Supramolecular Cocrystals of Gliclazide: Synthesis, Characterization and Evaluation

Purpose To prepare the supramolecular cocrystals of gliclazide (GL, a BCS class II drug molecule) via mechanochemical route, with the goal of improving physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties. Methods Two cocrystals of GL with GRAS status coformers, sebacic acid (GL-SB; 1: 1) and alpha-hydroxyacetic acid (GL-HA; 1: 1) were screened out using liquid assisted grinding. The prepared cocrystals were characterized using thermal and analytical techniques followed by evaluation of antidiabetic activity and pharmacokinetic parameters. Results The generation of new, single and pure crystal forms was characterized by DSC and PXRD. The crystal structure determination from PXRD revealed the existence of both cocrystals in triclinic (P-1) crystal system. The hydrogen bonded network, determined by material studio was well supported by shifts in FTIR and SSNMR. Both the new solid forms displayed improved solubility, IDR, antidiabetic activity and pharmacokinetic parameters as compared to GL. Conclusions The improvement in these physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties corroborated the fact that the supramolecular cocrystallization may be useful in the development of pharmaceutical crystalline materials with interesting network and properties.