DISSOLUTION ENHANCEMENT AND FORMULATION OF FILM COATED TABLETS OF LORNOXICAM BY PHASE TRANSITION METHOD: IN VITRO AND IN VIVO EVALUATION

Objective: This study aimed to enhance the oral solubility and dissolution of poorly soluble lornoxicam by anti-solvent precipitation, and the manufacture of oral tablets by the phase transition method.  Methods: The solvent was mixture of polyethylene glycol 400 and absolute ethanol. Three stabilizers Inutec SP1, Pluronic F127, Sucrose ester S1670 at two concentrations and two matrix formers Mannitol, and Avicel PH102 were used to obtain 12 formulae. The formulae were characterized regarding their infrared spectroscopy (IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), particle size (PS) measurement, drug content and dissolution. Further characterizations were done for the optimum formula by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Four tablet formulae were manufactured by phase transition method. The optimum tablets (T3) were evaluated through hardness, drug content, disintegration, dissolution, IR, and stability studies. Finally, (T3) was compared to conventional tablets in New Zealand rabbits using crossover design. Results: The dissolution rate for the prepared formulae was enhanced, from 3.44 to 5.96 folds. Statistical significance was obtained using one and two way ANOVA among formulae. The optimum tablet formula (T3) had hardness 5.637±1.57 kg, drug content 90.424±1.19%, disintegration time 341.5±9.62 s and the drug dissolved 72.107±0.0025%. Stability, after one month storage of the selected tablets at (25 °c/60% relative humidity), was satisfactory. The absorption extent of lornoxicam from (T3) compared to the conventional tablets was higher. Conclusion: Taken together, the obtained results confirmed successfully the potential of the promising formula (T3), over the conventional tablets of lornoxicam

Effect of Different Meltable Binders on the Disintegration and Dissolution Behavior of Zolmitriptan Oromucosal Fast Melt Tablets

Objective: Fast melt tablets and sublingual route have been widely used for providing quick onset of action with the avoidance of first pass metabolism. The objective of this work was to compare the effect of different meltable binders namely; polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000, pluronic F127 and pluronic F68 on the performance of fast release tablets of the model drug zolmitriptan prepared using the melt granulation technique regarding disintegration time (DT) and dissolution rate (DR) as criteria for rapid absorption and hence quick onset of action. Zolmitriptan is a potent antimigraine drug. Current oral zolmitriptan tablets suffer from slow onset of action, poor bioavailability and large inter-subject variability. Methods: 33 factorial design was adopted. The effect of binder type, binder concentration and croscarmellose sodium (disintegrant) concentration were studied on DT and DR. Results: The three factors were found to significantly affect the DR and the inverse square root of DT and significant interactions were elucidated. Conclusion: Although satisfactory results were obtained regarding DR, modifications using different excipients and or preparation methods should be considered to comply with pharmacopoeia requirement for DT

Compritol-Based Nanostrucutured Lipid Carriers (NLCs) for Augmentation of Zolmitriptan Bioavailability via the Transdermal Route: In Vitro Optimization, Ex Vivo Permeation, In Vivo Pharmacokinetic Study

Migraine is a severe neurovascular disease manifested mainly as unilateral throbbing headaches. Triptans are agonists for serotonin receptors. Zolmitriptan (ZMP) is a biopharmaceutics classification system (BCS) class III medication with an absolute oral bioavailability of less than 40%. As a result, our research intended to increase ZMP bioavailability by developing transdermal nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs). NLCs were prepared utilizing a combination of hot melt emulsification and high-speed stirring in a 32 full factorial design. The studied variables were liquid lipid type (X1) and surfactant type (X2). The developed NLCs were evaluated in terms of particle size (Y1, nm), polydispersity index (Y2, PDI), zeta potential (Y3, mV), entrapment efficacy (Y4, %) and amount released after 6 h (Q6h, Y5, %). At 1% Mygliol as liquid lipid component and 1% Span 20 as surfactant, the optimized formula (NLC9) showed a minimum particle size (138 ± 7.07 nm), minimum polydispersity index (0.39 ± 0.001), acceptable zeta potential (−22.1 ± 0.80), maximum entrapment efficiency (73 ± 0.10%) and maximum amount released after 6 h (83.22 ± 0.10%). The optimized formula was then incorporated into gel preparation (HPMC) to improve the system stability and ease of application. Then, the pharmacokinetic study was conducted on rabbits in a cross-over design. The calculated parameters showed a higher area under the curve (AUC0–24, AUC0–∞ (ng·h/mL)) of the developed ZMP-NLCs loaded gel, with a 1.76-fold increase in bioavailability in comparison to the orally administered marketed product (Zomig®). A histopathological examination revealed the safety of the developed nanoparticles. The declared results highlight the potential of utilizing the proposed NLCs for the transdermal delivery of ZMP to improve the drug bioavailability

Effect of Different Meltable Binders on the Disintegration and Dissolution Behavior of Zolmitriptan Oromucosal Fast Melt Tablets

