Preparation and Characterization of Fenofibrate-Loaded PVP Electrospun Microfibrous Sheets
Emese Sipos,
Tamás Csatári,
Adrienn Kazsoki,
Attila Gergely,
Enikő Bitay,
Zoltán-István Szabó,
Romána Zelkó
Affiliations
Emese Sipos
Department of Drugs Industry and Pharmaceutical Management, University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Targu Mures, Gh. Marinescu 38, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
Tamás Csatári
Department of Drugs Industry and Pharmaceutical Management, University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Targu Mures, Gh. Marinescu 38, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
Adrienn Kazsoki
University Pharmacy Department of Pharmacy Administration, Semmelweis University, H-1092 Hőgyes Endre utca 7-9, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
Attila Gergely
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Technical and Human Sciences, Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania, Corunca, 1C, 540485 Targu Mures, Romania
Enikő Bitay
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Technical and Human Sciences, Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania, Corunca, 1C, 540485 Targu Mures, Romania
Zoltán-István Szabó
Department of Drugs Industry and Pharmaceutical Management, University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Targu Mures, Gh. Marinescu 38, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
Romána Zelkó
University Pharmacy Department of Pharmacy Administration, Semmelweis University, H-1092 Hőgyes Endre utca 7-9, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
Fenofibrate-loaded electrospun microfibrous sheets were prepared in an attempt to enhance the dissolution of the poorly soluble antihyperlipidemic agent and to improve its bioavailability. Physicochemical changes that appeared during the electrospinning process were monitored using a wide array of solid-state characterization techniques, including attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy, while fiber morphology was monitored via scanning electron microscopy. Dissolution studies carried out both in 0.025 M sodium dodecyl sulfate and in water revealed an immediate release of the active agent, with an approximately 40-fold release rate enhancement in water when compared to the micronized active agent. The dramatic increase in dissolution was attributed partially to the amorphous form of the originally crystalline active agent and the rapid disintegration of the electrospun microfibrous sheet due to its high surface area and porosity. The obtained results could pave the way for a formulation of the frequently used antihyperlipidemic agent with increased bioavailability.
