Preparation and characterization of albendazole microparticles prepared by freeze-drying technique

ABSTRACT

The aim of this work is preparation of albendazole [ABZ] micro particles with certain hydrophilic polymers such as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose [HPMC], and polyvinyl pyrrolidone [PVP] using freeze- drying technique. Microparticles of ABZ with these polymers were prepared in different ratios of 11, 12, and 14. Morphology of the prepared ABZ microparticles was studied using a scanning electron microscope. Spherical microparticles with smooth surface of ABZ were detected by this method. Physicochemical properties of drug alone and its freeze-dried microparticles were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry [DSC] and powder X-ray diffractometry [PXRD]. DSC and PXRD analysis showed that ABZ was transformed from the crystalline state to amorphous state by freeze- drying with the chosen polymers as confirmed by disappearance of its melting peak and characteristic crystalline peaks. Dissolution rate of ABZ from the prepared micropartides was determined and compared to its corresponding physical mixtures. Results showed that, the dissolution of freeze-dried micropartides was faster than the corresponding physical mixtures and drug alone. This indicates that, the freeze-drying technique improved ABZ dissolution. Moreover, it was found that the dissolution rate of the drug was affected by the polymer type and the ratio of ABZ to polymer