Objective: Fast melt tablets and sublingual route have been widely used for providing quick onset of action with the avoidance of first pass metabolism. The objective of this work was to compare the effect of different meltable binders namely; polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000, pluronic F127 and pluronic F68 on the performance of fast release tablets of the model drug zolmitriptan prepared using the melt granulation technique regarding disintegration time (DT) and dissolution rate (DR) as criteria for rapid absorption and hence quick onset of action. Zolmitriptan is a potent antimigraine drug. Current oral zolmitriptan tablets suffer from slow onset of action, poor bioavailability and large inter-subject variability. Methods: 33 factorial design was adopted. The effect of binder type, binder concentration and croscarmellose sodium (disintegrant) concentration were studied on DT and DR. Results: The three factors were found to significantly affect the DR and the inverse square root of DT and significant interactions were elucidated. Conclusion: Although satisfactory results were obtained regarding DR, modifications using different excipients and or preparation methods should be considered to comply with pharmacopoeia requirement for DT

NANOSTRUCTURED LIPID CARRIERS FOR TRANSDERMAL DRUG DELIVERY

Transdermal drug delivery offers many advantages over oral delivery, such as avoiding first-pass metabolism, enhancing the bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs, and providing better patient compliance. However, only small lipophilic molecules can be delivered across the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the skin. Unfortunately, the delivery of larger molecules remains a challenge. Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) are second-generation lipid nanocarriers composed of biocompatible solid lipids, liquid lipids, surfactants, and co-surfactants. NLCs can be loaded with various classes of drugs, provide a controlled drug release profile, enhance drug stability, and be scaled up without needing organic solvents. This review article discusses the features, composition, formulation processes, and characterization of NLCs and their potential use in transdermal drug delivery

Penetration enhancer-containing spanlastics (PECSs) for transdermal delivery of haloperidol: in vitro characterization, ex vivo permeation and in vivo biodistribution studies

Haloperidol (Hal) is one of the widely used antipsychotic drugs. When orally administered, it suffers from low bioavailability due to hepatic first pass metabolism. This study aimed at developing Hal-loaded penetration enhancer-containing spanlastics (PECSs) to increase transdermal permeation of Hal with sustained release. PECSs were successfully prepared using ethanol injection method showing reasonable values of percentage entrapment efficiency, particle size, polydispersity index and zeta potential. The statistical analysis of the ex vivo permeation parameters led to the choice of F1L – made of Span® 60 and Tween® 80 at the weight ratio of 4:1 along with 1% w/v Labrasol® – as the selected formula (SF). SF was formulated into a hydrogel by using 2.5% w/v of HPMC K4M. The hydrogel exhibited good in vitro characteristics. Also, it retained its physical and chemical stability for one month in the refrigerator. The radiolabeling of SF showed a maximum yield by mixing of 100 µl of diluted formula with 50 µl saline having 200 MBq of 99mTc and containing 13.6 mg of reducing agent (NaBH4) and volume completed to 300 µl by saline at pH 10 for 10 min as reaction time. The biodistribution study showed that the transdermal 99mTc-SF hydrogel exhibited a more sustained release pattern and longer circulation duration with pulsatile behavior in the blood and higher brain levels than the oral 99mTc-SF dispersion. So, transdermal hydrogel of SF may be considered a promising sustained release formula for Hal maintenance therapy with reduced dose size and less frequent administration than oral formula

Penetration enhancer-containing spanlastics (PECSs) for transdermal delivery of haloperidol: <i>in vitro</i> characterization, <i>ex vivo</i> permeation and <i>in vivo</i> biodistribution studies

<p>Haloperidol (Hal) is one of the widely used antipsychotic drugs. When orally administered, it suffers from low bioavailability due to hepatic first pass metabolism. This study aimed at developing Hal-loaded penetration enhancer-containing spanlastics (PECSs) to increase transdermal permeation of Hal with sustained release. PECSs were successfully prepared using ethanol injection method showing reasonable values of percentage entrapment efficiency, particle size, polydispersity index and zeta potential. The statistical analysis of the <i>ex vivo</i> permeation parameters led to the choice of F1L – made of Span^® 60 and Tween^® 80 at the weight ratio of 4:1 along with 1% w/v Labrasol^® – as the selected formula (SF). SF was formulated into a hydrogel by using 2.5% w/v of HPMC K4M. The hydrogel exhibited good <i>in vitro</i> characteristics. Also, it retained its physical and chemical stability for one month in the refrigerator. The radiolabeling of SF showed a maximum yield by mixing of 100 µl of diluted formula with 50 µl saline having 200 MBq of ^99mTc and containing 13.6 mg of reducing agent (NaBH₄) and volume completed to 300 µl by saline at pH 10 for 10 min as reaction time. The biodistribution study showed that the transdermal ^99mTc-SF hydrogel exhibited a more sustained release pattern and longer circulation duration with pulsatile behavior in the blood and higher brain levels than the oral ^99mTc-SF dispersion. So, transdermal hydrogel of SF may be considered a promising sustained release formula for Hal maintenance therapy with reduced dose size and less frequent administration than oral formula.</p