Drug release from reservoir pellets compacted with some excipients of different physical properties

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of the size and the porosity of excipient microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) particles on the densification and the deformation during compaction and the consequent effect on the drug release from reservoir pellets. Drug pellets consisting of salicylic acid and microcrystalline cellulose were prepared by extrusion-spheronisation and spray-coated with ethyl cellulose (ethanol solution). Excipient pellets of different size and porosity were prepared by extrusion-spheronisation or direct spheronisation. Five binary mixtures of reservoir pellets and excipient particles were prepared in the proportion 1:7 and lubricated. After compaction the reservoir pellets were retrieved and analysed to determine the intragranular porosity, surface area, shape and drug release. The reservoir pellets were shown to undergo extensive deformation and densification during compaction, resulting in a preserved or even prolonged drug release time. The mode of deformation of the reservoir pellets seems to be critical for the compression-induced change in drug release. Formation of large indents has a negative effect on the release time, while the use of small particles or small deformable agglomerates has a protective effect. We also hypothesize that the coating structure changes during compaction and the final structure of the coating is the net effect of two parallel processes, one reducing and one prolonging the drug transport time across the coating.     

The effect of shape and porosity on the compression behaviour and tablet forming ability of granular materials formed from microcrystalline cellulose.

The compression behaviour of two types of granules prepared from microcrystalline cellulose was evaluated. Three sets (low, intermediate and high intragranular porosity) of irregular granules and three sets of nearly spherical granules (called pellets) were prepared from microcrystalline cellulose by wet agglomeration or wet agglomeration followed by extrusion/spheronisation. The granules and pellets were similar in size. The range of intragranular porosity, although wide, was also similar for both types. The compression behaviour was evaluated in terms of the degree of compression, the appearance of the tablets and the size distribution of retrieved aggregates (after deaggregation). The compactability of the granules and pellets was also studied. Both types of granules kept their integrity during compression. The dominant mechanism during compression appeared to be permanent deformation. However, during compression of high porosity granules, fragmentation or attrition seemed to occur alongside deformation. Tablets formed from granules had a closer pore structure than those formed from pellets of equal intragranular porosity and the granules seemed to deform to a higher degree during compression. The total tablet porosity was almost independent of the intragranular porosity and the shape of the granules before compression. It is suggested that the degree of granule deformation was controlled by the intragranular porosity and voidage of each bed of granules before compression. The tensile strength of the tablets was also dependent on the porosity and the shape of the granules; tablets formed from irregular granules were stronger than those formed from pellets of an equal intragranular porosity.     

Compression behaviour of κ-carrageenan pellets

The compression behavior of high- and low drug strength pellets containing κ-carrageenan as pelletisation aid was investigated. Model drugs and fillers with different compression mechanisms were used and the effects of compression force and turret speed were examined. Regardless of the compression behavior of their starting components, all pellet formulations exhibited minimal to absent fragmentation and underwent compression by deformation, confirmed by increased equivalent diameter and aspect ratio and decreased roundness factor of the pellets retrieved after de-aggregation of tablets prepared from lubricated pellets. The retrieved pellets showed also higher fracture resistance in three of the tested formulations and no statistically significant difference in the remaining one thus excluding significant crack formation. A densification mechanism was suggested by decreased total porosity and reduced median pore radius of the compressed pellets. No effect of the process parameters on the degree of pellet deformation was reported. The tensile strength of the tablets prepared from unlubricated pellets increased slightly with increased compression force. Compression of pellets with high density silicified microcrystalline cellulose (SMCC HD 90) as embedding powder protected them from severe deformation and resulted in tablets with sufficient tensile strength, minimal friability, negligible elastic recovery and short disintegration time. The percentage of the pellets and the compression force affected the tensile strength of the prepared tablets whereas no influence of the turret speed and the pre-compression force was observed.     

