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Enhancing Dissolution and Oral Bioavailability of Ursodeoxycholic Acid with a Spray-Dried pH-Modified Extended
Jaehyeok Lee1, Chul Haeng Lee2, Jong-Geon Lee1
1BK21 FOUR Community-Based Intelligent Novel Drug Discovery Education Unit, Vessel-Organ Interaction Research Center (VOICE), Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea.
This study developed a novel pH-modified extended-release formulation of ursodeoxycholate (UDCA) using spray-drying. The optimized formulation significantly enhanced UDCA
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Materials Science
Background:
- Ursodeoxycholate (UDCA) exhibits poor oral bioavailability due to pH-dependent solubility and permeability.
- Challenges in UDCA delivery necessitate innovative formulation strategies to improve therapeutic efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a pH-modified extended-release formulation of UDCA.
- To enhance the solubility, dissolution, and oral bioavailability of UDCA.
Main Methods:
- Spray-drying method employed to prepare the UDCA formulation with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and sodium carbonate (Na2CO3).
- Characterization of solubility, dissolution profiles, and pharmacokinetic properties of the optimized UDCA formulation (UDCA:HPMC:Na2CO3 ratio of 200:600:150 w/w/w).
Main Results:
- The optimized formulation demonstrated increased UDCA solubility (8 mg/mL) and sustained dissolution for 12 hours.
- Spray-dried formulation showed amorphous states without molecular interactions.
- Enhanced plasma UDCA concentrations sustained up to 48 hours, significantly increasing AUC in rats.
Conclusions:
- A pH-modified extended-release UDCA formulation was successfully developed using spray-drying.
- The formulation significantly improved UDCA solubility, dissolution, and oral bioavailability by 251% in rats.
- This approach offers a promising strategy for enhancing the therapeutic potential of UDCA.
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