Preparation of propranolol hydrochloride cubosomes by pH gradient method / 药学实践杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To prepare propranolol hydrochloride loaded cubosomes (PPL-Cubs) with high entrapment efficiency. Methods PPL-Cubs was prepared by pH gradient method. Pressure and cycles of high pressure homogenization, dosage of glyceryl monooleate and poloxamer 407 were optimized to prepare blank cubosomes with particle size and polydispersity index as the indexes. The influences of various factors, including exterior pH values, internal pH values, the ratio of carrier to drug, particle size and polydispersity index of blank cubosomes, incubation temperature and time, and drug concentration on the entrapment efficiency were investigated. Results The blank cubosomes with small particle size and polydispersity index was prepared under homogenization conditions of 900 bar for 7 cycles, glyceryl monooleate dosage of 25%, and poloxamer 407 dosage of 5%. PPL-Cubs showed high entrapment efficiency with exterior pH value of 8.5, internal pH value of 3.0, ratio of carrier to drug of 6∶1, incubation temperature of 20 ℃, and incubation time of 15 min, and drug concentration of 1%. The particle size and polydispersity index of blank cubosomes showed no influence on entrapment efficiency. Conclusion PPL-Cubs with high entrapment efficiency could be prepared under the pH gradient method.