Solid dispersions of carvedilol with porous silica

Solid dispersion particles of carvedilol (CAR) were prepared with porous silica (Sylysia 350) by the solvent evaporation method in a vacuum evaporator to ensure an effective pore-filling procedure. Two sets were prepared, each with various amounts of CAR in solid dispersions, and with the pore-filling process differing each time. Set A was prepared by a one-step filling method and set B by a multiple-step pore-filling method of CAR into porous silica. The solid dispersions were then characterized using thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, and nitrogen adsorption experiments. The results showed that the drug release can be significantly improved compared with the dissolution of the drug in its pure crystalline or amorphous state. Drug release from solid dispersion was faster when the drug content in the solid dispersion was low, which enabled the drug to be finely dispersed along the hydrophilic carrier's surface. The results also showed that a multiple-step pore-filling procedure is more effective for drug loading as indicated by the absence of a crystalline drug state, greatly reduced porosity, and improved wettability and physical stability of the amorphous CAR.     

Preparation and evaluation of solid dispersion for nitrendipine-carbopol and nitrendipine-HPMCP systems using a twin screw extruder

In the present study, we prepared solid dispersions of the poorly water-soluble drug nitrendipine (NIT) using the twin screw extruder method with high-molecular-weight substances, hydroxypropylmethylcellulosephthalate (HPMCP) and Carbopol (CAR), as carriers. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) evaluation showed that solid dispersions can be formed when NIT-HPMCP and NIT-CAR mixtures are treated with the twin screw extruder method. Fourier Transformation IR Spectroscopy (FT-IR) obtained with NIT-HPMCP and NIT-CAR solid dispersions indicated the presence of hydrogen bonding between the drug and the carriers. NIT-CAR solid dispersions were found to give somewhat higher dissolution than crystalline NIT and physical mixtures, while the dissolution of NIT-HPMCP solid dispersions was markedly decreased compared with the crystalline NIT and physical mixtures. These findings indicated that CAR has a greater ability to improve the dissolution of NIT than HPMCP when a twin screw extruder was employed to prepare the solid dispersions. The twin screw extruder method can be used as a simple and effective method for the preparation of solid dispersions to improve the dissolution properties of poorly water-soluble drugs when choosing proper polymers as carriers.     

Dissolution Enhancement and Characterization of Nimodipine Solid Dispersions with Poloxamer 407 or PEG 6000

The solid dispersion approach is an alternative to increase drug solubility. Many carriers have been studied, but there is few information about poloxamer 407 (P407). Consequently, the objective of this study was to evaluate P407 as a carrier for nimodipine solid dispersions and to compare its solubility and dissolution rates with those from polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000). The solid dispersions were prepared by the hot melting and solvent methods and they were characterized by FTIR, DSC, solubility, and dissolution tests. The results indicated a three-fold increase in solid dispersions solubility in the presence with P407 than those prepared with PEG.     

Preparation, characterization and in vivo evaluation of antihyperglycemic activity of microwave generated repaglinide solid dispersion

The influence of microwave technology on the in vitro dissolution rate and in vivo antihyperglycemic activity of a poorly water soluble drug, repaglinide (RG) was studied. Solid dispersions were prepared by conventional fusion method and microwave method using poloxamer 188. The dispersions were characterized by solubility study, dissolution study, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Microwave generated solid dispersions exhibited remarkable improvement in solubility and dissolution rate compared to that of pure RG. Results of DSC, XRD and SEM study showed conversion of crystalline form of RG to amorphous form. In vivo studies revealed that the microwave generated solid dispersion showed significant improvements in antihyperglycemic activity as compared to RG alone, thus confirming the advantage of improved pharmacological activity of RG by microwave method. In conclusion, microwave method could be considered as simple, efficient and solvent free promising alternative method to prepare solid dispersion of poorly water soluble drug RG with significant enhancement in solubility, dissolution rate and antihyperglycemic activity.     

