Relationship between diffusivity of water molecules inside hydrating tablets and their drug release behavior elucidated by magnetic resonance imaging

We reported previously that sustained release matrix tablets showed zero-order drug release without being affected by pH change. To understand drug release mechanisms more fully, we monitored the swelling and erosion of hydrating tablets using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Three different types of tablets comprised of polyion complex-forming materials and a hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) were used. Proton density- and diffusion-weighted images of the hydrating tablets were acquired at intervals. Furthermore, apparent self-diffusion coefficient maps were generated from diffusion-weighted imaging to evaluate the state of hydrating tablets. Our findings indicated that water penetration into polyion complex tablets was faster than that into HPMC matrix tablets. In polyion complex tablets, water molecules were dispersed homogeneously and their diffusivity was relatively high, whereas in HPMC matrix tablets, water molecule movement was tightly restricted within the gel. An optimal tablet formulation determined in a previous study had water molecule penetration and diffusivity properties that appeared intermediate to those of polyion complex and HPMC matrix tablets; water molecules were capable of penetrating throughout the tablets and relatively high diffusivity was similar to that in the polyion complex tablet, whereas like the HPMC matrix tablet, it was well swollen. This study succeeded in characterizing the tablet hydration process. MRI provides profound insight into the state of water molecules in hydrating tablets; thus, it is a useful tool for understanding drug release mechanisms at a molecular level.     

Salting-out effects in aqueous ionic liquid solutions: cloud-point temperature shifts

The effects of the addition of three inorganic salts, namely, NaCl, Na(2)SO(4), and Na(3)PO(4), on the liquid-liquid (L-L) phase diagram of aqueous solutions containing the model ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [bmim][BF(4)], were investigated. All three inorganic salts trigger salting-out effects, leading to significant upward shifts of the L-L demixing temperatures of the systems. The magnitude of the shifts depends on both the water-structuring nature of the salt and its concentration; that is, the effects are correlated with the ionic strength of the solution and the Gibbs free energy of hydration of the inorganic salt. The pH effect and the occurrence of salt precipitation in concentrated solutions are also discussed.     

Preparation of hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose-based porous matrix for gastroretentive delivery of gabapentin using the freeze-drying method

The aims of the present study were to prepare hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC)-based porous matrix tablets for gastroretentive drug delivery and to characterize their physicochemical properties. Gabapentin (GBP) was used as a model drug. Paste containing GBP, HPMC and water was molded and freeze-dried to prepare freeze-dried gastroretentive matrix tablet (FD-GRT). In vitro drug release and erosion studies were also performed. Although FD-GRT exhibited porous structure, they had good tablet strength and friability. Density of FD-GRT ranged from 0.402 to 0.509 g/cm³ and thus they could float on the medium surface without any lag time. FD-GRT was remained floated until the entire matrix erosion or end of drug release during in vitro release test. Release behavior of GBP could be modulated by the amount and the viscosity grade of HPMC. However, large amount and high viscosity of HPMC caused trouble in molding prior to freeze-drying. Addition of ethylcellulose could retard the release rate of GBP, with relatively low increase in viscosity of paste. Since pores generated by freeze drying imparted buoyancy for gastric retention to FD-GRT, additional materials for buoyancy was not necessary and FD-GRT had no lag time for buoyancy due to low density. Therefore it could be a promising tool for gastroretentive drug delivery.     

西藏当雄错碳酸盐型盐湖卤水自然蒸发析盐规律研究

盐湖卤水中蕴藏有许多重要的无机盐资源,是多种无机化学品的重要来源。当雄错盐湖是我国藏北高原典型的碳酸盐型盐湖,卤水中蕴藏有丰富的锂、钾、硼等盐类,当地气候条件非常适宜采用盐田相分离技术进行盐湖卤水的综合开发和利用。本文以Na+,K+/CO32-,SO42-,Cl--H2O五元体系(25℃)介稳相图为指导,通过对当雄错盐湖卤水在湖区现场开展自然蒸发实验研究,考察了卤水中Li、K、B等元素的浓缩富集规律,获得了卤水夏季自然蒸发结晶路线及析盐次序为石盐、水碱、天然碱、钾石盐、钾芒硝、硼砂和碳酸锂,同时分析了夏、冬季卤水自然蒸发浓缩析盐规律的区别,为指导西藏当雄错碳酸盐型盐湖卤水的综合开发利用提供了盐田工艺设计基础和理论依据。     

Effects of inorganic ions on the binding of triflupromazine and chlorpromazine to bovine serum albumin studied by spectrometric methods

