O/W Pickering emulsion stabilized by magnesium carbonate particles for drug delivery systems

This study investigates the formulation of surfactant-free Pickering emulsions that release a drug at a specific pH to improve its oral bioavailability. The stabilizing particles composed of magnesium carbonate particles. Pickering oil-in-water emulsions stabilized with magnesium carbonate particles and encapsulating a hydrophobic drug model (ibuprofen) were formulated using a high-energy process with rotor-stator turbo mixer (IKA® T25 digital ultra-Turrax). The experimental approach explored the impact of all formulation parameters, dispersed phase and amount of magnesium carbonate particles on the physicochemical properties of Pickering emulsions. The O/W Pickering emulsion was characterized by a methylene blue test, pH and conductivity measurements, and droplet size determination. In addition, Pickering emulsions stabilized by magnesium carbonate particles have the advantage of being destabilized in acidic medium leading to the release of the active principle via the droplets. The acidic medium release study (pH equal to 1.2) showed ibuprofen release as a function of initial droplet loading and saturation concentration. In the simulated intestinal medium at pH equal to 6.8, we found a better release of ibuprofen from emulsions that already had saturation in an acid medium. Thus, the interest of these Pickering emulsions lies on the fact that their non-toxicity and magnesium carbonate particles allow destabilization of the emulsions and release of the drug. These emulsions not only protect patients from the side effects of acid-based drugs, but also contribute to increase the bioavailability of these acidic drugs. Keywords: emulsion -Pickering-magnesium carbonate- ibuprofen-oral bioavailability