Formulation of a Poorly Water-Soluble Drug Sirolimus in Solid Dispersions to Improve Dissolution

An attempt has been made to enhance solubility and dissolution of sirolimus by solid dispersion and complexation technique using various hydrophilic excipients. Sirolimus an immunosuppressant agent has low bioavailability due to its low aqueous solubility. Solid dispersion of sirolimus in PEG-6000, Poloxamer-188, and Mannitol were prepared by fusion and solvent evaporation method. Beta-CD complexation of sirolimus was prepared by kneading method. In vitro dissolution studies were carried out in 0.4% SLS in water, which showed that the solid dispersion containing PEG 6000 (1:1), which was prepared by solvent evaporation method, showed faster dissolution rate than the other formulations and β-cyclodextrin complex. Solid dispersions containing PEG 6000 was further investigated by x-ray powder diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and FTIR. X-ray powder diffraction and DSC patterns suggested that the drug state changed from crystalline to amorphous form in the formulation.     

Solubility, dissolution rate and bioavailability enhancement of irbesartan by solid dispersion technique

The objective of present work was to enhance the solubility and bioavailability of poorly aqueous soluble drug Irbesartan (IBS). The solid dispersions were prepared by spray drying method using low viscosity grade HPMC E5LV. Prepared solid dispersions were characterized by dissolution study, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction studies (XRD). Results of the SEM, DSC and XRD study showed the conversion of crystalline form of IBS to amorphous form. The dissolution rate was remarkably increased in case of solid dispersion compared to pure IBS. Solubility and stability of solid dispersion was increased due to surfactant and wetting property, slowing devitrification and having anti-plasticization effect of HPMC E5LV. In vivo studies were performed in healthy rabbits (New Zealand grey) and compared with plain IBS. Solid dispersions showed increase in relative bioavailability than the plain IBS suspension. In conclusion, the prepared solid dispersions showed remarkable increase in solubility, dissolution rate and hence bioavailability of poorly water soluble drug Irbesartan.     

Physicochemical characterization of finasteride:PEG 6000 and finasteride:Kollidon K25 solid dispersions, and finasteride: ��-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes

Finasteride is a practically insoluble in water drug that belongs to the Class II of the BCS (poor solubility and high permeability). Solid dispersions are solid products consisting of at least two different components, generally a hydrophilic matrix and a hydrophobic drug. Solid dispersions are a successful strategy to improve drug release of poorly water-soluble drugs such as finasteride. Natural cyclodextrins are doughnut-shaped molecules with an internal hydrophobic cavity and a hydrophilic external surface. The lipophilic cavity enables cyclodextrins to form non-covalent inclusion complexes with a wide variety of poorly water-soluble drugs such as finasteride. The aim of this study was to investigate the formation of finasteride:PEG 6000 and finasteride:Kollidon K25 solid dispersions and finasteride:??-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes by solvent evaporation method using a mixture of water:ethanol (1:1). The formation of finasteride:PEG 6000 and finasteride:Kollidon K25 solid dispersions and finasteride:??-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes was investigated and characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and dissolution studies from capsules containing a quantity equivalent to 5 mg of finasteride. The DSC thermograms revealed the transformation of finasteride into the amorphous state in solid dispersions with PEG 6000 and Kollidon K25, and in inclusion complexes with ??-cyclodextrin. The IR spectra demonstrated molecular interaction in solid dispersions of finasteride with PEG 6000, and in inclusion complexes with ??-cyclodextrin. Dissolution rate of solid dispersions and inclusion complexes was significantly greater than that of corresponding physical mixtures and pure drug, indicating that the formation of solid dispersions and inclusion complexes increased the solubility of the poorly soluble drug, finasteride.     

Thermal,spectroscopic, and dissolution studies of ketoconazole–Pluronic F127 system

One strategy for improving the dissolution of poorly water soluble drugs is to prepare solid dispersions such as binary mixtures with hydrophilic carriers. These mixtures are generally characterized by better solubility than those of the individual components from which they are formed. In the present study, solid dispersions of ketoconazole (KET) with Pluronic F127 (PLU) were prepared by the grinding method. Solid–liquid equilibria in the system being studied were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. A phase diagram for the whole range of compositions was constructed. The investigation revealed that ketoconazole and Pluronic F127 form a simple eutectic system containing 4.4 % w/w of ketoconazole at the eutectic point. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffractometry studies of obtained mixtures suggest that there is no drug-carrier interaction and both components are crystalline in the solid dispersion with the whole range of composition. The prepared mixtures show an appreciable improvement of the dissolution rate of KET in 0.5 % w/v sodium lauryl sulfate. The improvement of the dissolution rate of drug is additionally increased by effective solubilization.     

