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Journals / Black Sea Journal of Engineering and Science / 2026 / Cilt: 9 Sayı: 5

Diclofenac Potassium and Isonicotinamide Cocrystals for Enhanced Solubility: In Vitro Evaluation of Hard Gelatin Capsules

Esra Demirtürk(Çukurova University, Faculty of Pharmacy)0000-0002-8918-0073
Gülsüm Gündoğdu(TÜRK-ALMAN ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0003-2380-7942
Merve Nenni(CUKUROVA UNIVERSITY)0000-0003-3165-1061
Cem Yamalı(ÇUKUROVA ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-4833-7901
Meltem Çetin(ATATÜRK ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0003-4009-2433
Yılmaz Çapan(LOKMAN HEKIM UNIVERSITY)0000-0003-1234-9018
Pages
2599–2611
Publication Date
2026-09-15
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Overall, DIC-K+INA cocrystals enhanced the solubility and dissolution performance of DIC-K, demonstrating the potential of cocrystallization as a formulation strategy for poorly soluble drugs.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Diclofenac potassium (DIC-K), classified as a Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) Class II drug, exhibits low solubility and high permeability.
📊
Key Findings & Data:This study aimed to enhance the solubility of DIC-K by preparing cocrystals with isonicotinamide (INA) as a coformer and to evaluate their in vitro performance.
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Conclusion & Impact:Overall, DIC-K+INA cocrystals enhanced the solubility and dissolution performance of DIC-K, demonstrating the potential of cocrystallization as a formulation strategy for poorly soluble drugs.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Diclofenac potassium · Isonicotinamide · Cocrystal

Abstract

Diclofenac potassium (DIC-K), classified as a Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) Class II drug, exhibits low solubility and high permeability. It is a widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic effects. This study aimed to enhance the solubility of DIC-K by preparing cocrystals with isonicotinamide (INA) as a coformer and to evaluate their in vitro performance. The prepared DIC-K+INA cocrystals were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Solubility studies were conducted for pure DIC-K and DIC-K+INA cocrystals in different media (0.1 N HCl, pH 1.2; phosphate buffer (PB), pH 4.5; and PB, pH 6.8). Hard gelatin capsules containing either pure DIC-K or DIC-K+INA cocrystals were formulated using the dry granulation method, and their dissolution profiles were evaluated in PB (pH 6.8). At 15 min, the amount of DIC-K dissolved from the pure DIC-K capsules was 72%, whereas that from the DIC-K+INA cocrystal capsules reached 92%. PXRD, FTIR, and DSC analyses supported the formation of a new crystalline phase, indicating successful cocrystal formation between DIC-K and INA. Overall, DIC-K+INA cocrystals enhanced the solubility and dissolution performance of DIC-K, demonstrating the potential of cocrystallization as a formulation strategy for poorly soluble drugs.

Özet

Diclofenac potassium (DIC-K), classified as a Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) Class II drug, exhibits low solubility and high permeability. It is a widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic effects. This study aimed to enhance the solubility of DIC-K by preparing cocrystals with isonicotinamide (INA) as a coformer and to evaluate their in vitro performance. The prepared DIC-K+INA cocrystals were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Solubility studies were conducted for pure DIC-K and DIC-K+INA cocrystals in different media (0.1 N HCl, pH 1.2; phosphate buffer (PB), pH 4.5; and PB, pH 6.8). Hard gelatin capsules containing either pure DIC-K or DIC-K+INA cocrystals were formulated using the dry granulation method, and their dissolution profiles were evaluated in PB (pH 6.8). At 15 min, the amount of DIC-K dissolved from the pure DIC-K capsules was 72%, whereas that from the DIC-K+INA cocrystal capsules reached 92%. PXRD, FTIR, and DSC analyses supported the formation of a new crystalline phase, indicating successful cocrystal formation between DIC-K and INA. Overall, DIC-K+INA cocrystals enhanced the solubility and dissolution performance of DIC-K, demonstrating the potential of cocrystallization as a formulation strategy for poorly soluble drugs.

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Cite This Article

Demirtürk, E., Gündoğdu, G., Nenni, M., Yamalı, C., Çetin, M., Çapan, Y. (2026). Diclofenac Potassium and Isonicotinamide Cocrystals for Enhanced Solubility: In Vitro Evaluation of Hard Gelatin Capsules. Black Sea Journal of Engineering and Science, Cilt: 9 Sayı: 5, 2599–2611. https://doi.org/10.34248/bsengineering.1936460

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