A drug–drug cocrystal and a co-amorphous form, prepared from honokiol and ligustrazine, inspired by Chinese patent medicine

Abstract

A drug–drug cocrystal created with two antithrombotic-active ingredients from herbs, honokiol (HON) and ligustrazine (TMP, 1:1), was synthesized and characterized. The structure of HON–TMP (1:1) was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Then co-amorphous HON–TMP was prepared by honey-assisted grinding, which was inspired by a grinding process for a Chinese patent medicine-Shijunzi honey pill. This co-amorphous drug–drug cocrystal (20% honey) exhibits improved solubility over HON and a significantly reduced sublimation tendency than TMP.