Monolayered multipolymeric buccal films with drug and polymers of opposing solubilities for ARV therapy: Physico-mechanical evaluation and molecular mechanics modelling

Effects of Sucrose Palmitate on the Physico-Chemical and Mucoadhesive Properties of Buccal Films

In our current research, sucrose palmitate (SP) was applied as a possible permeation enhancer for buccal use. This route of administration is a novelty as there is no literature on the use of SP in buccal mucoadhesive films. Films containing SP were prepared at different temperatures, with different concentrations of SP and different lengths of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) chains. The mechanical, structural, and in vitro mucoadhesive properties of films containing SP were investigated. Tensile strength and mucoadhesive force were measured with a device and software developed in our Institute. Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) and X-ray powder diffractometry (XRPD) were applied for the structure analysis of the films. Mucoadhesive work was calculated in two ways: from the measured contact angle and compared with direct mucoadhesive work, which measured mucoadhesive force, which is direct mucoadhesion work. These results correlate linearly with a correlation coefficient of 0.98. It is also novel because it is a new method for the determination of mucoadhesive work.

Hypromellose - A traditional pharmaceutical excipient with modern applications in oral and oromucosal drug delivery

Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), also known as Hypromellose, is a traditional pharmaceutical excipient widely exploited in oral sustained drug release matrix systems. The choice of numerous viscosity grades and molecular weights available from different manufacturers provides a great variability in its physical-chemical properties and is a basis for its broad successful application in pharmaceutical research, development, and manufacturing. The excellent mucoadhesive properties of HPMC predetermine its use in oromucosal delivery systems including mucoadhesive tablets and films. HPMC also possesses desirable properties for formulating amorphous solid dispersions increasing the oral bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs. Printability and electrospinnability of HPMC are promising features for its application in 3D printed drug products and nanofiber-based drug delivery systems. Nanoparticle-based formulations are extensively explored as antigen and protein carriers for the formulation of oral vaccines, and oral delivery of biologicals including insulin, respectively. HPMC, being a traditional pharmaceutical excipient, has an irreplaceable role in the development of new pharmaceutical technologies, and new drug products leading to continuous manufacturing processes, and personalized medicine. This review firstly provides information on the physical-chemical properties of HPMC and a comprehensive overview of its application in traditional oral drug formulations. Secondly, this review focuses on the application of HPMC in modern pharmaceutical technologies including spray drying, hot-melt extrusion, 3D printing, nanoprecipitation and electrospinning leading to the formulation of printlets, nanoparticle-, microparticle-, and nanofiber-based delivery systems for oral and oromucosal application. Hypromellose is an excellent excipient for formulation of classical dosage forms and advanced drug delivery systems. New methods of hypromellose processing include spray draying, hot-melt extrusion, 3D printing, and electrospinning.

In silico analytico-mathematical interpretation of biopolymeric assemblies: Quantification of energy surfaces and molecular attributes via atomistic simulations

Static-lattice atomistic simulations, in vacuum and solvent phase, have been recently employed to quantify the "in vitro-in vivo-in silico" performance-correlation profile of various drug delivery systems and biomaterial scaffolds. The reactional profile of biopolymers was elucidated by exploring the spatial disposition of the molecular components with respect to the formulation conditions and the final release medium. This manuscript provides a brief overview of recently completed and published studies related to molecular tectonics of: (a) the nanoformation and solvation properties of the surfactant-emulsified polymeric systems; (b) the formation and chemistry of polyelectrolyte complexes; (c) the effect of a plasticizer and/or drug on the physicomechanical properties of biomedical archetypes; (d) the molecular modeling templates to predict stimuli- and environmentally esponsive systems; and (e) the polymer-mucopeptide complexes and intermacromolecular networks. Furthermore, this report provides a detailed account of the role of molecular mechanics energy relationships toward the interpretation and understanding of the mechanisms that control the formation, fabrication, selection, design, performance, complexation, interaction, stereospecificity, and preference of various biopolymeric systems for biomedical applications.

