Preparation of Co-Processed Excipients for Controlled-Release of Drugs Assembled with Solid Lipid Nanoparticles and Direct Compression Materials

The purpose of the study was to develop a novel, directly compressible, co-processed excipient capable of providing a controlled-release drug system for the pharmaceutical industry. A co-processed powder was formed by adsorption of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) as a controlled-release film onto a functional excipient, in this case, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DPD), for direct compression (Di-Tab^®). The co-processed excipient has advantages: easy to implement; solvent-free; industrial scaling-up; good rheological and compressibility properties; and the capability to form an inert platform. Six different batches of Di-Tab^®:SLN weight ratios were prepared (4:0.6, 3:0.6, 2:0.6, 1:0.6, 0.5:0.6, and 0.25:0.6). BCS class III ranitidine hydrochloride was selected as a drug model to evaluate the mixture’s controlled-release capabilities. The co-processed excipients were characterized in terms of powder rheology and dissolution rate. The best Di-Tab^®:SLN ratio proved to be 2:0.6, as it showed high functionality with good flow and compressibility properties (Carr Index = 16 ± 1, Hausner Index = 1.19 ± 0.04). This ratio could control release for up to 8 h, so it fits the ideal profile calculated based on biopharmaceutical data. The compressed systems obtained using this powder mixture behave as a matrix platform in which Fickian diffusion governs the release. The Higuchi model can explain their behavior.     

盐酸法制备低氟含量饲料级磷酸氢钙的工艺研究

在不添加任何除氟剂的条件下,用盐酸浸取磷矿,通过调整工艺参数和采用特殊的试验条件,制备了低氟含量饲料级磷酸氢钙;着重探讨了盐酸浓度、反应时间、静置时间、温度、鼓气速率等因素对磷酸氢钙中氟含量的影响.结果表明,在盐酸溶解过程中减少氟的溶出,有利于在反应中同步降低氟含量;得到的磷酸经简单的过滤、中和,可用于制备氟含量低达0.1%(低于国家标准0.18%)的饲料级磷酸氢钙.     

Characterization of calcium phosphates mixtures

Methodologies based on vibrational spectroscopies (FT-Raman and FT-Infrared) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) were developed for the characterization of mixtures consisting of four calcium phosphate phases that might be found in mineralized tissues or implant materials: hydroxyapatite (HAP), octacalcium phosphate (OCP), dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD) and dicalcium phosphate anhydrous (DCPA). No single technique was sufficient for the analysis of the quaternary mixture. Characterization of such solids was possible by: (a) combination of Infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscopic analysis, (b) combination of IR and PXRD data, and (c) combination of PXRD patterns recorded before and after heating the mixture of calcium phosphates at 850 °C. Proposed methods were evaluated by establishing the respective detection limits. It was found that the method using the data from the PXRD patterns recorded before and after the heating of the solid mixture has yielded the lower detection limits.     

FT-Raman and high-pressure infrared spectroscopic studies of dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (CaHPO4·2H2O) and anhydrous dicalcium phosphate (CaHPO4)

The FT-Raman spectra and the pressure dependence of the infrared spectra of the hydrated and anhydrous forms of dicalcium phosphate, CaHPO₄ · 2H₂O and CaHPO₄, have been studied. The hydrated salt exhibits a phase transition at 21 kbar (1.0 kbar=0.1 Gpa) but no high pressure transition was observed for anhydrous dicalcium phosphate. The O–H stretching frequencies of the water molecules in CaHPO₄·2H₂O all showed negative pressure dependences and correlate with the OO distances. The PO–H stretch increased with increasing pressure, indicating a strong hydrogen bond. The frequencies associated with the phosphate ion showed a normal pressure dependence.     

Compatibility study between chitosan and pharmaceutical excipients used in solid dosage forms

Microcrystalline cellulose is an excipient widely used in solid dosage forms as adsorbent, suspending agent, diluent, and disintegrant, depending on the percentage employed in the formulation. The structural similarity between cellulose and chitosan and the ecological advantage in the manufacturing process of chitosan have justified and reinforced the study of this polysaccharide as a novel pharmaceutical excipient. Nevertheless, it still does not appear to be present as constituent in any marketed medicine due to the absence of regulatory hurdles to standardize its physicochemical and functional specifications as well as its compatibility with other formulation ingredients. The physical compatibilities between chitosan and the most excipients used in solid dosage forms, such as diluents (microcrystalline cellulose, starch, lactose monohydrate, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, and calcium carbonate), disintegrants (sodium starch glycolate, and croscarmellose sodium), and glidants (magnesium stearate, talc, sodium lauryl sulfate, and colloidal silicon dioxide), were studied by thermal analysis and FT-IR. In order to facilitate the IR spectra interpretations, an ad hoc algorithm was used to generate theoretical spectra to be compared with the respective experimental ones. Chitosan proved to be physically compatible with microcrystalline cellulose, starch, lactose, sodium starch glycolate, croscarmellose sodium, talc, colloidal silicon dioxide, and sodium lauryl sulfate. Moreover, chitosan raises the thermal stability of cellulose from 310 to 330 °C. Once the amino groups of chitosan were able to form coordination complexes with divalent cations of dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, calcium carbonate, and magnesium stearate, they were considered incompatible with chitosan.     

