Span 60 as a Microsphere Matrix: Preparation and in Vitro Characterization of Novel Ibuprofen-Span 60 Microspheres

Microspheres are a potential delivery system for controlled and sustained drug release. Polymeric microspheres are commonly prepared by the solvent evaporation technique whereas waxy microspheres by the melt dispersion technique. The goal of this study was to prepare a surfactant (Span 60)—Ibuprofen microspheres using both techniques. Ibuprofen‐Span 60 microspheres were fabricated with different drug to polymer weight ratios of 3:1, 1:1 and 1:3 and characterized by particle size, in vitro dissolution, infrared spectroscopy, x‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The actual drug content increased with increasing the concentration of anti‐aggregating agent (polyvinylpyrolidone). The actual drug content and drug encapsulation efficiency was markedly higher in case of microspheres prepared by a solvent evaporation technique compared to that prepared by a melt dispersion one using the same theoretical drug content. The microspheres were spherical with irregular surfaces. The in vitro release showed no burst effect and incomplete drug release. The rate and total drug released from the microspheres prepared by a solvent evaporation technique are higher than those prepared by using the melt dispersion technique. FTIR rolled out the chemical changes of the drug in Span 60 microspheres. The X‐ray diffraction pattern of the microspheres prepared by using a solvent evaporation technique showed a decrease in the drug crystallinity. The drug crystallinity in microspheres prepared by the melt dispersion technique decreased with increasing the theoretical drug content. The drug entrapment mechanism is responsible for the changes in drug physicochemical properties and in vitro release.