Effect of some commercial grades of microcrystalline cellulose on flowability, compressibility, and dissolution profile of piroxicam liquisolid compacts

The technique of liquisolid compacts is a promising method toward enhancing the dissolution of poorly soluble drugs. Lower flowability and compressibility is one of the limitations of this technique. The evaluation of effects of different grades of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) on flowability, compressibility, and dissolution of liquisolid systems were the aims of this study. For this means, several formulations were prepared using various grades of MCC as carrier. Propylene glycol (PG), silica, and sodium starch glycolate were used as nonvolatile solvent, coating material, and disintegrant, respectively. Then flowability, friability hardness, and dissolution rate of prepared formulations were studied. The effect of tablet aging on mentioned properties was also investigated. The results showed that among the evaluated different grades of MCC, compacts containing MCC PH 101 and 102 showed better dissolution profiles. Harder compacts were obtained using MCC PH 101 and 200 as carriers. Better flowability was observed in compacts containing MCC PH 101. Also, these compacts demonstrated acceptable friability. Aging had no effect on hardness and dissolution profile of liquisolid tablets. It could be concluded that MCC PH 101 is a suitable carrier for preparing liquisolid systems for having acceptable flowability, friability, hardness, and dissolution profile. Copyright © Informa UK, Ltd.