Enhancing the solubility of nitazoxanide with solid dispersions technique: formulation, evaluation, and cytotoxicity study

Nitazoxanide (NTZ) is a synthetic form of nitrothiazole with a broad range of applications as an antiparasitic, antibacterial and antiviral agent. NTZ is a highly low aqueous soluble drug which possesses solubility of 0.00755 mg/mL and typically low bioavailability of 1%. Low aqueous solubility is usually regarded as prime prerequisites for enhanced absorption and bioavailability. The purpose of this study is to improve in vitro dissolution of the poorly soluble drug NTZ through amorphous solid dispersion technology. Three solid dispersions of NTZ were successfully prepared by hot-melt technique. It was further evaluated for drug content, DSC, XRD, SEM, TEM, FT-IR, in-vitro drug release study, in vitro MTT safety on HEK-293 and A-549 and stability study. The results of XRD showed after the formation of solid dispersions. The number of crystalline peaks has disappeared and confirmed the amorphous form of the drug. An in vitro release study showed that NTZ effectively released from solid dispersion into a simulated gastric releasing medium (pH 1.2). Further, the cytotoxicity study gave an indication of safe for human. Also, stability studies depicted no evident difference in the physical state of solid dispersion after six months. Hence, it can be concluded that the newly developed formulation was found to be safe and stable with enhanced solubility profile.