Adeli2014 2 PDF

Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
DOI 10.1007/s40005-013-0108-x
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Design, formulation and evaluation of Azithromycin binary solid

dispersions using Kolliphor series for the solubility and in vitro
dissolution rate enhancement
Ehsan Adeli Seyed Alireza Mortazavi
Received: 1 September 2013 / Accepted: 20 October 2013

The Korean Society of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology 2013
Abstract The main purpose of this investigation is diffraction and scanning election microscopy. The disso-
increasing of the solubility and dissolution rate of Azith- lution rate and solubility of Azithromycin solid disper-
romycin by solid dispersion technique using Kolliphor sions was improved significantly using Kolliphor. In
P 237, Kolliphor P 338 and Kolliphor P 407. Kolliphor addition, the simplicity of this method is very effective and
(P 237, P 338 and P 407) in various properties by weight have been met the project objectives.
{(1:0.5), (1:1), (1:1.5) and (1:2)}, utilizing solvent evapo-
ration method. Dissolution studies carried out in phosphate Keywords Azithromycin Kolliphor Solid dispersion
buffer with pH 6.0 according to US pharmacopoeia Solubility Dissolution rate
method. The drug release profiles were studied, so we
found that the dissolution rate of the drug (by calculating
the dissolution parameters) was significantly increase
compared to pure drug, also solubility of physical mixtures Introduction
as well as solid dispersions increased compared to the
intact drug. For example solubility of the drug increased Azithromycin is an Azalide and a subclass of Macrolide
from 85753 lg mL-1 (for Kolliphor P 237; 8 times antibiotics. It is used orally for the treatment of bron-
more). The best results were as follows: Kolliphor chitis, certain types of skin infections, sore throat (phar-
P 237 [ Kolliphor P 338 [ Kolliphor P 407. IR spectra yngitis, tonsillitis), pneumonia and nosocomial infections
revealed no chemical incompatibility between drug and (Sweetman 2009). Azithromycin is generally used in
polymer. Drug-polymer interactions were investigated middle ear infections, tonsillitis, laryngitis, throat infec-
using differential scanning calorimetry, powder X-ray tions, bronchitis, pneumonia, typhoid etc. Macrolide
antibiotics as Azithromycin are bacteriostatic agents that
inhibit protein synthesis by binding reversibly to the 50s
ribosomal subunits of sensitive organisms. Azithromycin
is very active against M. catarrhalis, P. multocida,
Chlamydia spp., M. pneumoniae, L. pneumophila, B.
burgdorferi, Fusobacterium spp., and N. gonorrhoeae.
Azithromycin has enhanced activity against M. avium-
E. Adeli (&) intracellulare, as well as against some protozoa (e.g.,
The International Branch, Shahid Beheshti University of
Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium, and Plasmodium
Medical Sciences, No. 19, Shahid Abbasspour St., Vali-Asr Ave,
Tehran, Iran spp (Sweetman 2009). Now, this antibiotic is the worlds
e-mail: ehs.adeli@gmail.com most widely consumed antibiotic (Wipo 2013). Azithro-
mycin is one of the worlds best-selling antibiotics.
S. A. Mortazavi
Azithromycin is a poorly water-soluble drug, thus has low
School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical
Sciences, PO Box: 14155-6153, Tehran, Iran bioavailability. IUPAC name of Azithromycin (Fig. 1) is
e-mail: parseh14@gmail.com (Moffat et al. 2011; USP 2007):
123
E. Adeli, S. A. Mortazavi
Dressman 2000; Mura et al. 2005; Okonogi and Puttip-

