Formulation parameters affecting the preparation and properties of microencapsulated ion-exchange resins containing theophylline

Preparation of Codeine-Resinate and Chlorpheniramine-Resinate Sustained-Release Suspension and its Pharmacokinetic Evaluation in Beagle Dogs

Using ion exchange resins (IERs) as carriers, a dual-drug sustained release suspension containing codeine, and chlorpheniramine had been prepared to elevate drug safety, effectiveness and conformance. The codeine resinate and chlorpheniramine resinate beads were prepared by a batch process and then impregnated with Polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG 4000), respectively. The PEG impregnated drug resinate beads were coated with ethylcellulose as the coating polymer and di-n-butyl-phthalate as plasticizer in ethanol and methylene chloride mixture by the Wurster process. The coated PEG impregnated drug resinate beads were dispersed in an aqueous suspending vehicle containing 0.5% w/w xanthan gum and 0.5% w/w of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose of nominal viscosity of 4000 cps, obtaining codeine resinate and chlorpheniramine resinate sustained-release suspension (CCSS). Codeine phosphate and chlorpheniramine maleate were respectively loaded onto AMBERLITE IRP 69, and PEG 4000 was used to impregnate drug resinate beads to maintain their geometry. Ethylcellulose with di-n-butyl-phthalate in ethanol and methylene chloride mixture for the coating of drug resinate beads was performed in Glatt fluidized bed coater, where the coating solution flow rate was 8-12 g/min, the inlet air temperature was 50-60 degrees C, the outlet air temperature was 32-38 degrees C, the atomizing air pressure was 2.0 bar and the fluidized air pressure was adjusted as required. Few significant agglomeration of circulating drug resinate beads was observed during the operation. The film weight gained 20% w/w and 15% w/w were suitable for the PEG impregnated codeine resinate and chlorpheniramine resinate beads, respectively. Residual solvent content increased with coating level, but inprocess drying could reduce residual solvent content. In the present study, the rates of drug release from both drug resinate beads were measured in 0.05 M and 0.5M KCl solutions. The increased ionic strength generally accelerated the release rate of both drugs. But the release of codeine from its resinate beads was much more rapid than chlorpheniramine released from its resinate beads in the same ionic strength release medium. The drug release specification of the CCSS, where release mediums were 0.05 M KCl solution for codeine and 0.5 M KCl solution for chlorpheniramine, was established to be in conformance with in vivo performance. Relative bioavailability and pharmacokinetics evaluation of the CCSS, using commercial immediate-release tablets as the reference preparation, were performed following a randomized two-way crossover design in beagle dogs. The drug concentrations in plasma were measured by a validated LC-MS/MS method to determine the pharmacokinetic parameters of CCSS. This LC-MS/MS method demonstrated high accuracy and precision for bioanalysis, and was proved quick and reliable for the pharmacokinetic studies. The results showed that the CCSS had the longer value of Tmax and the lower value of Cmax, which meant an obviously sustained release effect, and its relative bioavailability of codeine and chlorpheniramine were (103.6 +/- 14.6)% and (98.1 +/- 10.3)%, respectively, compared with the reference preparation. These findings indicated that a novel liquid sustained release suspension made by using IERs as carriers and subsequent fluidized bed coating might provide a constant plasma level of the active pharmaceutical ingredient being highly beneficial for various therapeutic reasons.

Preparation and control-release kinetics of isosorbide dinitrate microspheres

Microcapsules for sustained release of poorly soluble isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) were prepared based on ethylcellulose (EC) and/or blended with appropriate amounts of relatively hydrophilic hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) as matrix materials using the oil-in-oil emulsion evaporation method. The microspheres studied had three-mode sizes (100-150, 250-300 and 400-450 microm) and four polymer compositions (1, 0.833, 0.67 and 0.5 weight fraction EC). The microspheres were observed to contain essentially no drug crystalline domain and were of a porous morphology. The cumulative amounts of ISDN releasing from the microspheres as functions of mode fractions size and polymer compositions were measured in vitro. It was observed that the microspheres' size influenced the release behaviour of drug more obviously than the polymer composition. The smaller size and the higher hydrophilic HPC content show the faster release rate of drug and the smaller amount of drug residue. The kinetics of drug release depends on the size and polymer composition. The microspheres with 100-150 microm, of all polymer compositions, present one-stage diffusion kinetic with a lag period for drug release. On the other hand, the microspheres with the other two sizes exhibit two-stage diffusion kinetic with a lag period. According to the kinetic model, the microspheres obtained are surmised to have a core-shell like drug concentration distribution and/or a core-shell morphology.

