In Vitro Dissolution Studies on Naproxen-PVP Nanoformulations Show Enhanced Oral Bioavailability of Naproxen

Phase solubility behavior, physico-chemical characteristics, cytotoxicity, morphology and dissolution enhancement of Naproxen-PVP Nanoformulations have been studied. Drug-polymer ratios of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4 for the poorly water-soluble drug, naproxen and the polymer PVP are prepared via wet milling using a conventional Retsch Planetary ball mill. The highest dissolution enhancement over that of the pure drug, 310% was achieved for the formulation ratio of 1:4. This ability of hydrophillic surfactant carriers to accelerate the in vitro dissolution of poorly water-soluble drugs has been attributed to wetting, solubilization and/or deflocculation. The Korsmeyer-Peppas model most aptly fits the in vitro dissolution data indicating a possible drug release mechanism predominated by anomalous non-Fickian diffusion thus helping improve the physicochemical characteristics of naproxen towards its dissolution enhancement and possibly increase the oral bioavailability of the drug without any adverse cytotoxic consequences.