Enhanced oral delivery of griseofulvin: role of solubilising agents as permeation enhancer

The Griseofulvin, a Class II drug under the Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS), is characterized by low solubility and high permeability, which often results in poor bioavailability. This study investigated the use of various solubilizing agents, including propylene glycol, Transcutol® P, Tween 80, 2-hydroxypropyl β- cyclodextrin (2HP-β-CyD), polyethylene glycol (PEG) 400, Labrasol, and hydrogenated castor oil-60 (HCO), to enhance the solubility and pharmacokinetic profile of griseofulvin following oral administration in rats. Among the solubilisers tested, 10% (v/v) Transcutol® P significantly (p < 0.05) improved oral absorption, increasing the bioavailability of griseofulvin by 1.8-fold compared to the griseofulvin solution. Other solubilizing agents, however, showed no significant effect on absorption. These findings underscore the potential of Transcutol® P as an effective enhancer for the oral delivery of poorly soluble drugs such as griseofulvin. Keywords: Griseofulvin, pharmacokinetics, BCS Class II, Transcutol® P, solubilising agents.