REINFORCEMENT OF CALCIUM PHOSPHATE CEMENTS WITH PHOSPHORYLATED CHITIN

Phosphorylated chitins (P-chitins) as the additives of calcium phosphate cements (CPCs) were prepared by thephosphorylation of chitin with phosphorus pentoxide in methanesulfonic acid. Their physical properties and effects on CPCsfrom monocalcium phosphate monohydrate (MCPM) and calcium oxide (CaO) or dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD)and calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)_2] were investigated. Addition of P-chitin (M_w = 2.60×10~4; degree of substitution, DS =0.68) to the liquid phase in amounts up to 3 wt% for MCPM and CaO cements or 1.5 wt% for DCPD and Ca(OH)_2 cementscould enhance the mechanical strength considerably while little influence on the setting time was observed. However, furtheraddition of P-chitin will cause no setting.     

Thermotropic phase behaviour of mixed liposomes of archaeal diether and conventional diester lipids

During preformulation studies of pharmaceutical solid dosage forms, thermal analysis techniques are very useful to detect physical or chemical incompatibilities between the drug and adjuvants of interest that might interfere with efficacy and safety of the final drug product. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG) are useful tools for this purpose. The aim of this study was to investigate the thermoanalytical behavior of olanzapine (OLZ) when mixed with several excipients commonly used in solid dosage forms such as microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD), lactose, magnesium stearate, and povidone. Following DSC and TG analyses, powder X-ray diffraction tests were carried out. Thermoanalytical methods showed evidence of interaction between OLZ and magnesium stearate, lactose, and povidone. These results can be useful during the selection of excipients for pharmaceutical formulation development.     

Possible Mechanisms of Intercalation

Recent knowledge of the kinetics and intercalation mechanisms are summarized and accompanied by examples of intercalation reactions of water and ethanol into anhydrous vanadyl phosphate and redox intercalation of alkali metal cations into vanadyl phosphate dihydrate. Three possible mechanisms of intercalation are presented which are based on: (i) a concept of exfoliation of layers; (ii) the formation of stages and randomly stacked layers; (iii) co-existence of intercalated and non-intercalated parts of crystals of the host separated by an advancing phase boundary. The corresponding kinetic curves are ascribed to mechanisms (ii) and (iii).     

Dicalcium phosphate dehydrate DCPD as a highly efficient and reusable catalyst for Knoevenagel condensation

We have described the catalytic activities of dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD) in the condensation reaction of various substituted benzaldehydes with active methylene compound malononitrile. The influences of reaction conditions on the corresponding catalytic behavior have been investigated. The results showed that the DCPD exhibited high catalytic activity and versatility and that it can be recycled without significant loss of its activity for the condensation reactions, which shows the material is a promising new type of heterogeneous catalyst for the condensation reactions. Meanwhile, the catalytic results of DCPD compared favorably with those of other materials for Knoevenagel reactions reported previously.     

Porous matrixes based on polyvinylpyrrolidone containing calcium phosphates for medical application

Russian Chemical Bulletin - A number of materials based on biocompatible polymers (polyvinylpyrrolidone and sodium alginate) with hydroxyapatite and dicalcium phosphate dihydrate were developed....     

添加磷酸氢钙对硅酸三钙骨水泥性能的影响

本文将磷酸氢钙(CaHPO₄·2H₂O,DCPD)添加到硅酸三钙(Ca₃SiO₅,C₃S)骨水泥中,采用X射线衍射(XRD),扫描电镜(SEM),万能力学测试机等手段对不同添加量的骨水泥进行表征,考察添加DCPD对硅酸三钙骨水泥性能的影响。实验表明,C₃S材料中添加10% DCPD有着优于单纯C₃S骨水泥的水化性能,骨水泥的初凝时间从92 min缩短到80 min;添加20%~30% DCPD能提高材料的短期力学强度,可以实现其短期抗压强度的优化;添加30%~40% DCPD的材料有着优良的生物活性与适中的可降解性能。结果表明,通过添加DCPD优化C₃S水泥的性能,对各种不同性能具有DCPD添加量的依赖性。通过进一步优化DCPD添加量,将可能获得优良的生物活性骨缺陷填充材料。     

In situ formation of porous mineral–polymer scaffold for tissue engineering

A principle of three-dimensional printing of composite materials with structure and properties close to natural human tissues was implemented. It was found that the inorganic component, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, crystallizes in the bulk of alginate matrix. The subsequent chemical treatment of experimental samples in buffered solutions promoted the formation of octacalcium phosphate on the surface of pore space of the printed material.     

