Feasibility of optimizing trimetazidine dihydrochloride release from controlled porosity osmotic pump tablets of directly compressed cores

Lactose in tablets: Functionality, critical material attributes, applications, modifications and co-processed excipients

Lactose is one of the most widespread excipients used in the pharmaceutical industry. Because of its water solubility and acceptable flowability, lactose is generally added into tablet formulation to improve wettability and undesirable flowability. Based on Quality by Design, a better understanding of the critical material attributes (CMAs) of raw materials is beneficial in guiding the improvement of tablet quality and the development of lactose. Additionally, the modifications and co-processing of lactose can introduce more-desirable characteristics to the resulting particles. This review focuses on the functionality, CMAs, applications, modifications and co-processing of lactose in tablets.

SeDeM tool-driven full factorial design for osmotic drug delivery of tramadol HCl: Formulation development, physicochemical evaluation, and in-silico PBPK modeling for predictive pharmacokinetic evaluation using GastroPlus™

The study is based on using SeDeM expert system in developing controlled-release tramadol HCl osmotic tablets and its in-silico physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling for in-vivo pharmacokinetic evaluation. A Quality by Design (QbD) based approach in developing SeDEM-driven full factorial osmotic drug delivery was applied. A 2⁴ Full-factorial design was used to make the trial formulations of tramadol HCl osmotic tablets using NaCl as osmogen, Methocel K4M as rate controlling polymer, and avicel pH 101 as diluent. The preformulation characteristics of formulations (F1-F16) were determined by applying SeDeM Expert Tool. The formulation was optimized followed by in-vivo predictive pharmacokinetic assessment using PBPK “ACAT” model of GastroPlus™. The FTIR results showed no interaction among the ingredients. The index of good compressibility (ICG) values of all trial formulation blends were ≥5, suggesting direct compression is the best-suited method. Formulation F3 and F4 were optimized based on drug release at 2, 10, and 16 h with a zero-order kinetic release (r² = 0.992 and 0.994). The SEM images confirmed micropores formation on the surface of the osmotic tablet after complete drug release. F3 and F4 were also stable (shelf life 29.41 and 23.46 months). The in vivo simulation of the pharmacokinetics of the PBPK in-silico model revealed excellent relative bioavailability of F3 and F4 with reference to tramadol HCl 50 mg IR formulations. The SeDeM expert tool was best utilized to evaluate the compression characteristics of selected formulation excipients and their blends for direct compression method in designing once-daily osmotically controlled-release tramadol HCl tablets. The in-silico GastroPlus™ PBPK modeling provided a thorough pharmacokinetic assessment of the optimized formulation as an alternative to tramadol HCl in vivo studies.

D-optimal mixture design for optimization of topical dapsone niosomes: in vitro characterization and in vivo activity against Cutibacterium acnes

This study aimed to illustrate the use of D-optimal mixture design (DOMD) for optimization of an enhancer containing Dapsone niosomal formula for acne topical treatment. Mixture components (MixCs) studied were: Span 20, Cholesterol, and Cremophor RH. Different responses were measured. Optimized formula (OF) was selected to minimize particle size and maximize absolute zeta potential and entrapment efficiency. Optimized formula gel (OF-gel) was prepared and characterized. OF-gel in vivo skin penetration using confocal laser scanning microscopy and activity against Cutibacterium acnes in acne mouse model were studied. Based on DOMD results analysis, adequate models were derived. Piepel and contour plots were plotted accordingly to explain how alteration in MixCs L-pseudo values affected studied responses and regions for different responses’ values. The OF had suitable predicted responses which were in good correlation with the actually measured ones. The OF-gel showed suitable characterization and in vivo skin penetration up to the dermis layer. In vivo acne mouse-model showed that OF-gel-treated group (OF-gel-T-gp) had significantly better recovery (healing) criteria than untreated (UT-gp) and Aknemycin^®-treated (A-T-gp) groups. This was evident in significantly higher reduction of inflammation percent observed in OF-gel-T-gp than both UT-gp and A-T-gp. Better healing in OF-gel-T-gp compared with other groups was also verified by histopathological examination. Moreover, OF-gel-T-gp and A-T-gp bacterial loads were non-significantly different from each other but significantly lower than UT-gp. Thus, DOMD was an adequate statistical tool for optimization of an appropriate enhancer containing Dapsone niosomal formula that proved to be promising for topical treatment of acne.

Development, optimization and pharmacokinetic evaluation of biphasic extended-release osmotic drug delivery system of trospium chloride for promising application in treatment of overactive bladder

Background

The research was aimed with an approach to formulate biphasic extended-release system of trospium chloride resulting in controlled release of drug up to 24 h with prospects of better control on urinary frequency, efficacy, tolerability, and improved patient compliance. The push–pull osmotic pump (PPOP) bi-layered tablet of trospium chloride (60 mg) was developed with the use of immediate-release polymers in the pull layer (30 mg drug) and polyethylene oxide in the push layer (remaining 30 mg drug). The tablet was formulated by compression after non-aqueous granulation, seal coating, and semipermeable coating. The tablet prepared was laser drilled to create an orifice for drug release.

Results

Comparative in vitro dissolution and in vivo pharmacokinetic analysis of available marketed formulations demonstrated the complete drug release within 16–18 h; hence the developed biphasic extended-release system has its great importance as it provides zero-order release up to 24 h.

