An investigation into the effects of excipients on quality characteristics of a dry herbal extract containing capsule

Nutrition and dietary supplements have a significant role in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Olive and vine leaves, thanks to their constituents, represent powerful natural antioxidants exhibiting cardioprotective activity. High concentrations of active ingredients can be provided by means of extraction. Dry herbal extracts are highly sensitive to moisture and elevated temperature and from the pharmaceutical and technological point of view these are raw materials with inadequate technological properties. The aim of this study was to investigate and to compare the influence of different excipients in capsule formulation of these two dry extracts i.e. the selection of excipients that will ensure appropriate critical process parameters in the manufacturing procedure. The monitored quality characteristics include flowability, bulk density and tapped density that are critical for technological feasibility of the capsule-filling operation. The effects of excipients on the above parameters have been experimentally studied and the appropriate capsule formulations have been developed based on the obtained results, which will ensure homogeneity and stability of the preparation

Selective laser sintering (SLS) 3D printing process: Influence of model design on the properties of zolpidem tartrate tablets

Three-dimensional printing (3DP) is an innovative additive manufacturing technology in the field of pharmaceuticals that has the potential to provide small batches of patient-tailored medicines (Wang et al., 2021). One of the newest and most advanced 3DP techniques is selective laser sintering (SLS), a one-step manufacturing process that uses a laser to selectively sinter powder particles into layers and create a 3D structure of a solid dosage form. Depending on the 3D design of the object, the laser is focused to draw specific patterns on the surface of the powder. Once the first layer is sintered, a fresh layer of powder is sprinkled on top so that a new layer can be sintered (Allahham et al., 2020). The aim of this study was to formulate and investigate the influence of the model design on the properties of zolpidem tartrate (ZT) tablets produced by the SLS 3DP process.14th Central European Symposium on Pharmaceutical Technology, 28th - 30th September, Ohrid, N. Macedonia, 202

Washing treatment impact on print quality of screen printed knitted fabrics

The surface of textile materials is highly textured, commonly in non-uniform ways. Because of this texture effect, textile surface appears rougher and more porous than other printing substrates, which can cause excessive ink penetration during printing process. Next, washing process is very important factor because it influences ink characteristics on printed samples as well as structural changes of the textile substrate. The aim of this paper is to determine the influences of washing process and different mesh tread count used for printing on print quality. This will be obtained by using spectrophotometric analysis, and GLCM image processing method for print mottle estimation. The results of this research show that increasing number of washing processes leads to higher color differences reproduction color in comparison to printed materials before washing. It also shows that textile surface texture has a great influence on print mottle as well as that number of washing treatment series can generate variations of solid-tone print uniformity. Keywords: cotton, different thread count, GLCM, spectrophotometric analysis, series of washing process

Fast fabrication of large area concave microlens arrays

A single-step process for rapid fabrication of large-area concave microlens arrays using a diode-pumped solid state (DPSS) laser operating at 473 nm is developed. Using tartrazine sensitized gelatin layer treated with tot’hema - mixture of iron (II)-, manganese (II)- and copper(II)gluconate- (denoted short as tSTG) and a direct laser writing device developed in our laboratory, we could produce 10 000 uniform microlens arrays within 30 min. Uniform microlenses with different diameters and depth can be produced by varying the laser power, exposure time and dye concentration

COLPOSCOPY, BIOPSY AND ELECTROSURGICAL LOOP EXSCISION OF THE TRANSFORMATION ZONE IN GLANDULAR CERVICAL ATYPIA DETECTION. REPORT OF THREE CASES

