Correlations between molecular mobility and chemical stability during storage of amorphous pharmaceuticals

Recent studies have demonstrated that molecular mobility is an important factor affecting the chemical stability of amorphous pharmaceuticals, including small-molecular-weight drugs, peptides and proteins. However, quantitative correlations between molecular mobility and chemical stability have not yet been elucidated. The purpose of this article is to review literature describing the effect of molecular mobility on chemical stability during storage of amorphous pharmaceuticals, and to seek a better understanding of the relative significance of molecular mobility and other factors for chemical reactivity. We first consider the feature of chemical stability often observed for amorphous pharmaceuticals; changes in temperature dependence of chemical stability around matrix glass transition temperature (Tg), and greater stability associated with higher Tg. Secondly, we review papers which quantitatively studied the effects of the global mobility (often referred to as structural relaxation or -relaxation) of amorphous pharmaceuticals on chemical stability, and discuss correlations between chemical stability and global mobility using various equations that have thus far been proposed. Thirdly, the significance of local mobility of drug and excipient molecules in chemical reactivity is discussed in comparison with that of global mobility. Furthermore, we review literature reports which show no relationship between chemical stability and molecular mobility. The lack of apparent relationship is discussed in terms of the effects of the contribution of excipient molecules as reactants, the specific effects of water molecules, the heterogeneity of the matrix, and so on. The following summary has been obtained; the chemical stability of amorphous pharmaceuticals is affected by global mobility and/or local mobility, depending on the length scale of molecular mobility responsible for the chemical reactivity. In some cases, when activation energy for degradation processes is high and when other factors such as the specific effects of water and/or excipients contribute the degradation rate, stability seems to be largely independent of molecular mobility.     

Rheology and molecular mobility of amorphous blends of citric acid and paracetamol

The aim of this study was to investigate the rheological properties, molecular mobility and crystallization tendency of pure citric acid and paracetamol or blends of them. Amorphous samples were produced by ethanol-evaporation or by melt-quenching. Enthalpy recovery, glass fragility and heat capacity were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Other physical characterization methods were rheology and the crystallization tendency using X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and DSC. All the samples behaved as Newtonian liquids and they were fragile glasses. The 50/50 (w/w, %) blend had good physical stability upon consecutive shearing regardless of the preparation method. All the samples were stable for at least one year in dry conditions at −20 °C. The melt-produced blends containing 25% or 50% paracetamol were stable at least two years in dry ambient conditions. The good physical stability at ambient temperature cannot be explained by molecular mobility because molecular mobility of the model material is less than 100 s in ambient conditions. Thus other factors, such as the thermodynamic and crystallization driving forces or formation of degradation products, must determine the physical stability of the blends. The composition and processing method have an impact on the physical stability of the sample.     

Sudden rise of crystal growth rate of nifedipine near T(g) without and with polyvinylpyrrolidone

The crystal growth of nifedipine in the beta polymorph has been measured from T(g) + 50 to T(g) - 20 K, where T(g) = 315 K is the glass transition temperature. A sudden 10-fold rise of growth rate was observed as the temperature decreased from above to below T(g) accompanied by a change of growth morphology. This is the same phenomenon reported by Oguni and coworkers [Hikima T, Adachi Y, Hanaya M, Oguni M. 1995. Phys Rev B 52:3900-3908] for other compounds of lower T(g). The phenomenon persisted in the presence of 1% polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The presence of 1% or 2% PVP had little effect on the growth rate near T(g) + 50 K, but reduced the growth rate by 100-fold at T(g) + 9 K. These kinetic features are relevant to predicting the stability of amorphous drugs.     

