Effect of solubilizing excipients on permeation of poorly water-soluble compounds across Caco-2 cell monolayers.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of solubilizing excipients on Caco-2 transport parameters of poorly water-soluble NCEs (new chemical entities), and determine their permeability class under the BCS guidance (Biopharmaceutics Classification System). The effect of solubilizing excipients on soluble donor concentration of Sch 56592, Sch-X and Sch-Y was estimated. The transport of reference compounds and NCEs was studied across Caco-2 monolayers in absence or presence of solubilizing agents. The Caco-2 permeability of reference compounds showed good correlation with their extent of human oral absorption data. Sch 56592, Sch-X and Sch-Y exhibited high baseline Caco-2 permeability (>10(-5) cm/s). Povidone (1%) improved soluble donor concentration and flux of Sch 56592 by 40%. Other solubilizing excipients predominantly improved Sch 56592 soluble donor concentration, with either no change or a decrease in flux. With Sch-X, 1% povidone, pluronic F68, gelucir 44/14, and 3:2 propylene glycol/Tween-80 markedly improved soluble donor concentration, while increasing Sch-X flux by 40-65%. The soluble donor concentration of Sch-Y was also enhanced by excipients; however, only 1% pluronic F68 and PEG 300 increased Sch-Y flux by 35-50%. Sch 56592, Sch-X and Sch-Y are low solubility-high permeability compounds under the BCS guidance. For such poorly water-soluble NCEs, solubilizing excipients should be carefully screened based on their effects on solubility profiles and membrane transport.