Preparation and evaluation of enteric-coated delayed-release pellets of duloxetine hydrochloride using a fluidized bed coater

Orally Deliverable Dual-Targeted Pellets for the Synergistic Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis

Purpose

The effective treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) poses substantial challenges, and the aetiopathogenesis of UC is closely related to infectious, immunological and environmental factors. Currently, there is a considerable need for the development of orally bioavailable dosage forms that enable the effective delivery of therapeutic drugs to local diseased lesions in the gastrointestinal tract.

Methods

Berberine (BBR) and Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz (AM) volatile oil, derived from the Chinese herbs Coptis chinensis Franch and Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz, have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. In this study, we prepared colon-targeted pellets loaded with BBR and stomach-targeted pellets loaded with AM volatile oil for the synergistic treatment of UC. The Box-Behnken design and β-cyclodextrin inclusion technique were used to optimize the enteric coating formula and prepare volatile oil inclusion compounds.

Results

The two types of pellets were spherical and had satisfactory physical properties. The pharmacokinetic results showed that the AUC and MRT values of the dual-targeted (DPs) pellets were higher than those of the control pellets. In addition, in vivo animal imaging confirmed that the DPs could effectively deliver BBR to the colon. Moreover, compared with sulfasalazine and monotherapy, DPs exerted a more significant anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the expression of inflammatory factors including IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, TNF-α and MPO both in serum and tissues and enhancing immunity by decreasing the production of IgA and IgG.

Conclusion

The DPs play a synergistic anti-UC effect by exerting systemic and local anti-inflammatory and provide an effective oral targeted preparation for the treatment of UC.

Impact of cyclodextrin derivatives on systemic release of duloxetine HCl via buccal route

Aim: The aim of this work was to develop buccoadhesive tablets for the systemic delivery of duloxetine HCl (DXT) using more soluble derivatives of β-cyclodextrin, i.e. hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) and sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin (SBEβCD) and to investigate enhanced cellular uptake of inclusion complexed drug.Materials and methods: Freeze dried and spray dried complexes of both cyclodextrin derivatives with DXT (1:1 molar) were prepared and characterized with DSC, FTIR, and PXRD techniques. C971 and PC, on the basis of swelling behavior, erosion and in vitro residence time, were selected for further study at different levels (-1, 0, +1) to optimize the formulation in terms of enhanced drug release and ex vivo permeation.Results: SBEβCD based complexes show more aqueous solubility of DXT (0.782 and 0.958 mM) and more complexation efficiency compared to HPβCD at 25 °C and 37 °C, respectively. Apparent stability constant was reported to be higher (1109.94 and 1693.25 M^-1) for DXT-SBEβCD at 25 °C and 37 °C, respectively, than the corresponding values for DXT-HPβCD systems. Enhanced cellular uptake using fibroblast cells was revealed for complexed drug compared to free drug .Conclusion: Both cyclodextrin derivatives are able to enhance drug release and permeation in vitro and ex vivo.

Novel Controlled Release Polymer-Lipid Formulations Processed by Hot Melt Extrusion

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of novel polymer/lipid formulations on the dissolution rates of the water insoluble indomethacin (INM), co-processed by hot melt extrusion (HME). Formulations consisted of the hydrophilic hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose polymer (HPMCAS) and stearoyl macrogol-32 glycerides-Gelucire 50/13 (GLC) were processed with a twin screw extruder to produce solid dispersions. The extrudates characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and hot stage microscopy (HSM) indicated the presence of amorphous INM within the polymer/lipid matrices. In-line monitoring via near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy revealed significant peak shifts indicating possible interactions and H-bonding formation between the drug and the polymer/lipid carriers. Furthermore, in vitro dissolution studies showed a synergistic effect of the polymer/lipid carrier with 2-h lag time in acidic media followed by enhanced INM dissolution rates at pH > 5.5.

Analysis of steady state and non-steady state corneal permeation of diclofenac

The present study was undertaken for characterization of the steady state and non steady state corneal permeation kinetics of diclofenac potassium (DCP) using statistical moment theory.