Preparation of Curcuma comosa tablets using liquisolid techniques: In vitro and in vivo evaluation

Application of Machine-Learning Algorithms for Better Understanding the Properties of Liquisolid Systems Prepared with Three Mesoporous Silica Based Carriers

The processing of liquisolid systems (LSS), which are considered a promising approach to improving the oral bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs, has proven challenging due to the relatively high amount of liquid phase incorporated within them. The objective of this study was to apply machine-learning tools to better understand the effects of formulation factors and/or tableting process parameters on the flowability and compaction properties of LSS with silica-based mesoporous excipients as carriers. In addition, the results of the flowability testing and dynamic compaction analysis of liquisolid admixtures were used to build data sets and develop predictive multivariate models. In the regression analysis, six different algorithms were used to model the relationship between tensile strength (TS), the target variable, and eight other input variables. The AdaBoost algorithm provided the best-fit model for predicting TS (coefficient of determination = 0.94), with ejection stress (ES), compaction pressure, and carrier type being the parameters that influenced its performance the most. The same algorithm was best for classification (precision = 0.90), depending on the type of carrier used, with detachment stress, ES, and TS as variables affecting the performance of the model. Furthermore, the formulations with Neusilin® US2 were able to maintain good flowability and satisfactory values of TS despite having a higher liquid load compared to the other two carriers.

Formulation study of duloxetine hydrochloride enteric-coated tablets

During storage, duloxetine hydrochloride may have an unexpected cross reaction with enteric coated acrylic resin, which may affect the product quality. Solve the problem of cross-reaction between the Duloxetine enteric-coated tablets core and coated enteric materials and improve the quality of the products. Duloxetine enteric-coated tablets’ core formulation and isolation layer prescription were designed and compared with duloxetine enteric-coated tablets sold on the market. Then, we measured the dissolution rate, content, and releasing rate of prepared duloxetine enteric-coated tablets. In the formulation of tablets core, prescription 3 had advantages in particle mobility, disintegration time, and dissolution rate. Prescription 5 was stable during the coating process, and the dissolution residue in the cup was relatively good, showing obvious dissolution advantages. Thus, prescription 5 was selected as the isolation layer prescription. The most suitable adhesive for the preparation of Duloxetine hydrochloride enteric-coated tablets was povione K30 dissolved in ethanol solution with 1/2 of the prescription amount. When 1.3 g colloidal silica was added to the prescription and the dosage of magnesium stearate was 1.48 g, the dissolution rate of the drug could be relatively improved. The ratio of sucrose and talc was 138/8.7, which could effectively configure the coating solution with a solid content of 15–20% to make the coating smooth.

Formulation and In Vitro Evaluation of Mucoadhesive Sustained Release Gels of Phytoestrogen Diarylheptanoids from Curcuma comosa for Vaginal Delivery

Diarylheptanoids (DAs) characterized by a 1,7-diphenylheptane structural skeleton are considered a novel class of phytoestrogens. The DAs available in Curcuma comosa Roxb. (C. comosa) extract demonstrated significant estrogenic activities both in vitro and in vivo. This study aimed to develop and comprehensively evaluate a mucoadhesive vaginal gel for the sustained release of DAs. Different mucoadhesive polymers as gelling agents were investigated. C. comosa ethanolic crude extract was used as a source of DAs. All C. comosa gels were light brown homogeneous with pH within 4.4-4.6. Their flow behaviors were pseudoplastic with a flow behavior index of 0.18-0.38. The viscosity at a low shear rate varied from 6.2 to 335.4 Pa·s. Their mechanical and extrudability properties were associated well with rheological properties. Polycarbophil (PCP):hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) blends had a higher mucoadhesiveness to porcine vaginal mucosa than those of PCP-based or HPMC-based gels. All C. comosa gels exhibited a sustained, zero-order DA release pattern over 72 h. Korsmeyer and Peppas equation fitting indicated a non-Fickian, case II transport release mechanism. C. comosa gels had good physical and chemical stability under low-temperature storage for up to 12 months. PCP:HPMC-based mucoadhesive gels could be a proper delivery system for vaginal administration of DAs.

