Abstract
The study aimed to enhance the dissolution behavior of carvedilol (CRV) as a model of weakly basic API (BCS Class II) through its formulation in liquisolid compacts (LSCs). Fifteen formulations of LSCs were prepared utilizing one of three nonvolatile solvents namely; PEG 200, Tween 20, or PVP/VA73 and evaluated for their quality attributes. The pure CRV and CRV-LSCs were examined by differential scanning calorimetry, powder X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Design of experiments was used to statistically explore the effect of the investigated variables on the dissolution behavior of CRV from the LSCs in comparison to the conventional directly compressed tablets at three different pH values. Mathematical modeling of data was carried out by computing the dissolution rate in the first 10 min (DR10) and the dissolution efficiency through 60 min (DE60%). The results of the study indicated that DR10 and DE60% of the optimized LSCs showed considerable faster and enhanced drug release than those of conventional tablets. The computed f(2) value was 8.23 indicating significant difference of LSCs dissolution profile compared with conventional tablets i.e. marked dissolution enhancement of CRV. The study concluded that the LS technique is a promising method to enhance the dissolution of poorly water-soluble drugs.