Liquisolid pellets: Mixture experimental design assessment of critical quality attributes influencing the manufacturing performance via extrusion-spheronization

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.

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.

Liquisolid Technology: A State-of-the-Art Review on the Current State, Challenges, New and Emerging Technologies for Next Generation

Nowadays, the focus has been shifted to new technologies for improving drug solubility, permeability, and bioavailability, amid unprecedentedly increasing the number of newly discovered Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), which are mostly categorized under Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS) as class-II and class IV. Traditional technologies and classical formulation strategies often fail to address most of the formulation problems associated with new APIs, particularly solubility and bioavailability. Therefore, exploring new and innovative technologies on an industrial scale is a prerequisite and requires modernization of manufacturing processes, as well as more advanced research and development. Liquisolid technology is a new, innovative industrial technology, particularly designed for either improving the release rates of poorly absorbed drugs or controlling their release pattern by achieving sustained-release profiles with zero-order release kinetics. Besides, it is a promising photoprotective system for photosensitive drugs and can further be used for modulating the drug microenvironmental pH. The next generation of liquisolid systems stems from a set of emerging technologies, such as liqui-pellet technology, which originates from combining liquisolid technology with pelletization technique, particularly extrusion-spheronization technique. This review article highlights the current state of liquisolid technology, ongoing challenges, characterization and applications, possible future prospects, the advent of new and emerging technologies, and the revolution of the next generation of liquisolid technology.