Enhancement of Solubility and Dissolution Rate of Poorly Water Soluble Drug by Using Modified Guar Gum

Introduction: The increasing interest of the technology of dosage form with natural biopolymers has become the reason for undertaking present investigation on the possibility of guar gum application in the preparation of an oral solid dosage form of a poorly water soluble drug.

Method: Present study examines the effect of Guar gum (GG) and Modified guar gum (MGG) on the oral bioavailability of a poorly water-soluble drug, Ibuprofen (IBU). Modified guar gum (MGG) was prepared using heat treatment (125-130oC for 2 to 3 hours) method. It was characterized for viscosity, swelling index and water retention capacity. The physical and co-grinding mixtures of IBU with GG and MGG were prepared in 1:9 drug to gum ratio. The physical and co-grinding mixtures were characterized by DSC and FT-IR study.

Results: The studies confirmed that there was no interaction between drug and carrier. Prepared mixtures were evaluated for solubility study and in vitro dissolution studies using USP XXIII Dissolution apparatus. The rank order of solubility and dissolution study was IBU < grounded IBU < Physical mixture of IBU and GG < Physical mixture of IBU and MGG < Co-grinding mixture of IBU and GG < Co-grinding mixture of IBU and MGG.

Conclusion: The results of present investigation indicated that co-grinding mixture of ibuprofen with modified guar gum could be useful in developing an oral dosage form with improved dissolution and oral bioavailability of poorly water soluble drug.