Preparation, Characterization and Evaluation of Elvitegravir-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles for Enhanced Solubility and Dissolution Rate

Purpose: To enhance the aqueous solubility and dissolution rate of elvitegravir (EVG) by formulating the drug as solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) using solvent injection method.Methods: EVG-loaded SLNs were prepared by solvent injection method. Four different formulations of SLN were prepared using gelucire - 44/14 as lipid core in ethanol, soya lecithin as emulsifier, and polysorbate 80 as surfactant in the aqueous phase. The SLNs were characterized for various physical properties, including particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity, release profile and entrapment efficiency.Results: The yield of SLNs was in the range 151.0 ± 2.4 to 199.1 ± 2.7 nm. Significant changes were observed in mean particle size (nm), Z - potential (mV) and polydispersity index (PDI) of the SLNs by varying the  concentration of cryoprotectant. EVG – SLNs demonstrated a 800 – 1030-fold enhancement in aqueous solubility compared with plain EVG. The dissolution efficiency (DE) for SLNs was > 63 % in all cases and increased up to 83 % with increasing lipid load.Conclusion: Successful preparation and characterization of elvitegravir–loaded solid lipid nanoparticles by solvent injection method has been accomplished in this study.Keywords: Elvitegravir, Solid lipid nanoparticles, Cryoprotectant, Lipid load, Entrapment efficienc

DEVELOPMENT OF STABILITY INDICATING RP-HPLC METHOD FOR THE DETERMINATION OF RELATED SUBSTANCES IN ATORVASTATIN SOLID DOSAGE FORM AND BULK DRUGS

Objective: The present paper reports the development of simple, rapid, accurate and stability indicating reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography method (RP-HPLC) for estimation of related substances in Atorvastatin calcium (ATV) bulk drug as well as in solid dosage form. The method was validated using Agela, Unisol C18 (250 mmX 4.6 mm; 5µ) column.Methods: A method was developed to separate clearly the drug peak from the synthetic/process impurities and degradation products formed under stress conditions is attained on (T/%B) were set at 0/43, 18/43, 20/60, 33/60, 35/43, and 40/43 of 0.02 mM ammonium acetate buffer of pH4.9 was used as mobile phase A and 90:10 v/v, ratio of acetonitrile and tetrahydrofuran was used as mobile phase B. A flow rate of 1.4 ml/min and column temperature of 25 °C was used. The wavelength selected was 246 nm. The developed method was validated as per ICH guidelines for the specificity, precision, linearity, accuracy, limit of detection, limit of quantitation and robustness.Results: Linearity of the impurities was accomplished in the range 0.3-6.0µg/ml for impurity A (Imp A), B (Imp B), C (Imp C), H (Imp H) and 0.4-6.0µg/ml for impurity D (Imp-D), correlation coefficient was found to be more than 0.999 for all impurities. Recovery of impurities was found to be in the range 93%-111%.Conclusion: The developed method was simple, precise, accurate, robust and also cost effective as it has shorter run time for quantification of impurities in drug substance and drug product as well.Â

Effect of 24-Epibrassinolide on Growth, Metabolite content and Antioxidant activities in Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera l. Dunal)

ABSTRACT Effect of 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) on the growth of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) was studied. 24-EBL stimulated the growth of ashwagandha plants which was reflected in increase in plant height, fresh weight and dry weight of plants. The growth promotion was associated with elevated levels of chlorophyll pigments, fractions of carbohydrates and content of soluble proteins. 24-EBL also improved the antioxidative enzyme activities. The results obtained in the study clearly demonstrated the positive impact of brassinosteroids on the growth performance of Withania somnifera

Preparation and characterization of rilpivirine solid dispersions with the application of enhanced solubility and dissolution rate

Rilpivirine (RPV) is a pharmaceutical drug used for the treatment of HIV infection. The drug is characterized with poor aqueous solubility and dissolution rate leading to low bioavailability of the drug. Hence, there is a need for the improvement of the solubility and dissolution of such drugs. In this exertion, enhancement of the solubility and dissolution of the practically water insoluble drug rilpivirine was achieved by solid dispersion (SD) preparation using solvent evaporation method which eventually leads to bioavailability enhancement. SD's were formed using Kollidon VA 64 which is a water-soluble copolymer and varying copolymer ratio to Avicel PH-101, Gelucire 50/13 and lecithin soya. Solubility studies were carried out to establish the solubility-enhancing property of the SD's. To support solubility analysis results, powder dissolution studies were carried out. The SD's were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray powder diffraction studies, scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the SD's formed showed the absence of crystalline nature of the drug and its conversion to amorphous state. The solubility and dissolution of the rilpivirine SD's were enhanced. There is a 14.9 fold increase in solubility for Drug: Kollidan VA 64: Gelucire 50/13 (1:4:1). For Drug: Kollidan VA 64 (1:5), Drug: Kollidan VA 64: Lecithin soya (1:4:1) and Drug: Kollidan VA 64: Avicel PH-101 (1:4:1) it was 5.9, 5.4 and 4.2 respectively. In-vitro drug release kinetics was investigated. This study demonstrates the use of solvent evaporation method for the preparation of SD’S in solubility and dissolution enhancement

In Situ Metastable Form: A Route for the Generation of Hydrate and Anhydrous Forms of Ceritinib

Ceritinib is an anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor used for the treatment of ALK-positive metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This BCS class IV drug is developed by Novartis and traded under the name Zykadia. To date two forms [Form A (marketed form) and B] of ceritinib are disclosed in international patent application US 2013/0274279 A1. However, the crystal structure and insight into any solid form of this compound are not available in the literature. In order to achieve better physicochemical properties compared to known solid forms of this compound, novel polymorph identification is chosen as one of the challenging paths to address the issue. In our comprehensive polymorph screening, including in silico and experimental investigations, we discovered three novel solid forms of ceritinib. Out of these three solid forms, two are neat (Form 1 and Form 3) and the remaining one is a hydrate (Form 2). All synthesized forms are further characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. It is interesting to note that the discovery of this hydrate is in sync with the prediction done using COSMO-RS theory (COSMOthermX software). The current article includes the first single crystal structure of ceritinib Form 1. All forms (Form 1, 2, and 3) of ceritinib are subjected to physicochemical property evaluation like solubility in buffers with a pH range of 1–7, dissolution, and stability. In aqueous solutions and pH 4.5 (acetate buffer), the solubility of Form 2 and 3 is high compared to Form 1, whereas in 0.1 N HCl and 0.01 N HCl Form 1 has a higher solubility compared to Forms 2 and 3. A six-month stability study indicates that all forms (Forms 1, 2, and 3) are stable in ICH stability conditions like accelerated (40 °C ± 2 °C, 75% RH ± 5% RH), long-term (25 °C ± 2 °C, 60% RH ± 5% RH), and low temperature (2–8 °C) conditions. A thorough polymorph screening protocol, including in silico prediction, single crystal structure, and physicochemical properties of different forms and structure property correlations for ceritinib are enlightened in the current paper