Posljednjih se desetljeća bilježi i relativni i apsolutni porast broja žena oboljelih od adenokarcinoma vrata maternice. Rana dijagnoza glandularnih promjena čiji maligni potencijal još nije potpuno spoznat, ključna je. Terminologija koja se odnosi na glandularne atipije raznolika je pa postoje i poteškoće u iznalaženju klasifikacije. Kolposkopija može ukazati na glandularne atipije iako je vrijednost ove metode daleko manja nego u dijagnostici skvamoznih lezija. Prikazane su tri bolesnice u kojih je nađena kolposkopska slika sumnjiva na glandularnu leziju a dijagnoza adenokarcinoma in situ potvrđena elektroekscizijskom biopsijom. Diskutira se i o vrijednosti raznih metoda biopsije ali i mogućim konzervativnim načinima liječenja u žena koje žele očuvati fertilitet.During the last decades relative as well as absolute increase in the number of women suffering from cervical adenocarcinoma has been reported. There is good evidence to support the concept that adenocarcinoma in situ is a premalignant condition. Early diagnosis of glandular disease, malignant potential of which has not yet been completely revealed, is crucial. As preinvasive glandular lesions are asymptomatic, detection occurs either by cytology or by chance following biopsy for other reasons. The terminology related to glandular atypia is quite diverse, making the retrieval of classification rather difficult. The colposcopy may indicate the existence of glandular atypia, although the significance of this method is of less value than in the diagnostics of squamous lesions. It has been suggested that adenocarcinoma in situ is associated with dense acetowhite fused villi although these features are not always pathognomonic. Three patients with colposcopic findings suspected to glandular lesion and the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma in situ confirmed by electroexcisional biopsy are presented. The significance of various biopsy methods are also discussed as wel as possible conservative ways of treatment in women who want to save their fertilit

Washing treatment impact on print quality of screen printed knitted fabrics

The surface of textile materials is highly textured, commonly in non-uniform ways. Because of this texture effect, textile surface appears rougher and more porous than other printing substrates, which can cause excessive ink penetration during printing process. Next, washing process is very important factor because it influences ink characteristics on printed samples as well as structural changes of the textile substrate. The aim of this paper is to determine the influences of washing process and different mesh tread count used for printing on print quality. This will be obtained by using spectrophotometric analysis, and GLCM image processing method for print mottle estimation. The results of this research show that increasing number of washing processes leads to higher color differences reproduction color in comparison to printed materials before washing. It also shows that textile surface texture has a great influence on print mottle as well as that number of washing treatment series can generate variations of solid-tone print uniformity. Keywords: cotton, different thread count, GLCM, spectrophotometric analysis, series of washing process

Pharmaceutical and technological characteristics of barium sulphate tablets -the screening of various formulation factors

