Calcium pectinate gel beads for controlled release drug delivery: II. Effect of formulation and processing variables on drug release.

The effect of four formulation and processing variables, calcium concentration, drying condition, concentration of hardening agent and hardening time on the bead properties and the release characteristics of a model drug from calcium pectinate gel (CPG) beads were studied. A poorly soluble compound, indomethacin, was used as the model drug. The investigated variables affected the bead size, the entrapment efficiency and the release of indomethacin from CPG beads. Drug release was found to be a function of the formulation and processing variables. The slower drug release was achieved from the formulations with higher calcium concentration, higher concentration of hardening agent and longer hardening time. The drying condition, however, did not influence the drug release. The mechanism of indomethacin release from CPG beads followed the diffusion controlled model for an inert porous matrix. All drug release data fitted well to the Higuchi square root time expression.     

Calcium pectinate gel beads for controlled release drug delivery: II. Effect of form ulation and processing variables on drug release

The effect of four formulation and processing variables, calcium concentration, drying condition, concentration of hardening agent and hardening time on the bead properties and the release characteristics of a model drug from calcium pectinate gel (CPG) beads were studied. A poorly soluble compound, indomethacin, was used as the model drug. The investigated variables affected the bead size, the entrapment efficiency and the release of indomethacin from CPG beads. Drug release was found to be a function of the formulation and processing variables. The slower drug release was achieved from the formulations with higher calcium concentration, higher concentration of hardening agent and longer hardening time. The drying condition, however, did not influence the drug release. The mechanism of indomethacin release from CPG beads followed the diffusion controlled model for an inert porous matrix. All drug release data fitted well to the Higuchi square root time expression.     

Calcium pectinate gel beads for controlled release drug delivery:: I. Preparation and in vitro release studies

Calcium pectinate gel (CPG) beads of indomethacin, a poorly soluble drug, were prepared by dispersing indomethacin in a solution of pectin and then dropping the dispersion into calcium chloride solution. The droplets instantaneously formed gelled spheres by ionotropic gelation. The effect of several factors such as pectin type, the presence of a hardening agent and the drug loading were investigated on the percentage of drug entrapped, size distribution and drug release from the CPG beads. The release characteristics were studied using the rotating basket dissolution method. Strong spherical beads with narrow size distributions, high yields and good entrapment efficiencies could be prepared. All factors investigated have significantly affected the release of indomethacin from CPG beads. The mechanism of drug release from CPG beads followed the diffusion controlled model for an inert porous matrix. Therefore, calcium pectinate gel could be a useful carrier for controlled release drug delivery of poorly soluble drugs.     

Preparation of dual crosslinked alginate-chitosan blend gel beads and in vitro controlled release in oral site-specific drug delivery system

Alginate-chitosan (ALG-CS) blend gel beads were prepared based on Ca2+ or dual crosslinking with various proportions of alginate and chitosan. The homogeneous solution of alginate and chitosan was dripped into the solution of calcium chloride; the resultant Ca2+ single crosslinked beads were dipped in the solution of sodium sulfate sequentially to prepare dual crosslinked beads. The dual crosslinkage effectively promoted the stability of beads under gastrointestinal tract conditions. The sustained release profiles of single and dual crosslinked gel beads loaded bovine serum albumin (BSA), a model protein drug, were investigated in simulated gastric fluid (SGF), simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) and simulated colonic fluid (SCF). In SGF, compared to Ca2+ single crosslinked beads, from which BSA released fast and the cumulative drug release percentages were about 80% of all formations in 4 h, the BSA total release from dual crosslinked gel beads was no more than 3% in 8 h. In SIF and SCF, Ca2+ single crosslinked beads were disrupted soon associating with the fast drug release. As to the dual crosslinked beads, the BSA total release from the ALG-CS mass ratio 9:1 (81.24%) was higher than that of 7:3 and 5:5 (less than 60%) in 8 h in SIF; the BSA release from all beads was much faster in SCF than in SIF. The dual crosslinked beads incubated in gastrointestinal tract conditions, the BSA cumulative release of ALG-CS mass ratios 9:1, 7:3 and 5:5 were respectively 2.35, 1.96, 1.76% (in SGF 4 h), 82.86, 78.83, 52.91% (in SIF 3 h) and 97.84, 96.81, 87.26% (in SCF 3 h), which suggested that the dual crosslinked beads have potential small intestine or colon site-specific drug delivery property.     

