Análisis comparativo de la cinética de liberación de diclofenaco sódico a partir de matrices hidrofílicas en medios de disolución convencionales y biorrelevantes

Se utilizaron dos polímeros hidrofílicos comúnmente empleados en la formulación de matrices de liberación extendida, hidroxipropil-metil-celulosa (HPMC, hipromelosa) y óxido de polietileno (PEO), junto con celulosa microcristalina y lactosa, con el objetivo de estudiar la cinética de liberación del diclofenaco sódico en los aparatos II y III de la USP, en un medio de disolución compendial y en medios biorrelevantes. La cinética de liberación predominante en el aparato II fue uno y en el aparato III, cero. El valor de las constantes n y k aplicando la ley del exponente, indicaron tanto para el aparato II como para el III, que no se presenta el efecto “burst” y que el mecanismo predominante en la liberación del fármaco, es la relajación y la erosión del polímero. Los resultados sugieren que la metodología de disolución en un medio biorrelevante es apropiada para discriminar entre formulaciones y para predecir el desempeño in vivo de tabletas de liberación extendida de diclofenaco sódico

Microfibrous Solid Dispersions of Poorly Water-Soluble Drugs Produced via Centrifugal Spinning: Unexpected Dissolution Behavior on Recrystallization

Temperature-controlled, solvent-free centrifugal spinning may be used as a means of rapid production of amorphous solid dispersions in the form of drug-loaded sucrose microfibers. However, due to the high content of amorphous sucrose in the formulations, such microfibers may be highly hygroscopic and unstable on storage. In this study, we explore both the effects of water uptake of the microfibers and the consequences of deliberate recrystallization for the associated dissolution profiles. The stability of sucrose microfibers loaded with three selected BCS class II model drugs (itraconazole (ITZ), olanzapine (OLZ), and piroxicam (PRX)) was investigated under four different relative humidity conditions (11, 33, 53, and 75% RH) at 25 °C for 8 months, particularly focusing on the effect of the highest level of moisture (75% RH) on the morphology, size, drug distribution, physical state, and dissolution performance of microfibers. While all samples were stable at 11% RH, at 33% RH the ITZ-sucrose system showed greater resistance against devitrification compared to the OLZ- and PRX-sucrose systems. For all three samples, the freshly prepared microfibers showed enhanced dissolution and supersaturation compared to the drug alone and physical mixes; surprisingly, the dissolution advantage was largely maintained or even enhanced (in the case of ITZ) following the moisture-induced recrystallization under 75% RH. Therefore, this study suggests that the moisture-induced recrystallization process may result in considerable dissolution enhancement compared to the drug alone, while overcoming the physical stability risks associated with the amorphous state

Multivariate analysis as a method to understand variability in a complex excipient, and its contribution to formulation performance

A key part of the Risk Assessment of excipients is to understand how raw material variability could (or does) contribute to differences in performance of the drug product. Here we demonstrate an approach which achieves the necessary understanding for a complex, functional, excipient. Multivariate analysis (MVA) of the certificates of analysis of an ethylcellulose aqueous dispersion (Surelease) formulation revealed low overall variability of the properties of the systems. Review of the scores plot to highlight batches manufactured using the same ethylcellulose raw material in the formulation, indicated that these batches tend to be more closely related than other randomly selected batches. This variability could result in potential differences in the quality of drug product lots made from these batches. Manufacture of a model drug product from Surelease batches coated using different lots of starting material revealed small differences in the release of a model drug, which could be detected by certain model dependent dissolution modelling techniques, but they were not observed when using model-independent techniques. This illustrates that the techniques are suitable for detecting and understanding excipient variability, but that, in this case, the product was still robust

Dextran and its potential use as tablet excipient

Dextrans are a class of carbohydrate polymers extensively applied in pharmaceutical applications, particularly as drug conjugate macromolecular carriers or drug delivery systems. These polysaccharides improve the stability of the therapeutics enabling also the control of their release, via either the parenteral and or oral routes. In the latter case, due to their gel forming ability they may have potential as hydrophilic matrix tablets for sustained drug release. In this paper, we investigated the behaviour of different molecular weight (1, 40, 500 and 2300 kDa) dextrans as tabletting excipients. Powder particle size and hygroscopic studies have been reported, together with tabletability, tablet stability and tablet swelling. Moreover we use tramadol as model compound to evaluate the ability of dextrans to control drug dissolution. The results suggest that dextrans with lower molecular weights may be a promising excipient to be used as filler for immediate release tablets, due to their good tabletability and fast dissolution rate, while dextrans with higher molecular weights could be an efficient disintegrant due to their swelling ability

Bioadhesive Controlled Metronidazole Release Matrix Based on Chitosan and Xanthan Gum

Metronidazole, a common antibacterial drug, was incorporated into a hydrophilic polymer matrix composed of chitosan xanthan gum mixture. Hydrogel formation of this binary chitosan-xanthan gum combination was tested for its ability to control the release of metronidazole as a drug model. This preparation (MZ-CR) was characterized by in vitro, ex vivo bioadhesion and in vivo bioavailability study. For comparison purposes a commercial extended release formulation of metronidazole (CMZ) was used as a reference. The in vitro drug-release profiles of metronidazole preparation and CMZ were similar in 0.1 M HCl and phosphate buffer pH 6.8. Moreover, metronidazole preparation and CMZ showed a similar detachment force to sheep stomach mucosa, while the bioadhesion of the metronidazole preparation was higher three times than CMZ to sheep duodenum. The results of in vivo study indicated that the absorption of metronidazole from the preparation was faster than that of CMZ. Also, MZ-CR leads to higher metronidazole Cmax and AUC relative to that of the CMZ. This increase in bioavailability might be explained by the bioadhesion of the preparation at the upper part of the small intestine that could result in an increase in the overall intestinal transit time. As a conclusion, formulating chitosan-xanthan gum mixture as a hydrophilic polymer matrix resulted in a superior pharmacokinetic parameters translated by better rate and extent of absorption of metronidazole

Evaluation of sesamum gum as an excipient in matrix tablets

In developing countries modern medicines are often beyond the affordability of the majority of the population. This is due to the reliance on expensive imported raw materials despite the abundance of natural resources which could provide an equivalent or even an improved function. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of sesamum gum (SG) extracted from the leaves of Sesamum radiatum (readily cultivated in sub-Saharan Africa) as a matrix former. Directly compressed matrix tablets were prepared from the extract and compared with similar matrices of HPMC (K4M) using theophylline as a model water soluble drug. The compaction, swelling, erosion and drug release from the matrices were studied in deionized water, 0.1 N HCl (pH 1.2) and phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) using USP apparatus II. The data from the swelling, erosion and drug release studies were also fitted into the respective mathematical models. Results showed that the matrices underwent a combination of swelling and erosion, with the swelling action being controlled by the rate of hydration in the medium. SG also controlled the release of theophylline similar to the HPMC and therefore may have use as an alternative excipient in regions where Sesamum radiatum can be easily cultivated

Powder Compaction: Compression Properties of Cellulose Ethers

Effective development of matrix tablets requires a comprehensive understanding of different raw material attributes and their impact on process parameters. Cellulose ethers (CE) are the most commonly used pharmaceutical excipients in the fabrication of hydrophilic matrices. The innate good compression and binding properties of CE enable matrices to be prepared using economical direct compression (DC) techniques. However, DC is sensitive to raw material attributes, thus, impacting the compaction process. This article critically reviews prior knowledge on the mechanism of powder compaction and the compression properties of cellulose ethers, giving timely insight into new developments in this field