Glibenclamide-malonic acid cocrystal with an enhanced solubility and bioavailability.

Objective: The objective of the work is to enhance the solubility, dissolution, and pharmacokinetic properties of glibenclamide (GLB) via cocrystallization technique.

Significance: Glibenclamide is an oral hypoglycemic agent used for treating non-insulin-dependent (type II) diabetes mellitus. It exhibits poor aqueous solubility and oral bioavailability, thereby compromising its therapeutic effect. Therefore, utilizing cocrystal approach for enhancing the solubility will modulate the physicochemical properties of GLB without altering its molecular structure.

Methods: Cocrystal was prepared by solution crystallization method using coformer malonic acid. The cocrystal was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) studies. The prepared cocrystal was subjected to solubility, dissolution, and pharmacokinetic studies.

Results: The DSC endotherms, PXRD patterns, and the FT-IR spectra of the cocrystal established the formation of a cocrystal. The formation of eutectic mixture was refuted upon comparing the DSC endotherm and PXRD pattern of the cocrystal with that of the physical mixture. GLB showed a twofold enhancement in solubility and a significant improvement in the rate of dissolution ( < 0.05, independent -test) after cocrystallization. The pharmacokinetic parameters on male Sprague Drawly rats showed 1.45 enhancement in AUC and 1.36-fold enhancement in the of GLB as compared to the pure drug.

Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that cocrystallization technique was able to tailor the solubility and dissolution profile of GLB leading to an enhanced pharmacokinetic property.