Abstract

An attempt has been made to enhance solubility and dissolution of nimesulide and ibuprofen by solid dispersion techniques and complexation using various hydrophilic excipients. Drug-excipients solid dispersions and complexes of nimesulide were prepared by solvent evaporation method. Solid dispersions of ibuprofen were prepared by fusion, solvent evaporation and fusion-solvent method. Solubility profiles of the drug from the solid dispersions and complexes of nimesulide were studied in buffered pH 6.6, whereas the solubility of drug-excipients dispersions of ibuprofen were evaluated in 0.1 N sodium hydroxide media. Solid dispersions of nimesulide with PEG-6000 enhanced the solubility of nimesulide by more than 1000%. Dispersion of ibuprofen in sorbitol showed maximum enhancement of solubility (up to 75%). Dispersions in combined carriers: PVP k-30-MCC and PVP k-30-PEG-6000 also markedly increased the solubility of ibuprofen. Inclusion complexes of nimesulide in β-cyclodextrin also increased the solubility by 663%. Intrinsic dissolution rate studies of solid dispersions of nimesulide with PEG-6000 and ibuprofen with sorbitol were further studied. The intrinsic dissolution rate constant (K1) for the dispersions of these drugs were 1.62 (+62%) and 1.80 (+80 %) times that of pure nimesulide and ibuprofen, respectively.