Granule deformation and densification during compression of binary mixtures of granules

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the deformation and densification during compression of one type of granules are affected by adjacent granules of a different porosity, corresponding to different mechanical strength. Three mixtures were prepared, each consisting of two types of microcrystalline cellulose pellets (intermediate porosity study pellets plus low, intermediate or high porosity surrounding pellets) in the proportion 1:7. The mixtures were compressed and the study pellets were retrieved and analysed in terms of porosity, thickness, surface area and shape. It was shown that the study pellets were compressed by deformation and densification. The degree of densification (decrease in porosity) of the study pellets was independent of the porosity of the surrounding pellets but the deformability (changes in the thickness, surface area and shape) of the study pellets was linked with the porosity of the surrounding pellets. It is concluded that the mode of deformation of the study pellets was regulated by the porosity of the surrounding granules; in a mixture containing granules with a low porosity, compression resulted in irregular study granules with regularly positioned indentations caused by the surrounding granules. The compression properties of the surrounding granules affected the flattening of the study granules to a lesser degree.     

Tabletting behaviour of pellets of a series of porosities--a comparisonbetween pellets of two different compositions.

The tabletting behaviour of pellets prepared from a 4:1 mixture of dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCP) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was studied and compared with the tabletting behaviour of pellets made solely from microcrystalline cellulose (results from an earlier study by Johansson et al.). A series of pellets with porosities in the range 26-55% were prepared and tabletted at applied pressures of 25-200 MPa. Tablets were also formed from lubricated pellets. The degree of compression during compaction was calculated, and the porosity and tensile strength of the tablets and their permeability to air flow were determined.The porosity of the pellets was found to significantly affect the tabletting behaviour of the DCP/MCC pellets. However, the relationship between pellet porosity and tablet data for the DCP/MCC pellets was different from that for the MCC pellets. The DCP/MCC pellets were generally less prone to a reduction in volume during tabletting, and the pore structure of the DCP/MCC tablets was more closed. It was concluded that the DCP/MCC pellets were more rigid and underwent a different mode of deformation during tabletting than the MCC pellets. This mode of deformation was characterised by a more limited bulk deformation and a more extensive surface deformation at the pellet surfaces. The DCP/MCC pellets tended to give tablets of a lower mechanical strength. They were also less sensitive to lubrication in terms of their compactability, which may be explained either by less surface coverage by the lubricant before compression or rupture of the lubricant film during compression caused by the more extensive surface deformation of DCP/MCC pellets.     

Compaction, compression and drug release properties of diclofenac sodium and ibuprofen pellets comprising xanthan gum as a sustained release agent

Compaction and compression of xanthan gum pellets were evaluated and drug release from tablets made of pellets was characterised. Two types of pellets were prepared by extrusion-spheronisation. Formulations included xanthan gum, at 16% (w/w), diclofenac sodium or ibuprofen, at 10% (w/w), among other excipients. An amount of 500 mg of pellets fraction 1000-1400 microm were compacted in a single punch press at maximum punch pressure of 125 MPa using flat-faced punches (diameter of 1.00 cm). Physical properties of pellets and tablets were analysed. Laser profilometry analysis and scanning electron microscopy of the upper surface and the surface of fracture of tablets revealed that particles remained as coherent individual units after compression process. Pellets were flatted in the same direction of the applied stress evidencing a lost of the original curvature of the spherical unit. Pellets showed close compressibility degrees (49.9% for pellets comprising diclofenac sodium and 48.5% for pellets comprising ibuprofen). Xanthan gum pellets comprising diclofenac sodium experienced a reduction of 65.5% of their original sphericity while those comprising ibuprofen lost 49.6% of the original porosity. Permanent deformation and densification were the relevant mechanisms of compression. Fragmentation was regarded as non-existent. The release of the model drug from both type of tablets revealed different behaviours. Tablets made of pellets comprising ibuprofen released the model drug in a bimodal fashion and the release behaviour was characterised as Case II transport mechanism (release exponent of 0.93). On the other hand, the release behaviour of diclofenac sodium from tablets made of pellets was anomalous (release exponent of 0.70). For the latter case, drug diffusion and erosion were competing mechanisms of drug release.     

