Mucoadhesive amorphous solid dispersions for sustained release of poorly water soluble drugs

The oral delivery of mucoadhesive patches has been shown to enhance the absorption of large molecules such as peptides. We hypothesized that this mechanism could have utility for poorly soluble small molecules by utilizing a mucoadhesive polymer as the matrix for an amorphous solid dispersion. Binary dispersions of itraconazole and carbomer (Carbopol 71G) were prepared utilizing a thermokinetic mixing process (KinetiSol Dispersing) and the physicochemical properties were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction, calorimetry, and liquid chromatography. Adhesion of the dispersions to freshly excised porcine intestine was investigated with a texture analyzer. Minitablets were compressed from the optimal dispersion and further investigated in vitro and in vivo in rats. Thermokinetic mixing successfully processed amorphous dispersions up to 30% drug loading and each dispersion exhibited works of adhesion that were approximately an order of magnitude greater than a negative control in vitro. Ethylcellulose (EC) coated and uncoated minitablets prepared with the 30% drug load dispersion were delivered orally to rats and exhibited sustained release characteristics, with overall bioavailability greater for the uncoated minitablets compared to the EC-coated minitablets, similar to the rank order observed in our in vitro dissolution experiments. Necropsy studies showed that minitablets delivered with enteric-coated capsules targeted release to the distal small intestine and adhered to the intestinal mucosa, but the rat model presented limitations with respect to evaluating the overall performance. Based on the in vitro and in vivo results, further investigations in larger animals are a logical next step where fluid volumes, pH, and transit times are more favorable for the evaluated dosage forms.