Design, optimization and evaluation of domperidone coevaporates

Development and characterization of novel pectin rafts for the delivery of ibandronate

Bisphosphonates cause irritation of the esophagus and stomach after oral administration. This study was planned to overcome the problems associated with bisphosphonates through the formation of rafts in the stomach and enhance the availability of the drug at the absorption site. A novel pectin raft was developed through the utilization of citrus pectin. The percentage of pectin and profile of neutralization of the raft were investigated. Ibandronate, the polymers and the developed formulation were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The release of ibandronate was investigated in 0.1 N hydrochloric acid (HCl), 0.5 N hydrochloric acid, 1.0 N hydrochloric acid and simulated gastric fluid (SGF), and a cell viability study was performed using Caco-2 cells. The RFF5 formulation contained 94.58% pectin, and the duration of neutralization was 45.41 min. The FTIR and XRD showed the chemical stability and uniform distribution of ibandronate in the raft. The TGA and DSC indicated the thermal stability of the formulation. RFF5 showed 99.95% release of ibandronate at 5 min in SGF. RFF5 showed up to 90.47% cell viability when Caco-2 cells were treated with or without the drug (ibandronate). The developed raft can effectively stop the irritation of the stomach and esophagus caused by ibandronate and improve the availability of the drug at the absorption site.

Exploring the Potentials of Corn Fiber Gum in Fabricating Mucoadhesive Floating Tablet of Poorly Gastro-retainable Drug

AIM

To formulate and preliminary evaluated polysaccharide based mucoadhesive floating tablets of Cinnarizine.

BACKGROUND

Gastro-retentive drug delivery systems has proved to be a successful approach to enhance the gastric residence with site specific targeting for achieving local or generalized effect. Various patents has also been filed globally employing gastro-retentive approach.

OBJECTIVE

The study is designed to explore the mucoadhesive and low density characteristics of corn fibre gum (CFG) for preparation of gastro-retentive floating tablets of cinnarizine.

METHODS

Floating tablets were prepared by direct compression technique using different concentrations of CFG (45, 50, 60% w/w). The formulated floating tablet batches were evaluated for their hardness, friability, drug content, floating duration/ lag time, swelling behavior, bioadhesive strength and in vitro drug release.

RESULTS

Mucoadhesive strength was found to increase with an increment in the polysaccharide concentration. Swelling index was found to increase both with the increase in CFG concentration and with duration for which tablet remains in medium. The in vitro drug release studies indicated decrease in drug release (91% to 77%) with the increase in polymer concentration. The release data was further fitted to various kinetic models which revealed the drug release to be in accordance with Zero-order and Higuchi models, indicating polymer to exhibit the swellable matrix forming abilities. The value of n (between 0.458 and 0.997) from Korsemeyer Peppas model depicted the possibility of drug to follow more than one mechanism of release from the formulation i.e. diffusion and erosion. Stability studies revealed the preparations to retain their integrity and pharmaceutical characteristics at variable storage conditions.

CONCLUSION

Thus from the research findings, CFG could be concluded to possess potential binder, release retardant and mucoadhesive characteristics which could be successfully employed for the formulation of gastro-retentive floating tablets.

Raft-forming system for pantoprazole and domperidone delivery: in vitro and in vivo study

The raft is an emerging drug delivery system that not only provides rapid relief from reflux disorders, but also sustains drug release. The objective of this work was to develop and characterize raft-forming bilayer tablets in which pantoprazole sodium sesquihydrate (PSS) was targeted at sustained release and domperidone maleate (DM) was used to obtain an immediate-release effect and perform pharmacokinetic studies. Tablets were prepared using the wet granulation method. Rafts were characterized in terms of strength, weight, volume, resilience, acid-neutralizing capacity, floating lag time and total floating time. Dissolution studies were performed using simulated gastric fluid with pH 1·2. Compatibility were performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Percentage release of the optimized R7 formulation was 94% for PSS and 98% for DM. First-order release kinetics were followed and a non-Fickian diffusion was observed; the value of n was greater than 0·7 in the Korsmeyer–Peppas model. FTIR and DSC studies showed chemical and thermal stability between the drug and polymers. C max values of the test and reference formulations of PSS were 46·080 ± 0·567, 46·350 ± 0·507 and DM were 14·090 ± 1·678 and 10·560 ± 1·098 μg/ml, respectively.