ipatkhachorn 2006). It involved formation of eutectic
mixtures of drugs with water-soluble carriers by melting of
their physical mixtures, and once the carriers dissolved, the
drug precipitated in a finely divided state in water. So far,
no studies have been done on solubility and dissolution rate
of Azithromycin using Kolliphor or any surfactant. The
aim of the present study is improving the physicochemical
properties and increasing the solubility and dissolution rate
of Azithromycin using solid dispersion systems. The binary
solid dispersion systems using Azithromycin and three
molecular weight of Poloxamer with trade names Kolli-
Fig. 1 Chemical structure of Azithromycin (Moffat et al. 2011)
phor P 237, Kolliphor P 338, and Kolliphor P 407 in
various drug-to-carrier weight ratios were prepared by
[2R-(2R*,3S*,4R*,5R*,8R*,10R*,11R*,12S*,13S*,
solvent evaporation method. Poloxamers are nonionic tri-
14R*)]-13-[2,6-Dideoxy-3-C-methyl-3O-methyl-a-L-
block copolymers composed of a central hydrophobic
ribo-hexopyranosyl)oxy]-2-ethyl-3,4,10-trihydroxy-
chain of polyoxypropylene (poly(propylene oxide)) flanked
3,5,6,8,10,12,14-heptamethyl-11-[[3,4,6-trideoxy-3-
by two hydrophilic chains of polyoxyethylene (poly(eth-
(dimethylamino)-b-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-1-oxa-
ylene oxide)). The word of Poloxamer was coined by the
6-azacyclopentadecan-15-one
inventor, Irving Schmolka (Irving 1994), who received the
patent for these materials in 1973. Poloxamers are also
This drug with molecular formula of (C38H72N2O12.2H2O)
known by the trade names Synperonics, Pluronics and
and a molecular weight of 748/984 g mol-1 is a white
Kolliphor (earlier known as Cremophor) is a family of
crystalline powder (Moffat et al. 2011). One of the major
non-ionic solubilizers and emulsifiers. Therapeutically,
problems with this drug is its very poor solubility (belongs
modern drugs (as Paclitaxel or Ixabepilone) are rarely
to BCS1 class II) in biological fluids that results into poor
given in a pure chemical state, so most active ingredients
bioavailability after oral administration (Amidon et al.
are combined with excipients or additives such as Kolli-
1995). In order to increase of the solubility and dissolution
phor EL (Carson et al. 1972, 1973).
rate of the poorly soluble drugs and consequently, increase
in the bioavailability of them, could be applied various
techniques (Chiou and Riegelman 1971; Shim et al. 2012).
Materials and methods
One of these techniques is Solid dispersion. On the basis
of these considerations, defined Solid Dispersion as the
Materials
dispersion of one or more active ingredients in an inert
excipient or matrix, where the active ingredients could
Kolliphor P 237, Kolliphor P 338, and Kolliphor P
exist in finely crystalline, solubilized or amorphous states.
407 (Analytical grade), were purchased from BASF
The drug can be dispersed molecularly, in amorphous
(Ludwigshafen, Germany). Azithromycin (Pharmacopoeia
particles (clusters) or in crystalline particles (Chiou and
grade) was purchased from Fluka, USA. Ethanol 96 %
Riegelman 1971; Babu et al. 2003). Solid dispersion
(Analytical grade) was purchased from Merck, USA
technique has been used for a wide variety of poorly sol-
(Merck Serono Middle East, Dubai). All other chemical
uble-drugs (Chiou and Riegelman 1971) such as Nimesu-
reagents were of analytical grade.
lide, Ursodeoxycholic acid (Okonogi et al. 1997). Different
mechanisms are considered for drug solubility and disso-
Methods
lution rate enhancement using SDs. Particle size reduction
of drug to submicron size and consequent increase in sur-
Preparation of solid dispersions
face area seems to be one of the major factors (Craig 2002).
The transformation of drugs in solid dispersion from
Solid dispersions of Azithromycin were prepared in
amorphous form to crystalline form is one critical obstacle
{(1:0.5), (1:1), (1:1.5) and (1:2) by weight (Drug:Emulsi-
to making solid dispersion a practical approach in phar-
fier)} ratios by a solvent evaporation method. The 100 mg
maceutical industry. Utilization of surface adsorbents can
of Azithromycin was dissolved in minimum of amount of
be used as one approach to solve the problem (Leuner and
Ethanol 96 % in a beaker and carrier was added and mixed
to dissolve at 40 C on a hot plate to get a clear solution.
1
Biopharmaceutics Classification System. Then the solvent was allowed to evaporate. The prepared
123
Design, formulation and evaluation of Azithromycin
samples were sieved and stored in desiccators until sub- Saturation solubility
sequent analysis. The process of evaporation was obtained
until the constant weight. Results are shown in Tables 1, 2 Saturation solubility measurements were conducted to
and 3. evaluate the increase in solubility of Azithromycin, solid
dispersions and the physical mixture. The known excess
Preparation of physical mixtures (approximately 100 mg) of Azithromycin was added to
100 mL of phosphate buffer (pH 6.0). Samples were
Accurately weighed amount of Azithromycin and carriers rotated at 200 rpm and 25 C for 24 h and then samples
(Kolliphor P 237, P 338 and P 407) in various drug-to- were filtered, suitably diluted, and analysed by UV spec-
carrier weight ratios were thoroughly blended in glass trophotometer at 215 nm.
mortar for 5 min. The composition of various batches is
shown in Tables 1, 2 and 3. The physical mixtures were
