Physical and thermal characterisation of chiral omeprazole sodium salts

Effects of Cyclodextrins (β and γ) and l-Arginine on Stability and Functional Properties of Mucoadhesive Buccal Films Loaded with Omeprazole for Pediatric Patients

Omeprazole (OME) is employed for treating ulcer in children, but is unstable and exhibits first pass metabolism via the oral route. This study aimed to stabilize OME within mucoadhesive metolose (MET) films by combining cyclodextrins (CD) and l-arginine (l-arg) as stabilizing excipients and functionally characterizing for potential delivery via the buccal mucosa of paediatric patients. Polymeric solutions at a concentration of 1% w/w were obtained by dispersing the required weight of metolose in 20% v/v ethanol as solvent at a temperature of 40 °C using polyethylene glycol (PEG 400) (0.5% w/w) as plasticizer. The films were obtained by drying the resulting polymer solutions at in an oven at 40 °C. Textural (tensile and mucoadhesion) properties, physical form (differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy), residual moisture content (thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)) and surface morphology (scanning electron microscopy (SEM)) were investigated. Optimized formulations containing OME, CDs (β or γ) and l-arg (1:1:1) were selected to investigate the stabilization of the drug. The DSC, XRD, and FTIR showed possible molecular dispersion of OME in metolose film matrix. Plasticized MET films containing OME:βCD:l-arg 1:1:1 were optimum in terms of transparency and ease of handling and therefore further functionally characterized (hydration, mucoadhesion, in vitro drug dissolution and long term stability studies). The optimized formulation showed sustained drug release that was modelled by Korsmeyer⁻Peppas equation, while the OME showed stability under ambient temperature conditions for 28 days. The optimized OME loaded MET films stabilized with βCD and l-arg have potential for use as paediatric mucoadhesive buccal delivery system, which avoids degradation in the stomach acid as well as first pass metabolism in the liver.

Crystal structure and bonding analysis of the first dinuclear calcium(II)-proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) `butterfly molecule': a combined microcrystal synchrotron and DFT study

Proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) are prodrugs used widely to treat acid-related diseases since the late 1980s. After an extensive research effort it has become clear that the fundamental interactions between metal atoms and PPIs are of paramount importance for both drug release and long-term therapeutic safety. Unfortunately, until now, very little information has been available on this topic. In this paper, we report the crystal structure analysis of a novel calcium-PPI compound incorporating bridging and terminal deprotonated (R)-rabeprazole tricyclic ligands (L), namely bis[μ-(R)-2-({[4-(3-methoxypropoxy)-3-methylpyridin-2-yl]methyl}sulfinyl)-6,7-dihydro-3H-benzofuro[5,6-d]imidazol-1-ido]bis{dimethanol[(R)-2-({[4-(3-methoxypropoxy)-3-methylpyridin-2-yl]methyl}sulfinyl)-6,7-dihydro-3H-benzofuro[5,6-d]imidazol-1-ido]calcium(II)} methanol hexasolvate, [Ca2(C20H22N3O4S)4(CH3OH)4]·6CH3OH or [Ca2(L)4(CH3OH)4]·6CH3OH, which crystallizes from methanol in the polar C2 space group. Using low-temperature microcrystal synchrotron radiation, we demonstrate that this compound is in the form of a beautiful `butterfly molecule', consisting of a C2-symmetric dinuclear (CH3OH)2LCa(II)(μ2-L)2Ca(II)L(HOCH3)2 framework. A large amount of disorder is found within the bridging L ligand and the conformation of the fused tetrahydrofuran ring exhibits great variety. All the sulfinyl groups remain intact and the nonbonded Ca...Ca distance is significantly longer than in other calcium dimers, indicating steric hindrance in the bridging ligands. Considerable hydrogen bonding and aromatic C-H...π interactions co-operate to stabilize the whole complex, as well as to facilitate supramolecular assembly. Additional investigations into the bond nature were made using density functional theory (DFT) methods at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level; geometry optimization, Mulliken atomic charges, MEP (molecular electrostatic potential), HOMO-LUMO (highest occupied molecular orbital-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital), TDOS (total density of states), PDOS (partial density of states), COOP (crystal orbital overlap population) and vibrational spectra were calculated/recorded and assessed carefully.

