Solidification of carvedilol loaded SMEDDS by swirling fluidized bed pellet coating

The effect of polymeric binder type and concentration on flow and dissolution properties of SMEDDS loaded mesoporous silica-based granules

Self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems (SMEDDS) are lipid-based formulations, designed to improve the solubility of poorly-water soluble drugs. Mesoporous silica is frequently used for SMEDDS solidification by various techniques. One of them is wet granulation, which enables achieving both high SMEDDS load and good flow properties. This study investigated the effect of six polymeric binders' addition to granulation dispersion (GD) (povidone K30, povidone K90, copovidone, Pharmacoat® 603, Pharmacoat® 615 and Methocel™ K100 Premium LV) on characteristics of produced SMEDDS granules, prepared by wet granulation. By incorporation of polymer in GD, it was possible to produce mesoporous silica-based free-flowing granules, with preserved self-microemulsifying properties, responsible for improved in vitro release of carvedilol. The incorporation of higher molecular weight binders resulted in slower in vitro release, while high binder concentration was related to faster drug release. The highest release rate was achieved with povidone K30 at 7.45 % binder concentration, as corresponding granules exhibited complete drug release already in 5 min. Granulation method (manual vs. high-shear) influenced the release rate of carvedilol as it was released slower from SMEDDS granules prepared using the granulator. Finally, SMEDDS tablet formulation was optimized to achieve maximum granule content and adequate tablet hardness. Increased granule content found to negatively influence tablet hardness, as maximum granule content of 25 % was needed to obtain appropriate hardness. Such tablets exhibited short disintegration time, so this final prototype can be considered as orodispersible tablet.

Enhanced Efficacy of Carvedilol by Utilization of Solid Dispersion and Other Novel Strategies: A Review

Carvedilol is classified as a second class drug of Biopharmaceutical classification system (BCS), and it is an excellent beta blocker and vasodilating agent. It is used in a diverse range of disease states. Despite having tremendous advantages, the drug cannot be used effectively and productively due to aquaphobicity and poor bioavailability. To overcome this limitation, numerous novel approaches and tactics have been introduced over the past few years, such as Selfmicro emulsifying drug delivery systems (SMEDDS), nanoparticles, solid dispersions and liposomal drug delivery. The present review aims to accentuate the role of solid dispersion in improving the dissolution profile and aqua solubility of carvedilol and also to emphasize other novel formulations of carvedilol proposed to prevail the limitations of carvedilol. Solid dispersion and other novel approaches were found to play a significant role in overcoming the drawbacks of carvedilol, among which solid dispersion is the most feasible and effective approach being used worldwide. Reduced particle size, more wettability, and large surface area are obtained by the implementation of solid dispersion technique, hence improving carvedilol solubility and bioavailability.

High-Shear Wet Granulation of SMEDDS Based on Mesoporous Carriers for Improved Carvedilol Solubility

Mesoporous carriers are a convenient choice for the solidification of self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems (SMEDDS) designed to improve the solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs. They are known for high liquid load capacity and the ability to maintain characteristics of dry, free-flowing powders. Therefore, five different mesoporous carriers were used for the preparation of carvedilol-loaded SMEDDS granules by wet granulation methods—in paten (manually) and using a high-shear (HS) granulator. Granules with the highest SMEDDS content (63% and 66% of total granules mass, respectively) and suitable flow properties were obtained by Syloid^® 244FP and Neusilin^® US2. SMEDDS loaded granules produced by HS granulation showed superior flow characteristics compared to those obtained manually. All SMEDDS granules exhibited fast in vitro release, with 93% of carvedilol releasing from Syloid^® 244FP-based granules in 5 min. Upon compaction into self-microemulsifying tablets, suitable tablet hardness and very fast disintegration time were achieved, thus producing orodispersible tablets. The compaction slightly slowed down the carvedilol release rate; nevertheless, upon 1 h (at pH 1.2) or 4 h (at pH 6.8) of in vitro dissolution testing, the amount of released drug was comparable with granules, confirming the suitability of orodispersible tablets for the production of the SMEDDS loaded single unit oral dosage form.