Multifunctional drug delivery system using starch-alginate beads for controlled release

Utilizing starch-containing alginate beads, a novel drug delivery system (DDS) was developed. With the starch inside, the composite bead could be dried in its original bead shape and handled in the dried state. By employing alginate multi-coating strategy on the starch-alginate beads, detained or controlled release was efficiently achieved and successfully demonstrated for a model peptide drug, L-phenylalanine. The initial latent time and release rate of the drug inside the beads were able to be controlled simply by varying the number of multi-coatings. While the latent time for the initial release was negligible for non-coated starch-alginate beads, the latent times of beads coated one, two, and four times increased to 15, 30, and 70 min, respectively. Furthermore, the alginate component of the composite beads could adsorb and remove heavy metals such as lead from the body. These multifunctional beads combined with the novel coating process will greatly benefit alginate gel-based DDS.     

Development of hollow/porous calcium pectinate beads for floating-pulsatile drug delivery.

The purpose of this work was to develop hollow calcium pectinate beads for floating-pulsatile release of diclofenac sodium intended for chronopharmacotherapy. Floating pulsatile concept was applied to increase the gastric residence of the dosage form having lag phase followed by a burst release. To overcome limitations of various approaches for imparting buoyancy, hollow/porous beads were prepared by simple process of acid-base reaction during ionotropic crosslinking. The floating beads obtained were porous (34% porosity), hollow with bulk density<1 and had Ft50% of 14-24 h. In vivo studies by gamma scintigraphy determined on rabbits showed gastroretention of beads up to 5 h. The floating beads provided expected two-phase release pattern with initial lag time during floating in acidic medium followed by rapid pulse release in phosphate buffer. This approach suggested the use of hollow calcium pectinate microparticles as promising floating-pulsatile drug delivery system for site- and time-specific release of drugs acting as per chronotherapy of diseases.     

酮洛芬果胶钙凝胶小球和海藻酸钙凝胶小球的制备及性能比较

目的酮洛芬果胶钙凝胶小球和酮洛芬海藻酸钙凝胶小球的制备及性能比较。方法利用果胶、海藻酸钠及二者不同比例,以酮洛芬为模型药物采用滴制法制备凝胶小球,考察2种多糖物质对药物包封率和释放行为的影响。利用大鼠肠囊外翻实验对凝胶小球的生物黏附性能进行比较,通过对释放机理的探讨和凝胶小球溶胀性的测定进一步证明2种凝胶小球释药行为的不同。结果酮洛芬果胶钙凝胶小球和酮洛芬海藻酸钙凝胶小球均具有良好的生物黏附性能,果胶钙凝胶小球主要通过溶胀作用缓慢释药,而海藻酸钙凝胶小球的释药与凝胶小球慢慢吸水后骨架溶蚀有关。结论酮洛芬果胶钙凝胶小球和酮洛芬海藻酸钙凝胶小球通过与生物黏膜的紧密结合缓慢释药,而二者的释放行为有所不同。     

Gliadin films. I: Preparation and in vitro evaluation as a carrier for controlled drug release

A method for the preparation of soft capsules (Gl.C) and chewable gums (GCG) of the hydrophobic wheat protein, crude gliadin, is reported. Gliadin films were found to be more hydrophilic than comparable gelatin films. The release of paracetamol was significantly sustained, indicating drug delivery. Drug release profiles in 0.1 M hydrochloric acid media consisted of three regions for Gl.C: these were an initial latency period, followed by a low release region and essentially constant rate; and one region for GCG with very slow release of paracetamol. A mechanism of drug release is proposed involving hydrophobic interaction between gliadin and non-polar ligands. These results are discussed and based on this study, gliadin appears to be a highly promising, low-cost, bioacceptable protein for the manufacture of drug formulations with a very interesting controlled released potency.     

