Chemical Imaging of Drug Delivery Systems with Structured Surfaces–a Combined Analytical Approach of Confocal Raman Microscopy and Optical Profilometry

Confocal Raman microscopy is an analytical technique with a steadily increasing impact in the field of pharmaceutics as the instrumental setup allows for nondestructive visualization of component distribution within drug delivery systems. Here, the attention is mainly focused on classic solid carrier systems like tablets, pellets, or extrudates. Due to the opacity of these systems, Raman analysis is restricted either to exterior surfaces or cross sections. As Raman spectra are only recorded from one focal plane at a time, the sample is usually altered to create a smooth and even surface. However, this manipulation can lead to misinterpretation of the analytical results. Here, we present a trendsetting approach to overcome these analytical pitfalls with a combination of confocal Raman microscopy and optical profilometry. By acquiring a topography profile of the sample area of interest prior to Raman spectroscopy, the profile height information allowed to level the focal plane to the sample surface for each spectrum acquisition. We first demonstrated the basic principle of this complementary approach in a case study using a tilted silica wafer. In a second step, we successfully adapted the two techniques to investigate an extrudate and a lyophilisate as two exemplary solid drug carrier systems. Component distribution analysis with the novel analytical approach was neither hampered by the curvature of the cylindrical extrudate nor the highly structured surface of the lyophilisate. Therefore, the combined analytical approach bears a great potential to be implemented in diversified fields of pharmaceutical sciences.     

In Vivo Bioequivalence and In Vitro Similarity Factor (f2) for Dissolution Profile Comparisons of Extended Release Formulations: How and When Do They Match?

Purpose

To investigate how likely two extended release formulations are to be bioequivalent when they demonstrate f2 similarity.

Method

Dissolution profiles were simulated using the Weibull model and varying model parameters around those of a reference profile. The f2 values were calculated for the comparisons of each simulation with the reference profile. The in vivo inputs obtained from an in vitro-in vivo correlation model were convolved with a unit impulse response function. The AUC, Cmax, and Tmax from each simulated in vivo concentration profile were compared to the reference profile. The AUCR (AUC ratio) and CmaxR (Cmax ratio) were determined. The consistency between f2 and bioequivalence was investigated.

Results

The relationships between AUCR, CmaxR, f2 and the Weibull model parameters demonstrate that the bioequivalence regions enclosed by the contour lines of 80% and 125% of AUCR and CmaxR were generally close to the regions enclosed by the f2?=?50 contour line, but did not exactly match, especially when Dmax and B deviated from the reference values.

Conclusions

When f2 is used for in vitro dissolution profile comparison, the completeness of the dissolution profiles should not differ more than 10%, and the shapes of the dissolution profiles should not be significantly different.     

The Combination of GIS and Biphasic to Better Predict In Vivo Dissolution of BCS Class IIb Drugs,Ketoconazole and Raloxifene

The formulation developments and the in vivo assessment of Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS) class II drugs are challenging due to their low solubility and high permeability in the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Since the GI environment influences the drug dissolution of BCS class II drugs, the human GI characteristics should be incorporated into the in vitro dissolution system to predict bioperformance of BCS class II drugs. An absorptive compartment may be important in dissolution apparatus for BCS class II drugs, especially for bases (BCS IIb) because of high permeability, precipitation, and supersaturation. Thus, the in vitro dissolution system with an absorptive compartment may help predicting the in vivo phenomena of BCS class II drugs better than compendial dissolution apparatuses. In this study, an absorptive compartment (a biphasic device) was introduced to a gastrointestinal simulator. This addition was evaluated if this in vitro system could improve the prediction of in vivo dissolution for BCS class IIb drugs, ketoconazole and raloxifene, and subsequent absorption. The gastrointestinal simulator is a practical in vivo predictive tool and exhibited an improved in vivo prediction utilizing the biphasic format and thus a better tool for evaluating the bioperformance of BCS class IIb drugs than compendial apparatuses.     

