Drug release from lipid liquid crystalline phases: relation with phase behavior
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026

A Package of Established Analytical Tools to Investigate the Solid-State Alteration of Lipid-Based Excipients
Published on: August 9, 2022
Fátima O Costa-Balogh1, Emma Sparr, João José Simões Sousa
1Centro de Estudos Farmacêuticos, Laboratório de Galénica e Tecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. fatima.costa@infarmed.pt
Introduction:
We studied the release of propranolol hydrochloride (PHCl), a water-soluble amphiphilic drug, from monoolein (MO)/water and phytantriol/water systems.
Methods:
We related the dissolution profiles with phase behavior and viscosity of the different liquid crystalline phases. Diolein has been added aiming to stabilize the cubic phases and thus preventing formation of less viscous (lamellar) phases.
Results:
Formulations display first-order release rates and diffusion release mechanism. Some formulations (mostly MO) were close to zero-order release in the first 120 minutes.
Discussion:
Release mechanism can be influenced by phase changes during dissolution.
Conclusions:
Both MO and phytantriol show good potential to be used for propranolol hydrochloride sustained drug release.
Related Concept Videos
Phase Transitions
Phase Transitions
Phase Diagrams
Phase Diagram
Phase Diagram
Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Drug Release Characteristics