The effects of inorganic salts, NaCl, NaBr, NaI, Na2SO4, KCl, KBr, KI, on the binding constants (Ks) of psychotropic phenothiazine drugs, triflupromazine (TFZ) and chlorpromazine, to bovine serum albumin (BSA) were examined by using second-derivative spectrophotometry. All of the salts examined, with the exception of Na2SO4, decreased the K values significantly, depending on the concentration of the salt, e.g., the decrease in the K values of both drugs were about 40% for 0.1 M NaCl. The results obtained with Na2SO4 indicated that neither Na+ nor SO4(2-) had any affect on the binding of the phenothiazines to BSA. Based on the Na2SO4 results and the finding that the effect of each potassium salt on binding was quite similar to that of the corresponding sodium salt, the effects of these halogen salts can be considered to be derived from their anions, although the phenothiazines are positively charged at pH 7.4. The effectiveness of the anions was determined to occur in the following order: I->Br->Cl-; these results coincided with the published order of the binding affinity of these anions to albumin. The 19F-NMR spectra of TFZ in the presence of each of these halogen salts revealed a concentration-dependent decrease in the intensity of the signal at 13.8 ppm that had previously been assigned to the TFZ bound to Site II. Consequently, the effects of these anions on the binding of positively charged phenothiazine drugs are thought to be local steric effects caused by the binding of these anions to Site II.     

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose based cephalexin extended release tablets: influence of tablet formulation,hardness and storage on in vitro release kinetics

The object of this study was to develop hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) based cephalexin extended release tablet, which can release the drug for six hours in predetermined rate. Twenty-one batches of cephalexin tablets were prepared by changing various physical and chemical parameters, in order to get required theoretical release profile. The influences of HPMC, microcrystalline cellulose powder (MCCP), granulation technique, wetting agent and tablet hardness on cephalexin release from HPMC based extended release tablets were studied. The formulated tablets were also characterized by physical and chemical parameters. The dissolution results showed that a higher amount of HPMC in tablet composition resulted in reduced drug release. Addition of MCCP resulted in faster drug release. Tablets prepared by dry granulation was released the drug slowly than the same prepared with a wet granulation technique. Addition of wetting agent in the tablets prepared with dry granulation technique showed slower release. An increase in tablet hardness resulted in faster drug release. Tablets prepared with a wet granulation technique and having a composition of 9.3% w/w HPMC with a hardness of 10-12 kg/cm(2) gave predicted release for 6 h. The in vitro release data was well fit in to Higuchi and Korsmeyer-Peppas model. Physical and chemical parameters of all formulated tablets were within acceptable limits. One batch among formulated twenty-one batches was successful and showed required theoretical release. The effect of storage on in vitro release and physicochemical parameters of successful batch was studied and was found to be in acceptable limits.     

Surface tensions of inorganic multicomponent aqueous electrolyte solutions and melts

A semiempirical model is presented that predicts surface tensions (σ) of aqueous electrolyte solutions and their mixtures, for concentrations ranging from infinitely dilute solution to molten salt. The model requires, at most, only two temperature-dependent terms to represent surface tensions of either pure aqueous solutions, or aqueous or molten mixtures, over the entire composition range. A relationship was found for the coefficients of the equation σ = c(1) + c(2)T (where T (K) is temperature) for molten salts in terms of ion valency and radius, melting temperature, and salt molar volume. Hypothetical liquid surface tensions can thus be estimated for electrolytes for which there are no data, or which do not exist in molten form. Surface tensions of molten (single) salts, when extrapolated to normal temperatures, were found to be consistent with data for aqueous solutions. This allowed surface tensions of very concentrated, supersaturated, aqueous solutions to be estimated. The model has been applied to the following single electrolytes over the entire concentration range, using data for aqueous solutions over the temperature range 233-523 K, and extrapolated surface tensions of molten salts and pure liquid electrolytes: HCl, HNO(3), H(2)SO(4), NaCl, NaNO(3), Na(2)SO(4), NaHSO(4), Na(2)CO(3), NaHCO(3), NaOH, NH(4)Cl, NH(4)NO(3), (NH(4))(2)SO(4), NH(4)HCO(3), NH(4)OH, KCl, KNO(3), K(2)SO(4), K(2)CO(3), KHCO(3), KOH, CaCl(2), Ca(NO(3))(2), MgCl(2), Mg(NO(3))(2), and MgSO(4). The average absolute percentage error between calculated and experimental surface tensions is 0.80% (for 2389 data points). The model extrapolates smoothly to temperatures as low as 150 K. Also, the model successfully predicts surface tensions of ternary aqueous mixtures; the effect of salt-salt interactions in these calculations was explored.     

