Characterization of factors affecting the release of low-solubility drug from prolonged release tablets

Diclofenac sodium (2-[(2,6-dichlorophenyl)amino]benzeneacetic acid monosodium salt) was investigated as a low-solubility drug and Naklofen^® retard prolonged release tablets, containing 100 mg of diclofenac sodium as a prolonged release lipophilic matrix system using factorial design approach. First, the solubility characteristics of diclofenac sodium in aqueous media with various ionic strengths, ionic compositions and pH in the range of 1-8 were determined. The obtained results showed that the solubility of diclofenac sodium depends mainly on pH of the aqueous medium and less on the composition and ionic strength of the medium. Next, the estimation of the effects of six different factors (type of the dissolution apparatus, rotation speeds of the stirring elements, pH, ionic strengths of dissolution medium, the applied salt, and the producer of the on-line connected dissolution apparatus and UV spectrophotometer) on the release of diclofenac sodium, using the two-level six-factorial design was investigated. It was found that rotation speeds of the stirring elements, pH, and ionic strengths of the dissolution medium have a significant impact on the drug release and should be further followed in future drug release analyses. The advantages of the factorial design approach are obvious in this work. It is a very economic way of obtaining the maximum amount of information in a short period of time, especially in the case of prolonged release formulations where each experiment requires at least 24 h.     

一种抗偏头痛复方制剂体外溶出度的比较研究

 A novel in vitro dissolution profile was developed for formulated drug in combinational form containing naproxen sodium (NAP) and sumatriptan succinate (SUMA). This study was performed to understand the dissolution of the drug in the physiological temperature and pH. Dissolution testing was performed using USP 29 type II testing apparatus rotating at 50 r/min, in 900 mL deaerated buffer （pH 1.2, 4.5 and 6.8） which was maintained at (37±0.5) ℃. Quantification was performed using a developed and validated high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method. Aceclofenac (ACE) was used as internal standard. SUMA, ACE and NAP were eluted at 4.8, 5.7 and 7.9 min, respectively. As expected for enteric coated immediate release (IR) tablets, the dissolution of NAP and SUMA was rapid and essentially complete within 2 h using phosphate buffer (pH 6.8). The comparison of the dissolution profiles was realized by model independent approach using a difference factor (f1), similarity factor (f2) and dissolution efficiency (DE). Statistical results showed the profiles were similar to the reference and the test products. Hence, this method demonstrated to be adequate for in vitro studies of NAP and SUMA in the combinational dosage form, since there is no official monograph, collaborating to the official codes.     

In-line prediction of drug release profiles for pH-sensitive coated pellets

A new method for the prediction of the drug release profiles during a running pellet coating process from in-line near infrared (NIR) measurements has been developed. The NIR spectra were acquired during a manufacturing process through an immersion probe. These spectra reflect the coating thickness that is inherently connected with the drug release. Pellets sampled at nine process time points from thirteen designed laboratory-scale coating batches were subjected to the dissolution testing. In the case of the pH-sensitive Acryl-EZE coating the drug release kinetics for the acidic medium has a sigmoid form with a pronounced induction period that tends to grow along with the coating thickness. In this work the autocatalytic model adopted from the chemical kinetics has been successfully applied to describe the drug release. A generalized interpretation of the kinetic constants in terms of the process and product parameters has been suggested. A combination of the kinetic model with the multivariate Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression enabled prediction of the release profiles from the process NIR data. The method can be used to monitor the final pellet quality in the course of a coating process.     

In vitro release of metoclopramide from hydrophobic matrix tablets. influence of hydrodynamic conditions on kinetic release parameters

There has been growing interest in the subject of drug delivery and the design and evaluation of controlled-release systems. The simplest way to control the release of an active agent is to disperse it in an inert polymeric matrix. Controlled-release systems are of interest because they are technologically simple, relatively cheap, and practically unaffected by physiological changes. In this study, a new matrix system was formed by an active principle, metoclopramide hydrochloride, scattered into a biocompatible hydrophobic polymerical mesh, polyamide 12, to achieve sustained and controlled delivery of metoclopramide hydrochloride. This research was conducted to investigate the in vitro drug release behavior from these new inert polymeric matrix tablets. The drug release process was investigated both experimentally and by means of mathematical models. Different models were applied for the evaluation of drug release data. On the basis of our results, a biexponential equation was proposed, Q=Qfast(1)(1 - e(-Kfast t)) + Qslow(2)(1 - e(-Kslow t)), in an attempt to explain the mechanism responsible for the release process. Additionally, the influence of the experimental conditions of the dissolution devices, such as rate of flow and pH of dissolution medium, on the parameters that characterize the release mechanism was studied, and it was found that the main factor was the hydrodynamic condition of rate of flow.     