Development of Alectinib-Suspended SNEDDS for Enhanced Solubility and Dissolution

Alectinib hydrochloride (ALH), a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is a practically water-insoluble drug classified as BCS class IV. The present study aimed to develop novel suspended self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (Su-SNEDDS) to enhance the solubility and dissolution rate. The Su-SNEDDS was prepared by saturation and suspension of ALH in SNEDDS with ultrasonication energy. According to evaluation by the dispersion test and the results of particle size analysis, the selected SNEDDS composed of Kolliphor HS 15 and Capmul MCM C8 as surfactant and oil, respectively, showed a complete dissolution within 30 min. However, the SNEDDS loaded and solubilized only small amount of ALH (<0.6%, w/w). On the other hand, 10% ALH-loaded Su-SNEDDS containing small and micronized ALH particles of <5 μm had about 20-fold higher ALH-loading% than the SNEDDS and reached a 100% dissolution rate within 30 min in 1% sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) pH 1.2 buffer. In the dispersion test and microscopic observation, micronized ALH particles in the Su-SNEDDS were readily dispersed in the dissolution medium with spontaneous nanoemulsion formation and instantly solubilized with the aid of SLS. Taken together, our results suggest that the Su-SNEDDS would be a potent oral dosage form to enhance the solubilization and dissolution rate of ALH in a new technological way.

Development and Optimization of Vitamin D3 Solid Self-Microemulsifying Drug Delivery System: Investigation of Flowability and Shelf Life

We report herein the design of a solid self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) of vitamin D₃ for augmentation of its solubility and dissolution. The studies employed a 3² full factorial design by employing JMP 13.2.1, software for preparation of liquid SMEDDS. Further, the prediction profiler was utilized to optimized liquid SMEDDS-Vit.D₃ (OF) formulation. The solidification of liquid SMEDDS-Vit.D₃ formulation was carried out by physical adsorption over Neusilin US2 and Aerosil 200 carriers. Solid-state evaluation of SMEDDS-Vit.D₃ suggested the transformation of crystalline to amorphous form of Vit.D₃ which is responsible for imparting more aqueous solubility and thus enhancement in dissolution behaviour. The investigation of flow behaviours viz. flow function (FF) and effective angle of wall friction (EAWF) of solid SMEDDS-Vit.D₃ was performed using powder flow tester. Solid SMEDDS-Vit.D₃ prepared using Neusilin US2 showed good flow behaviour and hence was developed into tablets. The tablets showed good quality control parameters as per pharmacopeial standards. The in vitro dissolution studies demonstrated more dissolution of Vit.D₃ in SMEDDS (liquid, solid, and tablet) when compared to the unprocessed drug. The shelf life (T₉₀) of tablets was reported to be 28.12 months suggesting excellent stability of Vit.D₃ in solid SMEDDS. In nutshell, our research works explore the utilization of SMEDDS for the oral delivery of Vit.D₃ to gain maximum health-related benefits.

Effects of Formulation and Manufacturing Process on Drug Release from Solid Self-emulsifying Drug Delivery Systems Prepared by High Shear Mixing

This study sought to investigate the influence of formulation and process factors of the high shear mixing (HSM) on the properties of solid self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (S-SEDDS) containing the model drug carvedilol (CAR). Firstly, liquid SEDDS (L-SEDDS) were prepared by mixing castor oil with different proportions of surfactant (Solutol or Kolliphor RH40) and cosolvent (Transcutol or PEG400). A miscible L-SEDDS with high drug solubility (124.3 mg/g) was selected and gave rise to 10% (m/m) CAR loaded-emulsion with reduced particle size. Then, a factorial experimental design involving five component's concentration and two process factors was used to study the solidification of the selected L-SEDDS by HSM. CAR content, diffractometric profile, and in vitro dissolution were determined. Morphological and flow analyses were also performed. Porous and spherical particles with mean sizes ranging from 160 to 210 µm were obtained. Particle size was not affected by any formulation factor studied. Powder flowability, in turn, was influenced by L-SEDDS and crospovidone concentration. CAR in vitro dissolution from S-SEDDS was significantly increased compared to the drug as supplied and was equal (pH 1.2) or lower (pH 6.8) than that determined for L-SEDDS. Colloidal silicon dioxide decreased drug dissolution, whereas an increase in water-soluble diluent lactose and L-SEDDS concentration increased CAR dissolution. The proper selection of liquid and solid constituents proved to be crucial to developing an S-SEDDS by HSM. Indeed, the results obtained here using experimental design contribute to the production of S-SEDDS using an industrially viable process.