Relationship between the crystallization rates of amorphous nifedipine, phenobarbital, and flopropione, and their molecular mobility as measured by their enthalpy relaxation and (1)H NMR relaxation times

Isothermal crystallization of amorphous nifedipine, phenobarbital, and flopropione was studied at temperatures above and below their glass transition temperatures (T(g)). A sharp decrease in the crystallization rate with decreasing temperature was observed for phenobarbital and flopropione, such that no crystallization was observed at temperatures 20-30 degrees C lower than their T(g) within ordinary experimental time periods. In contrast, the crystallization rate of nifedipine decreased moderately with decreasing temperature, and considerable crystallization was observed at 40 degrees C below its T(g) within 4 months. The molecular mobility of these amorphous drugs was assessed by enthalpy relaxation and (1)H-NMR relaxation measurements. The enthalpy relaxation time of nifedipine was smaller than that of phenobarbital or flopropinone at the same T - T(g) values, suggesting higher molecular mobility of nifedipine. The spin-lattice relaxation time in the rotating frame (T(1rho)) decreased markedly at temperature above T(g). The slope of the Arrhenius type plot of the T(1rho) for nifedipine protons changed at about 10 degrees C below the T(g), whereas the slope for phenobarbital protons became discontinuous at about 10 degrees C above the T(g). Even at temperatures below its T(g), the spin-spin relaxation process of nifedipine could be described by the sum of its Gaussian relaxation, which is characteristic of solid protons, and its Lorentzian relaxation, which is characteristic of protons with higher mobility. In contrast, no Lorentzian relaxation was observed for phenobarbital or flopropione at temperatures below their T(g). These results also suggest that nifedipine has higher molecular mobility than phenobarbital and flopropione at temperatures below T(g). The faster crystallization of nifedipine than that of phenobarbital or flopropione observed at temperatures below its T(g) may be partly ascribed to its higher molecular mobility at these temperatures.     

Physical stability of amorphous pharmaceuticals: Importance of configurational thermodynamic quantities and molecular mobility

This work relates the thermodynamic quantities (Gc, Hc, and Sc) and the molecular mobility values (1/tau) of five structurally diverse amorphous compounds to their crystallization behavior. The model compounds included: ritonavir, ABT-229, fenofibrate, sucrose, and acetaminophen. Modulated temperature DSC was used to measure the heat capacities as a function of temperature for the amorphous and crystalline phases of each compound. Knowledge of the heat capacities and fusion data allowed calculation of the configurational thermodynamic quantities and the Kauzmann temperatures (T(K)) using established relationships. The molecular relaxation time constants (tau) were then calculated from the Vogel-Tammann-Fulcher representation of the Adam-Gibbs model. Amorphous samples were heated at 1 K/min and a reduced crystallization temperature, defined as (Tc - Tg)/(Tm-Tg), was used to compare crystallization tendencies. Crystallization was observed for all compounds except ritonavir. The configurational free energy values (Gc) show that thermodynamic driving forces for crystallization follow the order: ritonavir > acetaminophen approximately fenofibrate > sucrose > ABT-229. The entropic barrier to crystallization, which is inversely related to the probability that the molecules are in the proper orientation, followed the order: ritonavir > fenofibrate > ABT-229 > acetaminophen approximately sucrose. Molecular mobility values, which are proportional to molecular collision rates, followed the order: acetaminophen > fenofibrate > sucrose > ABT-229 approximately ritonavir. Crystallization studies under nonisothermal conditions revealed that compounds with the highest entropic barriers and lowest mobilities were most difficult to crystallize, regardless of the thermodynamic driving forces. This investigation demonstrates the importance of both configurational entropy and molecular mobility to understanding the physical stability of amorphous pharmaceuticals.     

Correlation between the release characteristics of theophylline and the free volume of polyvinylpyrrolidone.