Application of gold nanoparticles to microencapsulation of thioridazine

Thioridazine-containing ethyl cellulose (EC) microcapsules were prepared in the presence of gold nanoparticles via the W/O/W emulsification solvent-evaporation method. The gold nanoparticles have been verified as human safe and the nondestructive physisorption of thioridazine on gold nanoparticles was corroborated with the time-of-flight second ion mass spectrometry measurements. The morphology of the formed microcapsules (ETA, containing EC, Thioridazine and Au) changed substantially because of the presence of gold nanoparticles. In addition to a prolonged controlled release, these ETA microcapsules had an enhanced thioridazine encapsulation with an efficiency over one and half times that of the microcapsules (ET) containing no nanogold particles. While data of the release kinetics for ET microcapsules fitted the apparent first-order model, corresponding data for ETA microcapsules agreed better with the Higuchi model indicating a uniform distribution of thioridazine in the monolithic-type microcapsules.

Drug release from complexes with a series of poly(carboxyalkyl methacrylates), a new class of weak polyelectrolytes

Carboxyalkyl methacrylates, a new class of non-cross-linked, hydrophobic weak polyelectrolytes, were synthesized, and then bound to cationic drugs (propranolol.HCl, diltiazem.HCl and verapamil.HCl) to form water-insoluble complexes that release the bound drug only in ionic media (pH 7.4). Compressed tablets were prepared from these cation exchange polyelectrolytes. Release profiles followed zero order kinetics (n>0.90; n is the release exponent). As the hydrophobicity of the polyelectrolytes increased, the rate of release decreased and deviated from linearity (n=0.7). Both the ionic strength of the medium as well as the solubility of the drug affected the rate of release. In acidic media (pH 1.2) a burst of drug was released but the release was halted by a layer of non-ionized polymer precipitated on the surface of the tablets. The results indicate that it is possible to "tailor-make" the release kinetics by using a polyelectrolyte from the series with the suitable hydrophobicity.

Ion-exchange resins: carrying drug delivery forward

Ion-exchange resins (IER), or ionic polymer networks, have received considerable attention from pharmaceutical scientists because of their versatile properties as drug-delivery vehicles. In the past few years, IER have been extensively studied in the development of novel drug-delivery systems (DDSs) and other biomedical applications. Some of the DDSs containing IER have been introduced into the market. In this review, the applications of IER in drug delivery research are discussed.

Development of controlled release formulations of alachlor in ethylcellulose

The herbicide alachlor (2-chloro-N-(2,6-diethylphenyl)-N-(methoxymethyl)-acetamide) is frequently implicated in groundwater contamination. Microencapsulated alachlor should have reduced potential for leaching in the soil while maintaining effective biological activity. Microspheres of alachlor were prepared using ethylcellulose, according to the solvent evaporation method. The influence of formulation variables affecting the release rate of pesticide, such as the molecular weight of ethylcellulose, the amount of emulsifying agent, the pesticide/polymer ratio and the particle size, were investigated. The results showed that microspheres retarded the release of alachlor in different degrees. Pesticide/polymer ratio and particle size were the more important factors determining the alachlor release. Ethylcellulose microspheres may prove useful for the prolonged release of alachlor.

Bimodal release of theophylline from "seed-matrix" beads made of acrylic polymers

The purpose of this research was to design a "seed-matrix" structure for an in vitro bimodal theophylline release profile and to investigate the mechanism and kinetics of drug release as well as the influence of various factors on the properties of the theophylline-containing microspheres. "Seed" microspheres with high theophylline content were prepared from Eudragit L100 and Eudragit S100, copolymers of methyl methacrylate and methacrylic acid, by the solvent removal process. The seed-matrix beads were subsequently prepared by incorporation of the seed microspheres into Eudragit RL100, a copolymer of acrylic and methacrylic acid esters with a low content of quaternary ammonium group. Increasing the size of encapsulated drug particles and the rate of agitation during the preparation, or decreasing the amount of surfactants led to an increase in the size of the microspheres produced. Scanning electron microscopy revealed porous morphology of the microspheres. The release rate of theophylline was enhanced as the content of methacrylic acid in the copolymer increased and the size of the microspheres decreased. The kinetics of drug release from the microspheres was controlled by swelling at the early stage and by diffusion in the later stage. The drug was released from the matrix of the seed-matrix beads at pH 1.2 and from both the matrix and the seeds at pH 6.8. A bimodal release profile of theophylline was obtained from the seed-matrix beads made of acrylic polymers.

