Author(s):
Payal N. Vaja, Hardik L. Varu, Jaydeep S. Mehta
Email(s):
payalvaja55@gmail.com
DOI:
10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00376 
Address:
Payal N. Vaja1*, Hardik L. Varu2, Jaydeep S. Mehta1
1Assistant Professor, School of Pharmacy, Dr. Subhash University, Junagadh (362001), Gujarat, India.
2Assistant Professor, School of Science, Dr. Subhash University, Junagadh (362001), Gujarat, India.
1PhD. Scholar, School of Pharmacy, Dr. Subhash University, Junagadh (362001), Gujarat, India.
*Corresponding Author
Published In:
Volume - 19,
Issue - 6,
Year - 2026
ABSTRACT:
This study aims to enhance the physicochemical and pharmacological properties of albendazole, a widely used anthelmintic drug with poor aqueous solubility, by forming cocrystals with para-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHBA) through a slow solvent evaporation method. The successful formation of albendazole-PHBA cocrystals was confirmed using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Powder X-Ray Diffraction (PXRD), all indicating notable changes in thermal behavior, crystal morphology, and crystallinity compared to pure albendazole. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (¹H NMR) analyses revealed strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding, specifically between the carbonyl group of PHBA and the amide N-H group of albendazole. The cocrystals demonstrated significantly improved solubility—1.17 times higher in 0.1N HCL, 86.83 times in phosphate buffer (pH 6.8), and 112.97 times in distilled water (pH 7.0) along with enhanced dissolution rates in all tested media. Pharmacological assessments showed that the cocrystals exhibited superior anthelmintic activity and a reduced risk of hepatotoxicity compared to the parent drug. Furthermore, molecular docking studies supported these results, showing stronger interactions of the cocrystals with alpha- and beta-tubulin, the primary targets in albendazole's mechanism of action. Overall, the study highlights the potential of cocrystallization with PHBA as a promising strategy to overcome the solubility and bioavailability limitations of albendazole, thereby improving its therapeutic efficacy and safety profile for the treatment of parasitic infections.
Cite this article:
Payal N. Vaja, Hardik L. Varu, Jaydeep S. Mehta. Albendazole-Para-Hydroxybenzoic Acid Cocrystals: A Slow Solvent Evaporation-Based Strategy to reduce Hepatotoxicity and Enhance Therapeutic Performance. Research Journal Pharmacy and Technology. 2026;19(6):2629-5. doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00376
Cite(Electronic):
Payal N. Vaja, Hardik L. Varu, Jaydeep S. Mehta. Albendazole-Para-Hydroxybenzoic Acid Cocrystals: A Slow Solvent Evaporation-Based Strategy to reduce Hepatotoxicity and Enhance Therapeutic Performance. Research Journal Pharmacy and Technology. 2026;19(6):2629-5. doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00376 Available on: https://www.rjptonline.org/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2026-19-6-33
REFERENCES:
1. Hotez PJ, Brindley PJ, Bethony JM, King CH, Pearce EJ, Jacobson J. Helminth infections: the great neglected tropical diseases. J Clin Invest. 2008 Apr; 118(4): 1311-21.
2. Brown HA, Neva FA: Basic Clinical Parasitology. Appleton-Century-Crofts, East Norwalk, CT, 1983.
3. Smith, J. A., and Jones, B. R. Mechanisms of Action of Anthelmintic Drugs on Parasitic Worms: A Comprehensive Review. Journal of Parasitology Research. 10(4), 123-145.
4. Raval, Mihir K., et al. Role of excipients in the crystallization of Albendazole. Advanced Powder Technology. 2015; 26(4): 1102-1115.
5. Moriwaki, C., et al. Enhancement of solubility of albendazole by complexation with β-cyclodextrin. Brazilian Journal of Chemical Engineering. 2008; 25: 255-267.
6. Sharma S, Goel V, Kaur P, Gadhave K, Garg N, Das Singla L, Choudhury D. Targeted drug delivery using beeswax-derived albendazole-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles in Haemonchus contortus, an albendazole-tolerant nematode. Exp Parasitol. 2023 Oct; 253: 108593. doi: 10.1016/j.exppara.2023.108593.
7. Liang Z, Chen M, Yan Y, Chen D, Xie S. Nanocrystal Suspensions for Enhancing the Oral Absorption of Albendazole. Nanomaterials (Basel). 2022 Sep 1; 12(17): 3032. doi: 10.3390/nano12173032.
8. Han MJ, Zou ZZ. Enabling a novel solvent method on Albendazole solid dispersion to improve the in vivo bioavailability. Eur J Pharm Sci. 2024 May 1; 196: 106751. doi: 10.1016/j.ejps.2024.106751.
