Oxytetracyline tablet formulations: effect of variations in binder concentration and volume on granule and tablet properties.

Formulation studies have been conducted on an oxytetracycline dihydrate tablet formulation containing microcrystalline cellulose and alginic acid, wet granulated with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) solution. A range of granule properties including size, strength packing and porosity, and tablet properties including breaking load, porosity, disintegration and dissolution have been measured. Increased compaction pressure decreased tablet porosity. The reproducibility of the above properties was determined by tests on nine standard batches of granules and tablets. An increased concentration of PVP in the binder solution decreased the rate of tablet dissolution. Although the volume of granulating solution apparently controlled the granule size, it did not significantly alter the tablet dissolution, when the amount of PVP was constant.     

Oxytetracycline tablet formulations: the effect of wet mixing time, particle size and batch variation on granule and tablet properties.

The wet mixing time has been shown to influence the properties of an oxytetracycline dihydrate tablet formulation, wet granulated with PVP solution. Increased time of wet mixing produced larger, stronger and more dense granules, which compressed into tablets with longer disintegration and dissolution times. Decreased drug particle size aggravated these trends. A decrease in drug particle size also produced larger, stronger and more dense granules. Above an oxytetracycline mean particle diameter of about 6 mum, the tablet dissolution was satisfactory. As the oxytetracycline particle size was decreased further, however, the distintegration and dissolution of the corresponding tablets was markedly slower.     

Dissolution rate enhancement of gliclazide by ordered mixing

The poorly water soluble antidiabetic drug gliclazide was selected to study the effect of excipients on dissolution rate enhancement. Ordered mixtures of micronized gliclazide with lactose, mannitol, sorbitol, maltitol and sodium chloride were prepared by manual shaking of glass vials containing the drug and excipient(s). Different water soluble excipients, addition of surfactant and superdisintegrant, drug concentration and carrier particle size influenced the dissolution rate of the drug. Dissolution rate studies of the prepared ordered mixtures revealed an increase in drug dissolution with all water soluble excipients. The order of dissolution rate improvement for gliclazide was mannitol > lactose > maltitol > sorbitol > sodium chloride. Composite granules of the particle size range 355-710 μm were superior in increasing the drug dissolution rate from ordered mixtures. Reducing the carrier particle size decreased the dissolution rate of the drug as well as the increase in drug concentration. Kinetic modeling of drug release data fitted best the Hixson-Crowell model, which indicates that all the ordered mixture formulations followed the cube root law fairly well.     

Increased dissolution and physical stability of micronized nifedipine particles encapsulated with a biocompatible polymer and surfactants in a wet ball milling process

Suspensions of nifedipine, a practically water-insoluble drug, were prepared in the presence of a biocompatible polymer, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP, K value 17), and three surfactants, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS, anionic), cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CETAB, cationic), polysorbate 80 (Tween 80, nonionic), by wet milling in ceramic ball mills. Nifedipine powders encapsulated with PVP and the surfactants were recovered from the suspensions after milling and evaluated for changes in particle size, morphology, sedimentation rate in aqueous suspensions, crystal form, and dissolution. Particle size analysis indicated that milling of suspensions in solutions of PVP and surfactants is an efficient method for reducing the particle size of nifedipine to below 10 microm. Furthermore, DSC and XPS analysis indicated that during milling the nifedipine crystals were coated with the PVP or surfactants and that milling with PVP stabilized the nifedipine crystal form during milling while nifedipine was gradually amorphisized when milled in a quaternary nifedipine/PVP/SLS/CETAB system. The decrease in particle size caused a significant decrease in sedimentation rate and increased the dissolution rate of nifedipine in simulated gastric fluid when compared to milled nifedipine and powder mixtures of the drug and the excipients.     

Experimental study of wet granulation in fluidized bed: impact of the binder properties on the granule morphology

