Optimization of diclofenac sodium profile from halloysite nanotubules

Halloysite, aluminosilicate clay with the particle shape of multilayered hollow nanotubes, used in various non-medical applications, e.g. in ceramic industry, was discovered for pharmaceutical purposes in recent years. Several drugs of hydrophilic and lipophilic nature have been successfully encapsulated into halloysite tubules in order to modify their dissolution profile. The main goal of this experiment was to optimize the dissolution profile of diclofenac sodium - a drug with problematic solubility - from halloysite tubules using various polymers. Loading of the drug together with povidone or Eudragit® RS did not lead to drug burst effect reduction and its slower dissolution. In the case of povidone, drug improved wettability and solubilization rather than viscosity increasing expectations were observed. Eudragit® RS formed a solid dispersion with diclofenac sodium and thus the solvent/drug solution penetration through the polymer and not the drug solubility was the dissolution rate limiting factor. Reduction of the burst effect and further prolongation of drug release was achieved by coating the drug-loaded halloysite with chitosan. This formulation exhibited a diffusion-controlled prolonged release following Higuchi kinetic model.