Pastillation: A novel technology for development of oral lipid based multiparticulate controlled release formulation

A Review on the Recent Advancements and Artificial Intelligence in Tablet Technology

BACKGROUND

Tablet formulation could be revolutionized by the integration of modern technology and established pharmaceutical sciences. The pharmaceutical sector can develop tablet formulations that are not only more efficient and stable but also patient-friendly by utilizing artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and materials science.

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of this review is to explore the advancements in tablet technology, focusing on the integration of modern technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and materials science to enhance the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and quality of tablet formulation processes.

METHODS

This review delves into the utilization of AI and ML techniques within pharmaceutical research and development. The review also discusses various ML methodologies employed, including artificial neural networks, an ensemble of regression trees, support vector machines, and multivariate data analysis techniques.

RESULTS

Recent studies showcased in this review demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of ML approaches in pharmaceutical research. The application of AI and ML in pharmaceutical research has shown promising results, offering a potential avenue for significant improvements in the product development process.

CONCLUSION

The integration of nanotechnology, AI, ML, and materials science with traditional pharmaceutical sciences presents a remarkable opportunity for enhancing tablet formulation processes. This review collectively underscores the transformative role that AI and ML can play in advancing pharmaceutical research and development, ultimately leading to more efficient, reliable and patient-centric tablet formulations.

Solvent-free melting techniques for the preparation of lipid-based solid oral formulations

Lipid excipients are applied for numerous purposes such as taste masking, controlled release, improvement of swallowability and moisture protection. Several melting techniques have evolved in the last decades. Common examples are melt coating, melt granulation and melt extrusion. The required equipment ranges from ordinary glass beakers for lab scale up to large machines such as fluid bed coaters, spray dryers or extruders. This allows for upscaling to pilot or production scale. Solvent free melt processing provides a cost-effective, time-saving and eco-friendly method for the food and pharmaceutical industries. This review intends to give a critical overview of the published literature on experiences, formulations and challenges and to show possibilities for future developments in this promising field. Moreover, it should serve as a guide for selecting the best excipients and manufacturing techniques for the development of a product with specific properties using solvent free melt processing.

Evaluation of in vivo behavior of controlled and pulsatile release pastilles using pharmacokinetic and γ-scintigraphic techniques

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the in vivo behavior of controlled and pulsatile release pastilles for chronic treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and for the chronotherapeutic management of nocturnal asthma, respectively.

RESEARCH DESIGN & METHODS

The prepared immediate release and controlled release pastilles were subjected to in vivo pharmacokinetic studies in rats. Whereas, pulsatile release formulation was subjected to γ-scintigraphic study in rats to study the gastrointestinal transit of the formulations and its results were correlated with the previous pharmacokinetic data.

RESULTS

The in vivo pharmacokinetic study of controlled release pastille formulation showed significant decrease in C(max) with increase in t(max), which indicates that the effect of dosage form would last for longer duration. Thus, the prepared formulation can be useful for the chronic treatment of asthma and COPD. The γ-scintigraphic study and pharmacokinetic data indicated that the pastilles coated with the enteric coat and the additional floating coat were effective in significantly delaying the in vivo drug release (by 4-5 h) required for the chronotherapeutic treatment of nocturnal asthma.

CONCLUSION

This study opens a new alternative to the conventional tablet or capsule dosage form for the development of both immediate and modified release drug delivery systems.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of multilayered pastilles for chronotherapeutic management of nocturnal asthma

OBJECTIVE

The present work was undertaken with an objective to design a multilayered dosage form of doxofylline, using pastillation technology, for the chronotherapeutic management of nocturnal asthma.

RESEARCH DESIGN & METHODS

Pastilles consisting of the drug, polyethylene glycol and colloidal silicon dioxide, were generated using an in-house laboratory-scale pastillation device. The pastilles were further coated with enteric polymers and a floating layer, using conventional coater. The pastilles were subjected to physicochemical analysis, morphological characterization, in vitro drug release studies and in vivo pharmacokinetic studies in rats.

RESULTS

It was observed that colloidal silicon dioxide was instrumental in improving the contact angle of the pastilles. The uncoated pastilles released the drug immediately, while the enteric-coated (10% w/w) pastilles were found to have sufficient acid resistance when the coat is applied with 5% (v/v) triethyl citrate as plasticizer. The in vivo blood serum profile indicated that the pastilles coated with the enteric coat and the additional floating coat were effective in significantly delaying the in vivo drug release required for the chronotherapeutic treatment of nocturnal asthma.

CONCLUSION

The present work opens a new alternative to the conventional tablet or capsule dosage form for the development of both immediate-release and modified-release drug delivery systems.