Encapsulation of aceclofenac hydrogel-based solid dispersion for sustained delivery

Purpose: To develop aceclofenac hydrogel-based solid dispersions (AC-HSDs) encapsulated in two modified gelatin capsules (MGCs as MGX1 and MGX2) for sustained drug delivery.Methods: The AC-HSDs were prepared with Eudragit L 100 (EL1 – EL5) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate (HP1 – HP5) at various drug: carrier ratios (1:1, 1:2, 2:1, 1:3, using solvent evaporation technique and characterized by percentage encapsulation efficiency (EE%), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In vitro drug release of 10mg (AC-HSDs) was investigated using USP Type I and in vivo anti-inflammatory study of (AC-HSDs; test), pure aceclofenac, and aceclofenac tablet (positive control; administered orally at 10 mg/kg body) was evaluated using the rat paw edema method.Result: Eudragit–based solid dispersions showed significantly higher entrapment efficiency compared to hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate–based formulation (p < 0.05). The DSC and SEM of both batches revealed discrete particle sizes and shapes with decreased crystallinity. The AC-HSDs encapsulated in MGX1 showed significantly prolonged drug release compared to MGX2 (p < 0.05). Furthermore, HP-SDs showed significantly higher edema inhibition (86 %) compared to pureaceclofenac and commercial aceclofenac tablets (p < 0.05)Conclusion: Aceclofenac hydrogel-based solid dispersions (AC-HSDs) encapsulated in MGCs show sustained release effects as an alternative technology to deliver aceclofenac.