Suitability of κ-carrageenan pellets for the formulation of multiparticulate tablets with modified release

κ-Carrageenan is a novel pelletisation aid with high formulation robustness and quick disintegration leading to fast drug release unlike the matrix-like release from non-disintegrating microcrystalline cellulose pellets. Compression of pellets into tablets is cost effective. The feasibility of formulating multiparticulate tablets with coated κ-carrageenan pellets was investigated. Pellets containing a highly soluble drug in acid, namely bisacodyl and κ-carrageenan or MCC as pelletisation aid were prepared, enteric coated with a mixture of Kollicoat(?) MAE 30 DP and Eudragit(?) NE 30 D and compressed using silicified microcrystalline cellulose as embedding powder. The effect of coating level, type of pellet core, compression force and punch configurations on drug release were studied. A sufficient coating thickness for κ-carrageenan pellets was necessary to obtain multiparticulate tablets with adequate resistance in the acid stage regardless of the compression pressure used. While κ-carrageenan pellets and their tablets released over 80% of the drug during the neutral stage only about 20-24% was released from MCC pellets and their tablets. The type of punches used (oblong or round) did not significantly influence the drug release from the prepared tablets. Moreover, sufficient prolonged release properties were obtained with κ-carrageenan pellets containing theophylline as a model drug and coated with Kollicoat(?) SR 30 D using Kollicoat(?) IR as pore former. A lower coating level and higher amount of pore former were needed in case of theophylline pellets formulated with MCC as pelletisation aid. The sustained release properties of both coated pellet formulations were maintained after compression at different compression pressures.     

Drying behaviour of two sets of microcrystalline cellulose pellets

The objective was to study contraction and densification of two sets of microcrystalline cellulose pellets, prepared using water (W) or a 25/75% w/w water/ethanol (W/E) mixture, during drying. The pellets were dried on microscope slides, photographed and weighed at set times. The porosity of the dry pellets was determined by mercury pycnometry. From pellet size, weight and porosity data, contraction and densification of the pellets and the relationship of these to the liquid content of the pellets during drying were calculated. Both types of pellets contracted and densified during drying. The initial porosity was similar for both types, but the final porosity of the dry pellets was higher for the W/E pellets. Thus, the difference in final pellet porosity between the two types was caused by a difference in densification during drying rather than a different degree of densification during the pelletisation procedure. The contraction rate and the relationships between contraction and the volume of removed liquid, and contraction and the degree of liquid saturation differed between the two types of pellet. The difference in drying behaviour between the two types of pellets can be explained by a liquid related change in both contraction driving force and contraction counteracting force or by a different contraction mechanism.     

压缩方程评价不同孔体积微丸的压缩特性

采用Kawakita压缩方程评价不同孔体积微丸的压缩特性，为微丸压片工艺的研究提供科学依据。采用不同体积比例的乙醇/水混合液作黏合剂，以微晶纤维素 (MCC)、磷酸二氢钙 (DCP) /MCC (4∶1, w/w)、乳糖 (Lac) /MCC (4∶1) 为填充剂，挤出-滚圆工艺分别制备不同孔体积微丸。以Kawakita压缩方程评价前述微丸的压缩特性，结果表明高孔体积MCC微丸可压性最好，而3种孔体积的DCP/MCC (4∶1) 微丸和Lac/MCC (4∶1) 微丸没有显著差别，这与微丸压缩过程中发生的压缩机制有关，MCC微丸主要发生了塑性变形, 另外两类辅料制成的微丸则主要发生破碎，扫描电镜图直观说明了这一现象。研究结果提示微丸压片工艺发生的机制复杂, 选用不同辅料制备微丸的压缩特性各异，而高孔体积MCC微丸和不同孔体积的DCP/MCC微丸和Lac/MCC微丸可作为微丸压片过程中的缓冲颗粒，以保护含药微丸使之在压片过程中保持原有的形态和释放行为。

     

Compressibility of floating pellets with verapamil hydrochloride coated with dispersion Kollicoat SR 30 D.

