Quality by Design approach for Optimization and Development of Cyclodextrin-Surfactant Complex Based Formulations for Bioavailability Enhancement of Valsartan

The main objective of the present research is to increase the oral bioavailability of Valsartan by inclusion complexes (ICVs) with a cyclodextrin-surfactant combination followed by the formulation of fast-dissolving tablets (FDTs). The solvent evaporation method was used for the preparation of ICVs. Methyl-ß-cyclodextrin and Hydroxypropyl-ß- cyclodextrin were evaluated with the combination of poloxamer 188 to get the formulations with the desired solubility. Central composite design (CCD) was used as the experimental design as a part of the quality by design (QbD) approach. The optimized ICVs were further developed into FDTs by direct compression technique. Taking concentration of povidone, type and concentration of disintegrant as the formulation factors, the FDTs were optimized using CCD. In-vivo bioavailability study in rats was performed for the optimized FDTs against the marketed tablets. The optimized ICVs were found to have a 3.12 mg/mL solubility. The optimized FDTs were found to be disintegrated in 18.7 sec and dissolved 90% of the dose in 6.3 min. The In-vivo results indicated that the FDTs exhibited rapid absorption and an increase in bioavailability by 24.1% against the marketed tablets. The results indicated that the QbD approach successfully improved Valsartan's oral bioavailability through cyclodextrin-surfactant complexation.