Synthesis and dissolution behaviour of nateglinide‐nicotinamide cocrystals by simple slurry crystallization

Abstract

Pharmaceutical cocrystals have received increasing attention in improving drug physicochemical properties. Here, we successfully synthesized a cocrystal of nateglinide (a non-sulphonylurea hypoglycemic agent) and nicotinamide by slurry crystallization. The cocrystal formation was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The density functional theory calculation at the theoretical level of B3LYP/6-31 + G (d, p) revealed that the hydrogen bonding site of the cocrystal was formed between the carboxyl group of nateglinide and the amide bond of nicotinamide. Moreover, the cocrystal showed improved dissolution capacity in 3 pH buffers, which provides an opportunity for rapid absorption of the active ingredient.