Characterisation of Nimesulide–Betacyclodextrins Systems Prepared by Supercritical Fluid Impregnation

The purpose of this study was to apply the supercritical CO2 impregnation process for preparing solvent-free nimesulide (NMS)–betacyclodextrins (BCD) association systems with enhanced drug dissolution rate. Several drug-to-carrier molar ratios were tested (1:1; 1:2.5; 1:3.5) at different conditions of temperatures (40, 100, and 130 8C) and pressures (140, 190 or 220 bar). The physical and morphological characterisation of the systems using powder X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, diffuse reflectance Fourier transforminfrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy was carried out to understand the influence of this technological process on the physical status of single components and binary systems and to detect possible interactions between drug and carrier. These analyses provided no evidence of a complete inclusion of NMS in the carrier but the existence of interactions between drug and carrier together with a partial dehydration of the BCD and the formation of drug crystallites with lower melting point and heat of fusion than the native NMS. These phenomena were more intense when severe conditions of pressure and temperature (220 bar and 130 8C) were used during impregnation trials and when the amount of BCD augmented in the systems. These activated solid state of the impregnated systems promoted an enhancement of drug dissolution rate that, in keeping with the results of the physical characterisation, was function of the process conditions and BCD content.