Solubility properties of racemic praziquantel and its enantiomers

The purpose of this study was to characterize the solubility and thermodynamic properties of the optical isomers of the anti-schistosomal drug, praziquantel (PZQ) and to compare these properties to those of the racemic product used in commercial preparations (Biltricide, generic drugs). The crystalline enantiomers of PZQ exhibited different thermal properties than the racemic drug. The melting points and the enthalpies of fusion obtained from the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) scans were nearly identical between the isomers and were substantially lower than those of racemic PZQ [(+/-)-PZQ]. The DSC results indicate that (+/-)-PZQ is a racemic compound and not a racemic mixture. This was confirmed by powder x-ray diffraction analysis and the IR spectra. The 30 degrees decrease in the melting point was reflected in increased solubility of the enantiomers, which amounted to twice that of the racemic PZQ. The behavior of the isomers in the presence of beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) was studied in water at 37 degrees C. The solubility data (phase solubility diagrams) were linear for up to the highest concentration of added beta-CD investigated. The apparent stability constants determined from the phase solubility diagrams showed that both the (+) and (-) enantiomers as well as (+/-)-PZQ exhibited moderate affinity to form a 1:1 complex in solution with beta-CD. The findings of this study may be of importance when efforts are considered to improve pharmaceutical formulation of this anti-schistosomal drug.