Development and in-vitro evaluation of sustained-release meclofenamic acid microspheres

Meclofenamic acid (MFA) sustained-release microspheres were prepared by the solvent evaporation method using cellulose propionate (CP) polymer and acetone as the polymer solvent. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) was used as a channelling agent to improve the release properties of MFA at 1:2:1 drug to polymer to PEG ratio. The microspheres prepared at three different speeds (600, 800 and 1000 rpm) were characterized with regard to their surface morphology, average drug content, particle size distribution and release profiles in phosphate buffer, pH 8.0 at 37 degrees C. The microspheres were stored under accelerated conditions for 3 months and the effect of storage on the different characteristics was studied. Spherical particles with essentially smooth surface and few residual drug crystals on the surface were formed. Smaller particles were formed at higher agitation speeds. The release rate of MFA from these microspheres was not affected by the molecular weight of CP polymer. PEG 2000 was found to have a more enhancing effect on the rate of the release than PEG 4000. The physical properties of the microspheres and their release characteristics were not altered by storing the product at 40 degrees C/80% relative humidity (R.H.) for 3 months.

Solvent and plasticizer influences on ethylcellulose-microcapsules

Variations in microencapsulation processes give rise to different products and it seems there are no firm rules. It is thus difficult to know what kind of product will be obtained before the research is carried out. Changes in temperature, rate, time and type of stirring can cause great modifications in the system, most of which are responsible for variations in standard techniques. In our study, we investigate the solvent influence on ethylcellulose (EC) microcapsule formation. We have selected four different solvents: ethanol as an aqueous solvent and acetone, chloroform and toluene as organic solvents. Diclofenac sodium (DFNa), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, has been used as an encapsulated substance as it is inactivated in the gastric juices. This polymer and microencapsulation process was selected after an exhaustive study with different polymers and processes. Once the solvent influence was determined, ethylphthalate was incorporated in one type of microcapsule in order to study the influence of this plasticizer on drug release by the modification of film-permeability.

Preparation and in-vitro evaluation of sustained-release metoclopramide hydrochloride microspheres

Sustained-release metoclopramide microspheres were successfully prepared using cellulose propionate polymer at 1:2 drug to polymer ratio employing solvent evaporation technique and using acetone as the polymer solvent. The prepared microspheres at three stirring speeds were characterized with regard to their drug content, particle size distribution, surface topography using SEM and their release profiles at two different pHs at 37 degrees C. The surface of all samples was smooth with very few irregular elevations or depressions. The average particle size decreases as the rotational speed increases and was found to be 1320, 774 and 345 microns at 600, 900 and 1200 rpm, respectively. The average % drug entrapped was found to be 90.5, 100.1 and 60.0% at 600, 900 and 1200 rpm, respectively. Small differences in the release rate were observed due to different rotation speeds with an apparent lower dissolution for batches produced at 1200 rpm probably due to the properties of the coat. The effect of storage under accelerated conditions for 10 weeks on the release characteristics of these microspheres was also studied. The release properties of the microspheres did not change after storing them at 40 degrees C/80% relative humidity for 10 weeks.

Application of curdlan to controlled drug delivery. I. The preparation and evaluation of theophylline-containing curdlan tablets

To study the use of curdlan, a natural beta-1,3-glucan, in drug delivery, in vitro release studies were carried out with curdlan tablets containing theophylline. Tablets were readily prepared by compressing three different curdlan and theophylline mixtures, namely, a physical mixture, spray-dried curdlan particles with theophylline powder, and spray-dried particles of curdlan/theophylline solution. Drug release from the tablets prepared from spray-dried particles of curdlan/theophylline was lowest. The release rate was constant from 1 to 8 hr, and 59% cumulative release was obtained at 8 hr. Drug release from curdlan tablets was unaffected by pH or various ions; these curdlan tablets might also control drug release in vivo after oral administration. Application of Higuchi's equation indicated that drug release from curdlan tablets was diffusion-controlled. The release profiles of the curdlan tablets were compared to those of a commercial theophylline sustained-release tablet.