The preparation of amorphous solid dispersions using polymers is a commonly used formulation strategy for enhancing the solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs. However, a single polymer often does not bring significantly enhance the solubility or amorphous stability of a poorly water-soluble drug. We found an application of a unique and novel binary polymeric blend in the preparation of solid dispersions. The main purpose of this study is to optimize and evaluate resveratrol (Res) amorphous solid dispersions with a novel polymeric system of poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS). The influence of three different release factors, the ratio of CMCS to the polymer mixture (CMCS% = X1), the ratio of Res to the polymer mixture (Res% = X2) and the surfactant (Tween 80 = X3), on the characteristics of released Res at various times (Q5 and Q30) was investigated. The computer optimization and contour plots were used to predict the levels of the independent variables as X1 = 0.17, X2 = 0.10 and X3 = 2.94 for maximized responses of Q5 and Q30. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results revealed that each polymer formed hydrogen bonds with Res. The solid performance and physical stability of the optimized ternary dispersions were studied with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC) and dissolution testing. SEM, XRD and MDSC analysis demonstrated that the Res was amorphous, and MDSC showed no evidence of phase separation during storage. Dissolution testing indicated a more than fourfold increase in the apparent solubility of the optimized ternary dispersions, which maintained high solubility after 90 days. In our research, we used CMCS as a new carrier in combination with PVP, which not only improved the in vitro dissolution of Res but also had better stability.
Keywords: Box–Behnken design; CMCS; PVP; resveratrol; solid dispersions; stability.