In Vitro–In Vivo Correlation of Tianeptine Sodium Sustained-Release Dual-Layer Tablets

Tianeptine tablets are currently marketed to be designed for immediate-release tablets. The tianeptine has a short half-life, making it difficult to design for sustained-release tablets and achieve bioequivalence with the tianeptine immediate-release tablet (Stablon^®). We established the in vitro–in vivo correlation (IVIVC) of three formulations of tianeptine sustained-release tablets according to their granule size. To evaluate sustained drug release, in vitro tests were performed in pH 1.2 media for 24 h. In vivo pharmacokinetic analysis was performed following oral administration of reference drug and test drug to beagle dogs. The dissolution profile revealed delayed release as the size of the granules increased. The dissolution results were confirmed in pharmacokinetic analysis, showing that the half-life was delayed as granule size increased. The final formulation and reference drug showed an equivalent area under the curve (AUC). Through this, IVIVC was established according to the size of the tianeptine sodium granules, which is the purpose of this study, and was used to predict in vivo pharmacokinetics from the formulation composition. This approach may be useful for determining optimal formulation compositions to achieve the desired pharmacokinetics when developing new formulations.     

Characterization and in vitro release kinetics of chitosan based biocomposites from Scotch Bonnets

The main aim of this study is to formulate the combination of the bioactive composite containing chitosan/β -tricalcium phosphate (CH/β-TCP) as potential drug delivery platforms for the sustained release of antibiotics. Herein the mode of amoxicillin (AMX) maintained in the β-TCP/chitosan composite was characterized using XRD, FT-IR to confirm the phase purity and functional groups. SEM was used to examine the size and shape of particles. The SEM images of the biocomposites after drug release confirmed that they are biodegradable. In vitro drug release experiments in PBS (pH 7.4) revealed a sustained release profile in a neutral medium. Drug release profiles were evaluated according to five different kinetic models including Zero Order, First Order, Higuchi, Hixon Crowel, and Korsmeyer-Peppas. The release profile was best expressed by the Korsmeyer Peppas model because the results showed high linearity. Overall, the positive effect of chitosan coating on the drug elution profile of β-TCP as carriers for the controlled delivery of antibiotics was regarded as biocompatible for the controlled drug delivery system.     

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.     

Statistical optimization of tamsulosin hydrochloride controlled release pellets coated with the blend of HPMCP and HPMC

The objective of the present study was to evaluate three coating parameters for the application of a blend of HPMCP and HPMC in ethylcellulose aqueous dispersions (Surelease) in order to obtain controlled release of tamsulosin hydrochloride. The selected independent variables, HPMCP content (X1), HPMC content (X2) and coating level (X(3)), were optimized with a three-factor, three-level Box-Behnken design. The selected dependent variables were the cumulative percentage values of tamsulosin hydrochloride that had dissolved after 2, 3 and 5 h. Various dissolution profiles of the drug from controlled release pellets were obtained. Optimization was performed for X1, X2 and X3 using the following target ranges; 15% < or = Y1 < or= 30%; 50% < or = Y2 < or = 65%; 80% < or = Y3 < or = 95%. Results of the optimization procedure indicated that the optimized levels of HPMCP content (X1), HPMC content (X2) and coating level (X3) were 30%, 15% and 25%, respectively. Controlled release pellets coated with the optimized formulation provided a release profile that was close to predicted values. In addition, the dissolution profiles of the controlled release pellets coated with the optimized formulation were similar to those of the commercial product Harunal capsule (f1 = 4.6, f2 = 78.7).     