Evaluation of solid carvedilol-loaded SMEDDS produced by the spray drying method and a study of related substances

In this study, various formulations of solidified carvedilol-loaded SMEDDS with high SMEDDS loading (up to 67% w/w) were produced with the spray drying process using various porous silica-based carriers. The process yield was improved with higher atomization gas flow rate during the spray drying process and with prolonged mixing time of dispersion of liquid SMEDDS and solid porous carriers prior to the spray drying process. Depending on the choice of the carrier and the SMEDDS:carrier ratio in solid SMEDDS, different drug loading, self-microemulsifying properties, drug release rates, and released drug fractions were obtained. The products exhibited fast drug release due to preserved self-microemulsifying properties and the absence of crystalline carvedilol, which was confirmed with XRD and Raman mapping. A decrease in drug content during the stability study was observed and investigated. This was at least partially attributed to the chemical degradation of the drug. Key degradation products determined by the LC-MS method were amides formed by in situ reaction of carvedilol with fatty acids present in the oily phase of SMEDDS.

Solubilization of tadalafil using a tartaric acid and chitosan-based multi-system

Solubilization studies of tadalafil (TDF) have recently improved the dissolution (%) using weak acids and bases in our group. However, the weak acid formulations have a low dissolution (%) of TDF as limitation. Thus, the purpose of this study was to improve the dissolution (%) of TDF over 90% in distilled water (DW) by weak acid-chitosan based multi-system. The SD formulation (SD11: TDF, tartaric acid, chitosan, Aerosil®200, and PVP/VA S-630 in a 1:2:1:1:2 weight ratio) showed higher dissolution (%) of TDF by 5.0-, 6.0-, and 5.8-fold at 60 min than that of Cialis® in DW and pH 1.2 and pH 6.8 buffers, respectively. The physical properties of the SD11 formulation were changed. Moreover, the SD11 formulation maintained stability for 3 months. In conclusion, the solubilization of TDF using chitosan was successfully performed for the first time.

Comparative study between high-pressure homogenisation and Shirasu porous glass membrane technique in sildenafil base-loaded solid SNEDDS: Effects on physicochemical properties and in vivo characteristics

The purpose of this study was to compare two types of emulsification techniques in a solid self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS); high-pressure homogenisation (HPH) and Shirasu porous glass membrane (SPG). Those two emulsification processes enhanced the solubility, dissolution and oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble sildenafil base (SB) by producing fine and well-dispersed nanoemulsion droplet. The liquid SNEDDS consisting of Labrasol/Transcutol HP/coconut oil at the weight of 72/18/10, gave the smallest emulsion droplet size among the prepared liquid SNEDDS formulations. Then, the SB-loaded liquid SNEDDS was dissolved in the deionised water and applied to HPH or SPG techniques. Aerosil 200 was suspended as a mesoporous carrier and spray-dried, producing an SB-loaded solid SNEDDS. The emulsion droplet size, solubility and dissolution of each emulsification process were compared to the solid SNEDDS fabricated without any treatment of additional emulsification. Moreover, the physicochemical properties of all formulations were compared. The crystalline state of the drug in all products was converted to the amorphous state. The solid SNEDDS, subjected to HPH technique, provided fine and well-dispersed nanoemulsion. Additionally, it increasingly improved the drug solubility and dissolution as compared to the others, including SB powder, non-treated (NT) and SPG. Furthermore, it gave improved C_max and increased AUC compared to SB powder and SPG, indicating HPH enhanced the oral bioavailability of SB the most. Thus, this solid SNEDDS with HPH would be strongly suggested as an oral SB-loaded pharmaceutical product.

Solidification of SMEDDS by fluid bed granulation and manufacturing of fast drug release tablets

Solidification of self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems (SMEDDS) is a rising experimental field with important potential for pharmaceutical industry, however fluid-bed granulation with SMEDDS is yet an unexplored solidification technique. The aim of the study was to solidify carvedilol-loaded SMEDDS utilizing fluid bed granulation process and to investigate how the formulation variables (type of solid carrier, optimization of granulation dispersion) and fluid-bed granulation process variables can be optimized in order to achieve suitable agglomeration process, high drug loading and appropriate product characteristics. Obtained granulates exhibited complete drug release, comparable to liquid SMEDDS and superior to crystalline carvedilol, nevertheless compromise between large SMEDDS loading and appropriate flow properties of the granules has to be made. Representative granulates with highest drug loading were further compressed into tablets. It was shown that the optimal excipient selection of compression mixture and compression force can lead to fast carvedilol release even from the tablets. Selfmicroemulsifying properties were not impaired neither after the solidification process and nor after the compression of solid SMEDDS into tablets. This suggests that fluid-bed granulation with SMEDDS offers a perspective alternative for solidification of the SMEDDS, enabling preservation of self-microemulsifying properties, acceptable drug loading and complete drug release.