Solubility enhancement technique: A review

Abstract

Solubility is the phenomenon of dissolution of solid in liquid phase to give a homogenous molecular dispersion which is essential to drug’s success. But majority of the active pharmaceutical ingredients are poor aqueous soluble, hydrophobic. The solubility, property of the drugs becomes one of the most challenging aspects in formulation development. Poor aqueous solubility results in important products not reaching the finished pharmaceuticals due to not achieving their full potential and therapeutic range. Hence poor aqueous solubility of drugs is major limiting factor with many new drugs in their successful launch in market inspite of their potential pharmacokinetic activity. Molecules that would have highly beneficial effect on their physiological target would not be further developed if their bioavailability is limited by their solubility in water. Aqueous solubility of drug also affects physical, chemical properties of the drug, dose, stability in gastrointestinal track, severs as standard for test of purity, the rate of dissolution of solid, rate and extent of absorption, achieve desired concentration of drug in systemic circulation for desired (anticipated) pharmacological response. Thus solubility is a most important concept presenting itself as valuable contributor in the formulation of pharmaceuticals. If the molecule has to survive the pharmaceutical development process the formulation scientist has to come up with new API with great demand in market. The usable pharmaceuticals with poor solubility must be answered well by solubilization techniques such as chemical modification which involve use of solubilizer such as soluplus, povacoat, dendrimers, and physical modification, complexation, use of surfactant which are becoming more and more important to the pharmaceutical sector by opening up pathway to prepare effective and marketable drugs are discussed in present review article.