Baicalein–Nicotinamide Cocrystal with Enhanced Solubility,Dissolution, and Oral Bioavailability

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of preparation methods on cocrystallization between baicalein (BE) and nicotinamide (NCT), their intermolecular interaction, and to demonstrate that BE–NCT cocrystal can achieve the simultaneous enhancement in solubility, dissolution, and oral bioavailability of BE. The cocrystals from three preparation methods have the similar differential scanning calorimetry thermograms and X-ray powder diffraction patterns. Compared with crystalline BE, BE–NCT cocrystal has significantly improved the solubility and dissolution of BE. In addition, the cocrystal exhibits a 2.49-fold higher peak plasma concentration (C_max) and 2.80-fold higher area under the curve (AUC) in rats. This prominent improvement in oral bioavailability is even greater than the previously reported BE nanocrystal. This investigation enriched the present understanding of cocrystals on their behavior in vitro and in vivo, and built the groundwork for future development of BE as a promising compound into efficacious drug products. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 103:2330–2337, 2014     

In Vitro Release from Reverse Poloxamine/α-Cyclodextrin Matrices: Modelling and Comparison of Dissolution Profiles

Gels obtained by complexation of octablock star polyethylene oxide/polypropylene oxide copolymers (Tetronic 90R4) with α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) were evaluated as matrices for drug release. Both molecules are biocompatible so they can be potentially applied to drug delivery systems. Two different types of matrices of Tetronic 90R4 and α-CD were evaluated: gels and tablets. These gels are capable to gelifying in situ and show sustained erosion kinetics in aqueous media. Tablets were prepared by freeze-drying and comprising the gels. Using these two different matrices, the release of two model molecules, L-tryptophan (Trp), and a protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA), was evaluated. The release profiles of these molecules from gels and tablets prove that they are suitable for sustained delivery. Mathematical models were applied to the release curves from tablets to elucidate the drug delivery mechanism. Good correlations were found for the fittings of the release curves to different equations. The results point that the release of Trp from different tablets is always governed by Fickian diffusion, whereas the release of BSA is governed by a combination of diffusion and tablet erosion. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 103:197–206, 2014     

Comparison of Nanogel Drug Carriers and their Formulations with Nucleoside 5′-Triphosphates

Purpose The aim of the study is to synthesize and characterize nanogel carriers composed of amphiphilic polymers and cationic polyethylenimine for encapsulation and delivery of cytotoxic nucleoside analogs 5′-triphosphates (NTPs) into cancer cells. Methods Nanogels were synthesized by a novel micellar approach and compared with carriers prepared by the emulsification/evaporation method. Complexes of nanogels with NTP were prepared; particle size and in vitro drug release were characterized. Resistance of the nanogel-encapsulated NTP to enzymatic hydrolysis was analyzed by ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography. Binding to isolated cellular membranes, cellular accumulation and cytotoxicity were compared using breast carcinoma cell lines CL-66, MCF-7, and MDA-MB-231. In vivo biodistribution of the ³H-labeled NTP encapsulated in different types of nanogels was evaluated in comparison to the injected NTP alone. Results Nanogels with a particle size of 100–300 nm in the unloaded form and less than 140 nm in the NTP-loaded form were prepared. An in vitro release of NTP was >50% during the first 24 h. Nanogel formulations ensured increased NTP drug stability against enzymatic hydrolysis as compared to the drug alone. Pluronic?-based nanogels NG(F68), NG(F127), NG(P85), and NGM(P123) demonstrated 2–2.5 times enhanced interaction with cellular membranes and association with various cancer cells compared to NG(PEG). Among them, NG(F68) and NG(F127) exhibited the lowest cytotoxicity. Injection of nanogel-formulated NTP significantly modulated the drug accumulation in different mouse organs. Conclusions Nanogels composed of Pluronic? F68 and P123 were shown to display certain advanced properties compared to NG(PEG) as a drug delivery system for NTP analogs. Formulations of nucleoside analogs in active NTP form with these nanogels will improve the delivery of these cytotoxic drugs to cancer cells and the therapeutic potential of this anticancer chemotherapy. Electronic supplementary material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at .     

