Physicochemical Characterization and Dissolution Studies of Solid Dispersions of Clotrimazole with Pluronic F127

Purpose: To evaluate the physicochemical properties of clotrimazole (CLT) solid dispersion with Pluronic F127 (PLU).
Methods: Solid dispersions of the antifungal drug, clotrimazole, were prepared with Pluronic F127 using grinding (PM) and fusion (FUS) methods. Physicochemical characterization of the dispersions were performed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), x-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In vitro drug release was carried out using the rotating disc method.
Results: These studies showed that there was no chemical interaction between CLT and PLU. Release studies on the SDs showed a significant (> 90-fold) improvement in dissolution rate compared to pure CLT. The greatest increase in dissolution (< 80 %) was observed for the solid dispersion (CLT/PLU) prepared by FUS in the ratio 60:40 % w/w.
Conclusion: The results demonstrate that the developed solid dispersion system is a suitable approach for enhancing the dissolution rate of CLT.

Keywords
Clotrimazole; Pluronic F127; Solid dispersion; Dissolution; Differential scanning calorimetry; Phase diagram