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The objective of the current investigation was to enhance the solubility and dissolution rate of loratadine using solid dispersions (SDs) with Gelucire 50/13. SDs of loratadine using Gelucire 50/13 as carrier were prepared by the solvent evaporation method, characterized for drug content, dissolution behavior, and physicochemical characteristics by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies. At 10 % concentration of Gelucire 50/13, the increase in solubility was around 100-fold compared with pure drug. The solubility of loratadine in the presence of Gelucire 50/13 in water showed linear increase with increasing concentrations of Gelucire indicating AL-type solubility diagrams. The mean dissolution time (MDT) of loratadine decreased after preparation of SDs with Gelucire 50/13 indicating increased dissolution rate. FTIR studies showed the stability of loratadine and the absence of a well-defined interaction. DSC and XRD studies revealed the amorphous state of loratadine in SDs which was further confirmed from SEM. From the dissolution parameters, it is evident that the solubility and dissolution rate of loratadine was enhanced by SDs with Gelucire 50/13.

Pantoprazole sodium is a proton pump inhibitor used to treat peptic ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux. This drug is unstable in acid solution, in the presence of salts, as well as in UVC radiation. Hence the aim of present study was to develop microparticles that will protect the drug from degradation in gastric acid and increase its photostability. Microparticles were prepared by the solvent evaporation method using Eudragit S 100 as enteric polymer by varying drug: polymer ratios ranging from 1:1 to 1:4. The developed microparticles were characterized for surface morphology, particle size, encapsulation efficiency, and stability in acidic media. Microparticles obtained with the ratio 1:4 were spherical, had a smooth surface, and showed the highest percent entrapment of 67 ± 2.1%. Microparticles showed uniform size distribution; about 87% of microparticles were in the size range of 50 to 75 μm. In vitro dissolution studies showed no drug release in acidic media; further prolonged drug release for a period of 9 h was obtained with a 1:4 in phosphate buffer pH 7.4 following Higuchi release kinetics with regression value of 0.9896. Photodegradation studies were performed in solar light and in UV light at 254 nm and 366 nm for 7 days. The concentration of drug was determined spectrophotometrically at 290 nm. Percent degradation under solar light for pure drug was 25%, and no significant degradation was seen in drug-loaded microparticles. Degradation under UV radiation 254 nm and 366 nm was found to be 38.6% and 12.11% and 35.11% and 6.13% for pure drug and drug-loaded microparticles respectively. LAY ABSTRACT: Pantoprazole sodium is widely used in treatment of acid-related disorders and management of gastroesophageal reflux diseases. It is an acid-labile drug that degrades in the stomach at pH 1–2 and is highly unstable in UVC light. Hence the aim of research work was to improve photostability of pantoprazole and protect it from the acidic environment by loading in gastroresistant microparticles. Various batches of microparticles were prepared by the solvent evaporation method using Eudragit S 100 as an enteric polymer that solubilizes at pH 7. Developed microparticles were characterized for different parameters and the formulation showing the highest drug entrapment was selected for photodegradation studies. Photodegradation studies were performed in solar light and in UV light at 254 nm and 366 nm for 7 days. The concentration of drug was determined spectrophotometrically at 290 nm. The percent degradation under solar light for pure drug was 25% and no significant degradation was seen in drug-loaded microparticles. Degradation under UV radiation 254 nm and 366 nm was found to be 38.6% and 12.11% and 35.11% and 6.13% for pure drug and drug-loaded microparticles, respectively. Microencapsulation decreases the penetration as well as absorption of radiation, which enhances the protection of pantoprazole sodium.