Rationales in the Development of Dissolution Testing for Solid Oral Dosage Forms - An Industrial,Biopharmaceutical and Regulatory Perspective

Abstract

This article encompasses various concepts, methods and procedures used in the dissolution testing of solid oral dosage forms. Regulatory considerations during the dissolution method development, including the application of new Biopharmaceutics Classification System have been discussed. The use of mathematical expressions in comparing dissolution profiles and setting Q value specifications form an imperative part of the discussion. The importance of these during developmental stages has been highlighted. Dissolution testing parameters that include choice of medium, apparatus and agitation speed have been recommended based on the recent FDA guidance. A biopharmaceutical perspective to the selection of media has also been presented.     

固体自乳化药物传递系统的研究概况

综述固体自乳化药物传递系统的定义与特点、处方组分、制备工艺、药物体外释放和体内吸收的影响因素及质量评价指标。固体自乳化药物传递系统为一种新型制剂，可以显著提高难溶性药物的口服生物利用度，还可以通过添加各种固体辅料或采用包衣技术制备缓控释产品。     

新给药系统的工程化——新制剂及制造装置

药物制剂国家工程研究中心创建10年来积累了制剂工程的较丰富经验，并对如下系列的科研项目进行了研究开发与工程化的全过程运转——（1）缓控释颗粒的挤出．滚圆．气流包衣；（2）口腔生物黏附片；（3）渗透泵控释片；（4）透皮给药；（5）可生物降解注射微球；（6）缓释混悬剂；（7）脂质体；（8）植入小粒。不同剂型的多种药物及相应生产设备已经产业化。     

Nanostructured Lipid Carriers for Oral Delivery of a Corticosteroid: Role of Formulation on Biopharmaceutical Performance

Corticosteroids are potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs widely used world-wide for treatment of diverse conditions. However, their use is restricted by their poor bioavailability and high risk-benefit ratio. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop nanostructred lipid carriers (NLC) of prednisolone acetate (PA) to improve the drug's therapeutic outcome by altering its pharmacokinetic profile and/or allow preferential targeting to inflammatory tissues. PA-loaded NLCs were formulated by solvent injection method using Compritol (solid lipid), oleic acid (liquid lipid) and Tween 80 or Pluronic F68 (surfactant). Formulation conditions, such as liquid lipid concentration, total lipids, drug:lipid ratio and surfactant type were optimized based on particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PDI), and encapsulation efficiency (EE%) results. Optimized formulation was further characterized for its surface morphology, thermal properties, storage stability and anti-inflammatory activity in an animal acute inflammation model. Selected NLCs displayed PS of 170.7 nm, EE% of 67.4%, sustained release over 72 h and good stability for 30 days at refrigeration conditions. PA NLCs displayed superior anti-inflammatory activity of 83.9 ± 4.46% compared to PA suspension (40.5 ± 7.03%) and drug-free NLCs (54.7 ± 6.12%). The current work delineates the potential of NLCs for distinctly improved biopharmaceutical performance of PA.     

Solid Lipid Nanoparticles and Nanostructured Lipid Carriers: Emerging Lipid Based Drug Delivery Systems

Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal - In the past decade, research in the area of nanodrug delivery has reached a new height with the advent of lipid based nanodrug delivery systems. Lipids being...     

Brain Mitochondrial Drug Delivery: Influence of Drug Physicochemical Properties

Purpose  

To determine the influence of drug physicochemical properties on brain mitochondrial delivery of 20 drugs at physiological pH.     

Physicochemical Properties of Solid Phospholipid Particles as a Drug Delivery Platform for Improving Oral Absorption of Poorly Soluble Drugs

Purpose

A novel drug delivery platform, mesoporous phospholipid particle (MPP), is introduced. Its physicochemical properties and ability as a carrier for enhancing oral absorption of poorly soluble drugs are discussed.

Methods

MPP was prepared through freeze-drying a cyclohexane/t-butyl alcohol solution of phosphatidylcholine. Its basic properties were revealed using scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, hygroscopicity measurement, and so on. Fenofibrate was loaded to MPP as a poorly soluble model drug, and effect of MPP on the oral absorption behavior was observed.

Results

MPP is spherical in shape with a diameter typically in the range of 10–15 μm and a wide surface area that exceeds 10 m²/g. It has a bilayer structure that may accommodate hydrophobic drugs in the acyl chain region. When fenofibrate was loaded in MPP as a model drug, it existed partially in a crystalline state and improvement in the dissolution behavior was achieved in the presence of a surfactant, because of the formation of mixed micelles composed of phospholipids and surfactants in the dissolution media. MPP greatly improved the oral absorption of fenofibrate compared to that of the crystalline drug and its efficacy was almost equivalent to that of an amorphous drug dispersion.

