Investigation of fenofibrate solubility in the presence of chitosan

Fenofibrate is an active substance which is well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, but it is characterized by limited solubility. Due to a wide spectrum of its pharmacological activity, it would be beneficial to improve its solubility, and thus increase the drug absorption capability. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of chitosan on the solubility of fenofibrate incorporated into this polymer carrier. The study investigated fenofibrate in solid dispersions at the drug to polymer ratio of 3:7,5:5,7:3. The solubility investigation was performed by means of a dynamic method in a dissolution apparatus; mean amount of dissolved fenofibrate and the drug to polymer quantitative ratio in which the solid dispersion possessed the most beneficial properties improving the drug solubility were calculated. The study revealed a multi-fold increase (from 33 to 50 times) in fenofibrat solubility in the presence of chitosan, which increased with duration of the study and with increasing percentage of the polymer in formulations. The obtained results may help develop new technologies for fenofibrate preparations with chitosan, with better solubility characteristics, and thus increased bioavailability of the drug