对硝基苯酚丙酸酯水解反应的CTAB胶团催化作用研究

 在Na2CO3-NaHCO3缓冲溶液中,测定了对硝基苯酚丙酸酯(NPP)的十六烷基三甲基溴化铵(CTAB)胶团催化反应的表观活化能和活化参数; 考察了无机盐(NaCl, NaBr, Na2SO4)对该催化反应的影响. 结果表明: 无机盐的加入,主要产生压缩CTAB胶团双电层、降低OH-离子的胶团表面浓度以及减小NPP的加溶程度的双重减速效应. 反离子浓度(或活度)愈高及水合反离子半径愈小,则减速效应愈明显.     

Effect of impurities on the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectra of insulin.

The effect of impurity (sodium sulfate Na2SO4; copper sulfate CuSO4; potassium ferrocyanide K4Fe(CN)6; and triammonium citrate (NH4)3C6H5O7) concentration on the positive matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) spectra of insulin is described. 2,5-Dihydroxybenzoic acid was used as a desorption matrix. The estimated maximum concentrations of tested salts for which no insulin signal was observed were determined.     

Development of fast disintegrating compressed tablets using amino acid as disintegration accelerator: evaluation of wetting and disintegration of tablet on the basis of surface free energy

A fast disintegrating compressed tablet was formulated using amino acids, such as L-lysine HCl, L-alanine, glycine and L-tyrosine as disintegration accelerator. The tablets having the hardness of about 4 kgf were prepared and the effect of amino acids on the wetting time and disintegration time in the oral cavity of tablets was examined on the basis of surface free energy of amino acids. The wetting time of the tablets increased in the order of L-lysine HCl, L-alanine, glycine and L-tyrosine, whereas the disintegration time in the oral cavity of the tablets increased in the order of L-alanine, glycine, L-lysine HCl and L-tyrosine. These behaviors were well analyzed by the introduction of surface free energy. When the polar component of amino acid was large value or the dispersion component was small value, faster wetting of tablet was observed. When the dispersion component of amino acid was large value or the dispersion component was small value, faster disintegration of tablet was observed, expect of L-tyrosine tablet. The fast disintegration of tablets was explained by the theory presented by Matsumaru.     

Bilayer tablets of atorvastatin calcium and nicotinic acid: formulation and evaluation

The objective of the study is to formulate bilayer tablets consisting of atorvastatin calcium (AT) as an immediate release layer and nicotinic acid (NA) as an extended release layer. The immediate release layer was prepared using super disintegrant croscarmellose sodium and extended release layer using hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC K100M). Both the matrix and bilayer tablets were evaluated for hardness, friability, weight variation, thickness, and drug content uniformity and subjected to in vitro drug release studies. The amount of AT and NA released at different time intervals were estimated by HPLC method. The bilayer tablets showed no significant change either in physical appearance, drug content or in dissolution pattern after storing at 40 degrees C/75% relative humiding (RH) for 3 months. The release of the drug from the tablet was influenced by the polymer content and it was much evident from thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA) analysis. The results indicated that the bilayer tablets could be a potential dosage form for delivering AT and NA.     

Preparation of hollow capsule-stabilized gold nanoparticles through the encapsulation of the dendrimer

Nanocrystalline TiO2 powders were rapidly prepared by hydrolysis of Ti(OC4H9)4 under ultrasound irradiation. The influences of acids (HCl, HNO3, and H2SO4) and their corresponding salts (NaCl, KNO3, and Na2SO4) on the crystalline phase and morphology of products were investigated, respectively. Compared with NaCl and KNO3 that show no evident influence on the crystalline phase, HCl and HNO3 have a decisive influence on the crystalline phase of the products. However, both H2SO4 and Na2SO4 are favorable for the formation of anatase. By adjusting the concentration of SO2-(4) in the reaction medium, the contents of anatase and rutile phases in the TiO2 powders can be successfully controlled. The morphology of TiO2 crystallites are shown to be strongly related to the type of acid used in the reaction medium.     

