Optimization and evaluation of lyophilized fenofibrate nanoparticles with enhanced oral bioavailability and efficacy

AbstractThe objective of this study was to enhance physiochemical properties as well as oral bioavailability of the poorly water soluble drug fenofibrate (FB), through preparation of amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs). ASDs were prepared via freeze drying using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) K30 and poloxamer 188 as hydrophilic carriers. Formulations were optimized by 32 full factorial design (FFD) with PVP-K30 level (X1) and poloxamer 188 level (X2) as independent variables and particle size (Y1), zeta potential (Y2), drug content (Y3) and dissolution rate (T90, [Y4]) as dependent variables. Optimized FB nanoparticles were physicochemically evaluated and formulated into lyophilized sublingual tablets. Pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamics and histological finding of optimized formulation were performed on rabbits. Y1 and Y4 were significantly affected by independent variables while Y2 and Y3 were not affected. Physicochemical characterization showed the drug was in amorphous state, nanometer range and pharmacoph...