Preparation and evaluation of inclusion complexes of diacerein with β-cyclodextrin and hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin

The objective of this research was to improve the aqueous solubility, dissolution rate and, consequently, bioavailability of diacerein, along with avoiding its side effect of diarrhea, by complexation with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and HP-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD). Phase solubility curve was classified as an A_N type for both the CDs, which indicated formation of complex of diacerein with β-CD and HP-β-CD in 1:1 stoichiometry and demonstrating that both CDs are proportionally less effective at higher concentrations. The complexes were prepared by kneading method and were evaluated to study the effect of complexation on aqueous solubility and rate of dissolution in phosphate buffer (pH 6.8). Based on the dissolution profile HP-β-CD was selected for preparing fast disintegrating tablet of diacerein which was compared with marketed formulation (MF-J). The HP-β-CD complex was probed for Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and powder X-ray diffraction studies which evidenced stable complex formation and increase in amorphousness of diacerein in complex. In brief, the characterization studies confirmed the inclusion of diacerein within the non-polar cavity of HP-β-CD. HP-β-CD complex showed improved in vitro drug release profile compared to pure drug and similar to that of marketed formulation respectively.     

Hydroxypropyl chitosan bearing beta-cyclodextrin cavities: synthesis and slow release of its inclusion complex with a model hydrophobic drug

Hydroxypropyl chitosan-graft-carboxymethyl beta-cyclodextrin (HPCH-g-CM beta-CD) was synthesized by grafting CM beta-CD onto HPCH using water soluble 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC) as the condensing agent. Due to the presence of hydrophobic beta-CD rings onto the HPCH backbone, this polymer can be used as a matrix for controlled drug release. The adsorption of a hydrophobic model drug, ketoprofen, by HPCH-g-CM beta-CD microparticles (using tripolyphosphate as an ionic crosslinking agent) fitted well in the Langmuir isotherm equation. The drug dissolution profile showed that HPCH-g-CM beta-CD microparticles provided a slower release of the entrapped ketoprofen than chitosan, and the release behavior was influenced by the pH value of the medium. These results suggest that beta-CD grafted with chitosan derivatives may become a potential biodegradable delivery system to control the release of hydrophobic drugs with pH-responsive capability.     

Effects of natural polysaccharide addition on drug release from calcium-induced alginate gel beads

Calcium-induced alginate gel beads (Alg-Ca) containing various polysaccharides, including an alginate hydrolysate, were prepared and the drug release profiles were investigated. Hydrocortisone (HC) was gradually released from Alg-Ca into the mimic gastric fluid, while in intestinal fluid, it was quickly released with the dissolution of Alg-Ca. However, with Alg-Ca containing 5% chitin (CT), dissolution of Alg-Ca was not observed, and release of HC showed apparent zero-order kinetics. Furthermore, addition of the alginate hydrolysate altered the HC-release profile for Alg-Ca.     

Zero-order release formulations using a novel cellulose ester

New carboxymethylcellulose esters were developed with useful properties for oral dosage forms in drug delivery. Normally, commercial cellulose esters are used as the major excipients in oral dosage forms as a coating or a membrane. In applications involving compression tablets, cellulose esters are usually mixed with other more hydrophilic matrix components to facilitate dissolution of the active. In the present study, novel cellulose esters were single component matrix resins. Pharmaceutical actives were cryogenically ground as a physical blend or an amorphous blend with the polymer. Subsequently, tablets were made by direct compression using a single tablet press, or capsules were made by filling them with the ground material. Dissolution tests were completed on the solid dosage forms at pH 1.2, 4.5, 6.8 or 7.4 in a United States Pharmacopeia (USP) II device to determine the release profiles for up to 24 h. Carboxymethylcellulose esters provide an excellent matrix for controlling both the rate of release and the pH at which pharmaceutical actives release into the aqueous environment. When used in suitable quantities, dictated by the active of interest, carboxymethylcellulose acetate butyrate provided zero-order release over sustained time up to 24 h.     