The purpose of this work was to study the drug-release properties of an amorphous polymer, polyvinylpyrrolidone applied conventionally as a binder in tablets. In order to gain data on the wearing properties of tablets, they were stored for a 30 days period under different humidity conditions before the drug-release measurements. The active material chosen for the release study was theophylline. An exponential relationship was found, with good correlation, between the relative humidity of the storage medium and the mean dissolution time of theophylline from polyvinylpyrrolidone tablets and the size of free volume holes. Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) measurements, performed parallel with the theophylline release study, showed that the main reason for this correlation is the rearrangement of the pore structure of PVP. The results suggest that the water-induced glassy to rubbery transition of the polymer plays a significant role in the drug-release characteristics.     

Physical stabilisation of amorphous ketoconazole in solid dispersions with polyvinylpyrrolidone K25.

The glass forming properties of ketoconazole were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), by quench cooling liquid ketoconazole from T(m)+10 to 273.1 K, followed by subsequent heating at 5 K/min to T(m)+10 K. It was shown that liquid ketoconazole forms a glass which did not recrystallise following reheating, indicating its stability; T(g) was found to be 317.5+/-0.3 K. However, the presence of a small amount of crystalline ketoconazole was able to convert the amorphous drug back to the crystalline state: the addition of only 4.1% (w/w) of crystalline material converted 77.1% of the glass back to the crystalline state, and this value increased as the amount of added crystals increased. PVP K25 was found to be highly effective in the prevention of such recrystallisation, but only if the amorphous drug was formulated in a solid dispersion, since physical mixing of amorphous ketoconazole with the polymer resulted in recrystallisation of the former compound. Storage of the solid dispersions for 30 days at 298.1 K (both 0 and 52% RH) in the presence or absence of crystals did not result in recrystallisation of the amorphous drug. Solid dispersions formed compatible blends as one single T(g) was observed, which gradually increased with increasing amounts of PVP K25, indicating the anti-plasticising property of the polymer. The values of T(g) followed the Gordon-Taylor equation, indicating no significant deviation from ideality and suggesting the absence of strong and specific drug-polymer interactions, which was further confirmed with 13C NMR and FT-IR. It can be concluded therefore that the physical mechanism of the protective effect is not caused by drug-polymer interactions but due to the polymer anti-plasticising effect, thereby increasing the viscosity of the binary system and decreasing the diffusion of drug molecules necessary to form a lattice.     

Microscopic molecular mobility of amorphous AG-041R measured by solid-state 13C NMR

PURPOSE: AG-041R is characterized to be stable in amorphous state and difficult to crystallize at normal period of time. In order to investigate the molecular mobility in microscopically, the spin-lattice relaxation time (T1) of AG-041R was investigated by solid-state CP/MAS 13C NMR at temperature below and above glass transition temperature (Tg). METHOD: CP/MAS measurement and T1 measurement were performed by means of 13C NMR, where the measurement temperatures were 60, 70, 80, 100, and 110 degrees C. The spin-lattice relaxation time (T1) of AG-041R was calculated from the relaxation curves. RESULTS: From the analysis of T1 of amorphous AG-041R, it was clarified that all of the carbons did not start moving drastically at Tg and there were some groups of carbon in terms of temperature dependency of T1. One is a type, such as the carbons in benzene ring: their T1 was drastically changed at Tg. On the other hand, T1 of carbonyl carbons gradually decreased, and above Tg their T1 was still higher than that of the other carbons. There was no significant change of T1 in the methyl carbons around Tg. From the study of IR and 1H NMR in solution, the inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bondings between NH and C=O were found in AG-041R. Due to hydrogen bonding, the inter- and/or intramolecular interaction is considered to retain even at supercooled liquid state. CONCLUSION: The structure that contributes glass transition is the main skeleton structure, such as benzene ring, while small group, like methyl, start to move at lower temperature than Tg. On the other hand, for the carbons, such as carbonyl, their structure was restricted by inter- and/or intramolecular interaction, therefore, their molecular mobility was significantly low above Tg.     