Thermal analysis study of flavonoid solid dispersions having enhanced solubility

Purposes of this paper were to prepare and study new drug delivery systems for both flavanone glycosides and their aglycones based on solid-dispersion systems. These compounds are poor water soluble drugs, so an enhancement of their dissolution is a high priority. Solid-dispersion systems were prepared using PVP, PEG and mannitol as drug carrier matrices. Characterizations of these dispersions were done by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The glass transition (T_g) temperature of PVP was only recorded in the DSC thermograms of PVP solid-dispersions of both flavanone glycosides and their aglycones, while in case of PEG and mannitol solid-dispersions endotherms of both glycosides and aglycones were noticed with low peak intensity, indicating that high percent of drug is in amorphous state. The XRD patterns of all PVP solid-dispersions of aglycones show typical amorphous materials, but XRD patterns of their glycosides reveal the presence of crystalline material. However, in all solid dispersions shifts in T_g of PVP as well as T_m of PEG were observed, indicating the existence of some interactions between drugs and matrices. SEM and TEM microscopy revealed that PVP/aglycone flavanone compounds are nanodispersed systems while all the other solid dispersions are microcrystalline dispersions. The solubility of both flavanone glycosides and their aglycones was directly affected by the new physical state of solid dispersions. Due to the amorphous drug state or nano-dispersions in PVP matrices, the solubility was enhanced and found to be 100% at pH 6.8 in the nano-dispersion containing 20 mass% of aglycones. Also solubility enhancement was occurred in solid dispersions of PEG and mannitol, but it was lower than that of PVP nano-dispersions due to the presence of the drug compounds in crystalline state in both matrices.     

Inclusion complex of 3,9-bis(N,N-dimethylcarbamoyloxy)-5H-benzofuro[3,2-c]quinoline-6-one (KCA-098) with heptakis(2,6-di-O-methyl)-beta-cyclodextrin: interaction and dissolution properties

Interactions of KCA-098 with heptakis(2,6-di-O-methyl)-beta-cyclodextrin (DM-beta-CyD) in solution and in the solid state were studied by the solubility method, UV and fluorescence spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffractometry, and thermal analysis. The KCA-098/DM-beta-CyD system showed an A(L) type solubility diagram with stability constants of 5870 and 2220 M(-1) in aqueous and 10% methanol solutions, respectively. Following the addition of DM-beta-CyD, the maximum UV wavelength of KCA-098 was shifted to a longer wavelength and the fluorescence intensity was decreased. A similar spectral change was observed when KCA-098 was dissolved in less polar solvents, especially in proton-acceptor solvents, such as acetone and dimethylsulfoxide, suggesting that KCA-098 interacts with DM-beta-CyD through not only a hydrophobic interaction but also hydrogen bonding. The solid complex of KCA-098 with DM-beta-CyD in a molar ratio of 1:1 was prepared by the kneading method and the solvent evaporation method, using organic solvents. Powder X-ray diffractometric and differential scanning calorimetric studies indicated that KCA-098 was dispersed as microparticles on the DM-beta-CyD complex in the solid state prepared by the solvent evaporation method although it dispersed as crystals in the sample prepared by the kneading method. The dissolution of KCA-098 from the solid complex prepared by the former method was markedly faster than that prepared by the latter method, although it slowed down with the passage of time. The reduced dissolution of KCA-098 was explained by crystallization to the hydrate form in the medium. These data indicate that poorly water-soluble KCA-098 interacts with DM-beta-CyD in water and in the solid state and that a fast-dissolving form of KCA-098 can be obtained by evaporating with DM-beta-CyD using organic solvents.     

