Ibuprofen ion-exchange fiber complex: improved dissolution and gastric tolerance based on ion exchange

The purpose of the present study is to develop a novel method to improve the dissolution of water-insoluble drug ibuprofen and the gastric tolerance of this non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug which has potentially serious gastrointestinal side effects. This method is based on ion exchange of ion-exchange fibers. Water-insoluble drug ibuprofen was dispersed in deionized water, and then the ion-exchange fibers in OH(-) type was immersed in it. Ibuprofen and the active groups of the ion-exchange fibers combined into ion pairs based on the acid-base reaction. This drug carrier did not release drugs in deionized water, but in water solution containing other ions it would release the drugs into the solution by ion exchange. Confirmed by the X-ray diffraction and the scanning electron microscopy, the ibuprofen combined onto the ion-exchange fibers was in a highly molecular level dispersed state. The improved dissolution of ibuprofen ion-exchange fiber complexes is likely to originate from this ibuprofen's highly dispersed state. Due to this, ibuprofen's highly dispersed state, ibuprofen ion-exchange fiber complexes significantly decreases the gastrointestinal side effects of ibuprofen by avoiding the solid ibuprofen's educing. The present study showed that ibuprofen ion-exchange fiber complexes have the two-fold advantages. One is to improve the dissolution of ibuprofen. The other is to decrease the ibuprofen's gastrointestinal toxicity.