Solubility and Kinetic Release Studies of Naproxen and Ibuprofen in Soluble Epichlorohydrin-β-cyclodextrin Polymer

Naproxen (NAP) and ibuprofen (IBU) are poor water soluble anti-inflammatory drugs. A water-soluble epichlorohydrin-β-cyclodextrin polymer (β-CDEPI) was synthesized in a highly basic aqueous solution and at a molar ratio β-CD/EPI of 1:12. Drug solubility and kinetic release of NAP and IBU from the inclusion complexes they form with β-CDEPI as host was studied. Water solubility for both drugs in the presence of this polymer increased (NAP 0.28 mmol and IBU 0.40 mmol per gram of β-CDEPI). The apparent inclusion constants for both drugs in β-CDEPI were calculated from the solubility-phase diagrams with Kincl values of 4300 ± 100 L.mol− 1 for NAP and 5100 ± 300 L.mol− 1 for IBU. Kinetic release of Ibuprofen gave a pure Fick trend (t1/2) behavior. However, for Naproxen a zero order was obtained (t). These results indicate that the nature and bulkiness of the drugs are ruling these kinetic behaviors in the environment of a highly branched polymer.