Drug Nanocrystals: Theoretical Background of Solubility Increase and Dissolution Rate Enhancement

D. Hasa, B. Perissutti, D. Voinovich, M. Abrami, R. Farra, S. M. Fiorentino, G. Grassi and M. Grassi

Abstract
The peculiar higher solubility of drug nanocrystals compared to macrocrystals appeals to the pharmaceutical field. Indeed, until now, about 70 % of the potential drug candidates are discarded due to low bioavailability related with poor solubility in water. Since a modern and efficient design strategy for nanocrystal-based delivery systems requires the knowledge of the theoretical relation between nanocrystal size and solubility, the aim of this paper is to build up a physically-oriented thermodynamic model relating to nanocrystal dimensions with their melting temperature, enthalpy, solubility and dissolution rate. In particular, the developed model will be applied to vinpocetine, a poorly soluble drug used in the treatment of various types of cerebrovascular circulatory disorders.

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Keywords
nanocrystals, drug, solubility, dissolution, thermodynamic model