The College of Pharmacy discussed the MSc thesis entitled “Solubility and Dissolution Rate Enhancement of Simvastatin by Adsorption Technique: Preparation of Oral Solid Dosage Form” by the student Sarah Rahman Kamel and the supervisor, Associate Professor Eman B.H. Al-Khedairy, at the Pharmaceutics Department. The study aimed to enhance the solubility and dissolution rate of Simvastatin by adsorption technique using the solvent evaporation method.Different adsorbents including silicon dioxide 15 and 30 nm, calcium silicate, and magnesium aluminum silicate with or without surfactant including poloxamers 407 and soluplus ® were utilized to prepare different formulas. The resulting formulas were characterized for their percentage yield, drug content, solubility, and dissolution rate in comparison to the pure drug. The impact of the type of adsorbent, drug: adsorbent ratio, and the addition of surfactants on the solubility and dissolution rate of Simvastatin were studied. The optimum formula was then formulated in tablet dosage form, utilizing different excipients by direct compression method.The results revealed that all formulas improved drug solubility. The best result was observed with a formula consisting of Simvastatin: magnesium aluminum silicate: Soluplus® in a 1:6:3 ratio, where solubility improved significantly by 178.3 times compared to the pure drug, along with enhanced dissolution rate along with 91.3 % percentage yield with drug content of 85.5 %. Furthermore, the tablet dosage form prepared with the selected magnesium aluminum silicate loaded Simvastatin, Avicel®PH102 as a diluent, and CCS 3% (w/w) as a super disintegrant showed the shortest disintegration time (0.61 min) and best drug release in phosphate buffer pH 7.0, where more than 80% of the drug was released within 30 minutes. This formula preserved its drug content and dissolution profile after storage for two months at room temperature and 50°C. The study recommended using adsorption as a technique to enhance the solubility of poorly soluble drugs to be incorporated in a required dosage form.