The purpose of this study was to work out a method of compression of floating pellets with verapamil hydrochloride (VH) in a dose of 40 mg. It was assumed that this form should reside in the stomach floating for several hours and gradually release the drug in a controlled way. Compression of pellets into tablets, being a modern technological process, is much more perfect than enclosing them in a hard gelatin capsule. Kollicoat SR 30 D was selected for coating. In experiments three plasticizers were examined-propylene glycol, triethyl citrate and dibuthyl sebecate (all at concentration of 10%). It was found that VH release from pellets coated by the films of the same thickness (70 microm), however, containing plasticizers is considerably different. Pellets were prepared by wet granulation of powder mixture, spheronization of the granulated mass and coating of the cores with a sustained release film. Two kinds of cellulose, microcrystalline and powdered, and sodium hydrocarbonate were the main components of pellet core. Proper pellet coating film thickness, ensuring obtaining desirable VH release profile and flotation effect, was defined. X compositions of tablets with pellets were examined in order to obtain formulation, from which VH release would mostly approximate pellets before compressing. The best formulation was evaluated taking into account the effect of compression force an tablet hardness and friability, and pellet agglomeration and flotation. Tablet cross-section photographs were taken confirming necessary coating film thickness preventing their deformation caused by compressing into tablets.     

Sustained release pellets based on poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide): matrix and in situ photopolymerization-coated systems

The usefulness of poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide), PNIPA, for preparing sustained release matrix or photopolymerization-coated cellulosic pellets was evaluated. Theophylline pellets and granules were prepared using powdered cellulose (PC), poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), and PNIPA of Mw approximately 330 kDa, Mn approximately 93 kDa and low critical solubility temperature approximately 32 degrees C. The low consistency of wet mass, evaluated by torsion rheometry, due to hydrophilic character of PNIPA at room temperature, favored extrusion-spheronization. Theophylline (20%) pellets prepared with 15% PNIPA, 20% PVP and 45% PC, and granules obtained using 40% PNIPA and 40% PC showed an enhanced, although limited, ability to sustain the release. This effect was notably promoted after compression (which provides slowly eroding tablets) or coating of individualized pellets. A new coating technique consisting in forming the polymer film by photo-polymerization/cross-linking of NIPA monomers on pellets surface, using a photoinitiator and UV-irradiation at 366 nm, was developed. The composition of coating mixture and the time of irradiation were optimized using oscillatory rheometry. Coating did not significantly change the shape, size, or friability of the pellets but remarkably decreased the porosity and sustained drug release for several hours. In situ formation and cross-linking of PNIPA on the pellet appears as a feasible way for controlling drug release.     

Compaction, compression and drug release characteristics of xanthan gum pellets of different compositions.

Compaction and compression of xanthan gum (XG) pellets were evaluated and drug release from tablets made of pellets was characterised. Three formulations were prepared by extrusion-spheronisation and included, among other excipients, diclofenac sodium (Dic Na), at 10% (w/w); xanthan gum, at 16% (w/w); and one of three different fillers (lactose monohydrated (LAC), tribasic calcium phosphate (TCP) and beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD)), at 16% (w/w). Five hundred milligrams of pellets (fraction 1000-1400microm) were compacted in a single punch press at maximum punch pressure of 125MPa using flat-faced punches (diameter of 1.00cm). Physical properties of pellets and tablets were analysed. Dissolution was performed according to the USP paddle method. Pellets showed close compressibility degrees (49.27% LAC; 51.32% TCP; and 50.48% beta-CD) but densified differently (3.57% LAC; 14.84% TCP; 3.26% beta-CD). Permanent deformation and densification were the relevant mechanisms of compression. Fragmentation was regarded as non-existent. The release behaviour of tablets made of pellets comprising LAC or beta-CD was anomalous having diffusional exponent (n) values of 0.706 and 0.625, respectively. Drug diffusion and erosion were competing mechanisms of drug release from those tablets.     

