Evaluation of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)-Based Polymers for Improving Solubility and Bioavailability of Poorly Soluble Drugs

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Year : 2026 | Volume : 14 | 01 | Page :
    By

    K. Selvi,

  • Narendra Varma G,

  • Santosh Karajgi,

  • Manisha S Nangude,

  • Pavan Karkare,

  • Praveena R,

  • Unmesh Madhavrao Joshi,

  • CH Shashi Kumar,

  • R. Roghini,

  1. Research Scholar, Department of Central Research Lab, Dr. M.G.R University (ACS Medical College and Hospital), Velappanchavadi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  2. Senior Resident, Department of Orthopaedics, ACS Medical College and Hospital, Velappanchavadi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  3. Professor and Head, Department of Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance, BLDEA’s SSM College of Pharmacy and Research Centre Vijayapur 586103, Vijayapura, Karnataka, India
  4. Professor, Department of Pharmacognosy, Shivajirao S Jondhle College of Pharmacy, Mumbai University, Asangaon, Thane, Maharashtra, India
  5. Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical Sciences, Parul Institute of Applied Sciences, Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat, India
  6. Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, Bannari Amman Institute of Technology Sathyamangalam, Tamil Nadu, India
  7. Associate Professor, Department of Pharmaceutics, Anuradha College of Pharmacy, Chikhli, Buldhana, Maharashtra, India
  8. Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics, VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology, Medchal, Telangana,
  9. Senior Research Scientist, Department of Central Research Laboratory, ACS Medical College and Hospital, Velappanchavadi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

A significant barrier to optimizing oral bioavailability is the inadequate water solubility of numerous pharmaceutical compounds. This study examined whether polymer systems utilizing polyethylene glycol (PEG) may enhance the solubility and bioavailability of a poorly soluble model drug. Multiple PEG polymers with molecular weights between 2,000 and 10,000 Da were utilized to produce PEGylated preparations. The formulations were subsequently evaluated for dissolution efficacy, medication loading capacity, particle size, and solubility improvement. The drug loading efficiency was 82.6 ± 3.4%, and the average particle size was 185 ± 12 nm in the enhanced PEG-based formulation. The solubility of the PEG-based formulation increased from 0.12 ± 0.01 mg mL⁻¹ for the pure drug to 2.45 ± 0.18 mg mL⁻¹, signifying a significant enhancement in aqueous solubility. In in vitro dissolution trials, a cumulative drug release of 86.3 ± 2.7% was observed within 60 minutes, compared to the untreated drug’s release of 28.4 ± 1.9%. The maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) was determined to be 3.1 times more, and the area under the curve (AUC) was 2.8 times greater than that of the pure medicine, as per the in vivo pharmacokinetic investigation. The findings indicate that PEG-based polymers can significantly enhance the oral bioavailability, dissolution rate, and solubility of drugs with limited solubility. This research supports the notion that polymer systems utilizing polyethylene glycol (PEG) may serve as effective carriers to enhance the therapeutic efficiency of poorly soluble medicines.

Keywords: polyethylene glycol; PEG-based polymers; solubility enhancement; bioavailability; poorly soluble drugs; polymeric carriers; drug delivery systems.

How to cite this article:
K. Selvi, Narendra Varma G, Santosh Karajgi, Manisha S Nangude, Pavan Karkare, Praveena R, Unmesh Madhavrao Joshi, CH Shashi Kumar, R. Roghini. Evaluation of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)-Based Polymers for Improving Solubility and Bioavailability of Poorly Soluble Drugs. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(01):-.
How to cite this URL:
K. Selvi, Narendra Varma G, Santosh Karajgi, Manisha S Nangude, Pavan Karkare, Praveena R, Unmesh Madhavrao Joshi, CH Shashi Kumar, R. Roghini. Evaluation of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)-Based Polymers for Improving Solubility and Bioavailability of Poorly Soluble Drugs. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(01):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2026/view=237726


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Ahead of Print Subscription Original Research
Volume 14
01
Received 30/01/2026
Accepted 09/02/2026
Published 16/02/2026
Publication Time 17 Days
50

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