Formulation, Evaluation, and Characterization of Ibuprofen Nanocrystals Tablets with Conventional Market Product

The objective of this study was to prepare and evaluate ibuprofen nanocrystals using isopropyl alcohol and stabilizer sodium lauryl sulphate by way of the precipitation method. The nanocrystals were prepared by the bottom-up approach of the precipitation technique. This technique involves the use of an organic phase, which is completely miscible in the external aqueous phase. The ratio used for organic solvent-to-aqueous solvent was 1:50. The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy analyses confirmed that the drug and excipients were compatible, and the differential scanning calorimetry results indicated that the precipitation method led to no change in the crystalline structure of the drug. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of ibuprofen nanocrystals showed the promising size reduction of pure drug ibuprofen. Differential light scattering technique showed significant decrease in particle size and good stability of ibuprofen nanocrystals. Ibuprofen nanocrystals increased 20% to 25% of the saturation solubility of ibuprofen nanocrystals. Ibuprofen nanocrystals showed 90% drug release in the dissolution medium within 1 hour, while the pure drug and market product were dissolved only up to 58% and 63%, respectively. Ibuprofen nanocrystals increased the saturation solubility and in vitro dissolution of the drug as compared to conventional market product.