Preparation and physicochemical characterization of matrix pellets containing APIs with different solubility via extrusion process

In this study, a multiparticulate matrix system was produced, containing two different active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs): enalapril-maleate and hydrochlorothiazide. The critical control points of the process were investigated by means of factorial design. Beside the generally used microcrystalline cellulose, ethylcellulose was used as matrix former to achieve modified drug release ensured by diffusion. The matrix pellets were made by extrusion-spheronization using a twin-screw extruder. Some pellet properties (aspect ratio, 10% interval fraction, hardness, deformation process) were determined. The aim of our study was to investigate how the two different APIs with different solubility and particle size influence the process. The amount of the granulation liquid plays a key role in the pellet shaping. A higher liquid feed rate is preferred in the pelletization process.

Comparison of metoprolol tartrate multiple-unit lipid matrix systems produced by different technologies

The aim of this study was to develop, evaluate and compare extended release mini-matrices based on metoprolol tartrate (MPT) and either glyceryl behenate (GB) or glyceryl palmitostearate (GPS). Mini-matrices were produced by three different techniques: hot melt extrusion, compression of melt granulates and prilling. Hot-melt extrusion and compression of granules obtained from melted material proved to be reliable, robust and reproducible techniques with aim of obtaining extended release matrices. Prilling tended to be susceptible to increased melt viscosity. Direct compression was not applicable for mini-matrix production due to poor powder flow. In general MPT release from all matrices was affected by its loading and the size of the units/particles. Processing of GB-MPT mixtures by different techniques did not lead to different drug release rates and patterns, while in case of GPS differently obtained matrices provided diverse MPT release outcomes. Matrices based on GB tended to have higher porosity compared to ones composed of GPS and thus most of the GB-based formulations showed faster drug delivery. FT-IR analysis revealed no interactions between primary components used for matrix production and Raman mapping outlined uniform MPT distribution throughout the units. DSC and X-ray studies revealed significant changes in the crystallinity of glycerides after storage under room conditions (GPS samples) and at increased temperature (GB and GPS samples), which was correlated to the changes seen in drug release rate and pattern after storage. Media composition in general tended to insignificantly affect GB matrices, while in case of GPS matrices increasing the pH and presence of biorelevant compounds induced faster drug release.

Effect of the surface free energy of materials on the lamination tendency of bilayer tablets

Dosage forms with fixed dose combinations of drugs is a frequent and advantageous mode of administration, but their production involves a number of technological problems. Numerous interactions in a homogeneous vehicle may be avoided through the use of layered tablets. The mechanical properties of these dosage forms depend on numerous process parameters and material characteristics. The aim of the present study was a detailed investigation of the relationships between the surface characteristics and deformation properties of tableting materials and the tendency of bilayer tablets to undergo lamination. Bilayer tablets were compressed from unlubricated materials with different plastic-elastic properties and surface free energies according to a mixed 2 and 3-level half-replicated factorial design. The results revealed that the surface characteristics play the main role in the lamination of layered tablets and the effect of the plastic-elastic behavior cannot be interpreted without a knowledge of these properties.

[Titanate nanotubes in the therapy]

The demand for revealing the medical advantages offered by nanotechnology is increasing more and more. Titanate nanotubes deserve consideration in many aspects. Their production is easy, cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Due to their special physico-chemical properties, titanate nanotubes can play an important role in different fields of therapy, such as medical diagnostics, implantology, or even as cancer treatment. The aim of our work is to present the titanate nanotubes and give an overview on their medical applicability through the results of previous researches.

[Application of biosensors from the point of drug research]

With the increasing number of protein active agents produced by the biotechnological route, the suitable analytical methods will also be important. The detection of small changes of protein and the monitoring of the processes of the biotechnological procedure are important. Biosensors can be applied for the detection of very low concentrations with nearly 100% selectivity. The aims of our work are to give basic information about biosensors, about their grouping and potential field of application.

From Mini to Micro Scale-Feasibility of Raman Spectroscopy as a Process Analytical Tool (PAT)

Background

Active coating is an important unit operation in the pharmaceutical industry. The quality, stability, safety and performance of the final product largely depend on the amount and uniformity of coating applied. Active coating is challenging regarding the total amount of coating and its uniformity. Consequently, there is a strong demand for tools, which are able to monitor and determine the endpoint of a coating operation. In previous work, it was shown that Raman spectroscopy is an appropriate process analytical tool (PAT) to monitor an active spray coating process in a pan coater [1]. Using a multivariate model (Partial Least Squares—PLS) the Raman spectral data could be correlated with the coated amount of the API diprophylline. While the multivariate model was shown to be valid for the process in a mini scale pan coater (batch size: 3.5 kg cores), the aim of the present work was to prove the robustness of the model by transferring the results to tablets coated in a micro scale pan coater (0.5 kg).

Method

Coating experiments were performed in both, a mini scale and a micro scale pan coater. The model drug diprophylline was coated on placebo tablets. The multivariate model, established for the process in the mini scale pan coater, was applied to the Raman measurements of tablets coated in the micro scale coater for six different coating levels. Then, the amount of coating, which was predicted by the model, was compared with reference measurements using UV spectroscopy.

