Core/shell microencapsulation of indomethacin/paracetamol by co-axial electrohydrodynamic atomization

- Oral drug delivery systems were prepared by single step co-axial electrohydrodynamic atomization with high processing yield.
- Polymer carrier systems (PCS) suitable for the process and drugs were developed first.
- Model drugs of different aqueous solubility were successfully incorporated in the PCS with 50-70% encapsulation efficiency.
- This technique is a versatile platform for combined drug therapy and polypharmacy.

Core/shell microparticles for development of drug delivery systems were prepared using co-axial electrohydrodynamic atomization technique in order to develop fixed dose combined formulations incorporating paracetamol and indomethacin as model drugs. The developed drug delivery systems offered successful co-encapsulation of paracetamol and indomethacin with high drug encapsulation efficiencies of 54% and 69% for paracetamol and indomethacin, respectively. The developed formulations were further characterised with respect to their morphology, drug release profile and possible interactions. In comparison to the release rate of the free indomethacin, the developed formulation resulted in enhanced dissolution rate of indomethacin. This study demonstrates a versatile polymeric platform where multiple drug encapsulation and co-delivery is made possible by utilizing co-axial electrohydrodynamic atomization. The proposed system offered high processing yield of 60-70%, as a single-step platform for preparation of fixed dose formulations for oral drug delivery, particularly in geriatric therapy.

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