Conclusions

The developed biphasic extended-release drug delivery system of trospium chloride provides the drug release for 24 h with effective plasma concentration in comparison with the available marketed formulation. Extended release of drug from the developed formulation provides scope for its promising application in the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB).

Chronological Delivery of Antihypertensive Drugs in Bilayered Core-in-Cup Buccoadhesive Tablets: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation

Hypertension shows circadian blood pressure rhythms (day-night pattern) that urge the delivery of antihypertensive drugs at the right time in the desired levels. Thus, a bilayered core-in-cup buccoadhesive tablet was formulated that immediately releases olmesartan, to give a burst effect, and controls azelnidipine release, to prolong its therapeutic effect. The main challenge was the poor bioavailability of azelnidipine due to its poor aqueous solubility and first-pass effect. Hence, liquisolid compact buccoadhesive tablets were prepared to enhance solubility, dissolution profiles, and bypass the oral route. Two factorial designs were conducted to study the type and concentration effect of the mucoadhesive polymers on the dissolution and mucoadhesion of olmesartan and azelnidipine. Characterization studies were conducted regarding drug content, surface pH, water uptake, mucoadhesive strength, in vitro release, and ex vivo permeability. The core-in-cup olmesartan/azelnidipine buccoadhesive tablet showed similar release profile to the statistically optimized formulae of each drug. In vitro dissolution study showed enhanced release of azelnidipine than the directly compressed tablets, to comply with the regulatory standards of controlled release systems. In vivo pharmacokinetic study of olmesartan and azelnidipine conducted on human volunteers against Rezaltas® 10/8 mg tablet showed percentage relative bioavailability of 106.12 and 470.82%, respectively. Graphical Abstract.

Double-layered osmotic pump controlled release tablets of actarit: In vitro and in vivo evaluation

The aim of the study was to develop actarit double-layered osmotic pump tablets to overcome the weak points of actarit common tablets, such as short half-life and large plasma concentration fluctuations. Single factor experiment and orthogonal test were applied to optimize the formulation; the pharmacokinetic study was performed in beagle dogs adopting actarit common tablets as reference tablets. The optimal formulation was as follows: drug layer: 150 mg actarit, 240 mg PEO-N80, 50 mg NaCl; push layer: 140 mg PEO-WSR303, 20 mg NaCl; coating solution: 30 g cellulose acetate and 6 g PEG 4000 in 1000 ml 94% acetone solution, 60 mg coating weight gain. The pharmacokinetic study showed that T_max was prolonged by the contrast of commercial common tablets with constant drug release rate, but the bioavailability was equivalent. And a good in vivo–in vitro correlation of the actarit osmotic pump tablets was also established. The designed actarit osmotic pump tablets can be applied for rheumatoid arthritis, proposing a promising replacement for the marked common products.

Development and Evaluation of a Once-Daily Controlled Porosity Osmotic Pump of Tapentadol Hydrochloride

The present study aimed to prepare, optimize, and evaluate Tapentadol hydrochloride controlled porosity osmotic pump (CPOP) and to achieve the drug release at nearly zero-order. The CPOP was prepared by the coating of polymers (Eudragit RSPO and RLPO) on a directly compressed core tablet. A Box-behnken experimental design was applied to optimize the parameters for CPOP. The optimized batch was characterized for in vitro drug release study, effect of pH, osmolarity and agitation intensity, and surface morphology and stability study. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies were performed on New Zealand white rabbits for CPOP and marketed tablet. All the batches showed a drug release ranging from 29.87 to 56.92% after 12 h; and from 59.64 to 99.96% after 24 h. There was no change in the drug release pattern at different pH and agitation intensities. The drug release was found to decrease with increasing osmolarity of dissolution media.An in vivo study showed a higher mean residence time, area under the curve, and biological half-life (T 1/2) than the marketed tablet with low rate of elimination (Ke) and a 2.35-fold increase in relative bioavailability. The result showed that the amounts of sodium chloride and PEG 400 were contributing positively while the number of coats was negatively affecting the drug release. The drug release was found to be independent of physiological conditions. The stability testing showed that the prepared CPOP was stable for 3 months at accelerated conditions. The prepared CPOP was found to deliver Tapentadol hydrochloride at zero-order for up to 24 h.

Development and experimental design of a novel controlled-release matrix tablet formulation for indapamide hemihydrate

CONTEXT

Development, experimental design and in vitro in vivo correlation (IVIVC) of controlled-release matrix formulation.

OBJECTIVE

Development of novel oral controlled delivery system for indapamide hemihydrate, optimization of the formulation by experimental design and evaluation regarding IVIVC on a pilot scale batch as a confirmation of a well-established formulation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In vitro dissolution profiles of controlled-release tablets of indapamide hemihydrate from four different matrices had been evaluated in comparison to the originator's product Natrilix (Servier) as a direction for further development and optimization of a hydroxyethylcellulose-based matrix controlled-release formulation. A central composite factorial design had been applied for the optimization of a chosen controlled-release tablet formulation.

RESULTS

The controlled-release tablets with appropriate physical and technological properties had been obtained with a matrix: binder concentration variations in the range: 20-40w/w% for the matrix and 1-3w/w% for the binder. The experimental design had defined the design space for the formulation and was prerequisite for extraction of a particular formulation that would be a subject for transfer on pilot scale and IVIV correlation.

CONCLUSIONS

The release model of the optimized formulation has shown best fit to the zero order kinetics depicted with the Hixson-Crowell erosion-dependent mechanism of release. Level A correlation was obtained.