Enhancing pravastatin solubility through solid dispersion and inclusion complexes with 2-hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin: A comparative study

Abstract

Poor solubility in water is a major hurdle for many drugs, causing low oral absorption and bioavailability, leading to the failure of approximately 41% of drugs worldwide. Lipophilic drugs, like Pravastatin, often struggle with low dissolution rates. In this study, two methods were explored to enhance Pravastatin's solubility using 2-hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin as a polymer. Solid dispersion formulations with varying drug-to-polymer ratios were prepared and analyzed, with the 1:3 ratio showing the most significant solubility improvement. Inclusion complexes were created using the kneading method, and again, the 1:3 drug-to-polymer ratio exhibited the highest solubility enhancement. Overall, both techniques proved effective in significantly enhancing Pravastatin's solubility, bringing it within an acceptable range, as assessed in vitro.