Electrosprayed Forskolin Cocrystals with Enhanced Aqueous Solubility

Forskolin, a diterpene phytomolecule has several pharmacological activities including cardiovascular and pulmonary disorders, antiglaucoma, antiobesity, reversal of multidrug resistance and anticancer activity. However, its utility as a potential drug molecule has been arrested due to low aqueous solubility and in turn bioavailability. Herein we report cocrystal synthesis of forskolin with nicotinamide, caffeine and ascorbic acid coformers for the first time using electrospray technology. Ethanolic solutions containing forskolin and coformer were electrosprayed to obtain the cocrystals. The prepared cocrystals were characterized using powder X-ray diffractometry, differential scanning calorimetry, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, scanning electron microscopy, particle size analysis and saturation solubility studies. Electrospray lead to formation of needle shaped forskolin cocrystals as confirmed by PXRD, DSC, FTIR and proton NMR which showed two fold enhancement in water solubility of forskolin which in turn is believed to enhance its bioavailability. Thus to conclude, forskolin cocrystals were successfully prepared using electrospray technology.