Preparation and Evaluation of Directly Compressible Orally Disintegrating Tablets of Cannabidiol Formulated Using Liquisolid Technique

This study demonstrated the implementation of a liquisolid technique to formulate directly compressible orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs). Cannabidiol (CBD), a hydrophobic cannabinoid, was prepared as a liquisolid powder using microcrystalline cellulose-colloidal silicon dioxide as a carrier-coating material. Different liquid vehicles differing in their volatility, hydrophilicity, and viscosity were investigated. Each of the CBD-ODTs comprised CBD liquisolid powder (10 mg CBD), superdisintegrant, flavors, lubricant, and filler. The physical mixture (PM) ODT was prepared as a control. Ethanol-based ODTs (CBD-EtOH-ODTs) had comparable tablet properties and stability to CBD-PM-ODTs. ODTs with nonvolatile-vehicle-based liquisolid powder had lower friability but longer disintegration times as compared with CBD-PM-ODTs and CBD-EtOH-ODTs. Compression pressure influenced the thickness, hardness, friability, and disintegration of the ODTs. With a suitable compression pressure to yield 31-N-hardness-ODTs and superdisintegrant (4-8%), CBD-ODTs passed the friability test and promptly disintegrated (≤25 s). Times to dissolve 50% of CBD-PM-ODTs, CBD-EtOH-ODTs, and nonvolatile-vehicle-based CBD-ODTs were 10.1 ± 0.7, 3.8 ± 0.2, and 4.2 ± 0.4-5.0 ± 0.1 min, respectively. CBD-EtOH-ODTs exhibited the highest dissolution efficiency of 93.5 ± 2.6%. Long-term and accelerated storage indicated excellent stability in terms of tablet properties and dissolution. Nonvolatile-vehicle-based CBD-ODTs exhibited a higher percentage of remaining CBD. This study provides useful basic information for the development of ODT formulations using a liquisolid technique application.

In Vitro Release, Mucosal Permeation and Deposition of Cannabidiol from Liquisolid Systems: The Influence of Liquid Vehicles

This work investigated the influence of liquid vehicles on the release, mucosal permeation and deposition of cannabidiol (CBD) from liquisolid systems. Various vehicles, including EtOH, nonvolatile low- and semi-polar solvents, and liquid surfactants, were investigated. The CBD solution was converted into free-flowing powder using carrier (microcrystalline cellulose) and coating materials (colloidal silica). A physical mixture of the CBD and carrier–coating materials was prepared as a control. The non-crystalline state of CBD in the liquisolid systems was confirmed using XRD, FTIR and SEM studies. The CBD liquisolid powder prepared with volatile and nonvolatile solvents had a better CBD release performance than the CBD formed as the surfactant-based and control powders. The liquisolid systems provided the CBD permeation flux through porcine esophageal mucosa ranging from 0.68 ± 0.11 to 13.68 ± 0.74 µg·cm⁻²·h⁻¹, with the CBD deposition levels of 0.74 ± 0.04 to 2.62 ± 0.30 μg/mg for the dry mucosa. Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether showed significant CBD permeation enhancement (2.1 folds) without an increase in mucosal deposition, while the surfactants retarded the permeation (6.7–9.0 folds) and deposition (1.5–3.2 folds) significantly. In conclusion, besides the drug release, liquid vehicles significantly influence mucosal permeation and deposition, either enhanced or suppressed, in liquisolid systems. Special attention must be paid to the selection and screening of suitable liquid vehicles for liquisolid systems designed for transmucosal applications.

Studies on Preformulation and Formulation of JIN-001 Liquisolid Tablet with Enhanced Solubility

This study aimed to develop a heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) inhibitor liquisolid tablet with improved solubility to overcome low bioavailability issues. As an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), JIN-001, a novel Hsp90 inhibitor, was reported to have substantial in vitro antiproliferative and in vivo antitumor activity; however, JIN-001 was a crystalline solid with very low solubility in an aqueous solution, and therefore, Capryol 90, which has excellent solubilization ability, was selected as an optimal liquid vehicle based on solubility studies. JIN-001 liquisolid (JLS) powder was successfully prepared by dissolving JIN-001 in Capryol 90 and mixing colloidal silicon dioxide (CSD) used as an oil adsorption agent. The prepared JLS was confirmed to be amorphous. Based on the result of the solubility test of JLS, compared to JIN-001, the solubility of the former was significantly improved in all solvents regardless of pH. JLS tablets were prepared through wet granulation using JIN-001 and stable excipients based on the compatibility test. The developed JLS tablet significantly increased the drug release rate in all tested solutions; however, the liquisolid method had no significant effect on bioavailability in the pharmacokinetics study in beagle dogs. In conclusion, the liquisolid system influenced the solubility and dissolution rate of JIN-001.

