Utilization of Hydrotropes on Solubilization of Tenoxicam in Aqueous Solution

Hydrotropy is a unique solubilization technique utilize to depict the increase in the solubility of a solute by the addition of a second solute (in large amount) resulting in an increase in the aqueous solubility solute of interest. Therapeutic effectiveness of a drug depends on its aqueous solubility and bioavailability. The purpose of the study was to establish tenoxicam solubility in hydrotropes at very low concentrations as well as explore solubilization behavior of the drug in mixed hydrotropic systems at very low concentrations.

The methodology involved the use of rotary flask shaker at room temperature to determine the solubility of tenoxicam in water, hydrotropes (sodium benzoate, sodium citrate, urea) and mixed hydrotropes.

The results showed that sodium benzoate gave the most increase in the aqueous solubility of tenoxicam when compared to other hydrotropes. However, the highest aqueous solubility fold increase of tenoxicam (about 92 fold-increase) was produced by sodium benzoate and sodium citrate mix at 6:2 ratio. The decrease in standard free energy pointed out the spontaneity of the solubilization process.

In conclusion, the study showed that mixed hydrotropes are better to be utilized in the solubilizing of tenoxicam in aqueous solution.