In this work, the effect of the physicochemical properties of aqueous hydroxypropyl-cellulose (HPC) binder solutions and different pharmaceutical excipients (mannitol and anhydrous CaHPO(4)) on the agglomeration kinetics and granule properties were investigated. First, a particle size distribution (PSD) analysis together with a detailed analysis of morphological properties of the excipient particles were performed. Second, the viscosity, density, surface tension and size of the spray droplets of binder solutions with different HPC concentrations were determined and wetting characteristics of the binders on the excipients were measured. Third, several fluid bed wet granulation experiments were conducted for pure excipients and their blends with binder solution of different HPC concentrations in a pilot plant Wurster granulator. The observed granule growth for different binder concentrations was a strong function of the binder concentration and the excipient solubility. For mannitol, a significant "coating" period followed by a slow granule growth was observed for the case with the diluted 5% binder. The "coating" period was significantly shorter for the 10% HPC binder and did not exist for the 15% HPC for which immediate and fast granule growth was observed. For anhydrous CaHPO(4) (trademark A-TAB), no growth was observed for the 10% HPC binder and a long coating period followed by fast granule growth was observed for the 15% HPC. Simple physically based criteria were also evaluated, which employ the morphological properties of excipients (size and surface roughness) together with physical properties of the used binder for prediction of the coating versus agglomeration regime at given flow conditions (collision velocity). As expected, a preferential coalescence and growth of the mannitol granules from the blend of mannitol+A-TAB was observed. Finally, the mechanical and morphological properties of the produced granules were measured and correlated to the HPC concentration of the binder used in the experiments. A clear correlation between the granule porosity (evaluated by X-ray tomography) and the binder concentration was found for the mannitol granules.     

The granulation of binary mixtures: the effects of the composition of the granulating solution and the initial particle size of one component on granule properties.

The effect of total solvent volume and the presence of dissolved material (other than binder) in the granulating solution, on the properties of granules prepared from lactose: boric acid mixtures has been studied. The total volume of binder solution available to powder mixtures during massing determines the ultimate average size of granules produced. Part-dissolution of powders being granulated contributes significantly to the average granule size by increasing the total solution volume and reducing the amount of powder to be wetted. Although the amount of PVP (binder) dissolved in the granulating solution contributed very little to granule size at the concentration examined, the combined effect of total volume of solution and amount of PVP present in the granulating solution determines granule strength and porosity. The effect of the initial particle size of lactose in a binary mixture with boric acid differs from its effect reported for single component systems.     

Effect of physical states of binders on high-shear wet granulation and granule properties: a mechanistic approach toward understanding high-shear wet granulation process, part 3: effect of binder rheological properties

Ternary blends consisting of efavirenz (a model drug compound), lactose monohydrate, and a polymeric binder were investigated to verify the "physical state theory" in which granulation occurs only when binders undergo transition from glassy state to rubbery solution state. Furthermore, it was found that the rheological properties of the binders can significantly affect the granulation process. The blends with binders of viscous flow [polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) K17, PVP K25, and PVP K29/32 after exposure to 96% RH] showed an increase in particle size with both binder concentration and mixing time. On the contrary, binders with viscoelastic properties, such as hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) EXF and PVP K90, did not flow well and thereby, the blends with HPC and PVP K90 did not show much effect of binder concentration and mixing time on their granule size. Moreover, the friability of granules made with HPC EXF and PVP K90 is low, indicating that the strength of the granules largely depends on the viscosity of the binders, as the binders of higher viscosity tend to produce stronger granules. Finally, the viscoelastic state of the polymeric binders upon absorbing water was analyzed using the glass-rubber transition model, which shows five regions with different viscoelastic properties.     

The effect of incorporation technics of water soluble macromolecular binders on the properties of fluidized-bed dried granules

Five binders characterized by particle size and dissolution rate have been studied in order to evaluate their qualification for fluidized-bed granulation. For this purpose they were applied as powder and solution, respectively. Quality parameters of the granules and tablets obtained were compared. Compared with solutions of binders the dry incorporation of the binder led to a slower growth of the granules mainly depending on the dissolution rate of the binders. Due to this fact the formulations showed a decreased strength except PVP (high dissolution rate) which causes an increased growth of the granules at the same time. A size reduction of binders with a low dissolution rate led to tablets with characteristics of strength similar to the findings when solutions of binders were used, whereas the growth of granules remained uninfluenced.     

Effect of Particle Size and Polymer Loading on Dissolution Behavior of Amorphous Griseofulvin Powder

The effect of particle size on the dissolution behavior of the particles of amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) of griseofulvin (GF), with 0%-50% Kollidon^® VA 64 as a crystallization inhibitor is investigated. Both the final dissolved GF concentration and the dissolution rate of GF ASDs were found to be inversely proportional to the particle size. The solution concentrations for the smallest (45-75 μm) size group with different polymer loadings were significantly higher than those for the largest (250-355 μm) group regardless of the initial GF amount. Specifically, the dissolution rate of GF ASDs with 50% polymer loading for the finest group was 2.7 times higher than for the largest group under supersaturating conditions. The rates of dissolution and recrystallization were assessed through surface concentration (C_s) and Avrami recrystallization rate kinetics, where the solid-state recrystallization was confirmed using Raman spectroscopy. Outcomes indicated that particle size reduction enhanced ASD drug loading by reducing the amount of polymer necessary as finest size ASDs initially dissolve faster, negating their higher recrystallization rate. Kollidon® VA 64 at 30% loading was sufficient to inhibit the GF recrystallization. Overall, the combination of particle size reduction and recrystallization inhibition is effective for improved dissolution behavior of GF ASDs.     