Liquisolid systems: Evaluation of the influence of formulation variables on the optimum liquid load

Liquisolid systems represent an emerging approach in the preparation of solid dosage forms with liquid lipophilic drug or poorly water-soluble drug solution/suspension in suitable liquid vehicle. This study addresses the lack of data regarding the compaction behavior of liquisolid systems, with the aim to investigate the influence of liquid load, carrier to coating ratio, carrier type (microcrystalline cellulose vs. spray dried calcium hydrogen phosphate, anhydrous (Fujicalin®)) on flowability and compaction properties of liquisolid systems and to determine the optimum liquid loads. Liquisolid admixtures with Fujicalin® showed notably better flowability than those with microcrystalline cellulose. An increase in carrier to coating ratio led to enhanced flowability of the admixtures. Compacts with Fujicalin® had good mechanical properties up to 24.7% liquid, while those with microcrystalline cellulose had acceptable mechanical strength up to 16.2% liquid. Liquisolid systems with Fujicalin® showed similar tabletability profiles as those with microcrystalline cellulose, despite having higher liquid content. The ejection stress values indicated that the addition of lubricant might be needed in the case of liquisolid systems with Fujicalin®. Superior properties of Fujicalin® as a carrier for liquisolid tablets were revealed, and dynamic compaction analysis was found to be a valuable tool for the assessment of compaction behavior of liquisolid systems.

Liquisolid systems as a novel approach in formulation and manufacturing of solid dosage forms: Challenges and perspectives

Liquisolid systems are a novel, promising platform for the production of solid dosage forms with a high liquid content, i.e. dispersion of the drug in a suitable, hydrophilic, non-volatile liquid vehicle or liquid drug. This technology requires conventional, but highly porous excipients (carrier and coating material in the appropriate ratio) able to absorb/adsorb liquid medication, resulting in both good flowability and acceptable compression properties. This approach has shown great potential to improve the dissolution rate and bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs, and has been recognized as a good alternative to common, more complex and expensive techniques. A variety of applications of this simple technique have been investigated recently, including the preparation of: modified release tablets, orally disintegrating tablets, solid dosage forms with liquid herbal extracts, etc. This emerging technology has numerous advantages, and the most important are: simplicity, cost-effectiveness, applicability in large scale production and environmental friendliness. However, it is accompanied by certain challenges as well, such as limited applicability in the case of highly dosed drugs. This article aims to give a comprehensive overview of recent progress regarding the potential applications of this technology, as well as to give an insight into the new liquisolid-based techniques intending to further support its commercial applicability.

Application of a liquisolid technique to cannabis sativa extract compacts: Effect of liquid vehicles on the dissolution enhancement and stability of cannabinoids

This work describes the application of liquisolid technique to enhance cannabinoid dissolution from Cannabis sativa L. (CS) compacts. Effects of five vehicles, namely, volatile (ethanol) and nonvolatile (caprylocaproyl macrogolglycerides, polyethylene glycol 400, oleoyl macrogolglycerides and polysorbate 20) liquids, on tablet properties, dissolution and stability were investigated. The viscid oleoresin CS extract was mixed with vehicles before being transformed into free-flowing powder by the use of microcrystalline cellulose and colloidal silica as carrier and coating materials. Liquid vehicles had a nonsignificant effect on liquid load factor of CS extract. CS liquisolid compacts had acceptable tableting properties in terms of weight variation, friability, hardness, content uniformity and disintegration time. Different vehicles affected the hardness, disintegration, and wettability of CS compacts and thus the dissolution behaviors of cannabinoids to different extents. Dissolutions of cannabinoids from CS compacts were rate-limited by the disintegration process. Liquisolid formulations using nonvolatile liquids with low polarity or high hydrophilic-lipophilic balance yielded more than 90% cannabinoid dissolution. Stability studies revealed nonsignificant changes in tablet characteristics, cannabinoid content and dissolutions of CS compacts when stored at 5 ± 3 °C for 3 months. This work presents a general concept of how to successfully formulate CS extract with cannabinoid dissolution enhancement characteristics.