Conclusion

MPP is a promising option for improving the oral absorption of poorly soluble drugs based on the novel mechanism of dissolution improvement.

     

Alternative Manufacturing Concepts for Solid Oral Dosage Forms From Drug Nanosuspensions Using Fluid Dispensing and Forced Drying Technology

Flexible manufacturing technologies for solid oral dosage forms with a continuous adjustability of the manufactured dose strength are of interest for applications in personalized medicine. This study explored the feasibility of using microvalve technology for the manufacturing of different solid oral dosage form concepts. Hard gelatin capsules filled with excipients, placebo tablets, and polymer films, placed in hard gelatin capsules after drying, were considered as substrates. For each concept, a basic understanding of relevant formulation parameters and their impact on dissolution behavior has been established. Suitable matrix formers, present either on the substrate or directly in the drug nanosuspension, proved to be essential to prevent nanoparticle agglomeration of the drug nanoparticles and to ensure a fast dissolution behavior. Furthermore, convection and radiation drying methods were investigated for the fast drying of drug nanosuspensions dispensed onto polymer films, which were then placed in hard gelatin capsules. Changes in morphology and in drug and matrix former distribution were observed for increasing drying intensity. However, even fast drying times below 1 min could be realized, while maintaining the nanoparticulate drug structure and a good dissolution behavior.     

In Vitro Lipolysis Data Does Not Adequately Predict the In Vivo Performance of Lipid-Based Drug Delivery Systems Containing Fenofibrate

The present study investigated the utility of in vitro lipolysis performance indicators drug solubilization and maximum supersaturation ratio (SR^M) for their predictive use for the in vivo performance in a minipig model. The commercial Lipanthyl formulation and a series of LbDDS based on identical self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) containing 200 mg of fenofibrate, either dissolved or suspended, were subjected to combined gastric (pH 2) and intestinal (pH 6.5) in vitro lipolysis. Based on the solubilization profiles and SRM the rank-order SNEDDS (75% drug load) > super-SNEDDS (150% drug load, dissolved) = SNEDDS suspension (150% drug load, partially suspended) > Lipanthyl was established, with an increased likelihood of drug precipitation above SR^M > 3. The in vitro performance, however, was not reproduced in vivo in a minipig model as the mean plasma concentration over time curves of all LbDDS were comparable, independent of the initial physical state of the drug. There was no correlation between the area under the solubilization-time curves (AUC_{in vitro}) of the intestinal step and the AUC_{in vivo}. The study suggests careful interpretation of in vitro performance criteria and revision of LbDDS optimization towards increased solubilization.KEY WORDS: in vitro ipolysis, in vitro/in vivo correlation, lipids, SNEDDS suspensions, super-SNEDDS, supersaturation     

Producing Amorphous Solid Dispersions via Co-Precipitation and Spray Drying: Impact to Physicochemical and Biopharmaceutical Properties

Many small-molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) exhibit low aqueous solubility and benefit from generation of amorphous dispersions of the API and polymer to improve their dissolution properties. Spray drying and hot-melt extrusion are 2 common methods to produce these dispersions; however, for some systems, these approaches may not be optimal, and it would be beneficial to have an alternative route. Herein, amorphous solid dispersions of compound A, a low-solubility weak acid, and copovidone were made by conventional spray drying and co-precipitation. The physicochemical properties of the 2 materials were assessed via X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, thermal gravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The amorphous dispersions were then formulated and tableted, and the performance was assessed in vivo and in vitro. In human dissolution studies, the co-precipitation tablets had slightly slower dissolution than the spray-dried dispersion, but both reached full release of compound A. In canine in vitro dissolution studies, the tablets showed comparable dissolution profiles. Finally, canine pharmacokinetic studies showed that the materials had comparable values for the area under the curve, bioavailability, and C_max. Based on the summarized data, we conclude that for some APIs, co-precipitation is a viable alternative to spray drying to make solid amorphous dispersions while maintaining desirable physicochemical and biopharmaceutical characteristics.     

Lipophilic Salts and Lipid-Based Formulations: Enhancing the Oral Delivery of Octreotide

Pharmaceutical Research - Successful oral peptide delivery faces two major hurdles: low enzymatic stability in the gastro-intestinal lumen and poor intestinal membrane permeability. While...     