Preparation and gamma scintigraphic evaluation of colon specific pellets of ketoprofen prepared by powder layering technology

BACKGROUND AND THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Multiparticulates by powder layering process have advantages of the uniform distribution of the binder solution, easy-to-clean pan and the possibility of applying the successive functional film coating using the same equipment. This study relates to a multiparticulate formulation comprising pellets with a multilayer of pectin-ethyl cellulose on non pareil seeds by powder layering technology. The pellets were prepared to target ketoprofen in colon based on the microbial enzyme dependent drug release mechanism. METHODS: Multiparticulate formulation by powder layering technology was prepared by conventional pan coating process to evaluate the effect of 59% methoxylated pectin and 45 cps ethyl cellulose on coating label. The formulations were tagged with (99m)Tc-DTPA, a tracer in gamma scintigraphy study to evaluate the transit behavior of drug loaded pellets and compared with uncoated pellets to evaluate its specific release. RESULTS: The transit behavior and scintigraphy image clearly indicates that the formulation can delay the drug release prior to colon. In albino rabbit, the coated pellets released drug in the colon indicating that site specificity has been achieved with pectin/ethyl cellulose coating at 1:2 ratio with 20% coating label. MAJOR CONCLUSION: Formulation containing pectin and ethyl cellulose with suitable coating label may be suitable as a coating formulation for colon delivery of ketoprofen and can be successfully evaluated by gamma scintigraphy method.     

Design and evaluation of colon specific drug delivery system containing flurbiprofen microsponges

The purpose of this study was to design novel colon specific drug delivery system containing flurbiprofen (FLB) microsponges. Microsponges containing FLB and Eudragit RS 100 were prepared by quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion method. Additionally, FLB was entrapped into a commercial Microsponge 5640 system using entrapment method. Afterwards, the effects of drug:polymer ratio, inner phase solvent amount, stirring time and speed and stirrer type on the physical characteristics of microsponges were investigated. The thermal behaviour, surface morphology, particle size and pore structure of microsponges were examined. The colon specific formulations were prepared by compression coating and also pore plugging of microsponges with pectin:hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) mixture followed by tabletting. In vitro dissolution studies were done on all formulations and the results were kinetically and statistically evaluated. The microsponges were spherical in shape, between 30.7 and 94.5microm in diameter and showed high porosity values (61-72%). The pore shapes of microsponges prepared by quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion method and entrapment method were found as spherical and cylindrical holes, respectively. Mechanically strong tablets prepared for colon specific drug delivery were obtained owing to the plastic deformation of sponge-like structure of microsponges. In vitro studies exhibited that compression coated colon specific tablet formulations started to release the drug at the 8th hour corresponding to the proximal colon arrival time due to the addition of enzyme, following a modified release pattern while the drug release from the colon specific formulations prepared by pore plugging the microsponges showed an increase at the 8th hour which was the time point that the enzyme addition made. This study presents a new approach based on microsponges for colon specific drug delivery.     

Studying the factors that impact the dissolution characteristic of complex drug product

This article summarizes the critical factors involved in product development of a single dosage form formulated by compacting ethyl cellulose (EC) coated controlled release pellets into a tablet. The greatest challenge associated with this type of complex system is to minimize the effect of compression on the drug release. The effects of compression on the drug release were optimized with combination of the following factors (1) particle size of the core pellets, (2) the selection of the coating polymer’s viscosity grade, and (3) emergence of cushioning agents. The optimization of these factors provided superior protection for the controlled release coated pellets; therefore, the desired drug release from the tablet was successfully achieved as designed. However, the drug release rates from the coated pellets before and after the compression were minimized and exhibited only a slight difference.     

