Published Paper Details:

The aim of present study was to improve the solubility of Orlistat, a practically insoluble antiobesity drug by using Liquisolid technique. Orlistat is class II molecule according to BCS (Biopharmaceutical Classification System), having low solubility and low permeability. The rate and extent of absorption of class II compounds is highly dependent on the performance of the formulated product. These drugs can be successfully formulated for oral administration, but care needs to be taken with formulation design to ensure consistent bioavailability. Solubility of Orlistat was evaluated in various nonaqueous carriers. Different Liquisolid tablets were prepared using a mathematical model to calculate the required quantities of powder and liquid ingredients to produce acceptably flowable and compressible admixture. Avicel PH 102, Aerosil 200 and Sodium starch glycolate were employed as carrier, coating material and disintegrant respectively. The drug release rates of Liquisolid tablets were distinctly higher as compared to directly compressed tablets, which show significant benefit of Liquisolid tablets in increasing wetting properties and surface area of drug available for dissolution. The optimized formulation showed the higher drug release during ex-vivo and in-vivo study against conventional and marketed tablet preparation. From this study it concludes that the Liquisolid technique is a promising alternative and best suitable method for enhancing solubility of Orlistat.