Application of a novel 3-fluid nozzle spray drying process for the microencapsulation of therapeutic agents using incompatible drug-polymer solutions

The aim of this study was to evaluate a novel 3-fluid concentric nozzle (3-N) spray drying process for the microencapsulation of omeprazole sodium (OME) using Eudragit L100 (EL100). Feed solutions containing OME and/or EL100 in ethanol were assessed visually for OME stability. Addition of OME solution to EL100 solution resulted in precipitation of OME followed by degradation of OME reflected by a colour change from colourless to purple and brown. This was related to the low pH of 2.8 of the EL100 solution at which OME is unstable. Precipitation and progressive discoloration of the 2-fluid nozzle (2-N) feed solution was observed over the spray drying time course. In contrast, 3-N solutions of EL100 or OME in ethanol were stable over the spray drying period. Microparticles prepared using either nozzle showed similar characteristics and outer morphology however the internal morphology was different. DSC showed a homogenous matrix of drug and polymer for 2-N microparticles while 3-N microparticles had defined drug and polymer regions distributed as core and coat. The results of this study demonstrate that the novel 3-N spray drying process can allow the microencapsulation of a drug using an incompatible polymer and maintain the drug and polymer in separate regions of the microparticles.

A comprehensive development strategy in buccal drug delivery

This work combines several methods in an integrated strategy to develop a matrix for buccal administration. For this purpose, tablets containing selected mucoadhesive polymers loaded with a model drug (omeprazole), free or in a complexed form with cyclodextrins, and in the absence and presence of alkali agents were subjected to a battery of tests. Mucoadhesion studies, including simple factorial analysis, in vitro release studies with both model-dependent and model-independent analysis, and permeation studies were performed. Mucoadhesive profiles indicated that the presence of the drug decreases the mucoadhesion profile, probably due its hydrophobic character. In tablets loaded with the drug complexed with β-cyclodextrin or methyl-β-cyclodextrin, better results were obtained with the methylated derivative. This effect was attributed to the fact that in the case of β-cyclodextrin, more hydroxyl groups are available to interact with the mucoadhesive polymers, thus decreasing the mucoadhesion performance. The same result was observed in presence of the alkali agent (L: -arginine), in this case due to the excessive hydrophilic character of L: -arginine. Drug release from tablets was also evaluated, and results suggested that the dissolution profile with best characteristics was observed in the matrix loaded with omeprazole complexed with methyl-β-cyclodextrin in the presence of L: -arginine. Several mathematical models were applied to the dissolution curves, indicating that the release of the drug, in free or in complexed state, from the mucoadhesive matrices followed a super case II transport, as established on the basis of the Korsmeyer-Peppas function. The feasibility of drug buccal administration was assessed by permeation experiments on porcine buccal mucosa. The amount of drug permeated from mucoadhesive tablets presented a maximum value for the system containing drug complexed with the methylated cyclodextrin derivative in presence of L: -arginine. According to these results, the system containing the selected polymer mixture and the drug complexed with methyl-β-cyclodextrin in presence of L: -arginine showed a great potential as a buccal drug delivery formulation, in which a good compromise among mucoadhesion, dissolution, and permeation properties was achieved.

The role of L-arginine in inclusion complexes of omeprazole with cyclodextrins

In this study, we investigate how the effect of L-arginine (ARG) and cyclodextrins upon omeprazole (OME) stability and solubility. The effect of the presence of ARG on the apparent stability constants (K(1:1)) of the inclusion complexes formed between OME and each cyclodextrin, beta-cyclodextrin (betaCD), and methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MbetaCD) is studied by phase solubility diagrams and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The interaction of OME with those cyclodextrins, in the presence of ARG, is characterized using NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations. ARG significantly increases the drug solubility and complex stability, in comparison to inclusion complexes formed in its absence. The effect is more pronounced for the OME:betaCD complex. ARG also contributes to a larger stability of OME when free in aqueous solution. The combination of ARG with cyclodextrins can represent an important tool to develop stable drug formulations.

