Technology of preparation and evaluation of ketoprofen-chitosan solid dispersion

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of chitosan on the dissolution of ketoprofen incorporated into this polymer carrier. The study investigated ketoprofen in physical mixtures at the drug to polymer ratios of 1:9, 3:7, and 5:5. The solubility investigation was performed by means of a dynamic method in a dissolution apparatus; the mean amount of dissolved ketoprofen and the drug to polymer quantitative ratio in which the solid dispersion possessed the most beneficial properties improving the drug solubility were calculated. The study revealed a multifold increase (33 times) in ketoprofen solubility in the presence of chitosan, which increased with duration of the study and with increasing percentage of the polymer in formulations. The dissolution rates of ketoprofen in the presence of chitosan at the weight ratio 1:9 increased with the decrease of the molecular weight of the chitosan. The results obtained may help to develop new technologies for ketoprofen preparations with chitosan, with better solubility characteristics, and thus increased bioavailability of the drug.