Solubilization of lipophilic drugs is essential for efficient uptake. We detail the solubilization of imatinib in simulated gastrointestinal fluids containing taurocholate (TC) and lecithin (L) and reflecting fasted versus fed states using NMR spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, transmission electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering analysis. Imatinib concentration impacted colloidal geometries and molecular dynamics in a fasted state. At drug substance concentrations up to 250 μM, imatinib was mainly engulfed within the core of >110 nm in diameter vesicles. At higher drug concentrations, the colloids collapsed to <40 nm, and imatinib migrated into the shell of the micelles, mainly being associated with the lipophilic face of TC but not with L. Simulating the fed state resulted in the formation of small micelles independent of the drug concentration. Furthermore, a hydrogel was formed, effectively keeping the drug substance in an amorphous state even when stressed by drying. In conclusion, this study detailed the fascinating dynamics of colloidal structures and molecular assembly as a function of imatinib concentration in biorelevant conditions. This approach may provide a blueprint for the rational development of future pharmaceutical formulations, taking the molecular interactions with bile salts/phospholipids into account.
Keywords: bile salts; colloids; imatinib; simulated intestinal fluid.