Potential of calcium pectinate beads for target specific drug release to colon

A pectin-based colon specific delivery system bearing 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was developed for effective delivery of drug to the colon. Calcium pectinate gel (CPG) beads were prepared by ionotropic gelation method followed by enteric coating with Eudragit S-100. The CPG beads formed were spherical with smooth surfaces. CPG beads size was found to be in the range of 1.32+/-0 . 12-1.88+/-0.08 mm. The in vitro drug release was investigated using USP dissolution rate test paddle type apparatus in different simulated mediums. Release in PBS (pH 7.4) and simulated gastric fluid showed almost similar pattern and rate, whereas a significant increase in percent cumulative drug release (58.3+/-1.36%) was observed in medium containing rat caecal content, i.e. the amount of the drug released from the formulation was found to be 49.2+/-2.29 and 58.3+/-1.36% of drug with 2 and 4% w/v caecal matter after 24 h whereas in control study 33.2+/-1.19% of drug was released. Moreover, to induce the enzymes that specifically act on pectin, the rats were treated with 1 ml of 1% w/v dispersion of pectin for 2 and 4 days and release rate studies were repeated in SCF in the presence of 2 and 4% w/v of caecal matter. A marked improvement in the drug release was observed in presence of caecal matter obtained after induction when compared to those without induction. The percentage of drug released after 24 h release was observed to be 69.3+/-2.81 and 86.7+/-3.15%, respectively, with 2 and 4% w/v rat caecal matter obtained after 2 days of enzyme induction, and 82.4+/-3.15 and 98.7+/-4.26%, respectively, after 4 days of enzyme induction. In vivo data showed that Eudragit S-100 coated calcium pectinate beads delivered most of its drug load (93.2+/-3.67%) to the colon after 9 h, which reflects its targeting potential to the colon. It is concluded that orally-administered 5-FU loaded Eudragit S-100 coated calcium pectinate beads can be used effectively for the specific delivery of drug to the colon.     

Use of floating alginate gel beads for stomach-specific drug delivery.

Two types of alginate gel beads capable of floating in the gastric cavity were prepared. The first, alginate gel bead containing vegetable oil (ALGO), is a hydrogel bead and its buoyancy is attributable to vegetable oil held in the alginate gel matrix. The model drug, metronidazole (MZ), contained in ALGO was released gradually into artificial gastric juice, the release rate being inversely related to the percentage of oil. The second, alginate gel bead containing chitosan (ALCS), is a dried gel bead with dispersed chitosan in the matrix. The drug-release profile was not affected by the kind of chitosan contained in ALCS. When ALCS containing MZ was administered orally to guinea pigs, it floated on the gastric juice and released the drug into the stomach. Furthermore, the concentration of MZ at the gastric mucosa after administration of ALCS was higher than that in the solution, though the MZ serum concentration was the same regardless of which type of gel was administered. These release properties of alginate gels are applicable not only for sustained release of drugs but also for targeting the gastric mucosa.     

酮基布洛芬贴片的制备及体外渗透性研究

目的：观察环丙沙星治疗下呼吸道感染的疗效。方法：１００例患者（男性５２例,女性４８例,年龄（４５±８）ａ用药剂量为５００ｍｇ,每１２ｈ口服１次,疗程一般为７～２１ｄ。结果：临床总有效率为９２０％,细菌清除率为８７２％,对革兰氏阳性及阴性菌均有效,敏感菌百分率达８８５％,特别对铜绿假单胞菌感染也有较好的疗效。结论：环丙沙星治疗下呼吸道感染疗效满意,副作用少,是安全、方便、可靠的有效药物。     

Encapsulated hydrophilic polymer beads containing indomethacin as controlled release drug delivery systems

Encapsulated hydrophilic polymer beads containing indomethacin were prepared by a combined technique of bead polymerization and phase separation. The drug delivery system consisted of the copolymer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and acrylamide as the core matrix and ethyl cellulose as the barrier membrane. The drug was incorporated into the polymer matrix during the formation of the beads. The system was found to be useful as a sustained release dosage form. Release of drug from the coated beads followed a zero-order rate up to 40% of the drug released. A linear relationship exists between the rate of release and the reciprocal amount of ethyl cellulose used for coating, indicating that the drug release was controlled by the coating thickness. Addition of polyvinyl pyrrolidone in the formulation significantly increased the amount of drug released. Blood level studies showed that drug absorption from the encapsulated beads was lower than that of indomethacin powder. It appeared that indomethacin was completely absorbed from the encapsulated beads.     