Influence of storage conditions on the physical aging of amorphous polyvinylpyrrolidone

The aim of the present study was to examine the structural changes of amorphous polyvinylpirrolidone, associated with the physical ageing, by the determination of the free volume of the polymer and to find a correlation between the structural changes of the polymer and the physical stability of tablets containing it. The water absorption from the storage medium resulted in the glassy to rubbery transition of amorphous polyvinylpyrrolidone at room temperature. This spontaneous transition was not continuous in the case of PVP K25. Not only the actual water content but the storage history determines the free volume distribution of the samples. The structural changes associated with the physical ageing influence the physical stability of solid dosage forms containing this polymer.     

A comparison of spray drying and milling in the production of amorphous dispersions of sulfathiazole/polyvinylpyrrolidone and sulfadimidine/polyvinylpyrrolidone

Formulations containing amorphous active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) present great potential to overcome problems of limited bioavailability of poorly soluble APIs. In this paper, we directly compare for the first time spray drying and milling as methods to produce amorphous dispersions for two binary systems (poorly soluble API)/excipient: sulfathiazole (STZ)/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and sulfadimidine (SDM)/PVP. The coprocessed mixtures were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and intrinsic dissolution tests. PXRD and DSC confirmed that homogeneous glassy solutions (mixture with a single glass transition) of STZ/PVP were obtained for 0.05 ≤ X(PVP) (PVP weight fraction) < 1 by spray drying and for 0.6 ≤ X(PVP) < 1 by milling (at 400 rpm), and homogeneous glassy solutions of SDM/PVP were obtained for 0 < X(PVP) < 1 by spray drying and for 0.7 ≤ X(PVP) < 1 by milling. For these amorphous composites, the value of T(g) for a particular API/PVP ratio did not depend on the processing technique used. Variation of T(g) versus concentration of PVP was monotonic for all the systems and matched values predicted by the Gordon-Taylor equation indicating that there are no strong interactions between the drugs and PVP. The fact that amorphous SDM can be obtained on spray drying but not amorphous STZ could not be anticipated from the thermodynamic driving force of crystallization, but may be due to the lower molecular mobility of amorphous SDM compared to amorphous STZ. The solubility of the crystalline APIs in PVP was determined and the activities of the two APIs were fitted to the Flory-Huggins model. Comparable values of the Flory-Huggins interaction parameter (χ) were determined for the two systems (χ = -1.8 for SDM, χ = -1.5 for STZ) indicating that the two APIs have similar miscibility with PVP. Zones of stability and instability of the amorphous dispersions as a function of composition and temperature were obtained from the Flory-Huggins theory and the Gordon-Taylor equation and were found to be comparable for the two APIs. Intrinsic dissolution studies in aqueous media revealed that dissolution rates increased in the following order: physical mix of unprocessed materials < physical mix of processed material < coprocessed materials. This last result showed that production of amorphous dispersions by co-milling can significantly enhance the dissolution of poorly soluble drugs to a similar magnitude as co-spray dried systems.     

Physical stability and solubility advantage from amorphous celecoxib: the role of thermodynamic quantities and molecular mobility

Glassy pharmaceuticals, characterized by excess thermodynamic properties, are theoretically more soluble than their crystalline counterparts. The practical solubility advantage of the amorphous form of celecoxib (CEL) is lost due to its proclivity to lose energy and undergo solvent-mediated devitrification. Theoretical assessment of solubility advantage using differences in isobaric heat capacities (Cp) revealed a 7-21-fold enhancement in the solubility of the amorphous form over that of the crystalline state of CEL. The present study attempts to unveil these differences between experimental and theoretical solubility using thermodynamic parameters such as free energy, enthalpy, and entropy. Amorphous CEL exhibited 1.3-1.5 times enhancement in Cp over that for the crystalline form. The zero and critical molecular mobility regions, represented by Kauzmann temperature (TK) and glass transition temperature (Tg), were found to lie near 246 and 323 K, respectively, for amorphous CEL. The fictive temperature (Tf), an indicator of the configurational entropy of glass, was determined for glassy CEL, signifying the retention of considerable molecular mobility in the glassy phase that may favor nucleation even below Tg. Further, the estimation of various thermodynamic quantities and strength/fragility parameters (D = 11.5 and m = 67.0) postulated the classification of glassy CEL into moderately fragile liquid, as per Angell's classification. A comprehensive understanding of such thermodynamic facets of amorphous form would help in rationalizing the approaches toward development of stable glassy pharmaceuticals with adequate solubility advantage.     