Effect of Cationic Micelles on the Kinetics of Interaction of [Cr（Ⅲ）-Gly-Gly]^2＋ with Ninhydrin

The effect of cationic micelles of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) on the interaction of chromium dipeptide complex ([Cr(Ⅲ)-Gly-Gly]2 ) with ninhydrin under varying conditions has been investigated. The rates of the reaction were determined in both water and surfactant micelles in the absence and presence of various organic and inorganic salts at 70 ℃ and pH 5.0. The reaction followed first- and fractional-order kinetics with respect to [Cr(Ⅲ)- Gly-Gly2 ] and [ninhydrin]. Increase in the total concentration of CTAB from 0 to 40×10-3 mol·dm-3 resulted in an increase in the pseudo-first-order rate constant (kψ) by a factor of ca 3. Quantitative kinetic analysis of kψ-[CTAB] data was performed on the basis of the pseudo-phase model of the micelles. As added salts induce structural changes in micellar systems that may modify the substrate-surfactant interactions, the effect of some inorganic (NaBr, NaCl, Na2SO4) and organic (NaBenz, NaSal, NaTos) salts on the rate was also explored. It was found that the tightly bound counterions (derived from organic salts) were the most effective.     

Preparation and evaluation of tablets rapidly disintegrating in saliva containing bitter-taste-masked granules by the compression method.

The aim of this study was to prepare, using taste-masked granules, tablets which can rapidly disintegrate in saliva (rapidly disintegrating tablet), of drugs with bitter taste (pirenzepine HCl or oxybutynin HCl). The taste-masked granules were prepared using aminoalkyl methacrylate copolymers (Eudragit E-100) by the extrusion method. None of the drugs dissolved from the granules (% of dissolved, < 5%) even at 480 min at pH 6.8 in the dissolution test. However, the drugs dissolved rapidly in the medium at pH 1.2 in the dissolution test. Rapidly disintegrating tablets were prepared using the prepared taste-masked granules, and a mixture of excipients consisting of crystalline cellulose (Avicel PH-102) and low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose (L-HPC, LH-11). The granules and excipients were mixed well (mixing ratio by weight, crystalline cellulose: L-HPC = 8:2) with 1% magnesium stearate, and subsequently compressed at 500-1500 kgf in a single-punch tableting machine. The prepared tablets (compressed at 500 kgf) containing the taste-masked granules have sufficient strength (the crushing strength: oxybutynin tablet, 3.5 kg; pirenzepine tablet, 2.2 kg), and a rapid disintegration time (within 20 s) was observed in the saliva of healthy volunteers. None of the volunteers felt any bitter taste after the disintegration of the tablet which contained the taste-masked granules. We confirmed that the rapidly disintegrating tablets can be prepared using these taste-masked granules and excipients which are commonly used in tablet preparation.     

阳离子胶束对[Gr(III)-(Gly-Gly)]2+与茚三酮反应动力学的影响

The effect of cationic micelles of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) on the interaction of chromium dipeptide complex ([Cr(III)-Gly-Gly]2+) with ninhydrin under varying conditions has been investigated. The rates of the reaction were determined in both water and surfactant micelles in the absence and presence of various organic and inorganic salts at 70 ℃ and pH 5.0. The reaction followed first-and fractional-order kinetics with respect to [Cr(III)-Gly-Gly2+] and [ninhydrin]. Increase in the total concentration of CTAB from0 to 40×10-3mol·dm-3 resulted in an increase in the pseudo-first-order rate constant (kψ) by a factor of ca 3. Quantitative kinetic analysis of kψ-[CTAB] data was performed on the basis of the pseudo-phase model of the micelles. As added salts induce structural changes in micellar systems that may modify the substrate-surfactant interactions, the effect of some inorganic (NaBr, NaCl, Na2SO4) and organic (NaBenz, NaSal, NaTos) salts on the rate was also explored. It was found that the tightly bound counterions (derived fromorganic salts) were the most effective.     

Optimization of metformin HCl 500 mg sustained release matrix tablets using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) based on Multilayer Perceptrons (MLP) model

The aim of the present study was to apply the simultaneous optimization method incorporating Artificial Neural Network (ANN) using Multi-layer Perceptron (MLP) model to the development of a metformin HCl 500 mg sustained release matrix tablets with an optimized in vitro release profile. The amounts of HPMC K15M and PVP K30 at three levels (-1, 0, +1) for each were selected as casual factors. In vitro dissolution time profiles at four different sampling times (1 h, 2 h, 4 h and 8 h) were chosen as output variables. 13 kinds of metformin matrix tablets were prepared according to a 2(3) factorial design (central composite) with five extra center points, and their dissolution tests were performed. Commercially available STATISTICA Neural Network software (Stat Soft, Inc., Tulsa, OK, U.S.A.) was used throughout the study. The training process of MLP was completed until a satisfactory value of root square mean (RSM) for the test data was obtained using feed forward back propagation method. The root mean square value for the trained network was 0.000097, which indicated that the optimal MLP model was reached. The optimal tablet formulation based on some predetermined release criteria predicted by MLP was 336 mg of HPMC K15M and 130 mg of PVP K30. Calculated difference (f(1) 2.19) and similarity (f(2) 89.79) factors indicated that there was no difference between predicted and experimentally observed drug release profiles for the optimal formulation. This work illustrates the potential for an artificial neural network with MLP, to assist in development of sustained release dosage forms.     