Conditions of in vitro dissolution
prepared by weighing the calculated amount of Azithro-
mycin and the carrier and then mixing them in a glass
In vitro release studies of Azithromycin, solid dispersions
mortar by triturating. The products were kept in for further
and the physical mixture were carried out in USP Appa-
study.
ratus 2 (Erweka DT6R, Germany) in 900 mL of phosphate
buffer (pH 6.0) at 37.0 0.5 C and 100 rpm (USP 2007;
Characterization and evaluation of solid dispersions
The Indian Pharmacopoeia 2007). Dissolution studies were
and physical mixtures
carried out with 100 mg of pure drug and an equivalent
amount of preparations. Aliquots of 5 mL were withdrawn
Measurement and estimation of Azithromycin
at specified time intervals of 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45 and
60 min and replaced with fresh media. The samples were
Azithromycin was estimated at 215 nm (USP 2007; The
filtered with Whatman filter paper and analyzed spectro-
Indian Pharmacopoeia 2007) using UV spectrophotometer.
photometrically at 215 nm for the dissolved drug. The
In this concentration range good linearity was observed
dissolution studies were performed in triplicate.
with the correlation coefficient (R2 = 0.9998). The graph
obeyed the BeerLamberts law in the selected concen-
tration range. Standard curve for the estimation was pre- Dissolution efficiency (DE)
pared in phosphate buffer pH 6.0 in concentration range of
230 lg/mL. Dissolution efficiency is a parameter for evaluation of
in vitro dissolution data. This parameter is equal to the
Determination of drug content total area under the curve of the dissolution curve at
time t. DE also expressed as percentage of the area of
Drug content was determined by dissolving accurately the rectangle described by 100 % dissolution at the same
weighed quantities of SD systems (Drug:Carrier) in phos- time. Dissolution efficiency (DE %) was calculated to
phate buffer (pH 6.0). The solutions were filtered and was calculated based on the area under the dissolution
diluted appropriately then samples were measured spec- curve from t = 0 to t min, measured by trapezoidal
trophotometrically at 215 nm (The Indian Pharmacopoeia rule, expressed as a percentage of the area at maximum
2007). The model of spectrophotometer was SHIMADZU dissolution (Khan 1975; Anderson et al. 1998; Deepti
UVmini 1240 Spectrophotometer, Japan. and Madan 2007).
Table 1 Solubility studies of pure Azithromycin, solid dispersions and the physical mixture containing of Kolliphor P 237 (n = 3, mean SD)
Formulation code Preparation type Drug: carrier Theoretical drug content Assayed drug content Saturation
solubility
Amount in mg Expressed in % Amount in mg Expressed in % (lg/mL)
Azithromycin Pure drug 1:0 100 100 99.92 1.22 99.92 85 1.08
SDK1 Solid dispersion 1:0.5 66.67 100 66.20 0.34 99.30 469 1.33
SDK2 Solid dispersion 1:1 50 100 49.42 0.08 98.84 581 2.19
SDK3 Solid dispersion 1:1.5 40 100 39.33 0.55 98.31 675 1.31
SDK4 Solid dispersion 1:2 33.33 100 32.25 0.23 96.75 753 1.67
PMK4 Physical mixture 1:2 33.33 100 33.00 0.78 99.02 328 1.81
123
solubility
solubility
Rt !
y:dt pans and heated from 10.0 to 170.0 C at a heating rate of
0
Dissoution Efficiency DE% 100 10 C min-1 in Nitrogen atmosphere. An empty sealed
y100
t
Aluminum pan was used as reference.
Statistical analysis
Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD)
All data obtained from dissolution and solubility studies
were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Powder X-Ray diffraction patterns of plain Azithromycin,
Tukey post test (van Belle 2008; Hinkelmann and Kemp- pure Kolliphor, solid dispersion systems of Azithromycin
thorne 2008). and the physical mixture with Kolliphor were recorded
using a powder X-Ray diffractometer (PHILIPS PW 1800
Infrared (IR) spectroscopy X-Ray Diffraction Machine, The Netherlands) with a
copper tube anode over the interval 590 2h-1. The
The IR spectra of Azithromycin, solid dispersion and the operational parameters were as follows: generator tension
physical mixture were obtained using IR spectrometer (voltage) of 45 kV; generator current of 40 mA; scan step
(PerkinElmer 843 System, USA). About 23 mg of the time of 9 s-1 and scan step size of 0.008 (2h).
sample was mixed with dry KBr and the spectra scanned
over wave number range of 4,000200 cm-1. An average Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
of 20 scans was taken.
The surface morphology of samples was determined using an
Differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) analytical scanning electron microscope (VEGA\\TESCAN-
LMU, Czech Republic, equipped with thermo-emission
Differential scanning calorimetry of pure Azithromycin, cathode [Balzers Union Ltd, Balzers, Lichtenstein]). The
Kolliphor and all preparations was done using a (SHI- samples were placed on sample disc carrier carbon stub
MADZU DSC-60, Japan). The calorimeter was calibrated (10 mm diameter, 3 mm height) and coated with gold under
using Indium as standard at 156.6 1 C. Accurately vacuum (0.25 Torr). The samples were monitored then an
weighed samples (6.00 mg) were crimped in Aluminum image was generated using a 30 kV electron beam.
123
Table 4 Dissolution parameters for pure Azithromycin, various solid dispersions and physical mixtures (n = 3, mean SD)
Formulation code Preparation type Drug:carrier DE10 (%) DE30 (%)
Azithromycin Pure drug 1:0 4.50 1.12 14.32 0.99