HyperDSC studies of amorphous polyvinylpyrrolidone in a model wet granulation system

Measurements of the properties of amorphous materials are very important to help in the understanding of how materials behave during manufacture, storage and use of medicines. However, there are few methods that are suited to the study of amorphous materials, especially if in multi-component systems or model formulations. The goal here was to explore the potential for the use of HyperDSC to study a model granulation system. It was found that the sensitivity of HyperDSC was such that the glass transition (Tg) of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) could be detected in granules made with realistic levels of this binder. The measured Tg in the granules, even after drying, was very different to that of PVP alone and to PVP in physical mixtures with lactose. It is argued that the granulation process has resulted in the dissolution of some lactose and that the amorphous binder holding the granules together is in fact a solid dispersion of PVP and lactose. Based on the standard Gordon-Taylor equation it was estimated that the solid dispersion contained 50% of PVP and lactose. Given that solid dispersions have a tendency to crystallise on storage, it could be expected that changes in the binder properties will occur with time after granulation. We believe that this is the first measurement of in situ properties of a binder in this way and opens the possibility of studies on formulated systems.     

Dielectric study of the molecular mobility and the isothermal crystallization kinetics of an amorphous pharmaceutical drug substance

During the development of new pharmaceutical products based on drug substances in their amorphous form, the molecular mobility of an amorphous active ingredient was characterized in detail within a very broad time-temperature range. The relation between the isothermal crystallization kinetics and the dynamics of this amorphous substance was investigated. First, dynamic dielectric spectroscopy (DDS) and the thermostimulated current (TSC) techniques were used to analyze the molecular mobility of the amorphous drug substance over a wide frequency and temperature range (the drug substance is referred to as SSR in this text and was chosen as a model glass-forming system). Two relaxation processes, corresponding to different molecular motions, were identified. The beta(a)-relaxation process, associated with intramolecular oscillation of small dipolar groups, followed Arrhenius temperature behavior over the entire time-temperature domain that was studied. However, the main alpha(a)-relaxation process, assigned to the dielectric manifestation of the dynamic glass transition of the amorphous phase, was described by Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann (VFT) and Arrhenius behavior above and below the glass transition temperature (T(g)) respectively. The physical meaning of these complex dynamics is explained in the context of the Adam and Gibbs (AG) model, by the temperature dependence of the size of cooperatively rearranging regions (CRR) that govern the time scale of delocalized molecular motions. The distinction between the molecular mobility and the structural relaxation of amorphous systems below T(g) is discussed. This work shows that the complementary nature of both DDS and TSC techniques is essential to directly analyze the intramolecular and molecular motions of disordered phases over a wide time-temperature range above and below the T(g). Second, real-time dielectric measurements were carried out to determine the isothermal crystallization kinetics of the SSR amorphous drug. Whatever the crystalline form obtained over time in the crystallization process, the decrease of the dielectric response of amorphous phase, which is characteristic of the isothermal crystallization, was studied to monitor the time dependence of the degree of crystallinity. The characteristic crystallization time, derived from Kohlrausch-Williams-Watt (KWW)-Avrami analyses performed at different temperatures, followed an Arrhenius temperature dependence. Behaviors specific to the molecular mobility of the amorphous drug substance were compared with the characteristic crystallization time. It was concluded that the crystal growth process of the SSR drug seems to be controlled by the intramolecular motions involving the beta(a)-relaxation mode and not by the molecular motions responsible for the alpha(a)-relaxation mode in the range of temperatures >T(g). Subsequent studies will focus on the crystallization process of the SSR drug in the glassy state (T < T(g)).     

