Topical Meloxicam Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydrogels Based on Low-Substituted Hydroxypropyl Cellulose Solid Dispersions

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Materials Science

Background:

• Meloxicam (MX) exhibits poor water solubility and causes gastrointestinal side effects.
• Topical drug delivery offers an alternative to oral administration to mitigate adverse effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To formulate a hydroxypropyl guar (HPG) hydrogel containing meloxicam-hydroxypropyl cellulose (LHPC) solid dispersions (SD) for enhanced topical delivery.
• To investigate the impact of MX:LHPC ratios on drug solubility, hydrophilicity, and release kinetics.

Main Methods:

• Solid dispersions of meloxicam with hydroxypropyl cellulose were prepared.
• HPG hydrogels incorporating these solid dispersions were formulated.
• Characterization included SEM, DSC, FTIR, and viscosity studies.
• In vitro drug release studies were conducted and analyzed using zero-order, first-order, and Korsmeyer-Peppas models.

Main Results:

• Solid dispersions significantly increased meloxicam solubility and hydrophilicity.
• The MX:LHPC (1:2.5) hydrogel exhibited a porous structure and increased viscosity due to enhanced hydrogen bonding.
• In vitro release studies showed 3.20 to 3.97-fold increases in meloxicam release at 2 hours for SD-containing hydrogels compared to pure MX hydrogel.
• Drug release kinetics followed a transition from zero to first-order, with diffusion-controlled release indicated by the Korsmeyer-Peppas model.

Conclusions:

• Hydroxypropyl guar hydrogels containing meloxicam-hydroxypropyl cellulose solid dispersions offer an effective strategy for enhanced topical meloxicam delivery.
• This formulation approach improves drug solubility and release profiles, potentially reducing gastrointestinal side effects associated with oral meloxicam.