Bovine serum albumin-loaded pectinate beads as colonic peptide delivery system: preparation and in vitro characterization

Objective of this study was to prepare a drug delivery system for therapeutic peptides that are degraded in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract due to degradation activity of the enzymes. Delivering peptide to the colon in which enzymatic activity is low is next hope for absorption of these agents. Pectin, a naturally occurring water soluble polysaccharide, as a matrix for peptide delivery was studied. Degradation of pectin by the colonic enzymes makes it suitable for colon-specific delivery of drugs. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used as a model peptide. Calcium pectinate beads were prepared by extruding BSA-loaded pectin solution to an agitating calcium chloride solution, and gelled spheres were formed instantaneously by an ionotropic gelation reaction. The effect of several factors such as concentration of pectin, concentration of calcium chloride, and total drug loading on the pattern of drug release in the dissolution medium was studied. Prepared beads showed good resistance in the release medium. The entrapment efficiency of the beads was high (between 63% and 99%). Entrapment efficiency of BSA was reversely dependent to the amount of the drug loaded in the beads. The amount of BSA loaded on the beads affects pattern of drug release. The concentration of the pectin showed the highest impact on the rate of drug release. Presence of the pectiolytic enzymes facilitated the drug release from the beads.     

Oral delayed-release system based on Zn-pectinate gel (ZPG) microparticles as an alternative carrier to calcium pectinate beads for colonic drug delivery.

A new oral timed-release system was developed for colon-targeted delivery of drugs. The system which consists of ketoprofen-loaded Zn-pectinate gel (ZPG) microparticles together with pectin/dextran mixtures in a tablet form, has been investigated, in vitro, using conditions chosen to simulate the pH and times likely to be encountered during transit to the colon. In order to find the suitable ZPG microparticles, the formulations were prepared by utilizing 2(3) factorial design and the effect of various formulation factors on the release and surface characteristics of the microparticles was studied. The results obtained implied that the release of ketoprofen from ZPG microparticles was greatly extended with the pectinate microparticles, which were prepared with 2.5 or 3% w/v pectin, 2.75% w/v Zn(CH3COO)2 and 2.5% w/v drug. Additionally, the analysis of variance results showed that the release of ketoprofen in simulated intestinal fluid (S.I.F., pH 7.4) was strongly affected by crosslinking agent concentration and initial drug amount, but not particularly affected by the amount of pectin added. The investigated drug concentration factor has significantly increased the drug entrapment efficiency (EE). The optimum colonic drug delivery ZPG/tablet system provided the expected delayed-release sigmoidal patterns with a lag-time of 4.125-4.85 h and t(50%) (the time for 50% of the drug to be released) at 7.45-8.70 h, depending on pectin/dextran ratio employed. The results also demonstrated that the untableted ZPG microparticles exhibited drug release profiles which were able to retard the release of ketoprofen in S.I.F. (pH 7.4) to be 5.28-37.82 times (depending on formulation parameters), lower than the conventional calcium pectinate beads. Therefore, this approach suggests that ZPG microparticles and their modified-release formulations are promising as useful controlled-release carriers for colon-targeted delivery of drugs.     

A novel approach to prepare tripolyphosphate/chitosan complex beads for controlled release drug delivery

A novel approach was developed to improve the mechanical strength of tripolyphosphate (TPP)/chitosan beads prepared under coagulation condition at 4 degrees C in the presence of gelatin. Cross-sectional analysis indicated that the beads had a homogeneous crosslinked structure, as a result the beads were strengthened greatly (the mechanical strength increased more than ten times). Furthermore sodium alginate (a polyanion) can interact with cationic chitosan on the surface of these TPP/chitosan beads to form polyelectrolyte complex film for the improvement of the drug sustained release performances. The loading efficiency of model drugs (brilliant blue and FITC-dextran) in these beads was very high (more than 90%). Crosslinking time, TPP solution pH and other preparation factors had an effect on the drug release performance of beads. The release period of brilliant blue (a poor water soluble dye) was more than 2-months at a fairly constant rate in 0.9% NaCl, 10 mM PBS pH 7.4. However, for FITC-dextran (a water soluble polysaccharide) only 1-2 days in the same conditions. It seems that TPP/chitosan bead prepared by the novel method is a promising formulation for drug delivery.     