Nanoparticulation of poorly water soluble drugs using a wet-mill process and physicochemical properties of the nanopowders

In order to improve the dissolution and oral absorption properties of poorly water soluble drugs such as omeprazole, albendazole and danazol, various dispersing agents were added to prepare nanopowder formulations using an ULTRA APEX MILL, which is a wet-mill instrument, and their physicochemical properties were evaluated. Using Pluronic F-108 or F-68 as dispersing agents, slurries containing drug particles having nanometer size were obtained for all model drugs tested. Omeprazole, a heat labile drug, was not degraded by wet-milling and the omeprazole nanoparticles in a milled slurry did not aggregate for 24 h after wet-milling. After lyophilization of these milled slurries containing drug nanoparticles, fine solid white nanopowders were obtained. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) suggested that the model drugs were milled into nanometer size. X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) patterns and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) curves confirmed that all milled drug nanopowders were crystalline, although milling of albendazole nanopowder transformed it to another crystal form. Wet-milling using an ULTRA APEX MILL offers a highly effective approach to produce stable drug nanopowders and is a very useful tool for bioavailability enhancement of poorly water soluble and heat labile drugs.

Compatibility studies between mannitol and omeprazole sodium isomers

Omeprazole, commonly used in the treatment of various gastrointestinal disorders degrades rapidly in acidic pHs and results in inter-individual variability due to different rates of metabolism amongst patients. Since S-omeprazole shows more predictable bioavailability and excipients have been known to interact with active pharmaceutical ingredients to produce altered bioavailability, it was decided to investigate the compatibility of omeprazole sodium isomers with mannitol, the major excipient in omeprazole formulations using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) for bulk drug, attenuated total reflectance (ATR) infrared (IR) spectroscopy in a powder mixture and localized thermal analysis (LTA) from a drug disk. DSC results clearly indicate an interaction between mannitol and R-omeprazole sodium due to decreased melting temperatures and broadening peaks. The DSC of S-omeprazole sodium does not show melting temperature although the drug was crystalline. Because of the accelerated temperature conditions during DSC experiments applied in this work, ATR-IR was undertaken to determine whether these results occurred at room temperature for the solid dosage form. The ATR-IR results show a difference between R- and S-omeprazole sodium with mannitol by the appearance of both the amino (N-H) and imino (N-H) stretching frequencies for R-omeprazole and only the N-H for the S-omeprazole sodium. It may thus be concluded that different ratios for the tautomeric forms for S- and R-omeprazole sodium result in changes in the degree of crystallinity and are responsible for the interaction with mannitol, common excipient in formulation. These interactions may be directly related to the difference in terms of bioavailability.

Preparation of a novel freeze thawed poly(vinyl alcohol) composite hydrogel for drug delivery applications

We describe a drug delivery system based on a physically cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel for the release of Theophylline (TH). A composite was created by freezing an aqueous solution of PVA/NaOH onto a PVA/poly(acrylic acid) substrate. This formed a strong interface and demonstrated greater physical strength than the hydrogel alone. Such systems have potential for a variety of localised controlled drug delivery applications, for example, as coatings for implantable devices. Importantly, the results suggest that a versatile synthetic platform is possible that may provide different functional materials or combination of such. The resultant samples were characterised using optical microscopy, modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC) and dissolution testing. The microstructure of the gels was examined using micro-thermal analysis (microTA) which is a combination of atomic force microscopy and thermal analysis. TH was found to have an effect on the crystalline structure and dissolution showed a Fickian release, suggesting that swelling and crystallinity were the controlling mechanisms.