and 10% rat liver homogenate at 37°. The influence of pH on the chemical stability of prodrugs was also studied in phosphate buffer (pH 3.6 to 7.2). The results indicate that these derivatives have undergone pH-dependent hydrolysis and rate of hydrolysis of the prodrugs has been increased in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) as against 0.1N hydrochloric acid (pH 1.2). The rate of hydrolysis of prodrugs showed an increase in 10% rat gastric mucosal and 10% rat intestinal homogenate. But the kinetic studies performed in 80% human plasma and 10% rat liver homogenate showed about five to six fold increase in hydrolysis as compared to other fluid models.