Investigating the Effect of Mixed Hydrotropy Approach on Solubility Enhancement of Felodipine

Poorly soluble drugs are sources of concern in pharmaceutical formulations. Hydrotropes are compounds that enhance the solubility of insoluble materials in solvents. The hydrotropic solubilization concept is one of the most effective methods for avoiding the usage of organic solvents. The present research study used a hydrotropy strategy in order to enhance the solubility of felodipine implementing a mixed hydrotropic molecule. The experiment was carried out by assessing the medication’s solubility in combinations with hydrotropic agents. Sodium benzoate, nicotinamide, and sodium citrate were used at 10%w/v concentrations. Sodium benzoate and nicotinamide as a mixed hydrotropic agent increase the solubility of felodipine significantly in comparison with the other hydrotropic combination and its aqueous solubility. By using a solvent evaporation method, three formulas of felodipine mixed hydrotropic solid dispersions at different ratios were prepared. The drug content of prepared formulae has been established, FTIR, XRD, SEM, and dissolution studies. The achieved findings disclosed the solubility of felodipine increases synergistically by mixed hydrotropy six times in comparison with aqueous solubility of pure drug, F1(1:2) shows highest dissolution rate. FTIR results suggest no interaction between drug and hydrotropic agents. Reduced crystallinity was observed in XRD and SEM. The notion of mixed hydrotropic solid dispersion was demonstrated to be a cost-effective way for increasing the bioavailability of medications with low water solubility.