title: Mechanistic insights into acyclovir-polyethylene glycol 20000 binary dispersions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study is to provide a mechanistic insight into solubility enhancement and dissolution of acyclovir (ACY) by polyethylene glycol20000 (PEG20000).
  
  
  METHODS
  Solid dispersions with differing ratios of drug (ACY) and carrier (PEG20000) were prepared and evaluated by phase solubility,in vitrorelease studies, kinetic analysis,in situperfusion, andin vitropermeation studies. Solid state characterization was also done by Powder X-Ray Diffraction (PXRD), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis and surface morphology was assessed by Polarizing Microscopic Image (PMI) analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thermodynamic parameters proved the solubilization effect of carrier. The aqueous solubility and dissolution of ACY were increased in all samples. Formation of solid solution, crystallinity reduction, and absence of interaction between drug and carrier was proved by XRD, DSC, and FTIR analysis. The particle size reduction and change in surface morphology were confirmed by SEM and AFM and analysis. The permeation coefficient and amount of drug diffused was higher in samples as compared to ACY. The stability was high in dispersions, and it was proved by NMR analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The mechanical insights into the enhancement of solubility and dissolution could be used as a platform to improve the aqueous solubility for other poor water soluble drugs.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, AIMST University, Semeling 08100, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Krishnamoorthy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Venkateskumar
authors.affiliation: Unit of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, AIMST University, Semeling 08100, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Subramani
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parasuraman
authors.affiliation: Colloid Interface Science Centre, Centre of Excellence, Malaysian Rubber Board, Experiment Station, Sungai Buloh, Selangor DE, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Raju
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gunasunderi
authors.affiliation: KMCH College of Pharmacy, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Krishnan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sureshkumar
authors.affiliation: Spectroscopy Analytical Test Facility, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: M Muralidhar
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Nayak
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Puncak Alam Campus, Selangor, Dahrul Ehsan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Syed Adnan Ali
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: Unit of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, AIMST University, Semeling 08100, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Khoo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kassen
authors.affiliation: Unit of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, AIMST University, Semeling 08100, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Heng Wei
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Kai
keywords: Acyclovir; crystallinity; drug–polymer miscibility; solid dispersions; solid solution