Abstract In the work the andrographolide (AG)-solid dispersions (SDs) were prepared by the spray-drying method, using polyethylene glycol 8000 (PEG8000), Poloxamer188, polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 (PVPK30), Soluplus® as carrier materials. The effect of different polymers as carrier materials on the properties of the AG-SDs were studied. The results showed obvious differences in intermolecular interaction, thermal stability, drug state, powder properties, dissolution behavior, and so on of AG-SDs prepared using different polymers as carrier materials. AG-PEG8000-SD was a partial-crystalline and partial-amorphous powder with smaller surface area and pore volume, but it was easy to wetting and did not swell in contact with dissolved medium. AG-Soluplus®-SD was completely amorphous powder with larger specific surface area and pore volume, but it swelled in contact with water. Therefore, the dissolution profile of AG in AG-PEG8000-SD was similar to that in AG-Soluplus®-SD. Soluplus® and PEG8000 were suitable polymers to design AG-SDs, considering both physicochemical properties and dissolution behaviors. The results of this reseach showed that when selecting carrier materials for SD, we should not only consider the state of drugs in SD and the powder properties of SD, but also consider whether there is swelling when the carrier materials are in contact with the dissolution medium.

Qili Powder, a preparation from Traditional Chinese Medicine, commonly used to treat injuries from falling or stumbling, pain caused by bruising, and traumatic hemorrhage. The aim of the present work was to investigate the application of the superfine pulverization on Qili Powder properties. The physicochemical and medicinal properties of fine Qili Powder with D90 particle size of 164.5 μm, and superfine Qili Powder with D90 particle size of 32.2 μm were investigated. The results showed that with decreasing particle size, the specific surface area and pore volume increased, the fluidity decreased, and the percentage of moisture absorption and the balanced moisture content decreased. Analysis HPLC, XRD and FTIR results indicated that superfine pulverization didn’t influence dracorhodin content, nor the molecular structure and crystal form of Qili Powder. The percentage of dissolution of dracorhodin was significantly improved after superfine pulverization. Pharmacokinetics results confirmed that superfine pulverization increases the absorption rate in rats and dracorhodin content of Qili Powder.