FORMULATION OF SOLID DISPERSIONS FOR ENHANCEMENT OF SOLUBILITY AND DISSOLUTION RATE OF SIMVASTATIN

Objective: The objective of the present work was to formulate the solid dispersions of simvastatin for enhancement of its aqueous solubility and dissolution rate. Methods: In the present study, solid dispersions of simvastatin were prepared by Kneading and Solvent evaporation methods. The polymeric carriers like Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 and Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone (PVP) K30 were used in different ratios (ratio of drug: carrier was 1:1, 1:2) to formulate solid dispersions. The prepared solid dispersions were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and evaluated for drug content, percentage yield, saturation solubility, in vitro dissolution studies. The best formula of the solid dispersion was selected according to the solubility and dissolution data. Results: The F7 formulation was found to be an optimized formulation containing PVP K30 in the ratio 1:1 prepared by solvent evaporation technique. The Drug content was found to be higher i.e. 94.89 in the F7 batch. The FT-IR spectra revealed that there was no interaction between drugs and carriers. DSC thermogram indicated entrapment of simvastatin in PVP K30 and the conversion of crystalline simvastatin into an amorphous form. The F7 formulation showed maximum drug release i.e. 98.60% in 60 min which is 2 times greater than pure drug making it an optimized formulation. Conclusion: The solubility of simvastatin was successfully enhanced through the solid dispersion technique. Solid dispersions prepared with solvent evaporation method were more soluble than solid dispersions prepared with kneading method with carrier PVP K30

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF FLOATING MICROSPHERES OF CIPROFLOXACIN BY SOLVENT EVAPORATION METHOD USING DIFFERENT POLYMERS

Objective: The main intention of this research was to formulate and evaluate floating microspheres of ciprofloxacin using different polymers to prolong gastric residence time. Methods: The microspheres were formulated by the solvent evaporation method using different ratios of polymers like carbopol 940, ethylcellulose, and Hydroxy Propyl Methyl Cellulose K4M. Further, the floating microspheres were evaluated for micromeritic properties like bulk density, tapped density, angle of repose, etc., percentage yield, particle size, entrapment efficiency, floating capacity, in vitro drug release study, release kinetics, drug content, swelling index, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) (Compatibility studies). Results: The ciprofloxacin microspheres showed the good flowing property. The particle size ranged from 258.1±2.21 µm to 278±2.86 µm and entrapment efficiency ranged from 63.17±0.43% to 89.90±1.32%. The IR spectrum revealed that there was no interaction between the drug and polymer. F7 formulation was found to be the best formulation. Drug release was found to be 90.70±0.89% i.e. in a controlled manner at the end of 10 h. Conclusion: The floating microspheres were prepared successfully and the results clearly stated that prepared ciprofloxacin microspheres may be safe and effective controlled drug delivery over an extended period which can increase bioavailability, patient compliance, and decrease dosing frequency

Microsponge as an Emerging Technique in Novel Drug Delivery System

Numbers of developments are implemented in drug delivery system to achieve the goals of optimized efficacy, cost effectiveness of therapy. One of the latest, novel and highly evolving technologies is microsponge drug delivery system which gives controlled release and site specific delivery of active ingredients. They are highly cross linked, porous and polymeric microspheres with size range of 5-300µm. This system is emerging as valuable option for topical delivery of drugs due to characteristics like decreased side effects, improved stability, better formulation flexibility, superior product performance. It is having number of applications in oral, topical, ocular and biopharmaceuticals delivery. The current review describes microsponge technology and details of the formulation methods, evaluation, programmable release mechanisms and applications.   Keywords: Microsponges; Controlled release; Quasi emulsion solvent diffusion; Programmable drug release; Oral administration; Topical drug delivery

Niosomes: A Novel Carrier Drug Delivery System

Niosomes are a novel drug delivery system, in which the medication is encapsulated in a vesicle. The vesicle is composed of a bilayer of non-ionic surfactants. Niosomes are mostly preferred than liposomes because they are stable and cost effective. Niosomes potentiate the pharmacological action of the drug molecules by delaying the clearance of the drug from the circulation, protecting the drug from biological environment and restricting the effects only to the target cells. In novel drug delivery it has applications on treatment of cancer, used as a carrier in haemoglobin, delivery of the peptide drugs through oral route, in treatment of leishmaniasis, in ophthalmic delivery and as carrier in dermal drug delivery. This review article focuses on the composition, advantages, types of niosomes, methods of preparation, characterization and application of the vesicular system. Keywords: Niosomes, Composition, Types, Method of preparation, Factors affecting, Application

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF MOUTH DISSOLVING TABLET OF MELOXICAM USING NATURAL SUPERDISINTEGRANTS

Objective: The objective of the present work was the preparation and evaluation of mouth dissolving tablets (MDTs) of meloxicam using natural superdisintegrants. Methods: Meloxicam is BCS Class II (low soluble, and high permeable) drug increasing the dissolution properties of the poorly water-soluble drug meloxicam using a solid dispersion method (solvent evaporation method). Solvent evaporation method using drug and carrier as polyethylene glycol (PEG)-6000 and PEG-15,000 the ratio of 1:1, 1:2 (drug:carrier), and acetone as solvent. In house prepared banana powder were used as natural superdisintegrant. Manufacturing of MDT was done by the direct compression method. In this MDTs, various excipients were used such as mannitol used as the diluent, sodium saccharin used as a sweetening agent, Avicel pH-102 used as a binding agent, and talc and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) used as lubricant and glidant. The best formula of the tablet was selected according to the disintegration time (DT) and friability tests. Results: The results have shown that an increase in the meloxicam solubility was obtained using solid dispersion with the solvent evaporation method using PEG-15000 as a carrier in the ratio of 1:2 (drug:carrier). Taste masking was also done by a solid dispersion method. Tablet prepared with in house prepared banana powder gave less DT (70 s) as compared to tablet prepared with branded banana powder (80 s), but formulation F5 failed in friability testing. Improved strength of tablet obtained using SLS (<1%) also showed an increase in the dissolution performance of the tablet in formulation F6. This F6 formulation having 10% natural super disintegrating agent (in house prepared banana powder) has shown 99% cumulative drug release within 18 min. It also passed the friability test. Conclusion: Accordingly, the solubility of meloxicam was successfully enhanced through solid dispersion with carrier PEG-15,000 and formulated as a MDT to improve its oral absorption. PEG has also been used as a taste masking agent in these formulations. It was concluded that in house banana powder had excellent DT as compared to branded banana powder. Banana powder is “economical” and “easily available” than other commonly used synthetic superdisintegrants. The process of banana powder preparation is eco friendly. The meloxicam MDT formulated with natural superdisintegrant in house prepared banana powder found to pass all pharmacopeial tests