甲基丙烯酰氧基乙基三甲基氯化铵-丙烯酰胺-丙烯酸三元共聚物水溶液的盐效应研究

用恒定外加盐浓度稀释法,测定了甲基丙烯酰氧基乙三甲基氯化铵 丙烯酰胺 丙烯酸（ＤＭＣ ＡＭ ＡＡ） 三元共聚物（ＡＰＡＭ） 水溶液在分别添加不同种类外加盐时的特性粘数．实验结果表明,当外加盐浓度在一定范围内变化时,所有共聚物在ＮａＣｌ 溶液和ＮａＮＯ３ 溶液中均表现出典型的普通聚电解质粘性行为,而ＤＭＣ 和ＡＡ 近似等摩尔的共聚物在Ｎａ２ＳＯ４ 溶液中则呈现出典型的两性聚电解质粘性行为,各种外加盐对ＡＰＡＭ 溶液特性粘数影响的程度为：Ｎａ２ＳＯ４ ＞ ＣａＣｌ２ ,ＮａＮＯ３ ＞ ＮａＣｌ．     

Hydrothermal synthesis of ultralong and single-crystalline Cd(OH)2 nanowires using alkali salts as mineralizers

Ultralong and single-crystalline Cd(OH)(2) nanowires were fabricated by a hydrothermal method using alkali salts as mineralizers. The morphology and size of the final products strongly depend on the effects of the alkali salts (e.g., KCl, KNO(3), and K(2)SO(4) or NaCl, NaNO(3), and Na(2)SO(4)). When the salt is absent, only nanoparticles are observed in TEM images of the products. The 1D nanostructure growth method presented herein offers an excellent tool for the design of other advanced materials with anisotropic properties. In addition, the Cd(OH)(2) nanowires might act as a template or precursor that is potentially converted into 1D cadmium oxide through dehydration or into 1D nanostructures of other functional materials (e.g., CdS, CdSe).     

In search of covalently bound tetra- and penta-oxygen species: a photoelectron spectroscopic and Ab initio investigation of MO4- and MO5- (M = Li,Na, K,Cs)

Although neutral and ionic O4(0/-/+) species have been observed experimentally and considered for energetic materials, O4(2-) and O5(2-) dianions have not yet been explored. O4(2-) is valent isoelectronic to the well-known ClO3- and SO3(2-) anions, and O5(2-) is valent isoelectronic to ClO4- and SO4(2-). All are stable, common anions in solutions and inorganic salts. In this article, we explore the possibility of making covalently bound O4(2-) and O5(2-) species stabilized in the forms of M+O4(2-) and M+O5(2-) (M = Li, Na, K, Cs) in the gas phase. Laser vaporization experiments using M-containing targets and an O2-seeded carrier gas yielded very intense mass peaks corresponding to MO4- and MO5-. To elucidate the structure and bonding of the newly observed MO4- and MO5- species, we measured their photoelectron spectra and then compared them with ab initio calculations and the spectra of ClO3-, Na+SO3(2-), ClO4-, and Na+SO4(2-). Careful analyses of the experimental and ab initio results showed, however, that the observed species are of the forms, O2-M+O2- and O2-M+O3-. The more interesting M+O4(2-) and M+O5(2-) species were found to be higher-energy isomers, but they are true minima on the potential energy surfaces, which suggests that it might be possible to synthesize bulk materials containing covalently bound tetra- and pentatomic oxygen building blocks.     

Some aspects of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization analysis of hemoglobin from whole human blood

Some aspects of the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) method in the analysis of hemoglobin from whole human blood are described. These aspects are: sensitivity of this method, fragmentation of hemoglobin ions, and influence of some impurities (sodium chloride NaCl, sodium sulfate Na2SO4, and potassium ferrocyanide K4Fe(CN)6) on the detection process. As a matrix, alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CCA) was used. The estimated maximum concentrations of tested salts for which no hemoglobin signal was observed were determined.