Preparation and in vivo evaluation of immediate-release pellet containing celecoxib solid dispersion

The aim of this study was to make use of small size of immediate-release (IR) pellet and amorphous state of solid dispersion to increase solubility of celecoxib (CLX), a drug in BCS class II. Primary, binary and ternary solid dispersions were developed to choose the final components for solid dispersion. A ternary novel solid dispersion was prepared by incorporation of one aqueous soluble polymer (povidone k17; PVP 17PF), Methacrylate copolymer-based gastric soluble polymer (Eudragit^? EPO) and one pH modulator (MgO). This combination was effective to increase solubility in pH 1.2 up to 25?C30?%. The mechanism of solubility enhancement was proven by DSC, PRXD, and FT-IR. Accordingly, hydrogen bonding or electrostatic interaction of CLX with PVP/Eudragit^? EPO was the main cause to form the amorphous state of CLX within polymer cluster which increasing solubility of drug. Besides, MgO played an important role to change microenviroment for solid dispersion. Pellets containing this solid dispersion were prepared by extrusion and spheronization technique. Effect of four kinds of additive (calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate, NaHCO₃, crospovidone, and sodium dodecyl sulfate) on dissolution of CLX from IR pellet was also determined. Because of highest dissolution rate, formulation using sodium dodecyl sulfate was used for pharmacokinetics study. Solid dispersion-IR pellet formulation presented bioequivalence and lower variability in comparison with reference product.     

Indomethacin sustained release pellets prepared by extrusion-spheronization

Gastrointestinal side effects may interrupt essential therapy with indomethacin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Formulation of this drug into sustained release multiparticulate form may reduce some of these side effects by avoiding contact of drug crystals with gastrointestinal mucosa at high concentrations, as may happen with immediate release dosage forms. Indomethacin (IM) sustained release pellets containing 5 or 10 % w/w of the drug were prepared using an extrusion-spheronization technique. Different concentrations of hydrophilic polymers, polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG 4000), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose E5 LV premium (HPMC) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP K30), were mixed at different concentrations (5,10 and 20 %) with Avicel PH 101 to prepare the sustained release formulae. Moreover, a mixer torque rheometer was used to quantitatively determine the suitable moisture content in the pastes before the extrusion process. The resulting pellets were characterized for content, particle size, shape and dissolution profile. The studies on the effect of the polymers used on Avicel rheological properties revealed that the magnitude of torque for the system was decreasing as the polymer concentration increased. The in vitro release of IM from the prepared Avicel pellets was found to be dependent upon the type and concentration of the added polymer. The rank order of IM release in the presence of the investigated polymers was as follows: PEG > HPMC > PVP. Furthermore, the magnitude of IM release rate from the pellet formulations was found to be dependent on the magnitude of the peak torque of the pellet forming paste, which in turn depends on the type and concentration of the added polymer. Increasing IM loading from 5 to 10 % has led to an increase in dissolution rates. At least two of the prepared pellet formulations showed dissolution profiles similar to the commercial product Bonidon 75 SR capsules. In conclusion, the formulation of IM sustained release pellets successfully controlled the drug release which might be beneficial in lowering the risk of side effects and improving patient convenience as an advantage of the pellets as a drug delivery system.     

Povidone- and poloxamer-mediated degradation of hydrochlorothiazide in an antihypertensive combination tablet product

Although hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) drug substance is known for its excellent solid-state stability, it can undergo hydrolysis with the formation of formaldehyde and 4-amino-6-chloro-1,3 benzenedisulfonamide (free amine). The degradation of HCTZ in a dosage form is undesirable due to the tight limits that need to be set for the free amine content. In a combination wet granulated tablet formulation of an antihypertensive drug A and HCTZ containing povidone K-30 NF (PVP) as a binder and poloxamer 188 NF (Pluronic^® F68) as a wetting agent, a progressive increase in the free amine level was seen after only 2 months storage at various conditions. Binary mixtures of HCTZ with PVP, pregelatinized starch (Starch^® 1500), and lactose (control) were incubated at elevated temperatures after adding an amount of water to simulate wet granulation conditions. Analysis of these mixtures showed more free amine formation in the HCTZ:PVP binary mixtures than the HCTZ:Starch^® 1500 or HCTZ:lactose binary mixtures. Replacement of PVP with Starch^® 1500 in the tablet formulation resulted in comparatively lower free amine levels on storage. The free amine formation in tablets was further reduced and dissolution of both drugs was not significantly affected when Pluronic^® F68 was removed from the formulation. It was hypothesized that the mechanism of degradation of HCTZ in the presence of PVP and/or Pluronic^® F68 was due to solubilization of the HCTZ by these excipients in the moisture present in tablets, followed by its hydrolysis.     

