Comparison of Crystalline and Amorphous Carriers to Improve the Dissolution Profile of Water Insoluble Drug Itraconazole

The present study investigates the effect of crystalline and amorphous carriers for the improvement of dissolution profile of broad spectrum antifungal agent Itraconazole. A comparative study was performed to estimate the ability of Poloxamer-407 (crystalline carrier) and modified Gum Karaya (amorphous carries) for enhancing the dissolution profile of Itraconazole (BCS class II). Solid dispersions prepared (using Poloxamer-407) by hot melt method, exhibited 92% drug release at the end of 2 hrs with good percent yield and percent drug content. While solid dispersions prepared (using modified gum karaya) by solvent evaporation method, exhibited 86% drug release at the end of 2 hrs but it possessed low drug content and low drug yield. Thus, complete amorphous state and absence of crystalline peaks of Itraconazole were observed with Poloxamer-407 while presence of small number of crystalline peaks with much reduced intensity (of Itraconazole) shifting towards lower melting endotherm were observed in case of modified gum karaya.