Comparison of the Hanson Microette® and the Van Kel Apparatus for In Vitro Release Testing of Topical Semisolid Formulations

Purpose. The major goal of this study was to compare the relative utility of the Hanson Microette® and the Van Kel apparatus, two fully automated devices, as in vitro release tests (IVRT) for semisolids. We attempted to develop methodology that can be used to discriminate formulation changes, and to evaluate the precision, reproducibility and technical complexity of each test apparatus. Methods. We chose the sunscreen Eusolex®232 (2-Phenylben- zimidazole-5-sulfonic acid) as a model compound, which was incorporated into an emulsion formulation prepared in our laboratory. Test conditions for the two IVRT were made as nearly identical as possible, in order to obtain an accurate comparison. Results. The formulations were tested and found to be physically stable throughout the entire study. Diffusion coefficients were apparatus-dependent but were independent of the drug concentration in the formulations. The IVRT data were plotted as amount released (g/cm²) vs. square root of time (s^0.5) and a linear relationship was obtained in each case. Both methods produced similar results and were able to detect changes in drug loading in the formulations. Conclusions. The linear relationship between the amount released and the square root of time indicates a diffusion-controlled release of drug. Both apparatuses proved to be suitable as tests for formulation sameness according to the FDA's SUPAC-SS guidelines, during level 3 changes. However, each apparatus produced a different release profile for the drug. The choice of apparatus will depend upon a number of considerations.     

Tableting Lipid-Based Formulations for Oral Drug Delivery: A Case Study with Silica Nanoparticle–Lipid–Mannitol Hybrid Microparticles

Silica–lipid–mannitol hybrid (SLMH) microparticles have been developed that were compressible into high quality tablets suitable for oral dosing and delivery of poorly soluble drugs. SLMH tablets enable high lipid-loading levels (>40%) and retain the immediate release, enhanced lipase digestion and drug solubilisation performance. Specifically, we report formulation optimisation of SLMH microparticles and tablets using coumarin 102 (log P = 4.09) as a model Biopharmaceutics Classification System class II drug. SLMH tablets were acceptable according to standard British Pharmacopoeia friability, hardness and disintegration tests; this is not the case for conventional dry emulsions. Furthermore, in vitro dissolution and pancreatic-lipase-induced lipolysis studies under simulated intestinal conditions have demonstrated enzymatic-digestion-mediated drug solubilisation. SLMH microparticles and tablets are suitable as liquid lipid containing solid dosage forms for enhancing and controlling oral absorption of poorly soluble drugs. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 102:684–693, 2013     

A Biopredictive In Vitro Comparison of Oral Locally Acting Mesalazine Formulations by a Novel Dissolution Model for Assessing Intraluminal Drug Release in Individual Subjects

Drug release and availability at the site of action are the major factors determining the clinical response for locally-acting gastrointestinal (GI) drug products. The present work focused on the prediction of site and extent of in vivo mesalazine release after oral administration to a variety of subjects using individualized in vitro drug release experiments. First, experiments mimicking GI passages in average adult subjects were performed. Then, results from a study screening fasted in vivo pH and transit profiles in individual subjects were translated into a novel in vitro dissolution model enabling to mimic individual GI pH-profiles and transit times with physiologically relevant dissolution media. A selection of monolithic and multiparticulate mesalazine formulations with pH-dependent and pH-independent drug release was screened with the novel dissolution model. Results of the study indicate that dosage form performance can be significantly different in individual subjects and highlight the importance of addressing individual physiological parameters relevant to intraluminal drug release when the aim is to predict the in vivo performance of locally-acting mesalazine formulations in individual patients. The novel in vitro dissolution approach thus represents a valuable tool for both improving individual oral therapy with locally-acting GI drug products and assessing bioequivalence of these formulations.     