Melting behavior of pure polyethylene glycol 6000 and polyethylene glycol 6000 in solid dispersions containing diazepam or temazepam: a DSC study

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the melting behavior of polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000) as such as well as in solid dispersions containing diazepam or temazepam, prepared by solvent and fusion methods, using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It was shown that the melting behavior of pure PEG 6000 is influenced by the crystallization procedure applied. Fusion at 80°C followed by cooling always yielded three different crystal modifications. The rate of cooling (under controlled conditions) was found to have a significant influence on the relative distribution of the three modifications: the lower the cooling rate, the higher the relative amount of the extended modification. Crystallization from organic solution yielded mainly the once folded form. The presence of diazepam and temazepam influenced the relative amount of the different PEG 6000 modifications. Both drugs decreased the formation of the more stable modification, while the formation of the twice folded form was induced. However, in the case of temazepam the contribution of the extended form at higher drug levels increased in dispersions obtained from organic solutions.     

An Efficient Method for the Conjugation of Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Components by Solid‐Phase‐Assisted Disulfide Ligation

Chemical conjugation between hydrophilic and hydrophobic components is difficult because of their extremely different solubility. Herein, we report a new versatile method with a solid‐phase‐assisted disulfide ligation to overcome the difficulty of conjugation attributed to solubility. The method involves two steps in a one‐pot process: 1) loading of a hydrophobic molecule onto a resin in an organic solvent, and 2) release of the solid‐supported hydrophobic molecule as a conjugate with a hydrophilic molecule into an aqueous solvent. This strategy allows the use of a suitable solvent system for the substrates in each step. Conjugates of a water‐insoluble drug, plinabulin, with hydrophilic carriers that could not be prepared by solution‐phase reactions were obtained in moderate yields (29–45 %). This strategy is widely applicable to the conjugation of compounds with solubility problems.     

Physical stability of amorphous acetanilide derivatives improved by polymer excipients

Crystallization rates of drug-polymer solid dispersions prepared with acetaminophen (ACA) and p-aminoacetanilide (AAA) as model drugs, and polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyacrylic acid (PAA) as model polymers were measured in order to further examine the significance of drug-polymer interactions. The crystallization of AAA and ACA was inhibited by mixing those polymers. The most effective inhibition was observed with solid dispersions of AAA and PAA. The combination of AAA and PAA showed a markedly longer enthalpy relaxation time relative to drug alone as well as a higher T(g) than predicted by the Gordon-Taylor equation, indicating the existence of a strong interaction between the two components. These observations suggest that crystallization is effectively inhibited by combinations of drug and polymer that show a strong intermolecular interaction due to proton transfer between acidic and basic functional groups.     

Preparation and characterization of inclusion complexes of carvedilol with methyl-β-cyclodextrin

Aim of the present work was to investigate the effect of methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD) on the solubility and dissolution rate of carvedilol (CAR), a drug used orally for the treatment of hypertension. Phase solubility studies showed an A_L-type diagram indicating the formation of inclusion complex in 1:1 molar ratio. Solid binary systems of the drug with MβCD were prepared by various methods. Physicochemical characterizations were performed using Fourier Transformation Infrared Spectroscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry and powder X-Ray Diffractometry. It could be concluded that CAR can form inclusion complex with MβCD. The dissolution profiles of inclusion complexes were determined and compared with those of CAR alone and the physical mixture. The dissolution rate of CAR was increased by MβCD inclusion complexation remarkably.     

pH-enzyme di-dependent chronotherapeutic drug delivery system of theophylline for nocturnal asthma

The purpose of this research work was to develop and evaluate a chronotherapeutic based colon-targeted drug delivery system of theophylline (THEO) exploiting pH-enzyme sensitive property for the prevention of episodic attack of asthma in early morning. Guar gum microspheres of theophylline were prepared by emulsification technique. Coating of microspheres was performed using solvent evaporation method with pH sensitive Eudragit(?) polymers. The particle size and surface morphology, entrapment efficiency and degree of swelling of microspheres were examined. The in vitro drug release studies were performed in pH progression medium and also in the presence of 2% rat caecal content. Theophylline was efficiently microencapsulated in guar gum microspheres at different polymer concentrations (1-4%). Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR)-spectroscopy confirmed the intermolecular interactions between guar gum and glutaraldehyde. Coating of guar gum microspheres by Eudragit led to decelerate the in vitro drug release of THEO. Moreover in vitro drug release studies also performed with 2% rat caecal content showed marked increment in drug release. The controlled release of THEO after a lag time was achieved with developed formulation for chronotherapeutic delivery. The pH dependent solubility behavior of Eudragit and gelling properties of guar gum are found to be responsible for delaying the release.     

