Preparation and Evaluation of Solid Dispersions of Pioglitazone Using Skimmed Milk Powder as Carrier

A. Hemanth*¹, H. Abdul Ahad^2
1V. L .College of Pharmacy, Manik Prabhu Temple Road, Raichur-584103, India.
²Balaji College of Pharmacy, Rudrampeta Bypass, Anantapur-515001, India.

A B S T R A C T
Solubility is an important physicochemical factor affecting absorption of drug and its therapeutic effectiveness. Consequences of poor aqueous solubility would lead to failure in formulation development. The poor solubility of drug substances in water and their low dissolution rate in aqueous G.I.T fluid often leads to insufficient bioavailability. In the present investigation, an attempt was made to improve the solubility and dissolution rate of a poorly soluble drug, pioglitazone by solid dispersion method using skimmed milk powder as carrier. Two different formulations were prepared with varying drug: carrier ratios viz.1:1 and 1:9 and the corresponding physical mixtures were also prepared. The formulations were characterized for solubility parameters, drug release studies and drug-polymer interactions by using phase solubility studies, dissolution studies; XRD analysis, FTIR spectrum. All the formulations showed marked improvement in the solubility behaviour and improved drug release. Formulation containing drug:polymer ratio of 1:9  and prepared by solvent evaporation method showed the best release with a cumulative release of 96.01% as compared to 21.23% for the pure drug. The interaction studies showed no interaction between the drug and the carrier. It was concluded that skimmed milk powder as a carrier can be very well utilized to improve the solubility of poorly soluble drugs.
Keywords: Solid Dispersion, Skimmed milk powder, solubility, Pioglitazone, Dissolution