Physical mechanical and tablet formation properties of hydroxypropylcellulose: In pure form and in mixtures

The aim of the study was to analyze hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) in pure form and in excipient mixtures and to relate its physical and chemical properties to tablet binder functionality. The materials used were Klucel hydroxypropylcellulose grades ranging from low to high molecular weight (80–1000 kDa) of regular particle size (250 µm mean size) and fine particle size (80 µm mean size). These were compared with microcrystalline cellulose, spray-dried lactose, and dicalcium phosphate dihydrate. Thermal behavior of HPC was analyzed by modulated temperature differential scanning calorimetry (MTDSC). Tablets of the pure materials and of dry blends with 4% low viscosity, fine particle HPC and 30% high viscosity, fine particle HPC were produced on an instrumented eccentric tableting machine at 3 relative humidities. The 3-dimensional (3-D) model with the parameters time plasticity d, pressure plasticity e, and the twisting angle ω, the inverse of fast elastic decompression was compared with the Heckel method for characterization of compaction. Elastic recovery and compactibility were also studied. The results show that HPC tablet formation is characterized by high plastic deformation. The d, e, and ω values were markedly higher as compared with the reference materials. Plasticity was highest for the fine particle size HPC types. Maximum compactibility was observed for low molecular weight, fine particle size HPC. Tableting of the mixtures showed deformation, which was strongly influenced by HPC. Plasticity and crushing force of formed tablets was increased. In conclusion, HPC is characterized by strong plastic deformation properties, which are molecular weight and particle size dependent

Stabilization of hot-melt extrusion formulations containing solid solutions using polymer blends

This study was aimed at enhancing the physical stability of the drug clotrimazole (CT) and the polymer contained within hot-melt extrusion (HME) films using polymer blends of hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). The HME films were investigated for solid-state characteristics, moisture sorption, bioadhesivity, mechanical properties, glass transition temperature, release characteristics, and physical and chemical stability of the drug and the polymer within the HME films. The solid-state characterization of the drug and the polymer was performed using differential scanning calorimetry, x-ray diffractometry, and dynamic mechanical analysis. A texture analyzer was used to study the bioadhesive and mechanical properties of the HME films. The physical and chemical stability of the films, stored at 25°C/60% relative humidity or in a desiccator, was studied for up to 12 months. CT was found to be in solid solution within all of the formulations extruded. The physical stability of the drug and PEO in the HME films increased with increasing HPC concentration, but the bioadhesivity and flexibility of the PEO films decreased with increasing HPC concentration. Films containing HPC: PEO∶CT in the ratio of 55∶35∶10 demonstrated optimum physical-mechanical, bioadhesive, and release properties. In conclusion, polymer blends of HPC and PEO were used successfully to tailor the drug release, mechanical and bio-adhesive properties, and stability of the HME films

Oral bioavailability in pigs of a miconazole/Hydroxypropyl-γ-cyclodextrin/ L-tataric acid inclusion complex produced by supercritical carbon dioxide processing

The objective of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetic parameters of miconazole after oral administration of a miconazole/hydroxypropyl-γ-cyclodextrin(HPγCD)/ L-tartaric acid inclusion complex produced by supercritical carbon dioxide processing. The pharmacokinetics of the miconazole ternary complex (CPLX), of the corresponding physical mixture (PHYS), and of miconazole alone (MICO) were compared after oral administration. Six mixed-breed pigs received each formulation as a single dose (10 mg miconazole/kg) in a crossover design. Miconazole plasma concentrations were determined by a high-performance liquid chromatography method. Preliminary in vitro dissolution data showed that CPLX exhibits a faster and higher dissolution rate than either PHYS or MICO. Following CPLX oral administration, mean area under the plasma concentration curve (AUC0−∞) for miconazole was 95.0±55.8 μg/min/mL, with the peak plasma concentration (Cmax 0.59±0.39 μg/mL) at 19.30 minutes. The AUC0−∞ and Cmax values were significantly higher than those after oral administration of PHYS (AUC0−∞ 38.5±12.7 μg/min/mL and Cmax 0.24±0.08 μg/mL;P<.1) and of MICO (AUC0−∞ 24.1±14.0 μg/min/mL and Cmax 0.1±0.05 μg/mL;P<.1). There were also significant differences between PHYS and MICO (P<.1). The results of the study indicate that CPLX shows improved dissolution properties and a higher relative oral bioavailability compared with PHYS and MICO