壬苯醇醚阴道用缓释凝胶的研制

目的制备壬苯醇醚阴道用缓释凝胶并优化其处方与工艺。方法采用正交试验设计 ,考察了聚卡波菲用量、卡波沫用量、pH值、甘油用量、液体石蜡用量、山嵛酸甘油酯用量及不同工艺对释放度的影响 ,与国外产品进行残差平方和、拟合度、区分因子和相似因子比较 ,确定壬苯醇醚阴道用缓释凝胶的处方工艺 ,并考察了其初步稳定性。结果优化所得处方工艺为 :聚卡波菲用量0 5 % (w) ,卡波沫用量 1% (w) ,甘油用量为 5 % (w) ,液体石蜡用量为 5 % (w) ,山嵛酸甘油酯用量为 1% (w) ,pH值为 4 5 ,选用工艺 1。 结论按优化处方工艺制得的壬苯醇醚阴道用缓释凝胶稳定 ,与国外产品比较具有相似的释放度 ,且以复合模式释放。     

Sulindac loaded alginate beads for a mucoprotective and controlled drug release

Ionotropic gelation was used to entrap sulindac into calcium alginate beads as a potential drug carrier for the oral delivery of this anti-inflammatory drug. Beads were investigated in vitro for a possible sustained drug release and their use in vivo as a gastroprotective system for sulindac. Process parameters such as the polymer concentration, polymer/drug ratio, and different needle diameter were analysed for their influences on the bead properties. Size augmented with increasing needle diameter (0.9 mm needle: 1.28 to 1.44 mm; 0.45 mm needle: 1.04 to 1.07 mm) due to changes in droplet size as well as droplet viscosity. Yields varied between 87% and 98% while sulindac encapsulation efficiencies of about 88% and 94% were slightly increasing with higher alginate concentrations. Drug release profiles exhibited a complete release for all formulations within 4 hours with a faster release for smaller beads. Sulindac loaded alginate beads led to a significant reduction of macroscopic histological damage in the stomach and duodenum in mice. Similarly, microscopic analyses of the mucosal damage demonstrated a significant mucoprotective effect of all bead formulation compared to the free drug. The present alginate formulations exhibit promising properties of a controlled release form for sulindac; meanwhile they provide a distinct tissue protection in the stomach and duodenum.     

Preparation of ionic-crosslinked chitosan-based gel beads and effect of reaction conditions on drug release behaviors

Drug-loaded chitosan (CS) beads were prepared under simple and mild condition using trisodium citrate as ionic crosslinker. The beads were further coated with poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) by dipping the beads in PMAA aqueous solution. The surface and cross-section morphology of these beads were observed by scanning electron microscopy and the observation showed that the coating beads had core-shell structure. In vitro release of model drug from these beads obtained under different reaction conditions was investigated in buffer medium (pH 1.8). The results showed that the rapid drug release was restrained by PMAA coating and the optimum conditions for preparing CS-based drug-loaded beads were decided through the effect of reaction conditions on the drug release behaviors. In addition, the drug release mechanism of CS-based drug-loaded beads was analyzed by Peppa's potential equation. According to this study, the ionic-crosslinked CS beads coated by PMAA could serve as suitable candidate for drug site-specific carrier in stomach.     

格列吡嗪双层渗透泵控释片的制备及体外释放度考察

目的对格列吡嗪双层渗透泵的处方与工艺进行研究。方法以自制片与进口片体外释药数据 ( 2～ 1 6h)的相似因子作为评价指标 ,采用正交设计优化出格列吡嗪双层渗透泵控释片的处方。结果所得优化处方为 :氯化钠 ,1 8mg;助推层聚氧化乙烯 ,4 9mg;羟丙甲基纤维素 ,2 5mg;半透膜重量 ,2 8mg。优化处方的三批样品在 2～ 1 6h内均呈现零级释放特征 (r =0 9989) ,平均释药量为0 2 8mg/h ,与进口片相比具有良好的相似性 (f2 =70 2 )。结论自制片与进口片体外释药行为相似 ,可进一步进行体内释药行为的考察。