Nano‐Cocrystals of Piperine‐Succinic Acid: Physicochemical Characterization and Dissolution Rate Studies

Abstract The aim of this study was to prepare and characterize piperine‐succinic acid nano‐cocrystals in order to increase the solubility and dissolution rate of piperine. Nano‐cocrystals were prepared using a wet‐milling technique. Solid state characterization of the nano‐cocrystals was performed by particle size analysis (PSA), powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), FT‐IR spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Solubility and dissolution rate study were carried out in CO 2 ‐free distilled water medium. The PSA of the nano‐cocrystal samples showed the mean of particle size was 344.4±26.25 nm, with a zeta potential value of −2.2 mV. A decrease in the intensity of the diffraction peaks by PXRD analysis, as well as endothermic peaks and the fusion enthalpy value of piperine by DSC analysis were observed in the nano‐cocrystals. Solubility tests with the nano‐cocrystals showed an increase in solubility of 12.701‐fold compared to that of intact piperine. The percentage of dissolved piperine in the nano‐cocrystals after 60 minutes was 53.281 %. It can be concluded that the formation of piperine‐succinic acid as a nano‐cocrystal using a wet‐milling technique resulted in an increase in both the solubility and dissolution rate of piperine.