Release mechanisms of a sparingly water-soluble drug from controlled porosity-osmotic pump pellets using sulfobutylether-beta-cyclodextrin as both a solubilizing and osmotic agent

Preparation and in vitro/in vivo evaluation of azilsartan osmotic pump tablets based on the preformulation investigation

The objective of this study was to design and evaluate azilsartan osmotic pump tablets. Preformulation properties of azilsartan were investigated for formulation design. Azilsartan osmotic pump tablets were prepared by incorporation of drug in the core and subsequent coating with cellulose acetate and polyethylene glycol 4000 as semi-permeable membrane, then drilled an orifice at the center of one side. The influence of different cores, compositions of semipermeable membrane and orifice diameter on azilsartan release were evaluated. The formulation of core tablet was optimized by orthogonal design and the release profiles of various formulations were evaluated by similarity factor (f₂). The optimal formulation achieved to deliver azilsartan at an approximate zero-order up to 14 h. The pharmacokinetic study was performed in beagle dogs. The azilsartan osmotic pump tablets exhibited less fluctuation in blood concentration and higher bioavailability compared to immediate-release tablets. Moreover, there was a good correlation between the in vitro dissolution and in vivo absorption of the tablets. In summary, azilsartan osmotic pump tablets presented controlled release in vitro, high bioavailability in vivo and a good in vitro-in vivo correlation.

Cyclodextrin complexes: Perspective from drug delivery and formulation

Cyclodextrins (CDs) have been widely investigated as a unique pharmaceutical excipient for past few decades and is still explored for new applications. They are highly versatile oligosaccharides which possess multifunctional characteristics, and are mainly used to improve the physicochemical stability, solubility, dissolution rate, and bioavailability of drugs. Stability constant, factors affecting complexation, techniques to enhance complexation efficiency, the preparation methods for molecular inclusion complexes and release of guest molecules are discussed in brief. In addition, different CD derivatives and their pharmacokinetics are elaborated. Further, the significance of CD complex in aqueous solubility, dissolution and bioavailability, stability, and taste masking is explained. The recent advancement of CDs in developing various drug delivery systems is enlightened. Indeed, the potential of CDs by means of inclusion complex formation have widen the applicability of these materials in various drug delivery systems including ocular, osmotic, mucoadhesive, transdermal, nasal, and targeted delivery systems. Feasibility studies have been performed on the benefit of these cyclic oligomers as nanocarriers, a strategy that can modify the drugs with improved physicochemical properties. Studies also demonstrated the feasibility of CDs to self-assemble in the form of stable nanoaggregates, which may extend the scope of CDs in drug delivery to the continually expanding list of new drug entities.

Pharmaceutical Applications of Cellulose Ethers and Cellulose Ether Esters

Cellulose ethers have proven to be highly useful natural-based polymers, finding application in areas including food, personal care products, oil field chemicals, construction, paper, adhesives, and textiles. They have particular value in pharmaceutical applications due to characteristics including high glass transition temperatures, high chemical and photochemical stability, solubility, limited crystallinity, hydrogen bonding capability, and low toxicity. With regard to toxicity, cellulose ethers have essentially no ability to permeate through gastrointestinal enterocytes and many are already in formulations approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. We review pharmaceutical applications of these valuable polymers from a structure-property-function perspective, discussing each important commercial cellulose ether class; carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, and ethyl cellulose, and cellulose ether esters including hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose acetate succinate and carboxymethyl cellulose acetate butyrate. We also summarize their syntheses, basic material properties, and key pharmaceutical applications.

Bilayer matrix tablets for prolonged actions of metformin hydrochloride and repaglinide

A combination therapy of metformin hydrochloride (MH) and repaglinide (RG) achieves a perfect glycemic control; however, the combination formulation of immediate release must be taken several times a day, compromising the therapeutic benefits and causing inconveniences to the patients. Herein, a bilayer matrix tablet that aimed at continuously releasing both MH and RG over time was developed, in which the two drugs were formulated into two separated layers. The tablets were prepared by wet granulation method, and the optimized formulation was obtained by evaluating the factors that affected the drug release. The bilayer tablets simultaneously released the two drugs over 12 h; and a better in vivo performance with a steady plasma concentration, markedly lower Cmax, prolonged Tmax, and perfect absorption was obtained. Summarily, the bilayer matrix tablets sustained both MH and RG release over time, thereby prolonging the actions for diabetic therapy and producing better health outcomes.

In vitro, ex vivo and in silico mechanistic elucidation of the performance of an optimized porosity-controlled multi-elemental transbuccal system

PURPOSE

To elucidate the mechanisms of construction and performance of a porosity controlled, multi-elemental transbuccal system employing experimental and computational approaches.

METHODS

The production of the formulation was guided through a Box-Benkhen design employing homogenization coupled with lyophilization. The physicochemical and physicomechanical properties of the experimental design formulations were quantified with relevant analytical techniques. The influence of changes in porosity measures on the magnitude of these physical properties were explored mathematically. Furthermore, experimental outputs from the Box-Behnken design formulations were fitted into set limits and optimized using the response surface method. The optimized porosity-controlled formulation was subjected to mechanistic experimental and computational elucidations.

RESULTS

In general, the changes in magnitudes of studied porosity quantities had significant impact on formulation physicochemical and physicomechanical properties. The generation of an optimized formulation validated the stability and accuracy of the Box-Behnken experimental design. Experimental investigations revealed that the construction of this formulation is as a result of non-destructive physical interactions amongst its make-up compounds while its mechanism of performance is anchored mainly upon a gradual collapse of its ordered porous structure. Furthermore, the molecule mechanics simulations quantitatively predicted the molecular interactions inherent to multicomponent matrix formation and the mucoadhesion mechanism.

CONCLUSIONS

The fabrication and performance mechanisms of the porosity-controlled transbuccal system was successfully explored.

Advanced technologies for oral controlled release: cyclodextrins for oral controlled release

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are used in oral pharmaceutical formulations, by means of inclusion complexes formation, with the following advantages for the drugs: (1) solubility, dissolution rate, stability, and bioavailability enhancement; (2) to modify the drug release site and/or time profile; and (3) to reduce or prevent gastrointestinal side effects and unpleasant smell or taste, to prevent drug-drug or drug-additive interactions, or even to convert oil and liquid drugs into microcrystalline or amorphous powders. A more recent trend focuses on the use of CDs as nanocarriers, a strategy that aims to design versatile delivery systems that can encapsulate drugs with better physicochemical properties for oral delivery. Thus, the aim of this work was to review the applications of the CDs and their hydrophilic derivatives on the solubility enhancement of poorly water-soluble drugs in order to increase their dissolution rate and get immediate release, as well as their ability to control (to prolong or to delay) the release of drugs from solid dosage forms, either as complexes with the hydrophilic (e.g., as osmotic pumps) and/or hydrophobic CDs. New controlled delivery systems based on nanotechnology carriers (nanoparticles and conjugates) have also been reviewed.