Synthesis, Comparison, and Optimization of a Humic Acid-Quat10 Polyelectrolyte Complex by Complexation-Precipitation versus Extrusion-Spheronization

A novel humic acid and polyquaternium-10 polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) was synthesized utilizing two methods and the solubility and permeability of efavirenz (EFV) were established. Complexation-precipitation and extrusion-spheronization were used to synthesize and compare the drug-loaded PECs. The chemical integrity, thermo-mechanical differences, and morphology between the drug-loaded PECs produced by the two methods were assessed by attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared, differential scanning calorimetry, and SEM. The extent of drug solubilization was determined using the saturation solubility test while the biocompatibility of both PECs was confirmed by cytotoxicity studies on human adenocarcinoma cells (caco2). Bio-relevant media was used for the solubility and permeability analysis of the optimized PEC formulations for accurate assessment of formulation performance. Ritonavir (RTV) was loaded into the optimized formulation to further corroborate the impact of the PEC on the solubility and permeability properties of a poorly soluble and poorly permeable drug. The optimized EFV-loaded PEC and the RTV-loaded PEC exhibited 14.16 ± 2.81% and 4.39 ± 0.57% increase in solubility, respectively. Both PECs were compared to currently marketed formulations. Intestinal permeation results revealed an enhancement of 61.24 ± 6.92% for EFV and 38.78 ± 0.50% for RTV. Although both fabrication methods produced PECs that enhanced the solubility and permeability of the model Biopharmaceutics Classification System Class II and IV drugs, extrusion-spheronization was selected as most optimal based on the higher solubility and permeability improvement and the impact on caco2 cell viability.

Bioadhesive Drug Delivery System for Enhancing the Permeability of a BCS Class III Drug via Hot-Melt Extrusion Technology

As the buccal route of administration has the ability to avoid the GI tract and first-pass effect by directing the absorption toward the cheek area, the bioavailability of BCS class III drugs can be increased through this route. Only a handful of studies have been conducted using oleic acid as a permeation enhancer in any transbuccal drug delivery system. Therefore, the objectives of this novel study were to develop a buccal tablet using two concentrations of oleic acid for a model BCS class III drug via hot-melt extrusion technology and to investigate the effects of oleic acid on the physicochemical properties of the tablet. The model drug selected was ondansetron hydrochloride. Formulations consisting of polymers (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and polyethylene oxide) and two concentrations of oleic acid were prepared by hot-melt extrusion techniques. A melting point depression of the drug was obtained in the extruded granules as seen by the DSC thermograms. The ex vivo permeation studies showed a greater permeation of the drug in the formulation containing 10% oleic acid (F2) as compared to the formulation containing 20% oleic acid (F1), although not statistically significant. The in vitro bioadhesion studies, swelling studies, and surface pH measurements of the tablets were also conducted. In conclusion, permeation studies exhibited the potential of oleic acid as a buccal permeation enhancer as a significant permeation of the drug was obtained in the formulations. Hot-melt extrusion technology was successfully employed to formulate buccal tablets of ondansetron hydrochloride.

Development and characterization of mucoadhesive buccal gels containing lipid nanoparticles of ibuprofen

The lipid nanoparticles, namely Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLC), as drug delivery systems have been investigated for several years. One of the delivery routes for which these carriers can be applied is buccal administration. However, the liquid dispersions of lipid nanoparticles can be rapidly removed from oral cavity by saliva. Thus, the development of a system that allows increased retention time on the mucosa is necessary. For this reason, the development of mucoadhesive preparations for buccal administration of lipid nanoparticles becomes important. Hydrogels prepared with mucoadhesive polymers (Carbopol^® 980 and polycarbophil) constitute a promising option. The aim of this work was to develop mucoadhesive buccal hydrogels with NLC, using ibuprofen as a model drug. The obtained results showed that the developed NLC dispersions presented particles in the nanometric size range, with low polydispersity index values and efficient ability for the entrapment of the model drug. Moreover, the incorporation of NLC in hydrogels of mucoadhesive polymers resulted in preparations with desirable rheological features as well as texture (firmness and adhesiveness) and mucoadhesive properties, which could benefit the therapeutic efficacy, by increasing the residence time and easiness for topical application in the buccal mucosa. Additionally, the developed preparations exhibited sustained drug release as intended for these systems.

