Pioglitazone (PGZ) is an antidiabetic agent belongs to thiazolidinediones. Binary systems of PGZ in the matrices of kollicoat IR (KL) and gelucire (GL) at different weight ratios were prepared by kneading and co-evaporation methods, respectively. The drug solid dispersions were characterized in terms of in vitro dissolution studies, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD). The effects of PGZ-KL (1:4) solid dispersion on the body weight, blood glucose, renal and hepatic functions of the diabetic rats were evaluated. Enhanced drug dissolution was observed in the case of PGZ-KL binary systems depending on the drug to polymer weight ratio. A reduction of 39.7, 32.7 and 26.6% for diabetic control, PGZ untreated and PGZ-KL (1:4), respectively, was recorded after 2 weeks. PGZ-KL (1:4) solid dispersion also showed significantly lower glucose blood level (p < 0.05) compared to the diabetic control group along the period of experiment. The level of ALT was highly significantly decreased in the animal group treated with PGZ-KL solid dispersion (p < 0.001). However, treatment of diabetic rats with either PGZ-KL or PGZ untreated significantly reduced the level of creatinine compared to the diabetic control and the difference between them was non-significant.
Keywords: Pioglitazone; antidiabetic; dissolution; hepatic function; kidney function; solid dispersion.