Formulation Development of Aceclofenac Nanosuspension as an Alternative Approach for Improving Drug Delivery of Poorly Soluble Drugs

Abstract

Poor water solubility of active pharmaceutical ingredients is a major problem in drug discovery and formulation development. Nanoparticle engineering process has been seen as a promising approach for the enhancement of drug solubility. In this study, we present an approach of nanosizing a drug/polymeric complex to increase both solubility and dissolution rate of poorly-water soluble drug aceclofenac, which is widely used as anti-inflammatory drug. Polymeric nanosuspensions were prepared by nanoprecipitation method by using biodegradable polymer loaded with aceclofenac, with the aim to improve anti-inflammatory therapy. The prepared formulation was evaluated for drug excipients compatibility study, polydispersity index, particle size analysis, surface morphology, zeta potential, drug release features and stability. These study results indicate the suitability of formulation procedure for preparation of nanosized poorly-water soluble drug formulation with significantly improved in vitro dissolution rate and fast onset of therapeutic drug effect.