Compression of Controlled-Release Pellets Produced by a Hot-Melt Extrusion and Spheronization Process

The purpose of this study was to investigate the physicomechanical and dissolution properties of tablets containing controlled-release pellets prepared by a hot-melt extrusion and spheronization process. A powder blend of anhydrous theophylline, Eudragit® Preparation 4135 F, and functional excipients was melt-extruded, pelletized, and then spheronized. The pellets were compressed into tablets using forces of 5, 10, 15, and 20 kN. Tablet diluents included microcrystalline cellulose, a mixture of spray-dried lactose and microcrystalline cellulose, modified food starch, and soy polysaccharides. The effective porosity of the compressed pellets was measured using mercury porosimetry and helium pycnometry, while the surface area was determined using Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) analysis. The disintegration time, hardness, and friability of compacts were determined. Drug release studies were performed according to USP 27 Apparatus 3 guidelines in 250 mL of medium (pH 1.0, 3.0, 5.0, 6.8, and 7.4) 37°C and 20 dpm. Samples were analyzed by high pressure-liquid chromatography (HPLC). Effective porosity and surface area determinations of the melt-extruded pellets were not influenced by compression. The percent of theophylline released from rapidly disintegrating tablets was not affected by compression force or excipient selection, but tablets with prolonged disintegration times exhibited delayed drug release in acidic media. However, dissolution profiles of uncompressed pellets and all compacts were identical after transition from 0.1 N HCl to media increasing in pH from 3.0 to 7.4. Furthermore, pellet to filler excipient ratio and filler excipient selection did not influence the rate of drug release from compacts.     

Influence of MCC II fraction and storage conditions on pellet properties

Microcrystalline cellulose II (MCC II) – a polymorph of commonly used MCC I – was introduced as new pelletization aid in wet-extrusion/spheronization leading to fast disintegrating pellets. Previous investigations suggested that pellet properties were influenced by the fraction of MCC II. Furthermore, it is unknown whether the storage conditions can affect the disintegration behavior. Therefore, the effects of MCC II fraction and the storage conditions on several pellet properties were investigated.MCC II-based pellets were prepared of pure MCC II or binary mixtures containing 10–50% (steps of 10%) MCC II as pelletization aid and theophylline, chloramphenicol or lactose. The pellets were characterized by their aspect ratio, equivalent diameter, water content, tensile strength, porosity as well as shrinking, and disintegration behavior and drug release according to their MCC II fraction. Furthermore, the pellets were stored at different relative humidities (0–97%rh), and the influence on their disintegration and drug release was investigated.With increasing MCC II fraction, the pellets became lager in size, decreased their porosity, and required higher water contents for spheronization. Moreover, the disintegration time increased and the disintegration itself was incomplete. Furthermore, the storage conditions had an impact on the disintegration properties of MCC II-based pellets. The disintegrating was affected irreversibly after storage at high humidity (80–97%rh) resulting in a slow drug release. Therefore, MCC II-based pellets need to be stored below 80%rh to secure a fast disintegration.A better knowledge of the properties of MCC II-based pellets was obtained providing a basis for a successful manufacturing and adequate storage of MCC II-based pellets prepared by extrusion/spheronization.     

Compression of controlled-release pellets produced by a hot-melt extrusion and spheronization process