Introduction The study examined the development of barium sulphate tablets that do not dissolve in the digestive tract and are used as a contrasting agent for measuring transit time through the column. The main problem for obtaining non-degradable tablets is the formation of a compact polymer matrix that does not disintegrate in digestive fluids over a long period of time (Chaussade et al., 1986; Felder et al., 1984). In pharmaceutical technology, thermal techniques of granulation, extrusion, and the like, polymers and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are known for achieving better solubility of low soluble substances or for achieving slow release of highly soluble substances from solid preparations (Obradović et al., 2016) Several different formulations were tested in which they were varied: the presence of different polymers Eudragit® RS PO and/or PMMA, wet granulation and direct compression procedure, different granulation of filler calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate, and the time of sintering in a pair of organic solvents of acetone or IPA at different time intervals. The results of the tensile strength of the tablets that are important for the further sintering process and the degradability of sintered tablets were monitored as the output parameter. In the final manufacturing process - tablet sintering, only formulations in which the tensile strength of the tablet was ≥20 MPa were used. For this reason, direct compression tablets, as well as wet granulation formulations with PMMA, are not sintered. The tensile strength of the tablet before and after sintering indicates that the "wet" granulation is more efficient with IPA because it produces better compacted granules (higher tensile strengths), while acetone is more efficient in the sintering process at 35oC , which is expected due to the higher vapor pressure at that temperature compared to the IPA. Materials and Methods The tablets are made by the wet granulation process, and the direct compression process, and the pharmaceutical and technological characteristics of the tablets have been compared. The API Barium sulphate (Merck, Germany) was used. The essence of the formulation is based on the use of two polymers: polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA DP 300 U) and copolymers of ammonium methacrylic acid (Eudragit® RS PO).The role of PMMA DP 300 U is to with Eudragit® RS PO synergistically form in physiological media an insoluble, completely impermeable and non- swelling martix regardless of the pH value of the media. Calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate, an insoluble excipient, was selected as the filler. Two types of this filler were selected, powder and fine granular (Emcompress®) intended for direct compression due to improved flowing and compressible properties. Magnesium stearate was used in order to achieve adequate lubrication and to eject the tablets from the matrix. Acetone and/or IPA were chosen as solvents in combination with concentrated ethanol and water. Wet granulation In laboratory tests, mixing and wet granulation were carried out in a high shear mixer and dried at 50 °C in a fluidization oven. A vacuum processor was used for the pilot test. In the vacuum processor homogeneous mixing of the previously measured barium sulphate, calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate, Eudragit RS PO, and PMMA DP 300 U. The granulation solution is a mixture of acetone or isopropanol, concentrated ethanol, and purified water, i.e. isopropanol and purified water and purified water. The wet agglomerated mass is dried in a vacuum processor by heating to a temperature of 50 °C., and the vacuum is included with occasional stirring until is achieved loss on drying of not more than 1% (at 105 oC). Magnesium stearate was added to the diluted granulate and further stirred. Tableting Compression of laboratory trials was performed on an eccentric tablet press EKO type, and pilot trials were performed on a Kilian rotary tablet press Synthesis 500. For the 80 mg dose, the characteristics of the tablets were: mass: 0.268 g, diameter: 8.8 - 9.2 mm, and hardness: at least 20.0 MPa. Sintering Tablets were sintered in a sealed chamber saturated with either acetone vapor or isopropanol vapor at 35ºC (± 2 ºC) for 8h, 16h, 24h, 32h, and 40h. Drying After sintering, the tablets were dried or residual acetone or isopropanol is removed to a maximum of 2.5 mg/tablet. The sintered tablets were dried according to the scheme: 1) Temperatures 22 ºC for 16 h, 2) 40ºC for 24 h, 3) 50 ºC for 8 h and 4) 55ºC for 8 h. Results and discussion In the case of tablets made by direct compression, it was not possible to achieve the corresponding mechanical characteristics of the tablets: the strength and friability, which were necessary for the further process and manipulation, or consolidation, by sintering in an organic solvent vapor. Formulation made with PMMA DP 300 U, without the addition of the Eudragit® RS PO polymer, could not be compressed due to the spherical shape of PMMA DP 300 U which is extremely unfavorable for compression. The results of tablet tensile strengths before and after sintering indicate, for IPA and acetone solvents, that IPA solvent is more effective for wet granulation because it produces better compacting granules (higher tensile strengths are obtained), while acetone is in the sintering process at 35 °C a more efficient solvent, as expected given the higher vapor pressure at that temperature compared to IPA. The time interval during which the disintegration was tested was up to 7 days because it is the interval during which the transit of the tablet through the column in subjects with slow passage is examined in vivo. When it comes to the efficiency of the organic solvent in the process of polymer matrix consolidation by sintering, the slightly lower efficiency of isopropanol compared to acetone is observed. The sintering time has a significantly greater effect on matrix consolidation. The criteria for intact barium sulphate tablets within a 7-day time interval was fulfilled only by formulations with a mixture of Eudragit® RS PO and PMMA DP 300 U polymers obtained by granulation with acetone or isopropanol using a sintered process during 35h. Conclusion Tests of various formulations and technological parameters in the production process have shown that in order to obtain a contrast agent for testing the functional radiology of the colon, rectum and anal canal, i.e. measuring the transit time through the colon, which meets the defined criteria, optimal formulation is with calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate powder, an equivalent amount of Eudragit RS PO and PMMA DP 300 U polymers, isopropanol as solvent in addition to ethanol and water in the process of wet granulation, and sintering process in an organic acetone solvent vapor at 35°C.7th Congress of Pharmacy in Macedonia with international participation, Ohrid, North Macedonia, October 5-9 2022