Physicochemical Properties,Form, and Formulation Selection Strategy for a Biopharmaceutical Classification System Class II Preclinical Drug Candidate

This work summarizes the pharmaceutical evaluation of a preclinical drug candidate with poor physicochemical properties. Compound 1 is a weakly basic, GPR‐119 agonist designated to Biopharmaceutics Classification System Class II because of good permeability in a Caco‐2 cell line model and poor solubility. Compound 1 showed good oral bioavailability from a solution formulation at low doses and oral exposure sufficient for toxicological evaluation at high doses from a nanosuspension of Form A—the only known polymorph of 1 during drug discovery. The identification of the thermodynamically stable polymorph, Form B, during early development adversely affected the bioperformance of the nanosuspension. The poor solubility of Form B resulted in a significant reduction in the oral exposure from a nanosuspension to a level that was insufficient for toxicological evaluation of compound 1. Subsequent to the discovery of Form B, multiple form and formulation engineering strategies were evaluated for their ability to enhance the oral exposure of 1. Formulations based on cocrystals and amorphous solid dispersions showed a statistically significant increase in exposure, sixfold and sevenfold, respectively, over the benchmark formulation, a suspension of Form B. The physicochemical characterization of 1, and the solid form and formulation engineering approaches explored to address the insufficient oral exposure of Form B are discussed along with insights on improving the physicochemical properties of the follow‐on drug candidates in discovery.     

Oral Solid Controlled Release Dosage Forms: Role of GI-Mechanical Destructive Forces and Colonic Release in Drug Absorption Under Fasted and Fed Conditions in Humans

Purpose. This study was undertaken to examine the effects of mechanical destructive forces on drug release from controlled release (CR) dosage forms in vitro and in vivo and their colonic release, using two CR tablets of acetaminophen A and B, showing slower and faster erosion rates, respectively. Methods. In vitro release rates were determined by several official methods. Tablets were administered to healthy volunteers under fasting and fed conditions. Results. Both tablets showed similar release rates under mild destructive conditions (e.g., paddle method at 10 rpm) but CR-B showed faster release under highly destructive conditions (e.g., rotating basket method at 150 rpm), where the tablet was eroded. The in vivo release from CR-B was faster than from CR-A, possibly because of enhanced erosion. The variable in vivo release from CR-B indicated large inter-subject differences in destructive GI forces. The fastest in vivo release from CR-B among individuals was approximated by the in vitro dissolution determined by destructive methods such as the rotating basket at 150 rpm. The slowest in vivo release from tablets A and B was lower than the dissolution by the paddle method at 10 rpm. The release from both tablets was markedly reduced at 3–4 hrs after dosing irrespective of feeding conditions which can be attributed to release inhibition in the colon. Conclusions. Effects of GI destructive forces on the tablet erosion and the release inhibition in the colon must be considered in the development of CR dosage forms.     

The Effects of Solid and Liquid Lipids on the Physicochemical Properties of Nanostructured Lipid Carriers

The aim of this work was to identify from a review of current literature the effects of lipids used in the development of Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLCs) on the physicochemical properties of the resulting formulation. The size of the solid lipid, affected by the molecular weight and the complexity of the structure, tends to affect the particle size of the final formulation proportionally; the higher the molecular weight and the more complex the molecular structure, the bigger the particle size of the NLCs. However, there is no straight correlation between the size and the structure of the liquid lipid and the particle size. Moreover, there seems to be a correlation of the solid to liquid lipid ratio which affects the particle size; there has been a trend of increasing particle size when more solid lipid was used. Regarding the entrapment efficiency, it is highly affected by the drug and its interaction with the lipids, as its solubility in the lipids needs to be high so the drug can stay entrapped within the lipid core. There was no direct correlation between the type of lipid used or the ratio and the zeta potential, which affects the stability of the NLCs.     

Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery System of Lutein: Physicochemical Properties and Effect on Bioavailability of Warfarin

Objective of present study was to prepare and characterize self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) of lutein and to evaluate its effect on bioavailability of warfarin. The SNEDDS was prepared using an oil, a surfactant, and co-surfactants with optimal composition based on pseudo-ternary phase diagram. Effect of the SNEDDS on the bioavailability of warfarin was performed using Sprague Dawley rats. Lutein was successfully formulated as SNEDDS for immediate self-emulsification and dissolution by using combination of Peceol as oil, Labrasol as surfactant, and Transcutol-HP or Lutrol-E400 as co-surfactant. Almost complete dissolution was achieved after 15 min while lutein was not detectable from the lutein powder or intra-capsule content of a commercial formulation. SNEDDS formulation of lutein affected bioavailability of warfarin, showing about 10% increase in C_max and AUC of the drug in rats while lutein as non-SNEDDS did not alter these parameters. Although exact mechanism is not yet elucidated, it appears that surfactant and co-surfactant used for SNEDDS formulation caused disturbance in the anatomy of small intestinal microvilli, leading to permeability change of the mucosal membrane. Based on this finding, it is suggested that drugs with narrow therapeutic range such as warfarin be administered with caution to avoid undesirable drug interaction due to large amount of surfactants contained in SNEDDS.     