Development of Duloxetine Hydrochloride Tablets for Delayed and Complete Release Using Eudragit L 100

The purpose of the research was to optimize the preparation of duloxetine hydrochloride (duloxetine HCl) delayed release tablets. Duloxetine HCl produces a toxic substance called alpha-naphthol when duloxetine HCl is in contact with gastric fluid. Thus, duloxetine HCl when given orally needed a protective enteric coating that disable the delivery of duloxetine HCl in gastric fluid while enabling the drug delivery only in small intestine. Four different core tablets were prepared by direct compression technique, and the one which displayed quick disintegration and dissolution was chosen for enteric coating. The compressed tablets were enteric coated by dip coating technique. Since subcoating is required to safeguard the enteric coating, the core tablets were subcoated by using polymer HPMC K15M and then enteric coated with Eudragit L 100. The prepared tablets were assessed for the entire precompression and postcompression characteristics. FTIR study revealed the existence of all prominent peaks signifying its compatibility and authenticity. The in vitro studies showed that enteric-coated tablets were capable of restricting release in acidic media. The formulation F8 was optimised with 5% and 15% increase in weight of seal coat and enteric coat with good dissolution profile. Stability studies revealed that the optimized formulation was intact without any deterioration for 3 months. In conclusion, the optimized formulation could resist the drug release in acidic environment of gastrointestinal region and release the drug at a time once the tablet reaches the intestine.

An Investigation into the Influence of Process Parameters and Formulation Variables on Compaction Properties of Liquisolid Systems

Liquisolid technology, as a promising approach for bioavailability enhancement, has received increasing attention in recent years. However, literature reports addressing the challenges for its industrial application, particularly those related to compaction behavior of liquisolid systems, are scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of process parameters and formulation variables on the flowability, wetting, and compaction properties of the liquisolid systems prepared in a fluid bed processor. The experiments with microcrystalline cellulose, as a carrier, were performed according to 2³ full factorial design. The effects of liquid content, spray air pressure, and liquid feed rate on the properties of liquisolid systems were investigated. Liquisolid admixtures with microcrystalline cellulose were compared with those prepared with novel carriers, Fujicalin^® and Neusilin^® US2. "Out-die" Heckel, modified Walker, and Kuentz-Leuenberger models were used to analyze the compressibility of liquisolid admixtures. The results obtained showed that an increase in liquid content (in the range of 10 to 15%) led to a decrease in flowability of liquisolid admixtures with microcrystalline cellulose, as well as more pronounced influence of spraying conditions. On the other hand, higher liquid content led to higher compressibility. Fujicalin^® and Neusilin^® US2 liquisolid admixtures were found to have superior flowability and compressibility in comparison with those with microcrystalline cellulose, despite the considerably higher liquid load (50-55% liquid content in Neusilin^® US2 compacts). Acceptable compactibility of the investigated liquisolid systems was observed. The fluid bed processor was shown to be suitable equipment for production of liquisolid systems, but with careful adjustment of process parameters.

Recent Strategic Developments in the Use of Superdisintegrants for Drug Delivery

Improving drug bioavailability in the pharmaceutical field is a challenge that has attracted substantial interest worldwide. The controlled release of a drug can be achieved with a variety of strategies and novel materials in the field. In addition to the vast development of innovative materials for improving therapeutic effects and reducing side effects, the exploration of remarkable existing materials could encourage the discovery of diverse approaches for adapted drug delivery systems. Recently, superdisintegrants have been proposed for drug delivery systems as alternative approaches to maximize the efficiency of therapy. Although superdisintegrants are well known and used in solid dosage forms, studies on strategies for the development of drug delivery systems using superdisintegrants are lacking. Therefore, this study reviews the use of superdisintegrants in controlled drug release dosage formulations. This overview of superdisintegrants covers developed strategies, types (including synthetic and natural materials), dosage forms and techniques and will help to improve drug delivery systems.