Results

For all six coating levels the predicted coating amount was equal to the amounts obtained by UV spectroscopy within the statistical error. Thus, it was possible to predict the total coating amount with an error smaller than 3.6%. The root mean squares of errors for calibration and prediction (root mean square of errors for calibration and prediction—RMSEC and RMSEP) were 0.335 mg and 0.392 mg, respectively, which means that the predictive power of the model is not dependent on the scale or the equipment.

Conclusion

The scale-down experiment showed that it was possible to transfer the PLS model developed on a mini scale coater to a micro scale coater.

Study of thermal behaviour of sugar esters

Sugar esters (SEs) are widely used in the pharmaceutical and food industries. They have a wide range of HLB values (1-16), and hence they can be applied as surfactants, or as solubility or penetration enhancers. SEs can be employed in hot-melt technology, because their melting points are low and they decompose only above 220 degrees C. The aims of this work were to study the thermal properties of SEs and to demonstrate differences between SEs with various HLB values. The results revealed that SEs with high or medium HLB values were vitrified by melting. Their glass transitions (T(g)) were determined by modulated differential scanning calorimetry. To visualize the changes in the samples during heating, hot-stage microscopy was used. Hydrophilic SEs were only softened, while lipophilic SEs were melted by heating. After melting and solidification, SEs have partially amorphous layered structures which slowly crystallize in time. Time-dependent solid-state changes (crystalline and amorphous phases) were observed, and analysed by means of differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray powder diffraction.

Metolose–PEG interaction as seen by positron annihilation spectroscopy

The plasticizing effects of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG 400) on methylcellulose (Metolose) cast films were studied by conventional physicochemical methods and positron annihilation spectroscopy. The PEG concentrations relative to the total polymer content were varied within the range 0-75% (w/w). At low concentrations (below 33.3%, w/w), the plasticizer was found to build in into the methylcellulose structure. On the other hand, at higher concentrations (above 50%, w/w), it formed small separate phases in the films. Positron annihilation spectroscopy (PALS) was applied to track the Metolose-PEG interaction. Controlled ageing of Metolose-PEG films at room temperature and at 75% RH revealed a significant difference between the ageing processes of the monophase and those of the separate phase films. The ageing involves two steps in both cases: a fast and a slow one. The PALS measurements demonstrated that the slow process is hindered in the phase-separated samples.

The effect of the solvent on the film-forming parameters of hydroxypropyl-cellulose

In pharmaceutical technology, film-forming agents are often applied in solution during the preparation of solid dosage forms. A wide range of polymers have already been examined, but many of the effects of the applied solvent on the properties of the film are still not fully known. The study of these phenomena might be of great help in the preparation of better films. In the present study, the frequently used polymer hydroxypropyl-cellulose was examined in water and ethanol. The latter solvent exhibits better wetting properties for this polymer. It was found that the use of ethanol enhanced the processibility because of the easier atomization and the shorter drying period. Properties characteristic of the chemical nature (wetting, surface free energy and thermal properties) and the physical behaviour (deformation process) of the poured films were studied. Relevant differences were detected only in the mechanical parameters. The sizes of the free volume holes in the differently prepared polymers were also determined, but this parameter proved irrelevant as concerns alterations of the breaking process. The explanation of the differences processibility of the films might be the different strengths of binding between the macromolecular chains. This phenomenon can also explain the different degrees of hydration of the polymer and the changes in the drying process.

Surface Treatment of Indomethacin Agglomerates with Eudragit

Indomethacin is a widely used anti-inflammatory drug with serious side-effects. This drug was used as a model drug for the coating of agglomerates with a permeable film (Eudragit NE). The agglomeration of the crystals increased the flowability of the bulk crystals. The coating further improved the flowability, and also the uniformity of the mass of the filled capsules. The coating film also influenced the wetting of the samples. The coating decreased the surface free energy and therefore reduced the adhesion forces between both the dry and the wet particles. The modification of the flow properties and the even capsule filling can be explained by this phenomenon. Since coating film does not dissolve in the artificial gastric juice, the dissolution test was performed only in the artificial intestinal juice. The dissolution of indomethacin from the coated sample was changed significantly. Accordingly, coating of the crystals can be performed in order to protect the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract or to promote the preparation of solid dosage form.

Film coating as a method to enhance the preparation of tablets from dimenhydrinate crystals

Crystals of dimenhydrinate as a model drug were used for crystal coating, a method that can be applied to increase the flowability of a material and facilitate the tablet making. An increase in particle size was observed during the film coating. The change in shape of the coated particles was also examined. Some physicochemical parameters changed during coating, e.g. the surface free energy parameters and the wetting of the samples. The amount of coating material (and therefore the coating time) influenced several parameters (the shape of the particles, the flow properties and surface free energy parameters, compressibility and compactibility). Several parameters of prepared tablet (porosity, breaking hardness) were examined. Accordingly, coating of the crystals can be performed in order to enhance the handling of a material with insufficient properties for tablet making.