Solid self-emulsifying phospholipid suspension (SSEPS) with diatom as a drug carrier

We report the application of diatom as a solid carrier for water insoluble drugs applied in oral drug delivery system based on the self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) caprylocaproyl macrogol-8 glycerides/lecithin/propylene glycol/caprylic/capric triglyceride. Diatoms are fossilized skeletons of photosynthetic algae with complex 3-dimensional (3D), porous structure consisting of amorphous silica, obtained by purification of diatomaceous earth. Different solid samples of carbamazepine (CBZ) suspension in SEDDS, called solid self-emulsifying phospholipid suspension (SSEPS), were prepared using two methods: adsorption of CBZ dispersion in SEDDS by gentle mixing with diatoms in mortar with pestle (Method A) or dispersion of diatoms in ethanol solution of CBZ and SEDDS components, followed by ethanol evaporation (Method B). Release rate of CBZ from SSEPS was significantly higher in comparison to pure drug, physical mixture of diatoms and CBZ as well as solid dispersion of pure CBZ and diatoms obtained by ethanol evaporation. The dissolution of CBZ from SSEPS sample prepared using method B was faster than from the sample prepared by the method A. Higher dissolution for sample prepared by the method B can be attributed to the partial adsorption (deeper localization) of liquid material inside the pores of diatoms. Upon storage of the samples under accelerated conditions (40°C and 70% RH) for 10 weeks no significant changes in CBZ crystallinity and dissolution was in case of SSEPS, contrary to solid dispersion with increased crystallinity, indicating that diatoms with adsorbed liquid CBZ-loaded SEPS can maintain initial CBZ characteristics.