Nanoemulgel using a bicephalous heterolipid as a novel approach to enhance transdermal permeation of tenofovir

Improvements in permeation enhancement strategies, such as nanoemulsions (NEs) and nanoemulgels (NEGs), have led to a renewed interest in transdermal drug delivery (TDD). This study aimed to investigate the potential of LLA1E, a novel dendritic permeation enhancer, as an oily phase in the development of a NEG for the TDD of tenofovir (TNF). TNF loaded NEs (TNEs) were prepared and analysed for mean globule diameter (MGD), polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP) and morphology. NEGs of the TNEs (TNEGs) were prepared and evaluated for ex vivo transdermal permeation efficacy. The skin integrity before and after the experiments was assessed using histology and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). TNEs had a MGD of 129.06±3.35nm, a PDI of 0.192±0.038 and a ZP of 20.9±2.02mV, with an incorporation efficiency of 91.94±0.84%. There was no significant change is these properties after incorporating the TNEs into the hydrogel, as MGD, PDI and ZP of TNEGs were found to be 136.13±5.21nm, 0.182±0.020 and -20.9±2.08mV respectively. Ex vivo permeation studies showed that the TNEG significantly enhanced the TNF permeation by 39.65-fold, with a cumulative amount of 1866.54±108.62μgcm^-2. Histological and TEER assessments showed no permanent effects on the skin by TNEG, indicating that this novel TNEG nanosystem has the potential to translate into clinical trials as treatment alternatives for HIV/AIDs patients.

Preparation and characterization of lidocaine rice gel for oral application

The objective of the present study was to prepare buccal anesthetic gels using rice as gelling agent. Rice grains of four rice varieties, Jasmine (JM), Saohai (SH), Homnil (HN), and Doisket (DS) were chemically modified. Buccal rice gels, containing lidocaine hydrochloride as local anesthetic drug were formulated using the respective modified rice varieties. The gels were evaluated for outer appearance, pH, color, gel strength, foaming property, adhesion, in vitro drug release and in vivo efficacy. It was found that the developed rice gels possessed good texture. Rice varieties showed influence on gel strength, color, turbidity, adhesive property, release property, and anesthetic efficacy. JM gel showed the lowest turbidity with light transmission of 86.76 ± 1.18% whereas SH gel showed the highest gel strength of 208.78 ± 10.42 g/cm(2). Lidocaine hydrochloride can cause a decrease in pH and adhesive property but an increase in turbidity of the gels. In vitro drug release profile within 60 min of lidocaine SH gel and lidocaine HN gel showed that lidocaine could be better released from SH gel. Evaluation of in vivo anesthetic efficacy in 100 normal volunteers indicates that both lidocaine rice gels have high efficacy but different levels. Lidocaine SH gel possesses faster onset of duration and longer duration of action than lidocaine HN gel.

Novel dendritic derivatives of unsaturated fatty acids as promising transdermal permeation enhancers for tenofovir

Novel dendritic ester derivatives of unsaturated fatty acids as potential transdermal permeation enhancers.

Buccal films of prednisolone with enhanced bioavailability

The conventional formulation of prednisolone is considered to be low in efficacy, primarily on account of their failure in providing and maintaining effective therapeutic drug levels. This study aims to focus on development of a mucoadhesive buccal delivery system with a twofold objective of offering a rapid as well as a prolonged delivery of prednisolone coupled with enhanced therapeutic efficacy. Buccoadhesive films of prednisolone were prepared by solvent-casting method using hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose (K100), Carbopol 940 and/or Eudragit NE 40 D. Placebo films possessing the most desirable physicomechanical properties were selected for drug loading. The effect of polymer and its content on film properties, i.e. mucoadhesive strength, swelling and hydration, in vitro drug release was studied. Based on these studies, film F7D was selected for ex vivo permeation across porcine cheek mucosa. The steady state flux of prednisolone across the buccal mucosa was found to be 105.33 ± 32.07 µg/cm(2)/h. A comparative pharmacokinetic study of prepared film (F7D) and oral suspension of prednisolone was conducted. In vivo data of buccal film show greater bioavailability (AUC0-α: 24.26 ± 4.06 µg.h/ml versus 10.65 ± 2.15 µg.h/ml) and higher Cmax (2.70 ± 0.38 µg/ml versus 2.29 ± 0.32 µg/ml) value when compared to oral suspension. The data observed from this study highlight the feasibility of the buccal route as a viable option for delivery of prednisolone.