Dispersion of cellulose nanocrystals in polar organic solvents

In an attempt to prepare stable dispersions of cellulose nanocrystals in dipolar aprotic solvents, dilute aqueous suspensions of cellulose nanocrystals were prepared by sulfuric acid hydrolysis of cotton. The aqueous suspensions were freeze-dried, and then sonicated in the solvent of interest. Dispersions of 1 and 3% w/v concentration were prepared in polar organic solvents DMSO and DMF. The dispersions showed flow birefringence. The redispersion was incomplete, and there was some evidence for aggregation in the suspensions. A small amount of water appeared to be critical to suspension stability. Birefringent cellulose films were prepared from the dispersions by drying under vacuum and at ambient conditions.     

Preparation of PLGA microspheres with different porous morphologies

Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide)(PLGA) microspheres were prepared by emulsion solvent evaporation method. The influences of inner aqueous phase, organic solvent, PLGA concentration on the morphology of microspheres were studied. The results showed that addition of porogen or surfactants to the inner aqueous phase, types of organic solvents and polymer concentration affected greatly the microsphere morphology. When dichloromethane was adopted as organic solvent, microspheres with porous structure were produced. When ethyl acetate served as organic solvent, two different morphologies were obtained. One was hollow microspheres with thin porous shell under a lower PLGA concentration, another was erythrocyte-like microspheres under a higher PLGA concentration. Three types of microspheres including porous, hollow core with thin porous shell(denoted by hollow in brief) and solid structures were finally selected for in vitro drug release tests. Bovine serum albumin(BSA) was chosen as model drug and encapsulated within the microspheres. The BSA encapsulation efficiency of porous, hollow and solid microspheres was respectively 90.4%, 79.8% and 0. And the ultimate accumulative release was respectively 74.5%, 58.9% and 0. The release rate of porous microspheres was much slower than that of hollow microspheres. The experiment results indicated that microspheres with different porous structures showed great potentials in controlling drug release behavior.     

Methods for obtaining solid dispersions of drugs and their properties

The possibility of improving the solubility of drugs by obtaining solid dispersions (SDs) with polymers is demonstrated. The solubility of these SDs is dependent both on the nature of drug and polymer and on the conditions of their preparation. IR spectroscopy of the obtained SDs and the analysis of results found in literature indicate that inclusion complexes are formed within them.

     

Oriented array of polyethylene-block-poly(ethylene oxide) nanoplatelets in unsaturated polyesters cross-linked coatings

Transparent coatings of cross-linked unsaturated polyester (UP) containing staggered platelets of polyethylene-block-poly(ethylene oxide) with their normal perpendicular to the substrate have been readily prepared by a solvent assisted spin-coating method. For this purpose, homogeneous liquid dispersions of block copolymer platelets in liquid UP resin have been prepared using a selective solvent, deposited onto flat substrates by spin-coating and converted into a transparent solid layer by photochemical cross-linking. Although such stratified morphology has been already reported for inorganic nanoplatelets (typically clay particles), we report for the fist time the formation of such stratified morphology in fully organic system. The shear-induced origin of this organization has been confirmed by the rheological properties of the uncured systems where a pronounced non-Newtonian behavior has been observed.     

Improvement of the dissolution rate of silymarin by means of solid dispersions

Solid dispersions of silymarin were prepared by the fusion method with the intention of improving the dissolution properties of silymarin. Polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000) was used as the inert hydrophilic matrix. The dissolution studies of the solid dispersions were performed in vitro. And the results obtained showed that the dissolution rate of silymarin was considerably improved when formulated in solid dispersions with PEG 6000 as compared to original drug, and the increased dissolution rate might be favorable for further oral absorption.