Effect of the hydrophobic nature of triacetyl-beta-cyclodextrin on the complexation with nicardipine hydrochloride: physicochemical and dissolution properties of the kneaded and spray-dried complexes

The inclusion ability of triacetyl-beta-cyclodextrin (TAbetaCD), a hydrophobic cyclodextrin (CD) derivative was examined, using nicardipine hydrochloride (NC) as model drug. The binary compounds were prepared in a 1 : 1 molar ratio by the kneading and the spray-drying techniques. In order to confirm the complexation between NC and TAbetaCD in the solid state, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffractometry, Fourier transformation-infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were carried out and the results were compared with the corresponding physical mixture in the same molar ratio. The kneaded product presented only slight modifications on the drug physicochemical and morphological properties, which could mean that no complex formation occurred during this process. In contrast, spray-drying was found to produce inclusion complexes with amorphous nature. In vitro dissolution studies were carried out in simulated gastric (pH 1.2) and intestinal (pH 6.8) fluids, according to the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) basket method. The NC in vitro release from the kneaded and spray-dried products was markedly retarded in both dissolution media. However, this retarding effect was significantly more evident for the spray-dried compound. It was concluded that the formation of real inclusion complexes could only be achieved by the spray-drying method.     

A controlled porosity osmotic pump system with biphasic release of theophylline

A controlled porosity osmotic pump system with biphasic release of theophylline was developed for the nocturnal therapy of asthma. The developed system was composed of a tablet-in-tablet (TNT) core and a controlled porosity coating membrane. Release pattern of the developed system was influenced by amount of pore former (18.2-45.5%, w/w of polymer), weight gain (16-26 mg per tablet) of the coating membrane and osmotic agents used in inner layer of the TNT core. When sodium phosphate and sodium chloride were selected as the osmotic agents in inner and outer layer of the TNT core respectively, target release profile was obtained with coating solution cellulose acetate-polyethylene glycol 400-diethyl phthalate (54.5-36.4-9.1%, w/w) at a weight gain of 16-22 mg per tablet. To examine the mechanism of drug release, release profiles of osmotic agents, micro-environmental osmotic pressure and micro-environmental pH of the formulation during dissolution were studied. Micro-environmental osmotic pressure decreased and micro-environmental pH increased continuously during the whole dissolution process, theophylline release was dominated by the successive dissolution of sodium chloride and sodium phosphate. Theophylline solubility increased as environmental pH exceeded 10.8. At the last stage of the biphasic release, micro-environmental pH in the developed formulation reached 10.9, and theophylline release was promoted by its elevated solubility despite of the decrease of micro-environmental osmotic pressure in the developed formulaiton.     

Preparation and in vitro release profiles of drug-eluting controlled biodegradable polymer coating stents

In the present study, the different drug-eluting controlled biodegradable polymer coatings were fabricated on stainless steel stents. The coatings were not only uniform and smooth but also had excellent mechanical property. The drug release profiles of drug-eluting stents were studied in detail in this study. Depending on the drug type, different drug-eluting stents exhibited different drug release profile. There were two basic release profiles for different drug-eluting stents, i.e., two-phase release profile with burst release or linear release profile without burst release. Incorporating heparin in the rapamycin or curcumin eluting stents can improve the average drug release rate of both and the burst release of rapamycin. The average drug release rate increased with the increase of drug loading but was not proportional to increase of the ratio of drug/polymer. Fabricating the control release layer on rapamycin-eluting stent surface can prevent the burst release of rapamycin and prolong the release period of rapamycin. All results showed that the drug release profile of drug-eluting stents depends on many parameters including drug type, ratio of drug/polymer, and drug carrier properties.     

Analysis of the release process of phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride from ethylcellulose matrix granules III. Effects of the dissolution condition on the release process

In the pharmaceutical preparation of a controlled release drug, it is very important and necessary to understand the entire release properties. As the first step, the dissolution test under various conditions is selected for the in vitro test, and usually the results are analyzed following Drug Approval and Licensing Procedures. In this test, 3 time points for each release ratio, such as 0.2-0.4, 0.4-0.6, and over 0.7, respectively, should be selected in advance. These are analyzed as to whether their values are inside or outside the prescribed aims at each time point. This method is very simple and useful but the details of the release properties can not be clarified or confirmed. The validity of the dissolution test in analysis using a combination of the square-root time law and cube-root law equations to understand all the drug release properties was confirmed by comparing the simulated value with that measured in the previous papers. Dissolution tests under various conditions affecting drug release properties in the human body were then examined, and the results were analyzed by both methods to identify their strengths and weaknesses. Hereafter, the control of pharmaceutical preparation, the manufacturing process, and understanding the drug release properties will be more efficient. It is considered that analysis using the combination of the square-root time law and cube-root law equations is very useful and efficient. The accuracy of predicting drug release properties in the human body was improved and clarified.     