SDK1 Solid dispersion 1:0.5 51.12 1.07 65.22 1.18
SDK2 Solid dispersion 1:1 54.39 2.11 69.45 1.44
PMK4 Physical mixture 1:2 32.56 2.07 40.55 1.59
100 100
Cumulative Drug Release (%)
80 80
Pure Drug
Pure Drug
PMK4 60
60 PMK12
SDK1
SDK9
40 SDK2 40
SDK10
SDK3
20 SDK11
20 SDK4
SDK12
0 0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
-20 -20 Time (Min)

Time (Min)
Fig. 2 In vitro dissolution release profiles of pure Azithromycin, Fig. 4 In vitro dissolution release profiles of pure Azithromycin,
solid dispersions, and the physical mixture containing of Kolliphor solid dispersions, and the physical mixture containing of Kolliphor
P 237 (n = 3, mean SD) P 407 (n = 3, mean SD)
Results and discussion

100
Saturation solubility studies

80
Pure Drug
60 PMK8 The saturation solubility was determined and results were
SDK5 presented in Tables 1, 2 and 3. Solid dispersions percent-
40 SDK6 age drug content for drug:Kolliphor P 237 was in the
SDK7 range of 96.7599.30 %, for drug:Kolliphor P 338 was in
20
SDK8 the range of 98.1899.37 % and drug:Kolliphor P 407 was
0 in the range of 98.7299.53 %. All determinations are
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 mean SD; and the number of measurements is equal to
-20 Time (Min) three (n = 3). Maximum aqueous solubility of Azithro-
mycin (in the phosphate buffer medium with pH 6.0) was
Fig. 3 In vitro dissolution release profiles of pure Azithromycin,
solid dispersions, and the physical mixture containing of Kolliphor observed in the SDK4 formulation (drug:Kolliphor P 237
P 338 (n = 3, mean SD) with 1:2 ratio) and it is about 753 1.67 lg mL-1
123
Fig. 5 IR spectra of: a pure Azithromycin, b Kolliphor P 237,

