Abstract:
The present study aimed to enhance physico-mechanical properties of poorly soluble drug Diacerein (DIA) using
crystal engineering approach. Fumaric acid (FMA) was competent enough to generate a novel solid form of DIA
by acetone assisted grinding method and was fully characterized. A lower melting depression and maximum
enthalpy of fusion resulted from phase diagram and Tammann's triangle of binary system revealed the formation
of eutectic mixture with molar ratio of 1: 2 (DIA: FMA). It was further confirmed by PXRD and FT-IR spectra. The
topographical differences were observed in case of eutectic by SEM analysis imparting its better flow and
packability. Pharmaceutical behaviors in terms of solubility, dissolution, tabletability, compressibility and stability
suggested superior functionality of eutectic compared to DIA alone. Pharmacokinetic study of eutectic
demonstrated 1.77 times greater bioavailability. Thus, the concept of crystal engineering was successful to
prepare DIA-FMA eutectic as a potential way for improving material functionality.
