Preparation and in Vitro Release of Zafirlukast Mesoporous Silica Solid Dispersion

OBJECTIVE To prepare zafirlukast-mesoporous silica solid dispersion in order to improve the dissolution rate of zafirlukast. METHODS Mesoporous silica(MCM-41) was synthesized via sol-gel method, the samples were also modified by silylation using trimethylchlorosilane(denoted as:MCM-41CH₃); zafirlukast was loaded into mesoporous silica by impregnation method. The dissolution rate of solid dispersions were tested, and the samples were also characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimeter, scanning electron microscope, Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS The dissolution rate of solid dispersions were significant increased, the accumulated dissolution of ZLST-MCM-41 was slight higher than that of ZLST-MCM-41CH₃. According to the characterization results, the drug in samples was amorphous or fine crystals. CONCLUSION It is believed that mesoporous silica is a good carriers for zafirlukast.