Investigation into the possibility of using Syloid® XDP3150 as a carrier in liquisolids systems with atorvastatin calcium

Liquisolid systems (LSS) are an effective approach to improve bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs. A key step in their formulation is selecting a carrier with suitable absorption capacity, which, together with coating agent, converts the drug dispersion into dry powder with good flowability and tabletability [1]. The aim of this research was to improve the dissolution rate of atorvastatin calcium (ATC) from tablets by formulating LSS with carrier Syloid® XDP3150. LSS was prepared by mixing the liquid phase (a 2% solution of ATC in polyethylene glycol 400) with carrier, coating agent/colloidal silicon dioxide, superdisintegrant/croscarmellose sodium, and lubricant/sodium stearyl fumarate, using a pestle and mortar. Flowability of the prepared mixture was tested, and after compression using a laboratory compaction simulator (500 kg, 60 mm/min), the tablets' mechanical properties, disintegration time, and ATC dissolution rate were determined. Prepared mixture showed good flowability (Carr index=13%). Tensile strength was 1.02 MPa, while detachment and ejection stresses were 4.32 MPa and 3.05 MPa, respectively. Elastic recovery was 31.6%. Good flowability and acceptable compaction properties (tensile strength >1MPa; ejection stress <5MPa) [2,3] were achieved despite the high proportion of liquid phase present (35%). Disintegration time was short (<3 min). The dissolution rate profiles showed that ATC dissolved faster and more completely from LS tablets (>90% after 10 min) than from tablets of the same composition without polyethylene glycol 400 (~50% after 60 min). The results demonstrate the significant potential of LSS with a mesoporous silica-type carrier as a method to achieve improved dissolution of ATC from tablets.