Inclusion Complexes of Nateglinide with HP–β–CD and L-Arginine for Solubility and Dissolution Enhancement: Preparation,Characterization, and Molecular Docking Study

Purpose

The objective of present study was to increase solubility and dissolution performance of a poorly water soluble antidiabetic drug, Nateglinide (NAT), through formation of inclusion complexes with hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP–β–CD). The effect of L-arginine (ARG), an amino acid, on the complexation efficiency and solubility enhancing power of HP–β–CD was investigated by preparing ternary inclusion complexes.

Methods

The binary and ternary inclusion complexes were prepared by physical mixing, kneading, co-evaporation, and spray drying methods containing NAT, HP–β–CD, and ARG. The complexes were characterized by FTIR, DSC, PXRD, and ¹H–NMR. Molecular modeling study revealed that introduction of ternary agent ARG have improved the interactions of NAT and HP–β–CD.

Results

The complex prepared by spray drying method showed the highest increase in solubility and dissolution rate compared to other methods. Molecular docking study revealed that ARG interactions plays an essential role in increasing the stability and solubility of the complex.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrated increase in solubility and dissolution of NAT. Hence, ternary complexes of NAT can be used as an efficient tool for the delivery of insoluble drug, NAT.

     

Hydrolytic Degradation and Drug Release of Ricinoleic Acid–Lactic Acid Copolyesters

A systematic study on the degradation and drug release from l-lactic acid and ricinoleic-acid-based copolyesters is reported. These copolyesters were synthesized by ring opening polymerization (ROP), melt condensation (COND) and transesterification (TRANS) of high molecular weight poly(lactic acid) (PLA) with ricinoleic acid (PLA-RA), and repolymerization by condensation to yield random and block copolymers of weight average molecular weights (Mw) between 3000 and 13,000. All polymers showed an almost zero-order weight loss, with a 20–40% loss after 60 days of incubation. Lactic acid release to the degradation solution is proportional to weight loss of the polymer samples. The main decrease in molecular weight was observed during the first 20 days, followed by a slow degradation phase, which kept the number average molecular weight (Mn) at 4000–2000 for another 40 days. Water-soluble 5FU was released from ricinoleic-acid-based polymers faster than slightly water-soluble triamcinolone. Drug release into phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.4, 0.1 M) at 37°C from P(LA-RA) 60:40 prepared by condensation of the acids was faster than from pasty P(PLA-RA) 60:40 synthesized by transesterification for both drugs.     

Microencapsulation of Chlorpheniramine Maleate–Resin Particles with Crosslinked Chitosan for Sustained Release

ABSTRACT

Formulation and preparation parameters of drug/ion-exchange particles microencapsulated in cross-linked chitosan were evaluated for controlled release of the water-soluble drug chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) in a suspension. An emulsion solvent evaporation method was used to produce CPM-resinates embedded in glutaraldehyde (GTA) crosslinked chitosan microspheres (MCSs). Crosslinking extent in the chitosan was monitored by swelling measurements. Controlled release was evaluated by dissolution tests in simulated gastric fluid without enzyme (SGF) and in simulated intestinal fluid without enzyme (SIF). CPM-resinates contained 62% (w/w) of drug. MCSs were spherical, ranging from 82 to 420 μm in diameter, and contained multiple resinates. The sizes of MCSs prepared with safflower oil and Span 80 were controlled by surfactant concentration, stirring speed, and duration of stirring. Maximum crosslinking was produced with 240 mg GTA per 250 mg of chitosan. Maximum drug release from free CPM-resinates was about 60% by 1 hr in SGF, and was about 100% by 3 hr in SIF. CPM release was slower from MCSs crosslinked with 120 mg of GTA compared to 5 mg GTA in both media. By 8.3 hr, the more crosslinked MCSs released about 30% CPM in SGF, and about 60% in SIF. Because of the apparent ceiling on release in SGF, the final experiments were conducted in SIF. Increasing the weight ratio of the chitosan coating to CPM-resinate ratio from 1:1 to 4:1 moderately decreased release profiles carried out to 33 hr. Increasing MCS diameters from 82 to 163 μm moderately decreased release profiles. Microencapsulation of CPM-resinates with crosslinked chitosan demonstrated controlled release of CPM in SGF and SIF without enzymes. The retardation effect increased when the crosslinking extent and chitosan to resin ratio increased.     

