Designing a Formulation of the Nootropic Drug Aniracetam Using 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-Cyclodextrin Suitable for Parenteral Administration

Abstract

The nootropic drug aniracetam is greatly limited in its application by low aqueous solubility and a poor oral bioavailability. The primary aim of this study was to design a parenteral formulation of aniracetam that can be administered intravenously. Complexation of aniracetam with 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) was investigated as a strategy to enhance solubility. A phase solubility analysis was performed to quantify the extent of improvement. An 819% increase in the solubility of aniracetam was obtained, reaching 36.44 mg/mL. This marked increase enables aniracetam to exist in an aqueous solvent at levels sufficient for parenteral dosing. A stability test was then devised using a design of experiment approach. The aniracetam-HP-β-CD formulation was subjected to different relative humidity and temperature and cyclodextrin concentrations over a 12-week period. Key changes in FTIR vibrational frequencies suggest the benzene moiety of aniracetam was introduced into the hydrophobic cavity of HP-β-CD. These results are highly supportive of the formation of a predictable 1:1 molar stoichiometric inclusion complex, explaining the improvement seen in physiochemical properties of aniracetam following formulation with HP-β-CD. This novel formulation of aniracetam suitable for parenteral administration will have utility in future studies to further elucidate the pharmacokinetics of this drug.