Role of Polyethylene Glycol and Silica for Dissolution Enhancement of Cefuroxime Axetil: <i>In-Vitro</i> Performance Evaluation and Characterization

Abstract

Cefuroxime Axetil (CA) a widely used cephalosporin antibiotic displays low aqueous solubility and high membrane penetrability. This results in its solubility driven variable and/or low oral bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy as a major drawback. Thus, most of the goal of our study was to increase the solubility as well as dissolution rate of CA using the simple and cost-effective solid dispersion (SD) method. At first, the SD formulations of CA were prepared at various weight ratios of Carplex-67 and PEG-4000 by solvent evaporation technique. These new formulations were then subjected to an in-vitro drug release performance study and tested for physicochemical characterization to distinguish the thermal behavior, crystallinity, interactions phenomena, and surface morphology. Among the formulated Cefuroxime Axetil Solid Dispersion (CSD), CSD-8 which contained CA, Carplex-67, and PEG-4000 at the weight ratio 1:3:2, respectively showed the most significant (p < 0.001) drug release that was about 2.11 times higher, although all CSD was better than pure CA. The physicochemical studies revealed that no unusual interactions were found in the CSD formulations and the increased dissolution resulted from the amorphous conversion of CA and better wettability upon CSD formulation. Finally, the optimized formulation (CSD-8) was compared with the marketed preparation in terms of in-vitro dissolution in water, Gastric Simulated Fluid (GSF), and Intestinal Simulated Fluid (ISF). This study also showed a significant (p < 0.001) increase in drug release compared to the marketed product. Therefore, it is supposed to be a promising alternative to conventional antimicrobial therapy.