c SDK4 and d PMK4
(8.9 times more compared to pure drug), for SDK8 for-

Fig. 6 IR spectra of: a pure Azithromycin, b Kolliphor P 338,
mulation (drug:Kolliphor P 338) 608 1.01 lg mL-1 c SDK8 and d PMK8
and SDK12, 578 1.01. The SDK4 was the best sample.
The Results were shown in Tables 1, 2 and 3. The maxi- solubilisation of surfactant with the higher molecular
mum of drug solubility of SDK4; SDK3 and SDK8 are in weight (Parmar et al. 2011; Bashiri-Shahroodi et al. 2008;
next rank respectively. As a result, solid dispersions with Ha et al. 2012).
drug:Kolliphor P 237 or drug:Kolliphor P 338 ratios of
1:2, were considered as the best formulations compared to In vitro dissolution studies
untreated Azithromycin. The probable reason for the
improvement in the saturation solubility and increasing of As shown in Table 4, there was a significant difference
drug release in the SD formulation depends on the fol- (p \ 0.05) between DE30 obtained for SDK4, SDK8 and
lowing factors: SDK12 compared to the untreated drug. The same results were
achieved for solid dispersions prepared using Kolliphor
1) The local solubilizing action of the carriers
P 237. The DE30 values obtained for drug:carrier ratios equal
2) Reduced drug particle size
to 1:2 (SDK4) were significantly higher than formulations
3) Decreased particle aggregation
prepared with lower amount of Kolliphor, although they were
4) Higher wettability of drug in the presence of hydro-
better than the results achieved for 1:2 ratios (SDK4, SDK8
philic carrier
and SDK12). The dissolution rate of pure Azithromycin was
5) Emulsifying specifications of surfactants
very poor and maximum of the drug released for plain drug
Above factors could be considered as the most probable was about 22 % during 60 min. The dissolution rate of
mechanisms for enhanced dissolution rate of Azithromycin Azithromycin in physical mixtures also improved but to a
from solid dispersion systems. But comparing the solubility lesser extent than the respective solid dispersions (Table 4;
of physical mixtures of drug:surfactant can be found that Figs. 2, 3 4). Figure 2 shows comparative release profile of
surfactant with higher molecular weight as Kolliphor various solid dispersions and the physical mixture of Azith-
P 407 has higher solubility. This is due to power of romycin with Kolliphor P 237. The best result was related to
123
this group. Prepared solid dispersions using solvent evapora- 60 min) among SDK1 to SDK4. Also SDK9 (65.76 % at
tion technique were shown the desired result. The SDK4 60 min) has minimum drug release. A formulation containing
formulation shows the greater drug release (88.25 % at Kolliphor P 237 (SDK4) and Kolliphor P 338 (SDK8) or
Kolliphor P 407 dissolved well after 30 min and showed
higher dissolution efficiency in comparison to the intact drug;
the DE parameter confirms this results (DE30,SDK4 = 77.58
and DE30,SDK8 = 75.64 and DE30,SDK12 = 74.48 respec-
tively are the highest DE). All of the three selected samples
(SDK4, SDK8, and SDK12) showed good results (among
each series was selected a sample [with fewer percentage of
carrier]). Finally, if we had to choose one of the selected
samples, that is SDK4. SDK4, SDK8 and SDK12 as the best
formulations were selected for additional testing and further
experiments. This is due to the increasing of the solubility of
Azithromycin by the presence of hydrophilic emulsifier car-
riers surrounding the drug particles. Increasing percentage of
surfactant shows obvious dissolution improvement (upto a
certain amount). According to these results, the dissolution
characteristics of Azithromycin in all systems showed sig-
nificant improvement (p \ 0.05).
(1) This might be attributed to the viscous layer formed
around the solid particles due to higher Kolliphor P 237
concentrations and therefore decreased the diffusion coef-
ficient (based on StokesEinstein equation) and lower drug
dissolution (Bashiri-Shahroodi et al. 2008; Bolourchian
et al. 2013).
(2) Also the probable reason for the improvement in the
dissolution rate in the physical mixture was the local sol-
ubilizing action of Kolliphor P 237.
Fig. 7 IR spectra of: a Pure Azithromycin, b Kolliphor P 407,
Overall, the solubility studies show that solid dispersion
c SDK12 and d PMK12 technique can be an effective method for increase of
Fig. 8 DSC thermograms of Pure Azithromycin
123
Fig. 9 DSC multi thermograms

