Two novel ternary albendazole–cyclodextrin–polymer systems: Dissolution, bioavailability and efficacy against Taenia crassiceps cysts

The effect of two water-soluble polymers: pectin and polyvinylpyrrolidone in combination with β-cyclodextrin, on the dissolution, bioavailability and cysticidal efficacy of albendazole was evaluated using a commercial suspension as reference product. The dissolution of the albendazole–β-cyclodextrin–pectin formulation was slow and incomplete (44.7%). No statistical differences in Cmax and AUC were found between this formulation and the reference. Also its cysticidal efficacy (33%) was similar to the reference (38%). The albendazole–β-cyclodextrin–polyvinylpyrrolidone formulation exhibited the highest dissolution rate (78.5%) and its bioavailability was also significantly increased (2.3-fold). In addition, the cysticidal activity of this formulation (83%) was greater than a commercial suspension. Our results suggest that the ternary system of albendazole–β-cyclodextrin–polyvinylpyrrolidone could be a potential alternative for the treatment of systemic helmintic diseases and it is worth to continue its preclinical evaluation.