The purpose of this study was to investigate the physicomechanical and dissolution properties of tablets containing controlled-release pellets prepared by a hot-melt extrusion and spheronization process. A powder blend of anhydrous theophylline, Eudragit Preparation 4135 F, and functional excipients was melt-extruded, pelletized, and then spheronized. The pellets were compressed into tablets using forces of 5, 10, 15, and 20 kN. Tablet diluents included microcrystalline cellulose, a mixture of spray-dried lactose and microcrystalline cellulose, modified food starch, and soy polysaccharides. The effective porosity of the compressed pellets was measured using mercury porosimetry and helium pycnometry, while the surface area was determined using Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) analysis. The disintegration time, hardness, and friability of compacts were determined. Drug release studies were performed according to USP 27 Apparatus 3 guidelines in 250 mL of medium (pH 1.0, 3.0, 5.0, 6.8, and 7.4) 37 degrees C and 20 dpm. Samples were analyzed by high pressure-liquid chromatography (HPLC). Effective porosity and surface area determinations of the melt-extruded pellets were not influenced by compression. The percent of theophylline released from rapidly disintegrating tablets was not affected by compression force or excipient selection, but tablets with prolonged disintegration times exhibited delayed drug release in acidic media. However, dissolution profiles of uncompressed pellets and all compacts were identical after transition from 0.1 N HCl to media increasing in pH from 3.0 to 7.4. Furthermore, pellet to filler excipient ratio and filler excipient selection did not influence the rate of drug release from compacts.     

伊贝沙坦脉冲微丸的制备方法

目的：考察伊贝沙坦脉冲控释微丸的制备工艺。方法：采用流化床工艺,将伊贝沙坦原料黏附在空白丸芯上,制成含药微丸;以低取代羟丙基纤维素为包溶胀层材料,乙基纤维素水分散体为包控释层材料,采用同样的工艺包溶胀层和控释层,并通过正交试验优选最佳工艺条件。按最佳包衣工艺操作,以低取代羟丙基纤维素、吐温-80、乙基纤维素水分散体和葵二酸二丁酯为包衣材料,以释药时滞及时滞后的突释药量为指标,优选最佳处方。结果：最佳工艺条件为：上药、包溶胀层、包控释层工艺中使用的风量分别为20、30、40 m3.h-1;进风温度分别为45、50、50℃;喷雾压力均为0.2 MPa;喷液速度分别为8、9、9.gs-1。4种包衣材料在微丸中所占的最佳质量百分比分别为25%、1%、25%和0.5%,制得的脉冲控释微丸的平均时滞约为7小时,时滞后2小时突释量均大于70%。结论：在该工艺条件下制备的伊贝沙坦脉冲控释微丸的体外释放能够达到脉冲控释效果,制备工艺简单、可控。     

Tabletting of pellet-matrix systems: ability of parameters from dynamic and kinetic models to elucidate the densification of matrix formers and of pellets

Two different types of pellets, i.e. drug-free sugar spheres, and pellets, spray-layered with crystalline theophylline and coated with Eudragit RS/RL, were tabletted each in combination with matrix-forming powder mixtures of Avicel PH200 and PEG 4000. The die fills from pellets and powder mixtures were regarded as two-compartment systems with a volume fraction of the pellets being limited to 0.52 corresponding to a cubic lattice, and the maximum degrees of densifications were adjusted related to the matrix. To data measured during single compression cycles on an instrumented eccentric tabletting machine and transformed appropriately, the Kawakita equation, the Heckel function, and a modified Weibull function were fitted, and the total work of compression was calculated. The Kawakita model fitted well systems with both types of pellets. Its parameters reflected the additional densification of the theophylline pellets separately from that of the matrix formers. The Heckel function could only be applied to systems containing non-porous sugar spheres, since the theophylline pellets underwent considerable densification and deformation. Only, when the Heckel porosity function was related to the volume fraction of the matrix, excluding the sugar spheres, the approximately linear regions for mixtures with increasing volume proportions of sugar spheres occured in comparable regions of densification. Parameters of the modified Weibull function demonstrated an increasing resistance against densification with increasing amounts of pellets. The total work of compression increased steeply with increasing volume fractions for pellets from 0.42 to 0.46 indicating, that the resistance against densification already rose when the pellets were still isolated. In conclusion, the combination of dynamic and kinetic models provides a comprehensible insight into the process of tabletting powder mixtures with pellets. Particularly, the Kawakita model was a suitable tool to differentiate the actual changes in porosity during compression from the compressibility of such complex systems.