姜黄素自微乳颗粒的研究

目的姜黄素自微乳固化研究。方法考察多糖、糖醇酸、聚乙二醇三类常用吸收剂对姜黄素自微乳的吸附固化能力,以聚维酮的乙醇溶液为粘合剂,通过湿法制粒制备姜黄素自微乳的颗粒剂,并进行紫外法含量测定和溶出速率考察。结果吸收性顺序为多糖>糖醇酸>聚乙二醇,其中以甘露醇为最佳。甘露醇的吸收比为1∶4.88,姜黄素自微乳的甘露醇颗粒成型性较好,载药量为0.63%。以人工胃液为溶出介质,自微乳颗粒的溶出曲线经Weibull概率拟合,T50为0.091 min,Td为0.229 min。结论以甘露醇为吸收剂制备姜黄素自微乳的颗粒,成型良好,颗粒易溶于水,溶出时间短,而且溶液澄清,姜黄素无吸附损失。     

Preparation, characterization and in vivo assessment of the bioavailability of glycyrrhizic acid microparticles by supercritical anti-solvent process

In this study, glycyrrhizic acid (GA) microparticles were successfully prepared using a supercritical anti-solvent (SAS) process. Carbon dioxide and ethanol were used as the anti-solvent and solvent, respectively. The influences of several process parameters on the mean particle size (MPS), particle size distribution (PSD) and total yield were investigated. Processed particle sizes gradually decreased as temperature and solution flow rate increased. In addition, processed particle sizes increased from 119 to 205 nm as GA concentration increased. However, CO₂ flow rate did not significantly affect particle size. The optimized process conditions were applied, those included temperature (65 °C), pressure (250 bar), CO₂ and drug solution flow rate (15 and 8 mL min⁻¹), drug concentration in ethanol (20 mg mL⁻¹). Microparticles with a span of PSD ranging from 95 and 174 nm, MPS of 128 nm were obtained, and total yield was 63.5%. The X-ray diffraction patterns of glycyrrhizic acid microparticles show apparent amorphous nature. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy results show that no chemical structural changes occurred. The in vitro dissolution tests showed that the GA microparticles exhibited great enhancement of dissolution performance when compared to GA original drug. Furthermore, the in vivo studies revealed that the microparticles provided improved pharmacokinetic parameter after oral administration to rats as compared with original drug.     

An evaluation of the relative importance of formulation and process variables using factorial design

A factorial design method for assessing the relative importance of various formulation and process factors and their interactions in model paracetamol tablets is described. The design was a 2 X 2 X 2 X 3 type using mixing time, starch concentration, drug particle size and compaction pressure respectively. The starch concentration was the most significant factor in affecting the dissolution rate but the larger drug particle size also gave a significant increase in drug release rate. Interactions between starch concentration and drug size and between these and mixing time were also observed. The most significant factor affecting the tensile fracture stress of the tablets was the mixing time, followed in order by the drug particle size, starch concentration and compaction pressure.     

Preparation and physicochemical characterization of binary and ternary ground mixtures of carvedilol with PVP and SLS aimed to improve the drug dissolution

The objective of the present study was to enhance the dissolution rate of carvedilol (CA), a poorly water-soluble antihypertensive drug, using a co-grinding method in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). Various ratios of CA:PVP:SLS were ground by a planetary ball mill. They were studied in terms of dissolution, solubility, and particle size. The solid state and morphology of the intact drug and prepared samples were also characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), infrared spectroscopy (IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). According to the results, co-grinding in the presence of PVP and SLS significantly increased CA dissolution rate. DE₆₀ (dissolution efficiency) obtained for the best ternary ground mixture (89.31%) was 3.4 and 4.5 times higher than that of the related physical mixture (PM) and the intact drug, respectively. Further, the solubility of this formulation was about 10 times higher compared to that of the intact CA. A direct correlation was also observed between the chamber rotation speed of the planetary mill within the range of 100–400?rpm and CA dissolution rate. Finally, DSC, IR, and XRD analysis ruled out any polymorphic changes and chemical interactions during the grinding process.     

