Al-Shoubki AA, et al. Pharmaceutical Science Advances, 2024, 2, 100015.
The bioavailability of Rivaroxaban (RXB), an anticoagulant, is often limited due to its poor solubility. This study explores the potential of Glyceryl Monooleate (GMO) and Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate (SAIB) as co-formers in developing nanodispersions to enhance RXB's solubility and bioavailability. These findings suggest that incorporating GMO into RXB formulations can lead to more efficient drug delivery, potentially reducing the required dosage for therapeutic efficacy.
Methodology:
The study utilized a modified melt dispersion technique, incorporating varying polymer-to-drug ratios (0.5:1, 0.75:1, and 1:1) while maintaining a constant polymer-to-poloxamer 407 ratio (0.1:1). The resulting formulations were characterized by particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP), and entrapment efficiency (EE). The best-performing lyophilized formulations were further analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dissolution testing, and pharmacokinetic (PK) studies.
Effect of GMO Concentration:
Increasing GMO concentration resulted in smaller particle sizes and lower PDI values, indicating a more uniform particle distribution. Higher GMO levels improved ZP and EE, enhancing the stability and drug loading capacity of the nanoparticles. Increased GMO concentration also improved the yield of the nanodispersions, contributing to more efficient formulation processes.
Dissolution & Bioavailability:
The dissolution tests revealed that the best lyophilized cubosome (L4) and SAIB-based nanodispersion (L8) significantly outperformed the commercially available XARELTO® in terms of drug release rates. The pharmacokinetic studies further confirmed that L4 and L8 exhibited superior bioavailability compared to XARELTO®, likely due to the enhanced solubility provided by GMO and SAIB.