Predicting Plutonium Decorporation Efficacy after Intravenous Administration of DTPA Formulations: Study of Pharmacokinetic–Pharmacodynamic Relationships in Rats

Purpose The objectives of this study were: 1) to assess the relationship between plutonium decorporation (increased excretion and reduced retention in main organs of deposition) induced by intravenous liposome formulations of the chelating agent diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) and its pharmacokinetics, and 2) to model the renal excretion of plutonium after treatment with liposome-encapsulated DTPA in order to predict its efficacy and to optimise treatment schedules.Materials and Methods Pharmacokinetic parameters from plasma or urinary data (days 0–16 sample collections) were modelled versus decorporation efficacy, and best correlations were selected for their goodness of fit.Results The plutonium decorporation enhancement by DTPA liposomal formulations was well described by logistic models and the best correlation was observed with the area under the DTPA concentration curve of each formulation. The plutonium urinary excretion rates decreased mono-exponentially as a function of time after a single dose and the proposed model allowed a simple determination of the elimination half-life of the Pu–DTPA complex, a reasonably good approximation of the long-term efficacy of the treatments from truncated urinary data.Conclusions Both liposomal formulations of chelating agents and pharmacokinetic approaches to plutonium decorporation should be helpful in optimising treatment protocols.     

A Study of the Effects of Curing and Storage Conditions on Controlled Release Diphenhydramine HCl Pellets Coated with Eudragit® NE30D

The objective of this study was to investigate the possible impacts of curing and storage conditions on dissolution of controlled release diphenhydramine HCl pellets coated with EUDRAGIT® NE30D. The accumulative percentage of dissolved active drug was used as the response in three statistical experimental design studies: 3² full factorial, Box–Behnken and 2³ designs. By only considering curing temperature and curing time, both factors were found to significantly affect the dissolution rate, but curing temperature had greater impact than curing time. When considering polymer coating level, curing temperature and curing time together, polymer coating level and curing temperature had important effects on dissolution rate, but curing time became insignificant among these three factors. The addition of the water-soluble additives hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose and mannitol made coating films less sensitive to curing, and there was little or no difference in their effect in the model studied. Lower levels of a water-insoluble additive (kaolin) had little impact on dissolution; however, when the level of water-insoluble additive increased, the coating film became more sensitive to curing, especially at the lower curing temperature of 30°C.     

Analysis of Dissolution Data Using Modified Versions of Noyes–Whitney Equation and the Weibull Function

PURPOSE: The aim of the study is to develop modified, branched versions of the Noyes-Whitney and the Weibull equations, including explicitly the solubility/dose parameter, for the analysis of dissolution data, which reach the plateau either at infinite or finite time. METHODS: The modified Weibull function is applied to the analysis of experimental and literature dissolution data. To demonstrate the usefulness of the mathematical models, two model drugs are used: one highly soluble, metoprolol, and one relatively insoluble, ibuprofen. RESULTS: The models were fitted successfully to the data performing better compared with their classic versions. The advantages of the use of the models presented are several. They fit better to a large range of datasets, especially for fast dissolution curves that reach complete dissolution at a finite time. Also, the modified Weibull presented can be derived from differential equations, and it has a physical meaning as opposed to the purely empirical character of the original Weibull equation. The exponent of the Weibull equation can be attributed to the heterogeneity of the process and can be explained by fractal kinetics concepts. Also, the solubility/dose ratio is present explicitly as a parameter and allows to obtain estimates of the solubility even when the dissolution data do not reach the solubility level. CONCLUSION: The use of the developed branched equations gives better fittings and specific physical meaning to the dissolution parameters. Also, the findings underline the fact that even in the simplest, first-order case, the speed of the dissolution process depends on the dose, a fact of great importance in biopharmaceutic classification for regulatory purposes.     