Cardioprotective Efficacy of Silymarin Liquisolid in Isoproterenol Prompted Myocardial Infarction in Rats

Myocardial infarction (MI) is the principal cause of death in many countries. Silymarin (SM) is a herbal antioxidant and can be efficiently used in preventing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The study is aimed to enhance the absorption rate and biological activity of SM by using liquisolids besides investigating the cardioprotective activity of SM and its selected liquisolid formula against isoproterenol prompted cardiotoxicity in rats. Eight formulae were prepared according to (2³) full-factorial design. The effect of viscosity increasing agent type and concentration, as well as the carrier/coat ratio on the dissolution rate and angle of repose were studied. All formulae were tested for content uniformity, micromeritic properties, dissolution performance besides the evaluation of its physicochemical properties, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Based on the factorial design outcomes, the highest desirability was obtained from F3 with excipient ratio value (R) of 20%, dissolution rate at Q_5 min of 26.9%, and angle of repose of 19. Oral administration of F3 liquisolid and SM revealed a significant protective efficacy against the modification of cardiac plasma markers, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), interleukin-10 (IL-10), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 besides cardiac superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and total protein kinase-1 (Akt-1) levels. Additionally, they minimized cardiac inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), microRNA-34a (miR-34a), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38-MAPK) levels. In conclusion, F3 liquisolid compact possessed an overall pronounced results over pure SM reckoned to its enhanced solubility and efficacy.

Premium ethylcellulose polymer based architectures at work in drug delivery

Premium ethylcellulose polymers are hydrophobic cellulose ether based biomaterials widely employed as biocompatible templates for the design of novel drug delivery systems. They are classified as United States Food and Drug Administration Generally-Recognized-As-Safe chemical substances and have been extensively utilized within the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries for over half a century. They have so far demonstrated the potential to modulate and improve the physiological performance of bioactives leading to the desired enhanced prophylactic and therapeutic outcomes. This review therefore presents a scholarly survey of inter-disciplinary developments focused on the functionalities of ethylcellulose polymers as biomaterials useful for the design of smart delivery architectures for relevant pharmacotherapeutic biomedical applications. Emphasis was placed on evaluating scientific resources related to recent advancements and future directions associated with its applications as delivery systems for drugs and biologics within the past decade thus complementing other specialized reviews showcasing the theme.

Engineering of solidified glyburide nanocrystals for tablet formulation via loading of carriers: downstream processing, characterization, and bioavailability

INTRODUCTION

Presenting poorly water-soluble drugs as nanoparticles has shown to be an effective technique in enhancing drug dissolution rate, intrinsic solubility, and thus oral bioavailability. Nevertheless, working with nanoparticles introduces many challenges, one of which is their physical instability. Formulating nanoparticles into a solid dosage form may overcome such challenges and thus unlock the potential benefits of nanosizing.

METHODS

The current work investigates the possibility of developing a novel solid dosage form, with enhanced dissolution rate, whereby nanocrystals (~400 nm) of the class II Biopharmaceutical Classification System drug, glyburide (GBD) were fabricated through combined precipitation and homogenization procedures. Using a novel, but scalable, spraying technique, GBD nanocrystals were loaded onto commonly used tablet fillers, water-soluble lactose monohydrate (LAC), and water insoluble microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). Conventional tableting processes were then used to convert the powders generated into a tablet dosage form.

RESULTS

Studies of redispersibility showed considerable preservation of size characteristics of GBD nanocrystals during downstream processing with redispersibility indices of 105 and 118 for GBD-LAC and GBD-MCC, respectively. Characterization by differential scanning calorimetry, powder X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy showed that the powders generated powders contained nanosized crystals of GBD which adhered to carrier surfaces. Powder flowability was characterized using Hausner ratio (HR) and Carr's index (CI). GBD-LAC-loaded particles exhibited poor flowability with CI and HR of 37.5% and 1.60, respectively, whilst GBD-MCC particles showed a slightly improved flowability with CI and HR of 26.47% and 1.36, respectively. The novel tablet dosage form met US Pharmacopeia specifications, including drug content, hardness, and friability.

CONCLUSION

Higher dissolution rates were observed from the nanocrystal-based tablets compared to the microsized and commercial drug formulations. Moreover, the novel nanocrystal tablet dosage forms showed enhanced in vivo performance with area under the plasma concentration- time curve in the first 24 hours values 1.97 and 2.24 times greater than that of marketed tablets.