title: Antimalarial solid self-emulsifying system for oral use: in vitro investigation.
abstract: The low aqueous solubility of artemether and lumefantrine makes them less bioavailable. It is expected that by formulating self-microemulsifying drug-delivery systems (SMEDDS), their aqueous solubility and absorption will thus be enhanced. Results & methodology: Optimized liquid SMEDDS containing artemether and lumefantrine was adsorbed on Neusilin US2®employing spray drying technique to convert it into solid SMEDDS. Almost 90% of both drugs were released within 15 min in their respective official dissolution media. Drug assay and dissolution rate of solid SMEDDS remained unaltered after 3-month storage at 40°C and 75% relative humidity.
  
  
  
  Reconstitution of solid SMEDDS in water yielded microemulsion with a globule size of 67.74 nm. Complete and faster in vitro release of both drugs from solid SMEDDS was observed as compared with that from marketed tablets.
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutics Division, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab 147 002, India.
authors.forename: Sameer
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bhandari
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutics Division, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab 147 002, India.
authors.forename: Vikas
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rana
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutics Division, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab 147 002, India.
authors.forename: Ashok K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Tiwary
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D001682:Biological Availability; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004655:Emulsions; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000188:drug therapy; D012995:Solubility
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials; D004655:Emulsions
keywords: Neusilin US2; SMEDDS; artemether; design of experiment; lumefantrine; solid self-microemulsifying drug-delivery systems; spray drying