Preparation and study of bis(theophyllinato) copper(II) compounds

Bis(theophyllinato) copper(II) dihydrate and its anhydrous form, were prepared. Their thermal, spectral and magnetic behaviours were investigated. Magnetic susceptibility studies show that the dihydrate form can be fitted to the Curie law. The magnetic behaviour of the anhydrous form is interpreted in terms of antiferromangetically exchange-coupled pairs of copper atoms. The change in magnetic properties as the dihydrate is dehydrated implies that structural rearrangement in first coordination sphere of copper accompanies the dehydration process. For bis(theophyllinato)copper(II) dihydrate we propose a pseudo octahedral coordination of copper(II) in a polymeric chain, and for the anhydrous form four-coordination in binuclear units.     

Synthesis of hierarchical macro/mesoporous dicalcium phosphate monolith via epoxide-mediated sol–gel reaction from ionic precursors

Starting from calcium chloride dihydrate (CaCl₂·2H₂O), phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄), and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) dissolved in a mixture of water and methanol (MeOH), dicalcium phosphate anhydrous (DCPA, CaHPO₄) monoliths with co-continuous macropores and mesopores have been synthesized by the addition of propylene oxide. Macropores are formed as a result of phase separation, while mesopores as interstices between primary particles with the size of ca. 30 nm. Propylene oxide acts as a proton scavenger and leads to moderate pH increase in a reaction solution, which brings about gelation in several minutes. On the other hand, PAA acts as a crystal growth inhibitor as well as a phase separation inducer. The extensive crystal growth of DCPA is hindered by the addition of PAA which allows morphological control of the structure in micrometer range. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicates that PAA and DCPA form composite via interaction between the carboxyl groups and the surface of crystals, and together form gel phase. The solvent phase, which is converted to macropores after evaporative drying, is mainly comprised of solvent. The degree of supersaturation in a reaction solution considerably influence on the crystallization process, and thereby, influences on the porous structure in nano- and micrometer ranges.     

Thermal behaviour of solid complexes of phenoxyalkanoic acids and divalent metals

Two solid copper(II) phenoxyacetates (anhydrous and dihydrate) were prepared and investigated by DSC and TG techniques. The results obtained indicated that the water molecules of the dihydrate compounds were weakly and differently bonded; also, both anhydrous and dihydrate compound decomposed with formation of CuO as final product, but by different steps. Some thermodynamic parameters associated with the observed thermal processes were evaluated and the results obtained were discussed and interpreted.     

A ph study of calcium phosphate seeded precipitation

The formation of calcium phosphate phases over a range of pH has been investigated at 37°C using a constant composition method. At a controlled ionic strength of 0.10 mole/liter, and Ca/P = 1.333 the precipitation of octacalcium phosphate appears to be limited to a pH range of 6 to 7. At pH 5, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate is formed at all supersaturations whereas at pH 5.5, it occurs only at high supersaturation; octacalcium phosphate precipitating at low supersaturation. At higher pH (7.4 and 8.0), the results point to the formation of a hydroxyapatite-like material.     

A calorimetric study of the temperature effect on Calcium Phosphate precipitation

The precipitation of calcium phosphate was studied using a heat flow twin calorimeter (C80, Setaram, France). The process was carried out using two identical membrane vessels. In the lower parts of both vessels 2 mL of a supersaturated solution (solution A) containing Ca(H₂PO₄)·2H₂O (0.054 M) and CaCl₂·H₂O (0.125 M) with a molar ratio Ca/P = 1.67 were added. Then 0.05 mL of an ammonium solution (25% w/w) (solution B) and 0.05 mL of distilled water were transferred in the upper parts of sample and reference vessels, respectively. After temperature had been maintained at 303, 313, 323 and 333 K the membranes of both sample and reference vessels were broken simultaneously. The precipitation process also repeated with the same conditions for periods of 15, 60 and 120 min in a bath. The first two calorimetric curves (303, 313 K) show a single exothermic step during the process as a sharp peak in the initial stage. On the contrary at the experimental temperature of 323 K except of the sharp peak in the initial stage, a steadily exothermic tendency appears after 100 min time. In higher temperature (333 K) the sharp peak appears in the initial stage followed by a broad exothermic step between 75 and 320 min time. The XRD analyses show that the solids in the initial experimental stages are mainly consisted of dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD) for the lower temperature and a biphasic or triphasic system consisted of hydroxyapatite (HA), dicalcium phosphate anhydrous (DCPA) and octacalcium phosphate (OCP) for the rest temperatures. The XRD analyses show also that during the solution aging the initial products are transformed into the more stable thermal forms of HA and octacalcium phosphate (OCP).     

