Preparation and In Vivo Evaluation of Nimodipine Solid Dispersions

Nimodipine, a poorly soluble drug, was considered to be fit for solid dispersions to improve its solubility and bioavailability. Our study intended to prepare Nimodipine solid dispersions by solvent evaporation method using various novel polymers. Solubility and dissolution studies indicate that Kolliwax RH 40 and SLS is the most suitable polymer. The solubility studies were corresponded with dissolution data and the formulation SD15 was found to be having highest drug release of about 98.96±5.15% in about 90 minutes. In-vitro release data from several formulations containing XRD and SEM studies indicate no crystallinity in the optimized formulation SD15. FTIR studies suggested good drug excipient compatibility between all components of prepared formulation. From in vivo bioavailability studies, Cmax of the optimized formulation SD15 was 4.34±0.08ng /ml, was significantly higher as compared to pure drug suspension, i.e., 2.78±0.35ng/ml. Tmax of optimized formulation was decreased significantly when compared with pure drug (1.00±0.05hr, 2.00±0.01hr), AUC0-? and AUC0-t for optimized solid dispersion formulation was significantly higher (p<0.05) as compared to pure drug suspension. The present study demonstrated that formulation of Nimodipine solid dispersion by solvent evaporation technique is a highly effective strategy for enhancing the bioavailability of poorly water soluble Nimodipine.