title: Formulation development and in vitro evaluation of solidified self-microemulsion in the form of tablet containing atorvastatin calcium.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of our present study was to prepare solid self-microemulsion in the form of tablet of a poorly water soluble drug, Atorvastatin calcium (ATNC) to increase the solubility, dissolution rate, and minimize the hazards experienced from liquid emulsions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Self-microemulsifying ATNC tablet was formulated mainly by using self-emulsifying base, solidifying agent silicon dioxide and sodium starch glycolate as tablet disintegrant. Self-emulsifying base containing Transcutol P, Gelucire 44/14, and Lutrol F68 with their ratios in the formulation, were best selected by solubility study and ternary phase diagram in different vehicles. Particle size of microemulsion from tablet, physical parameters of the tablet and drug content has been checked. In vitro drug release rate has been carried out in phosphate buffer medium (pH 6.8). Physicochemical characterization of the drug in the optimized formulation has been performed to check drug-excipient incompatibility, if any.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average particle diameter of the emulsions formed from the tablet was found to be below 100 nm in case of formulation F4 and F5, which indicated microemulsions has been formed. In vitro drug release from the formulations F3, F4, and F5 was found to be >90%, indicated the enhancement of solubility of ATNC compared to parent drug. Differential thermal analysis (DTA), Powder X-ray Diffraction (X-RD) and Fourier transform infra red (FTIR) study proved the identity of the drug in the optimized formulation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The tablet form of self-microemulsifying (SME) drug delivery is good for solubility enhancement.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Advanced Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University , Kolkata , India.
authors.forename: Kazi Asraf
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Biswajit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mukherjee
authors.forename: Amal Kumar
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Bandyopadhyay
mesh_terms: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D004055:Differential Thermal Analysis; D004339:Drug Compounding; D004655:Emulsions; D005079:Excipients / Q000737:chemistry*; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D007700:Kinetics; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D010316:Particle Size; D033362:Powder Diffraction; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D011786:Quality Control; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D012995:Solubility; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013213:Starch / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000737:chemistry; D013607:Tablets
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D004655:Emulsions; D005079:Excipients; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D011758:Pyrroles; D013607:Tablets; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D013213:Starch; C048390:sodium starch glycolate; D000069059:Atorvastatin