Dissolution Enhancement of Lovastatin by Liquisolid Compact Technique and Study of Effect of Carriers

Lovastatin is a poorly soluble, BCS class II drug belonging to the category of anti-hyperlipidemics having poor bioavailability (<5%).The present study is designed to enhance the dissolution rate and bioavailability of Lovastatin by Liquisolid compacts and to evaluate the effect of carriers on drug dissolution rates. Lovastatin Liquisolid tablets were prepared by using different carriers namely PEG-4000, PEG-6000, HPMC E-15, starch and microcrystalline cellulose. Aerosil was used as coating material. Propylene glycol was chosen as nonvolatile liquid vehicle and Polyplasdone as disintegrant. The mathematical model was applied precisely to calculate the amount of carrier and coating ratios. The prepared liquisolid systems were evaluated for their micromeritic and tabletting properities and they are found to be in the acceptable limits.Drug-polymer interaction studies like FTIR and DSC were performed and results showed that there were no possible interaction between drug and the excipients. It was found that Liquisolid tablets formulated with starch as carrier produced higher dissolution profile with acceptable tablet properties compared to conventional tablet. In conclusion, development of Lovastatin Liquisolid tablets is a good approach to enhance the dissolution rate.