The evaluation of the effect of different infill patterns on the drug release from hollow paracetamol-loaded tablets 3D printed via fused deposition modelling technique

Deponovanje istopljenog filamenta (FDM) je jedna od najviše istraživanih tehnika 3D štampe, čiji princip rada se zasniva na depoziciji tankih polimernih niti na ravnu ploču, sloj po sloj. Postoji veliki broj parametara štampe koji se mogu podešavati u FDM 3D tehnici, a neki od njih su: temperatura štampe, brzina štampe, obrazac punjenja, gustina punjenja itd. Navedeni parametric mogu imati uticaj na brzinu oslobadđanja ljekovite supstance iz 3D odštampanih farmaceutskih preparata. Cilj ovog rada bio je da se ispita uticaj obrasca punjenja na brzinu oslobađanja paracetamola iz FDM 3D tabteta zasnovanih na polivinil alkoholu (PVA). ...Fused deposition modelling (FDM) is currently one of the most commonly used technique in 3D printing and its principle is based on deposition of thin polymer strands on a build plate, in a layer-by-layer manner. The whole process is controlled by a software. There are many printing parameters in FDM 3D printing technique that can be varied, such as: printing temperature, printing speed, infill density, infill pattern etc. ...Book of abstracts - The pover of pharmacy the strength of our healt

Formulacija i karakterizacija oralno-disperzibilnih tableta desloratadina dobijenih 3D tehnikom selektivnog laserskog sinterovanja

Trodimenzionalna (3D) štampa predstavlja inovativnu tehnologiju u oblasti farmacije, koja ima potencijal da obezbedi proizvodnju malih serija lekova prilagođenih individualnim potrebama pacijenata. Intenzivno istraživanje u oblasti 3D štampe rezultovalo je razvojem velikog broj različitih tehnika, a čija osnovna, zajednička karakteristika jeste štampanje u slojevima. ...Three-dimensional (3D) printing is an innovative technology in the field of pharmacy with potential to provide manufacturing of small batches of patient-taiIored medicines. Intensive research in the field of 3D printing has resulted in development of numerous different techniques whose common feature is printing in layers The aim of this study was to formulate and comparatively characterize orodispersible tablets (ODTs) of desloratadine (DSL) obtained by 3D selective laser sintering (SLS) technique with commercially available ODTs. ...Book of abstracts - The pover of pharmacy the strength of our healt

Hydrophilic excipients in digital light processing (DLP) printing of sustained release tablets: Impact on internal structure and drug dissolution rate

Three-dimensional (3D) printing enables the production of different objects adjusted for the specific application, which has particular importance of providing personalized therapy, whereby the challenge is to apply pharmaceutical materials into 3D printing technology. In this study, effect of poly(ethylene glycol) 400 (PEG 400), sodium chloride (NaCl), and mannitol, as hydrophilic excipients, was investigated in order to overcome very slow and incomplete drug release from tablets (printlets) fabricated by photopolymerization using digital light processing (DLP) technology. Paracetamol (acetaminophen) was used as a model drug, while polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) was used as a photopolymer and diphenyl (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide as a photoinitiator in photoreactive mixtures. Most of printlet formulations exhibit sustained release over 8 h, wherein drug release kinetics is the best described with Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetics. Variation in the content of photopolymer and excipients had an influence on the dissolution rate, mechanical characteristics, and internal structure of the investigated samples. The addition of hydrophilic polymers increased drug release rate, while PEGDA had the greatest influence on the tensile strength of printlets. The results indicate the possibility of implementation of traditional excipients into different formulations for photopolymerization based 3D printing for the production of small batches of tablets with tailored drug release