Numerical study of a drug release profile in the transdermal drug delivery system

Drug release by diffusion from an unstressed thin polymer film with a dissolved crystallizable component was simulated using a kinetic Monte Carlo model. This model was used previously to study Ostwald ripening in a high crystallizable component regime and was shown to correctly simulate solvation, diffusion, and precipitation. In this study, the same model with modifications was applied to the drug transportation and release in the low concentration regime of interest to the transdermal drug delivery system (TDS) community. We demonstrate the model's utility by simulating diffusion, crystal precipitation, growth and shrinkage during storage, and drug release from the thin TDS to a surface under different conditions. The simulation results provide a first approximation for the drug release profile occurring from TDS to skin. It has been reported that growth of drug crystals in TDS occurs mainly in the middle third of the polymer layer at relatively higher temperatures. The results from the simulations showed that the release rate and concentration profile of a TDS depend on the dissolution process of the crystal. At low storage temperature, the drug precipitates to form small evenly distributed crystals throughout the thickness of the TDS patch. The release rate of these small, evenly distributed crystals most closely matched that of a completely dissolved drug.     

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.     

Design and in vitro evaluation of zidovudine oral controlled release tablets prepared using hydroxypropyl methylcellulose

Oral controlled release matrix tablets of zidovudine were prepared using different proportions and different viscosity grades of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. The effect of various formulation factors like polymer proportion, polymer viscosity and compression force on the in vitro release of drug were studied. In vitro release studies were carried out using United States Pharmacopeia (USP) type 1 apparatus (basket method) in 900 ml of pH 6.8 phosphate buffer at 100 rpm. The release kinetics were analyzed using Zero-order model equation, Higuchi's square-root equation and Ritger-Peppas' empirical equation. Compatibility of drug with various formulations excipients used was studied. In vitro release studies revealed that the release rate decreased with increase in polymer proportion and viscosity grade. Increase in compression force was found to decrease the rate of drug release. Matrix tablets containing 10% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) 4000 cps were found to show a good initial drug release of 21% in the first hour and extended the release upto 16 h. Matrix tablets containing 20% HPMC 4000 cps and 10% HPMC 15000 cps showed a first hour release of 18% and extended the release upto 20 h. Mathematical analysis of the release kinetics indicated that the nature of drug release from the matrix tablets followed non-Fickian or anomalous release. No incompatibility was observed between the drug and excipients used in the formulation of matrix tablets. The developed controlled release matrix tablets of zidovudine, with good initial release (17-25% in first hour) and which extend the release upto 16-20 h, can overcome the disadvantages of conventional tablets of zidovudine.     

Development of extended release coevaporates and coprecipitates of promethazine HCl with acrylic polymers: formulation considerations

The present investigation studied a novel extended release system of promethazine hydrochloride (PHC) with acrylic polymers Eudragit RLPO and Eudragit RS100 in different weight ratios (1 : 1 and 1 : 5) using coevaporation and coprecipitation techniques. Solid dispersions were characterized by Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Powder X-ray diffractometry (PXRD), Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as well as solubility and in vitro dissolution studies in 0.1 n HCl (pH 1.2), double distilled water and phosphate buffer (pH 7.4). Adsorption test from drug solution to solid polymers were also performed. Selected solid dispersion system was subjected to direct compression and compressed tablets were evaluated for in vitro dissolution studies. The progressive disappearance of drug peaks in thermotropic profiles of coevaporates were related to increasing amount of polymers while SEM studies suggested homogenous dispersion of drug in polymer. Eudragit RLPO had a greater adsorptive capacity than Eudragit RS100 and thus its coevaporates in 1 : 5 ratio exhibited higher dissolution rate with 91.90% drug release for 12 h. Among different formulations, tablets prepared by Eudragit RLPO coevaporates (1 : 5) displayed extended release of drug for 12 h with 90.87% release followed by zero order kinetics (r(2)=0.9808).