Author/Authors :
Dutt, Braham Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences - Maharshi Dayanand University , Rohtak , Choudhary, Manjusha Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences - Kurukshetra University, Haryana, India , Budhwar, Vikaas Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences - Maharshi Dayanand University , Rohtak
Abstract :
Nowadays, poor solubility, lower bioavailability, and hindered physical, chemical, and biopharmaceutical
properties of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) become a very important matter of discussion for
pharmaceutical scientists. It is a challenging task for pharmaceutical researchers and industry to develop
a suitable formulation with improved physicochemical properties. The process of cocrystallization is long
known; however, in the recent times, this approach has gained enormous importance in pharmaceuticals
as a relatively new method for enhancement of solubility, bioavailability, stability, thermal properties,
permeability, tablet ability, and other related physicochemical properties. Cocrystals are multicomponent
systems in which two components, an API and a coformer, were present in stoichiometric ratio and bonded
together with non-covalent interactions in the crystal lattice. Cocrystallization offers better optimization
of not only physicochemical properties but also therapeutic response and pharmacological properties
of APIs. The design of a cocrystallization experiment is based on robustness, hydrogen bonding rules,
and potential intermolecular interactions. Various theoretical and experimental approaches increase the
chances for selection of a suitable coformer, the most challenging step during the design of cocrystal
formation. The present review covers classification of cocrystals, drug selection criteria for cocrystals,
chemistry involved in cocrystal formation, methods of preparation, their characterizations, and various
applications in pharmaceutical and biomedical fields.
Keywords :
Cocrystallization , cocrystals , coformer , polymorphs , salts
