FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF SULPHASALAZINE INJECTION MADE BY MIXED SOLVENCY SOLUBILIZATION TECHNIQUE

Abstract

Sulfasalazine, a sulfonamide derivative, is used as an antimicrobial agent by inhibiting bacterial growth and activity mainly in the treatment of ulcerative colitis and in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. It is practically insoluble in water. The aim of study was to prepare aqueous injection of sulphasalazine, using the mixed solvency solubilization technique. Several blends were prepared by co-solvents such as polyethylene glycol 200 (PEG200), PEG 400, PEG 600, PEG 4000, propylene glycol (PG), polyvinyl pyrrolidine (PVP) K 30, ethanol, glycerin, tween20, tween80, niacenamide, lignocain hydrochloride and sodium benzoate. The enhancement in the solubility of sulphasalazine in a mixed solvency was more than 50 folds (compared to its solubility in distilled water). This proved a synergistic enhancement in solubility of a poorly water soluble drug due to mixed solvency. Synergistic combination of mixed-solvency can minimize the amount of co-solvents employed, minimizing the chances of their toxicities. The developed formulation was studied for physical and chemical stability.