Preparation, characterization and in vivo evaluation of antihyperglycemic activity of microwave generated repaglinide solid dispersion.

The influence of microwave technology on the in vitro dissolution rate and in vivo antihyperglycemic activity of a poorly water soluble drug, repaglinide (RG) was studied. Solid dispersions were prepared by conventional fusion method and microwave method using poloxamer 188. The dispersions were characterized by solubility study, dissolution study, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Microwave generated solid dispersions exhibited remarkable improvement in solubility and dissolution rate compared to that of pure RG. Results of DSC, XRD and SEM study showed conversion of crystalline form of RG to amorphous form. In vivo studies revealed that the microwave generated solid dispersion showed significant improvements in antihyperglycemic activity as compared to RG alone, thus confirming the advantage of improved pharmacological activity of RG by microwave method. In conclusion, microwave method could be considered as simple, efficient and solvent free promising alternative method to prepare solid dispersion of poorly water soluble drug RG with significant enhancement in solubility, dissolution rate and antihyperglycemic activity.