This work is an attempt to solubilize certain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such
as Piroxicam (PXM), Ibuprofen (IBU) and Indomethacin (IND), through the use of hydrophilic
surfactant pluronic F-127 (Pl. F-127), which was used in different concentrations above its
critical micelle concentration (CMC). The solubility of the investigated drugs was enhanced,
and was linearly correlated with the surfactant concentration. The effect of temperature on the
solubilization capacity of the surfactant and the distribution coefficient of the drugs between the
micellar and aqueous phases was determined. It was found that, there is a direct relationship
between the solubilization capacity of surfactant toward the used drugs and temperature and
there is an inverse relationship between the distribution coefficient and temperature. These
observations were more obvious for IBU than IND and PXM.
The change in heat of solution (H), free energy (G) and entropy (S) as a result of
solubilization of the investigated drugs were calculated. The data prevailed that, the presence of
Pl. F-127 energetically favors the solubility of the used drugs and more favorable by increasing
the surfactant concentration. The dissolution study was performed for these drugs. Pl. F-127
proved its ability to enhance the dissolution rate of the investigated water insoluble drugs.