9. Liu J, Grohganz H, Löbmann K, Rades T, Hempel NJ. Co-Amorphous Drug Formulations in Numbers: Recent Advances in Co-Amorphous Drug Formulations with Focus on Co-Formability, Molar Ratio, Preparation Methods, Physical Stability, In Vitro and In Vivo Performance, and New Formulation Strategies. Pharmaceutics. 2021 Mar 15; 13(3): 389. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13030389.
10. Sawatdee S, Atipairin A, Sae Yoon A, Srichana T, Changsan N, Suwandecha T. Formulation Development of Albendazole-Loaded Self-Microemulsifying Chewable Tablets to Enhance Dissolution and Bioavailability. Pharmaceutics. 2019 Mar 20; 11(3): 134. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics11030134.
11. Md. Ramjan Ali, Marjan Hossain, Jannatul Ferdous Runa, Md. Hasanuzzaman. Assessment of anthelmintic potential of Averrhoa bilimbi, Clerodendrum viscosum and Drynaria quercifolia: as an alternative source for anthelmintics. Research J. Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. 2013; 5(4): 178-181.
12. Mehta, J., Borkhataria, C., Patel, A. et al. Para-Hydroxy Benzoic Acid Coformer Enable Enhanced Solubility, Dissolution, and Antifungal Activity of Ketoconazole Cocrystals. J Pharm Innov 18, 1602–1615 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12247-023-09742-5
13. Rajendra Jangde, S. J. Daharwal. Compatibility Study of Gatifloxacin with Various excipients. Research J. Pharm. and Tech. 2011; 4(8): 1216-1218.
14. Calvo NL, Arias JM, Altabef AB, Maggio RM, Kaufman TS. Determination of the main solid-state form of albendazole in bulk drug, employing Raman spectroscopy coupled to multivariate analysis. J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2016 Sep 10; 129: 190-197. doi: 10.1016/j.jpba.2016.07.013. Epub 2016 Jul 10. PMID: 27429368.
15. Kale MK, Bhusari KP, Umathe SN. Relationship between the Dynamics of Oxidative Stress and Thyroid State. Research J. Pharm. and Tech. 2008; 1(1): 14-17
16. Richie Bhandare, Vaishali Londhe, Akram Ashames, Nadeem Shaikh, Sham Zain Alabdin. Enhanced Solubility of Microwave-assisted Synthesized Acyclovir Co-crystals. Research J. Pharm. and Tech. 2020; 13(12): 5979-5986.
17. M Teja Krishna, V Sai Kishore. Influence of Diluent and Release Retardant on the Release Rate of Drug from Matrix Tablets. Research J. Pharm. and Tech. 2011; 4(2): 286-289.
18. Sourabh Jain, SK Yadav, UK Patil. Preparation and Evaluation of Sustained Release Matrix Tablet of Furosemide using Natural Polymers. Research J. Pharm. and Tech. 2008; 1(4): 374-376.
19. V. B. Yadav, A. V. Yadav, S. A. Polshettiwar, M.S.Wani. Improved Solubility and Dissolution Behavior of Norfloxacin by Crystal Modification. Research J. Pharm. and Tech. 2008; 1(1): 29-32.
20. A Saravanakumar, Sunita Minz, Madhulika Pradhan, Pavani Sure, Atul N Chandu, Umesh Mishra, K Kamalakannan, T Sivakumar.Polylactic Acid Microspheres as A Potential Vaccine Delivery System for the Tetanus Toxoid: Preparation and In Vitro Dissolution Study. Research J. Pharm. and Tech. 2008; 1(4): 453-459.
21. Arjun Patra, Shivesh Jha, P Narasimha Murthy, Aher Vaibhav D. Anthelmintic and Antibacterial Activities of Hygrophila spinosa T. Anders. Research J. Pharm. and Tech. 2008; 1(4): 531-532.
22. PBAswar, SS Khadabadi, BS Kuchekar, RM Rajurkar, SS Saboo, UA Deokate. In-Vitro Evaluation and Comparative Study of Capparis Zeylanica Leaves and Seeds for Anthelmintic Activity. Research J. Pharm. and Tech. 2009; 2(1): 141-143.
23. Ishnava, K.B., Konar, P.S. In vitro anthelmintic activity and phytochemical characterization of Corallocarpus epigaeus (Rottler) Hook. f. tuber from ethyl acetate extracts. Bull Natl Res Cent. 2020; 44: 33. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42269-020-00286-z.