Isotropic medium chain mono-diglyceride/oil/water formulations for solubilization of lipophilic and hydrophilic drugs

The aim of the study was to investigate isotropic mono- and diglyceride (MCMDG)/oil/water systems as vehicles for combinations of hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs. For two-component systems, MCMDG was mixed with various masses of water. For MCMDG/oily vehicles/water systems, mixtures were prepared by mixing oil and MCMDG prior to the addition of the appropriate masses of water. The isotropic region was examined by visual inspection and confirmed using polarized light microscopy. Viscosities of the systems were determined. Solubilities of hydrophilic (levamisole HCl) and lipopohilic (abamectin) drugs were determined in the isotropic formulations by HPLC analysis. The isotropic regions in the two-component and three-component systems had water contents of up to 18% at 25 degreesC. The isotropic formulations exhibited Newtonion flow. The viscosity of formulations having the same percentage of water increased with increasing ratio of MCMDG to oil in three-component systems. The solubilities of the levamisole HCl and abamectin were higher in the isotropic MCMDG/sesame oil/water formulations than in equivalent MCMDG/water formulations. In some formulations, the solubility of levamisole HCl was higher in the absence of abamectin than in combination with abamectin. Isotropic MCMDG/oil/water systems were obtained without the use of co-surfactants. Increasing water content in the system did not proportionally increase the solubility of hydrophilic drug. Solubilization of hydrophilic drug was affected by lipophilic drug in the presence or absence of SO and lipophilic drug solubility was affected by hydrophilic drug in the absence of SO. These systems are suitable vehicles to deliver both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs and could be of interest for pharmaceutical formulations. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.