Purpose: The article reports a wet milling process, where the planetary ball mill was combined with pearl milling technology to reach nanosize range of meloxicam (Mel; 100-500 nm). The main purpose was to increase the dissolution rate and extent of a poorly water-soluble Mel as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug as well as to study its permeability across cultured intestinal epithelial cell layers.
Methods: Viscosity of milled dispersion and particle size distribution and zeta potential of Mel were investigated and differential scanning calorimeter and X-ray powder diffractometer were used to analyse the structure of the suspended Mel. Finally in vitro dissolution test and in vitro cell culture studies were made.
Results: It was found that the ratio of predispersion and pearls 1:1 (w/w) resulted in the most effective grinding system (200-fold particle size reduction in one step) with optimized process parameters, 437 rpm and 43 min. Nanosuspension (1% Mel and 0.5% poly[vinyl alcohol]) as an intermediate product showed a stable system with 2 weeks of holding time. This optimized nanosuspension enhanced the penetration of Mel across cultured intestinal epithelial cell layers without toxic effects.
Conclusion: The dissolution rate of Mel from the poly(vinyl alcohol) stabilized nanosuspension justified its applicability in the design of innovative per oral dosage form (capsule) in order to ensure/give a rapid analgesia.
Keywords: intermediate product; meloxicam; milled dispersion; milling efficiency; nanonization; zeta potential.