Liquisolid technique for dissolution rate enhancement of a high dose water-insoluble drug (carbamazepine)

Different liquisolid formulations of carbamazepine were accomplished by dissolving the drug in the non-toxic hydrophilic liquids, and adsorbing the solution onto the surface of silica. In order to reduce the amounts of carrier and aerosil in liquisolid formulations, some additives namely polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), hydroxypropyle methylcellulose (HPMC) and polyethylene glycol (PEG 35000) were added to liquid medication to increase loading factor. The effects of various ratios of carrier to coating material, PVP concentration, effect of aging and type of the carrier on dissolution rate of liquisolid compacts were studied. X-ray crystallography and differential scanning calorimetery (DSC) were used for evaluation of physicochemical properties of carbamazepine in liquisolid formulations. The results showed that the drug loading factor was increased significantly in the presence of additives. Liquisolid formulations containing PVP as additive, exhibited significantly higher drug dissolution rates compared to the compacts prepared by the direct compression technique. It was shown that microcrystalline cellulose had more liquid retention potential in comparison with lactose, and the formulations containing microcrystalline cellulose as carrier, showed higher dissolution rate. By decreasing the ratio of microcrystalline cellulose to silica from 20 to 10, an improvement in dissolution rate was observed. Further decrease in the ratio of microcrystalline cellulose:silica from 10 to 5 resulted in a significant reduction in dissolution rate. Increasing of PVP concentration in liquid medication caused a dramatic increase in dissolution rate at first 30min. The results showed that the dissolution rate of liquisolid tablets was not significantly affected by storing the tablets at 25 degrees C/75% relative humidity for a period of 6 months. The results of DSC and X-ray crystallography did not show any changes in crystallinity of the drug and interaction between carbamazepine and exipients during the process.     

兰索拉唑肠溶微丸胶囊的体外释放度与其在犬体内吸收的相关性评价

目的:考察兰索拉唑肠溶微丸胶囊的体外释放度与其在犬体内吸收的相关性。方法:采用紫外分光光度法,在245 nm波长处检测兰索拉唑肠溶微丸胶囊在酸(pH1.2)中1 h的累积释放度,在284 nm波长处检测其在磷酸盐缓冲液(pH6.8)中1.25 h的累积释放度;采用高效液相色谱法检测犬(n=6)灌服兰索拉唑肠溶微丸胶囊12 h内的血药浓度,以Wagner-Nelson法计算其体内吸收分数(fa),考察fa与体外释放度(f)t的相关性。结果:兰索拉唑肠溶微丸胶囊在酸中1 h的累积释放度<3%,在磷酸盐缓冲液中1.25 h的累积释放度>90%;该胶囊在犬体内2.5 h fa达最高值;在0.75～2 h内,fa=1.017 6ft-16.654(r=0.954)。结论:兰索拉唑肠溶微丸胶囊体外释放度与在犬体内吸收的相关性良好。     

PVP K30对葛根黄豆苷元增溶的研究

研究了葛根黄豆苷元(1)在不同温度、不同浓度的PVP K30—磷酸盐缓冲液中的溶解度，1溶解度随辅料浓度的增大而明显增大。溶解度数据经热力学方法处理，表明这是个自发过程。采用溶剂法，以PVP K30为载体制备1固体分散体，考察固体分散体中1的溶解度和溶出度。与其本身相比，固体分散体中1溶解度显著提高，溶出速度明显增大。     

An investigation into the effect of formulation variables and process parameters on characteristics of granules obtained by in situ fluidized hot melt granulation

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of binder content, binder particle size, granulation time and inlet air flow rate on granule size and size distribution, granule shape and flowability, as well as on drug release rate. Hydrophilic (polyetilenglycol 2000) and hydrophobic meltable binder (glyceryl palmitostearate) were used for in situ fluidized hot melt granulation. Granule size was mainly influenced by binder particle size. Binder content was shown to be important for narrow size distribution and good flow properties. The results obtained indicate that conventional fluid bed granulator may be suitable for production of highly spherical agglomerates, particularly when immersion and layering is dominant agglomeration mechanism. Granule shape was affected by interplay of binder content, binder particle size and granulation time. Solid state analysis confirmed unaltered physical state of the granulate components and the absence of interactions between the active and excipients. Besides the nature and amount of binder, the mechanism of agglomerate formation seems to have an impact on drug dissolution rate. The results of the present study indicate that fluidized hot melt granulation is a promising powder agglomeration technique for spherical granules production.