Liquisolid Technique: a Novel Tool to Develop Aceclofenac-Loaded Eudragit L-100 and RS-100-Based Sustained Release Tablets

One of the main problems with NSAIDs is the dosing frequency, which leads to patients’ noncompliance. To overcome this, fabrication of sustained release formulation of the drug is considered a well-reputed technique. The present study aimed to develop sustained release formulation of a model drug aceclofenac through the new liquisolid technique.

Methods
Liquisolid powder prepared using glycerin as the liquid vehicle was subjected to pre-compression evaluation, including bulk and tapped densities, Carr’s compressibility index, Hausner’s ratio, angle of slide, FTIR, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray crystallography studies were investigated for any complex formation between drug and excipients, as well as crystal form alterations during the manufacturing process. Powders were compressed into tablets and quality control tests; in vitro dissolution test and storage stability studies were carried out.

Results
The release of aceclofenac was at a predetermined rate and followed zero-order kinetic models. AFM confirmed the surface morphology and particles were well adsorbed by the carrier material. FTIR and DSC studies suggested no drug–excipients interaction and the drugs were found in an amorphous form, which was confirmed through XRD. Upon storage at the given conditions of humidity and temperature, the formulation was found stable.

Conclusion
The study proved that liquisolid technique can be used successfully to develop a sustained release formulation. More on liquisolid technique

Keywords: Aceclofenac, Liquisolid technique, Sustained release formulation, Drug release kinetics, Stability, Methacrylic acid (Eudragit L-100 and RS-100),  colloidal silicon dioxide (Aerosil −200), Glycerin, phosphate,  sodium hydroxide pellets,  Tween-80, PEG 200 and 400