Porous aerosil loading probucol using supercritical carbon dioxide: preparation, in vitro and in vivo characteristics.

The aim of this study was to enhance the dissolution rate and oral bioavailability of probucol. Probucol was adsorbed onto aerosils via supercritical carbon dioxide (ScCO2) and the physicochemistry properties of probucol-aerosil powder were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Tablets of the probucol-aerosil powder were prepared by direct compression method. In the dissolution test, the probucol-aerosil tablets showed a significant enhanced dissolution rate compared with commercial tablets. Bioavailability study was carried out in beagle dogs. Probucol-aerosil tablets exhibited higher AUC and Cmax than commercial tablets. The improved dissolution and bioavailability of probucol-aerosil tablets were attributed to the amorphous state and good dispersion of probucol. It is a feasible method to enhance the oral bioavailability by adsorbing probucol onto aerosils via ScCO2.

Increased dissolution rate and oral bioavailability of hydrophobic drug glyburide tablets produced using supercritical CO2 silica dispersion technology.

The aim of this study was to design a silica-supported solid dispersion of a water-insoluble drug, glyburide, to increase its dissolution rate and oral absorption using supercritical fluid (SCF) technology. DSC and PXRD results indicated that the encapsulated drug in the optimal solid dispersion was in an amorphous state and the product was stable for 6 months. Glyburide was adsorbed onto the porous silica, as confirmed by the SEM images and BET analysis. Furthermore, FT-IR spectroscopy confirmed that there was no change in the chemical structure of glyburide after the application of SCF. The glyburide silica-based dispersion could also be compressed into tablet form. In vitro drug release analysis of the silica solid dispersion tablets demonstrated faster release of glyburide compared with the commercial micronized tablet. In an in vivo test, the AUC of the tablets composed of the new glyburide silica-based solid dispersion was 2.01 times greater than that of the commercial micronized glyburide tablets. In conclusion, SCF technology presents a promising approach to prepare silica-based solid dispersions of hydrophobic drugs because of its ability to increase their release and oral bioavailability.