Dissolution rate and stability study of flavanone aglycones, naringenin and hesperetin, by drug delivery systems based on polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) nanodispersions

Abstract

Objective: To study the dissolution behavior, the release mechanism and the stability of nanodispersion system of aglycones with PVP. Methods: The nanodispersion system of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/naringenin–hesperetin was prepared using the solvent evaporation method. The chemical stability (compatibility) of naringenin and hesperetin in the prepared dispersions was studied under accelerated conditions for 3 months. The evaluation of physical stability was performed by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and by comparing the dissolution profile before and after storage at high temperature and moisture (40ºC, RH 75%). Results: The dissolution rate of naringenin and hesperetin released was dramatically increased in the nanodispersion system of PVP/naringenin–hesperetin (80/20, w/w). The release mechanism of both flavanone aglycones was better described by the diffusion model (Higuchi model). Also it was found that the rate-limiting step that controlled the release of naringenin and hesperetin in the nanodispersion system was dissolution of the carrier (PVP). Conclusions: During accelerated degradation analysis, for 3 months at high temperature and moisture, PVP nanodispersion system showed enhanced chemical compatibility and physical stability. The physical evaluation (obtained from XRD analysis) of PVP/naringenin–hesperetin (80/20, w/w) in the selected storage conditions did not show any crystallization of flavanone aglycones in the PVP nanodispersion system or any change in their release profile.