中成药口服固体制剂的系统分类与溶出度方法建立浅析

正自1994年,王冬梅等学者报道溶出度应用于中成药的质量考察以来,经过众多学者的研究,现已经明确了溶出度对中成药口服固体制剂的质量控制是一个十分重要的质量指标。为此,对中成药口服固体制剂的溶出度方法建立的系统研究具有积极意义。本文根据化学药口服固体制剂生物药剂学分类系统(BCS)的思路,拟给出可能的中成药口服固体制剂的分类体系模式,旨在为中成药口服固体制剂溶出度方法的建立提供宏观上的思路。     

Biopharmaceutical Approaches for Developing and Assessing Oral Peptide Delivery Strategies and Systems: In Vitro Permeability and In Vivo Oral Absorption of Salmon Calcitonin

Purpose. To evaluate a biopharmaceutical approach for selecting formulation additives and establishing the performance specifications of an oral peptide delivery system using sCT as a model peptide. Methods. The effect of formulation additives on sCT effective permeability and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) was evaluated in side-by-side diffusion chambers using rat intestinal segments. Baseline regional oral absorption of sCT was evaluated in an Intestinal and Vascular Access Port (IVAP) dog model by administration directly into the duodenum, ileum, and colon by means of surgically implanted, chronic catheters. The effect of varying the input rate and volume of the administered solution on the extent of sCT absorption was also evaluated. Citric acid (CA) was utilized in all studies to cause a transient reduction in local pH. In vitro samples and plasma samples were analyzed by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Two oral delivery systems were prepared based on the results of the in vitro and IVAP studies, and evaluated in normal dogs. Results. Maximal permeability enhancement of sCT was observed using taurodeoxycholate (TDC) or lauroyl carnitine (LC) in vitro. Ileal absorption of sCT was higher than in other regions of the intestine. Low volume and bolus input of solution formulations was selected as the optimal condition for the IVAP studies since larger volumes or slower input rates resulted in significantly lower sCT bioavailability (BA). Much lower BA of sCT was observed when CA was not used in the formulation. The absolute oral bioavailability (mean ± SD) in dogs for the control (sCT + CA) and two proprietary sCT delivery systems was 0.30% ± 0.05%, 1.10 ± 0.18%, and 1.31 ± 0.56%, respectively. Conclusions. These studies demonstrate the utility of in vitro evaluation and controlled in vivo studies for developing oral peptide delivery strategies. Formulation additives were selected, the optimal intestinal region for delivery identified, and the optimal release kinetics of additives and actives from the delivery system were characterized. These methods were successfully used for devising delivery strategies and fabricating and evaluating oral sCT delivery systems in animals. Based on these studies, sCT delivery systems have been fabricated and tested in humans with favorable results.     

Insights into Drug Precipitation Kinetics during In Vitro Digestion of a Lipid-Based Drug Delivery System Using In-Line Raman Spectroscopy and Mathematical Modeling

Purpose

To determine drug precipitation during in vitro lipolysis of a lipid-based drug delivery system (LBDDS) using Raman spectroscopy as a real-time monitoring technique. A second aim was to describe the kinetics of lipolysis-triggered drug precipitation using a theoretical nucleation and growth model.

Methods

A model LBDDS containing different concentration of fenofibrate was digested in vitro and drug precipitation was determined after ultracentrifugation and nanofiltration (off-line methods), as well as by Raman spectroscopy (in-line method). Subsequently, a theoretical nucleation and growth model was fitted to the obtained drug crystallization profiles by considering the lipolysis-triggered change in drug solubility.

Results

Compared with standard off-line measurements, Raman spectroscopy enabled a more robust and highly time-resolved analysis of lipolysis-triggered drug precipitation. Although the formulation was rapidly digested, fenofibrate remained in a supersaturated state for several minutes before beginning to crystallize. The in vitro digestion results were in excellent agreement with the theoretical model (R ²?>?0.976).

Conclusions

The combination of real-time Raman spectroscopy and mathematical modeling provided insights into the kinetics of lipolysis-triggered drug crystallization. This knowledge allows a better biopharmaceutical understanding and will, ultimately, lead to the improved development of lipid-based drug formulations.