of: a Pure Azithromycin,
b Kolliphor P 237, c SDK4 and
d PMK4
Fig. 10 DSC multi

thermograms of: a Pure
Azithromycin, b Kolliphor
P 338, c SDK8 and d PMK8
Azithromycin solubility with Kolliphor P 237 (upto 4 characteristic peaks at 1,724 cm-1 (C=O stretch),
times more compared to pure drug). Comparison of the 1,190 cm-1 (COC asymmetrical stretching) and
effect of increasing the solubility and dissolution rate in the 1,049 cm-1 (COC symmetrical stretching). The base IR
all used carriers in present study is as follows: peaks of the Kolliphor P 237 observed in 2,907 cm-1 for
Kolliphor P 237 [ Kolliphor P 338 [ Kolliphor P 407 CH stretch and 1,349 cm-1 for OH stretch and
1117 cm-1 for COC (Fig. 5b). Figures 5c, d show the
same characteristic peaks. These peaks appeared due to the
IR spectroscopy similar chemical structure. The IR base peaks of Kolliphor
P 338 and Kolliphor P 407 depicted in Figs. 6b and 7b
The Figs. 5, 6 and 7 depict IR spectra of pure Azithro- respectively. For Kolliphor P 407 the major peaks
mycin, Kolliphor P 237, Kolliphor P 338 and Kolliphor observed in 2981 cm-1 for CH stretch and 1344 cm-1 for
P 407 also the physical mixture and solid dispersions. OH stretch and 1120 cm-1 for COC (Fig. 6b), (Parmar
Separately spectrum of Azithromycin (Fig. 5a) shows et al. 2011). IR spectra of solid dispersions (SDK4, SDK8
123
Fig. 11 DSC multi

thermograms of: a Pure
Azithromycin, b Kolliphor
Fig. 12 PXRD diffractograms of: a Pure Azithromycin, b Kolliphor Fig. 13 PXRD diffractograms of: a Pure Azithromycin, b Kolliphor
P 237, c SDK4 and d PMK4 P 338, c SDK8 and d PMK8
123
Decomposition endothermic peak of the plain drug is depicted

at 144.28 C in illustrator 10a. Endothermic peaks do not
show interaction between the drug and the carriers this is
confirmed by the IR and PXRD studies. Elimination or merger
some of the peaks are due to dissolving the drug in the carrier.
PXRD studies
Diffractogram of Azithromycin (Figs. 12a, 13a or 14a)

shows sharp peaks at 2h value diffraction angles of 9.56
(with intensity 3855), 7.72, 20.67, 19.59, 23.80, 17.31,
28.68 and 26.55. These peaks have appeared in Fig. 12a.
The main peaks Kolliphor P 237 (12b) observed at
19.43and 23.94. Kolliphor P 338 has diffraction angles
at 19.45 and 23.65 (Fig. 13b) and finally 2h diffraction of
Kolliphor P 407 despites at 19.35 and 23.64 (Fig. 14b).
Despite crystalline percentage of the drug (88.27 %) is
present in the samples but has decreased from it (% crys-
talline of SDK4 = 59.50 %, SDK8 = 67.43 % and
SDK12 = 62.77 %) due to drug loading onto carrier sur-
face (Figs. 12c, 13c and 14c). A few less intense and wide
diffraction peaks of plain Azithromycin are observed,
which may be attributed to due to higher temperature
during preparation process of solid dispersion that some of
the amorphous drug may have crystallized (Figs. 12c, 13,
14c). Finally, as can be seen in the Figs. 12, 13, 14, still the
crystalline structure of the drug in solid dispersions is
maintained but the percentage of Azithromycin crystallin-
ity is reduced (The most intense peak of SDK4 at 9.79 2h
with intensity 1,009). Perhaps this is one of the reasons of
solubility increasing.
Fig. 14 PXRD diffractograms of: a Pure Azithromycin, b Kolliphor
SEM studies
and SDK12 displayed in Figs. 5c, 6c, 7c) and physical In order to investigate the changes in the surface area of
mixtures (displayed in Figs. 5d, 6d, 7d) show no sub- the samples, in this study we used SEM with various
stantial shifting of the position of the functional groups magnifications (5009 and 2,5009). Figure 15 reveals that
(Patel et al. 2013).Analysis by IR spectroscopy was carried Azithromycin (Fig. 15a) showed cubic-like crystals with
out to assess any possible interaction between drug and irregular borders (Cubic shape crystals with sharp edges
Kolliphor. In addition, The IR spectra show that has not constitute morphology of crystalline of Azithromycin).
occurred particular changes between carriers and the drug. The physical mixture of the Azithromycin with Kolliphor
(Fig. 15c, d, e, f) showed the presence of drug attached on
DSC studies the surface of carrier (not dispersed in the carrier com-
pletely) which is justified by DSC results in physical
The DSC thermogram of Azithromycin (Fig. 8), Kolliphor mixtures. On the other hand, the photomicrographs of the
P 237, Kolliphor P 338, Kolliphor P 407, physical mixture solid dispersion (Fig. 15c, d, e, f) show that Azithromycin
and selected solid dispersion systems are given in the Figs. 9, might have dispersed in the carrier. It is clear that mor-
10 and 11. Differential scanning calorimetry shows sharp phological differences are seen between Azithromycin
endothermic fusion peak at (109.45127.77 C), which is alone, physical mixture and solid dispersion. These
corresponding to the melting point of Azithromycin (Figs. 9a, observations show that the determinations from DSC
10a or 11a). For example, endothermic peak of thermograms study are justified from SEM studies. Despite the length of
of Kolliphor P 237 has appeared at 61.38 C (Fig. 9b). the needle and cubic-shaped crystals of Azithromycin,
123
Fig. 15 SEM of: a Pure

