The passive diffusion improvement of Vitamin B₁₂ intestinal absorption by Gelucire that fit for commercialized...

Vitamin B₁₂ (VB₁₂) is a vital micronutrient to maintain the normal state of the hematopoietic system. It must be obtained from the diet since the human body cannot synthesize it. Moreover, the absorption of VB₁₂ needs to be mediated by intrinsic factor on the gastrointestinal (GI) track. The abnormalities in the stomach or lack of such intrinsic factors may result in poor oral absorption of VB₁₂. However, the very advanced formulation strategies were generally very costly and still in the development stage. Thus, the objectives of the present study were to increase the VB₁₂ intestinal absorption by conventional excipients of Gelucire 44/14 (G44/14) or Labrasol, which could be potentially formulated as a cost effect balanced product. The in vitro Caco-2 cell model was applied for the absorption study. A novel VB₁₂ solid dispersion was subsequently prepared and further characterized by Differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The membrane permeability of the VB₁₂ solid dispersion was finally evaluated using ex vivo rat everted gut sac method. The results suggested that G44/14 could significantly enhance the intestinal absorption of VB₁₂ via P-glycoprotein inhibition in vitro (P < 0.01). The membrane permeability of VB₁₂could be significantly (P < 0.01) improved by G44/14-VB₁₂ solid dispersion at a proportion of carrier: drug ratio of 20:1.The liquidfied solid dispersion was finally directly filled in the hard gelatin capsules. In conclusion, the cheap and simplified process of VB₁₂ complex prepared by G44/14 could potentially increase VB₁₂ intestinal absorption, which may be liable to commercial manufacturing.