Amorphous Drug–Polymer Salt with High Stability under Tropical Conditions and Fast Dissolution: The Challenging Case of Lumefantrine-PAA

Lumefantrine (LMF), a high-mobility and easy-to-crystallize WHO drug for treating malaria, can form an amorphous salt with poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) that is remarkably stable against crystallization at high humidity and temperature and has fast dissolution rate. The amorphous salt up to 75% drug loading was synthesized under a mild slurry condition easily implemented in basic facilities for global health. Salt formation was confirmed by IR spectroscopy and the much elevated glass transition temperature. At 50% drug loading, the amorphous salt resists crystallization for at least 18 months under the highly stressful condition of 40 °C and 75% RH. In contrast, the dispersion containing neutral LMF in PVP fully crystallized in 4 d and the dispersion in HPMCAS, a weak polyelectrolyte of lower charge density than PAA, crystallized by 50% in 7 d. The amorphous salt at 50% drug loading showed much faster dissolution than crystalline LMF: In SGF, the area under the curve (AUC) was 30 times larger within the gastric emptying time (4 h); in FaSSIF, the enhancement was even larger – by 200 times. Nanodroplets were detected during the dissolution in SGF, possibly accounting for the apparent enhancement of dissolution rate. The LMF-PAA example as a challenging case, along with the previously reported clofazimine-PAA, demonstrates the general utility of amorphous drug–polymer salts to achieve high stability under tropical conditions and enhanced dissolution and bioavailability.     

Efficacy and Safety of Paliperidone Extended Release 1.5 mg/day—A Double-blind,Placebo- and Active-Controlled,Study in the Treatment of Patients with Schizophrenia

Background

Paliperidone extended-release (paliperidone ER) is an approved oral antipsychotic medication (dosing range 3–12 mg/day) for treatment of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder in adults.

Methods

In this 3-arm, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled, parallel-group study, paliperidone ER 1.5 mg was assessed to determine the lowest efficacious dose in patients (N = 201) with acute schizophrenia. Paliperidone ER 6 mg was included for assay sensitivity.

Results

Patients (intent-to-treat analysis set) had a mean age of 39.4 years; 74% were men, 43% Asian, and 40% black. The baseline mean (SD) Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score was 92.6 (13.02) and the mean (SD) change from baseline to endpoint was: placebo group, –11.4 (20.81); paliperidone ER 1.5 mg group, –8.9 (23.31); and paliperidone ER 6 mg group, –15.7 (26.25). Differences between paliperidone groups versus placebo were not significant (paliperidone ER 1.5 mg [p = 0.582], paliperidone ER 6 mg, [p = 0.308]). Safety results of paliperidone ER 1.5 mg and placebo were comparable. The most frequently reported treatment emergent adverse events (≥10%) were: placebo group—headache (15.6%) and psychotic disorder (14.1%); paliperidone ER 1.5 mg group—insomnia (13.6%); and paliperidone ER 6 mg group—headache (11.4%), insomnia (10%), and tremor (10%).

Conclusions

In this study, paliperidone ER 1.5 mg did not demonstrate efficacy in patients with acute schizophrenia. A markedly high placebo response was noted. Assay sensitivity with the 6 mg dose was not established. Paliperidone ER 1.5 mg was generally tolerable with a safety profile comparable to placebo.