Chemical mapping of hydration and dehydration process of theophylline in tablets using terahertz pulsed imaging

The purpose of this research is to investigate the topographical pattern of hydration and dehydration (also known as pseudo-polymorphic change) of drug substance in drug product using terahertz (THz) pulsed imaging. Emphasis is placed on (1) applicability of THz pulsed imaging and (2) kinetic analysis in the pseudo-polymorphic change. Either anhydrous or monohydrated form of theophylline was used as the drug substance, leading to initially anhydrous or monohydrated tablets. These tablets were stored at 25°C to keep the relative humidity constant at 84% (anhydrous tablets) or 45% (monohydrated tablets), respectively. The THz pulsed imaging was confirmed to enable visualization that the hydration of the anhydrous form or the dehydration of the monohydrated form began on the surface of the tablets and gradually progressed to the core side in the tablets with storage. Kinetic studies indicated that these pseudo-polymorphic changes followed the phase boundary mechanism. Since the other imaging techniques has been scarcely achieved to show the topographical pattern of pseudo-polymorphic change of drug substances in drug products directly and visually, it is considered that THz pulsed imaging has a potential ability to solve complicated issues in pharmaceutical development.     

Sodium ibuprofen dihydrate and anhydrous

(R,S)-(±)-ibuprofen sodium salt (racemate) dihydrate (SID) was dehydrated and the physicochemical properties of SID and the anhydrous forms (SIA) were compared by different analytical techniques (scanning electron microscopy, helium pychnometry, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray powder diffractometry). The dehydration of SID, followed by thermogravimetry in isothermal conditions, allowed to calculate the activation energy of the dehydration process and to predict the mechanism of dehydration. Dehydration occurred in one step and the activation energy was rather low, indicating the ease of water removal from the crystal. The mechanism of dehydration followed a three dimensional diffusion (Jander equation). Similarly to the dehydration, the hydration process was followed under isothermal conditions by exposing the anhydrous powder at 64% RH at different temperatures. The mechanism of hydration was governed by a two dimensional diffusion and the energy associated to the process was very low, indicating the ease of crystal hydration. The driving force for the hydration is higher than that for the dehydration. From a thermodynamic point of view this fact may explain why the hydrated form is more stable than the anhydrous one. Solubilities, determined at different temperatures in water and in phosphate buffer (pH 6.8), showed that SID is more soluble in water than SIA for temperatures higher than approximately 283 K. On the contrary, in phosphate buffer SIA is always more soluble than SID in the temperature range considered for the experiments. Drug release reflects the solubility in water and phosphate buffer previously reported.     

Crystallization of carbamazepine pseudopolymorphs from nonionic microemulsions

Crystallization of carbamazepine (CBZ), an antiepileptic drug, precipitated from confined spaces of nonionic microemulsions was investigated. The study was aimed to correlate the structure of the microemulsion [water-in-oil (W/O), bicontinuous, and oil-in-water (O/W)] with the crystalline structure and morphology of solid CBZ. The precipitated CBZ was studied by DSC, TGA, powder XRD, single-crystal XRD, SEM, and optical microscopy. The results suggest that the microstructure of the microemulsions influences the crystallization process and allows crystallizing polymorphs that exhibit different crystal structure and habits. W/O nanodroplets orient the crystallizing CBZ molecules to form a prismlike anhydrous polymorphic form with monoclinic unit cell and P21/n space group. Bicontinuous structures lead to platelike dihydrate crystals with orthorhombic unit cell and Cmca space group. The O/W nanodroplets cause the formation of needlelike dihydrate crystals with monoclinic unit cell and P21/c space group. The morphological features of solid CBZ remain predetermined by the basic symmetry and parameters of its unit cell. Precipitation of CBZ pseudopolymorphs from supersaturated microemulsion is discussed in terms of oriented attachment that provides perfect packing of numerous separately nucleated ordered nuclei of CBZ into microscale platelets and then into macroscopic crystals. Crystallization from microemulsion media enabling one to obtain the drug (CBZ) with predicted structure and morphology should be of great significance for pharmaceutical applications.