Impact of carrier hydrophilicity on solid self nano-emulsifying drug delivery system and self nano-emulsifying granule system

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of carrier hydrophilicity on solid self nano-emulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) and self nano-emulsifying granule system (SEGS). The mesoporous calcium silicate (Ca-silicate) and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) were utilised as hydrophobic carrier and hydrophilic carrier, respectively. The liquid SNEDDS formulation, composed of Tween80/Kollipohr EL/corn oil (35/50/15%) with 31% (w/w) dexibuprofen, was spray-dried and fluid-bed granulated together with Avicel using Ca-silicate or HP- β-CD as a solid carrier, producing four different solid SNEDDS and SEGS formulations. Unlike the Ca-silicate-based systems, spherical shape and aggregated particles were shown in HP-β-CD-based solid SNEDDS and SEGS, respectively. Molecular interaction was detected between Ca-silicate and the drug; though, none was shown between HP-β-CD and the drug. Each system prepared with either carrier gave no significant differences in micromeritic properties, crystallinity, droplet morphology, size, dissolution and oral bioavailability in rats. However, the HP-β-CD-based system more significantly improved the drug solubility than did the Ca-silicate-based system. Therefore, both carriers hardly affected the properties of both solid SNEDDS and SEGS; though, there were differences in the aspect of appearance, molecular interaction and solubility.