Ability of polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyacrylic acid to inhibit the crystallization of amorphous acetaminophen

The inhibition of crystallization of amorphous acetaminophen (ACTA) by polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) was studied using amorphous solid dispersions prepared by melt quenching. Co-melting with PVP and PAA decreased the average molecular mobility, as indicated by increases in glass transition temperature and enthalpy relaxation time. The ACTA/PAA dispersion exhibited much slower crystallization than the ACTA/PVP dispersion with a similar glass transition temperature value, indicating that interaction between ACTA and polymers also contributed to the stabilizing effect of these polymers. The carboxyl group of PAA may interact with the hydroxyl group of ACTA more intensely than the carbonyl group of PVP does, resulting in the stronger stabilizing effect of PAA. Dielectric relaxation spectroscopy showed that the number of water molecules tightly binding to PVP per monomer unit was larger than that to PAA. Furthermore, a small amount of absorbed water decreased the stabilizing effect of PVP, but not that of PAA. These findings suggest that the stronger stabilizing effect of PAA is due to the stronger interaction with ACTA. The ability of PAA to decrease the molecular mobility of solid dispersion was also larger than that of PVP, as indicated by the longer enthalpy relaxation time.     

Differential molecular interactions between the crystalline and the amorphous phases of celecoxib

We have investigated the differences in molecular interactions between the crystalline (ordered) and amorphous (disordered) phase of a poorly soluble drug, celecoxib. Molecular interactions in the crystalline phase were investigated with the help of Mercury software, using single crystal X-ray diffractometric data for celecoxib. A simulated annealing molecular dynamics approach was used for the assessment of altered molecular interactions in the amorphous phase. Crystalline celecoxib was found to contain an ordered network of H-bonding between all its electron donors (-S=O group, 2-N of pyrazole ring and -C-F) and the acceptor (-N-H). Amorphous celecoxib retained all these interactions in its disordered molecular arrangement, with a relatively stronger H-bonding between the interacting groups, as compared with crystalline celecoxib. However, these inter-molecular interactions differed in strength in the two solid-state forms. The altered configurations of the molecular arrangement in the two phases were supported by the shifts observed in the Fourier-transform infra-red vibrational spectra of respective states. These interactions could have strong implications on devitrification kinetics of amorphous celecoxib, and could further guide the choice of stabilizers for the amorphous form.     

脂联素与婴儿生长发育的关系

目的 探讨脐、婴儿血脂联素与婴儿生长发育之间的关系.方法 应用ELISA测定52例配对脐血与42 d婴儿指血脂联素水平,记录母亲产分娩时体莺指数(BMI)、母孕期增重、婴儿出生体重、身长,分析血脂联素水平与婴儿增重、增长、BMI的关系.结果 脐血、42 d婴儿指血脂联素含量丰富,前者明显大于后者;脐血脂联素水平与婴儿出生体重及BMI未见相关关系;42d婴儿指血脂联素水平与42 d婴儿的增重、体重、BMI呈显著的负相关关系;当婴儿出生体重在3.8 kg以下时,脐血脂联素水平有随体重增长而增加的趋势,而当出生体重在3.8 kg以上时,则有相反的结果.结论 脐血脂联素对胎儿期生长发育过程的影响可能存在双向调节作用,42 d脂联素水平与42 d婴儿的体苇增加及BMI呈负相关.     

维生素B6与苯巴比妥的相互作用

目的:探讨大剂量维生素B6与苯巴比妥的相互作用。方法:分析两例新生儿合并使用大剂量维生素B6后其苯巴比妥血药浓度代谢速度与群体药动学参数的差异。结果:患者苯巴比妥血药浓度代谢速度较群体代谢速度快近一倍。结论:大剂量维生素B6可加快苯巴比妥的代谢速度。