Azithromycin; Magnification
9500, b Pure Azithromycin;
Magnification 92,500, c SDK4;
Magnification 9500, d SDK4;
Magnification 92,500, e SDK8;
Magnification 9500 and
f SDK12; Magnification 9500
because of solid dispersion process became significantly morphological of the solid dispersions. In the present
shorter, compared to Azithromycin alone (Fig. 15). Ulti- study the drug exist the crystalline state within solid dis-
mately, SEM studies show the properties of surface persion samples.
123
Table 5 Drug content of selected formulations after stability studies according to ICH guidelines (n = 3, mean SD)
Storage conditions 40 2 C 75 5 %RH time Azithromycin SDK4 SDK8 SDK12
0 days 99.92 1.27 96.75 0.17 98.18 0.79 98.72 2.55

60 days 99.90 0.14 96.53 1.67 98.01 2.11 98.59 2.93
120 days 99.88 0.78 96.45 1.99 97.83 1.81 98.51 1.19
Physical stability studies (Valizadeh et al. 2004; Narasaiah et al. 2011; Shim et al.
2012).
In order to the optimized formulations were charged for
accelerated stability studies as per ICH2 guidelines. For a Acknowledgments This article does not contain any studies with
human and animal subjects performed by any of the authors. All
period of 120 days studies at 40 2 C and 75 5 % RH
authors (E. Adeli. S. A. Mortazavi) declare that they have no conflict
in environmental test chamber (Electrolux, Germany), the of interest. The paper is taken from a part of PharmD. Thesis of Ehsan
samples (each 100 mg, n = 3) were kept for stability. The Adeli, The International Branch, Shahid Beheshti University of
samples were kept in glass vials sealed with rubber plugs. Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
10 mg of stored samples were taken out at 15, 30, 60, 90
and 120 days, they were analyzed for drug content and
physical change (Table 5). References
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SD samples was clearly increased compared to pure drug. efficiency for the comparison of in vitro dissolution profiles.
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Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation

Design, formulation and evaluation of Azithromycin binary solid

Received: 1 September 2013 / Accepted: 20 October 2013

Dressman 2000; Mura et al. 2005; Okonogi and Puttip-

Azithromycin Pure drug 1:0 4.50 1.12 14.32 0.99

Cumulative Drug Release (%)

-20 -20 Time (Min)

Results and discussion

Saturation solubility studies

Fig. 5 IR spectra of: a pure Azithromycin, b Kolliphor P 237,

(8.9 times more compared to pure drug), for SDK8 for-

Fig. 8 DSC thermograms of Pure Azithromycin

Fig. 9 DSC multi thermograms

Fig. 10 DSC multi

Fig. 11 DSC multi

Decomposition endothermic peak of the plain drug is depicted

Diffractogram of Azithromycin (Figs. 12a, 13a or 14a)

Fig. 15 SEM of: a Pure

0 days 99.92 1.27 96.75 0.17 98.18 0.79 98.72 2.55

Amidon GL, Lennernas H, Shah VP, Crison JR (1995) A theoretical

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