Enhancement of Oral Bioavailability of Ibandronate Through Gastroretentive Raft Forming Drug Delivery System: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation

Background

Bisphosphonates have very low bioavailability and cause irritation of the esophagus and stomach. This study was planned to improve the oral bioavailability of ibandronate through the formation of a raft in the stomach. Bisphosphonate-induced irritation of the esophagus and stomach is prevented by the formation of a raft.

Materials and Methods

The nanostructured raft was developed through the use of nanosized citrus pectin (NCP). The particle size of NCP was measured by zeta sizer and SEM. The percentage of NCP and the neutralization profile of raft was studied. The ibandronate, polymers, and the developed formulation were characterized by FTIR, XRD, TGA, and DSC. The release of ibandronate was studied in 0.1 N HCl, 0.5 N HCl, 1 N HCl, and simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and a cell viability study was performed using Caco-2 cells. The PPR5 formulation and Bonish 150 mg tablets were selected as test and reference formulations, respectively, for pharmacokinetic study. Twelve healthy albino rats were taken and divided into two groups using a Latin square crossover design, and the blood samples were collected for 24 hours.

Results

The SEM image showed that the particle size of NCP was 159 nm. The raft of PPR5 showed 94% NCP and 45 minutes duration of neutralization. The FTIR and XRD showed chemical stability and a uniform distribution of ibandronate in the raft. The TGA and DSC indicated the thermal stability of formulation. The release of 99.87% ibandronate at 20 minutes was observed in the SGF. The values of C _max for the reference and test formulations were 493±0.237 ng/mL and 653±0.097 ng/mL, respectively. The AUC_(0-t) of the reference and test formulations was 3708.25±3.418 ng/mL.h and 6899.25±3.467 ng/mL.h, respectively.

Conclusion

The NCP has been successfully prepared from citrus pectin and has shown effective porous raft formation. The bioavailability of the ibandronate from newly developed PPR5 was higher than the already marketed formulation.

Design, Formulation and In Vitro Evaluation of Sustained-release Tablet Formulations of Levosulpiride

OBJECTIVES

Levosulpiride is a widely used gastroprokinetic agent in the treatment of various gastric disorders; however, its short half-life and increased dosage frequency leads to non-compliance and possible adverse effects. The prime objective of the current study was to develop a sustained-release formulation of Levosulpiride incorporating bioresorbable cellulose derivatives.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sustained-release formulations of Levosulpiride were prepared through direct compression using various cellulose derivatives such as CMC sodium, HPC, and HPMC in different polymer-to-drug weight ratios as release-modifying polymers. The powder blends and compressed tablets were then subjected to pre-compressional and post-compressional evaluation, as well as FTIR analysis. In vitro release studies were performed for all formulations of the model drug in buffer solution of pH 6.8 at a wave length of 214 nm by a UV-visible light spectrophotometer.

RESULTS

The FTIR results confirmed that the interaction between components was physical, and from the different kinetic models data, the release profile was best expressed by the Higuchi model because the results showed high linearity. The results also showed formulation F9 to be the ideal one among the developed formulations, exhibiting sustained- release behavior.

CONCLUSION

Levosulpiride sustained-release matrices were prepared successfully using CMC sodium, HPC, and HPMC as the release-retarding polymer/carrier.

Development and pharmacokinetic evaluation of alginate-pectin polymeric rafts forming tablets using box behnken design

Raft is an emerging drug delivery system, which is suitable for controlled release drug delivery and targeting. The present study aimed to evaluate the physico-chemical properties of raft, in vitro release of pantoprazole sodium sesquihydrate and conduct bioavailability studies. Box behnken design was used with three independent and dependent variables. Independent variables were sodium alginate (X₁), pectin (X₂) and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose K100M (X₃) while dependent variables were percentage drug release at 2 (Y₂), 4 (Y₄) and 8 h (Y₈). The developed rafts were evaluated by their physical and chemical properties. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry were used to study the chemical interaction and thermal behaviour of drug with polymers. Alginate and pectin contents of R9 formulation were 99.28% and 97.29%, respectively, and acid neutralization capacity was 8.0. R9 formulation showed longer duration of neutralization and nature of raft was absorbent. The raft of R9 formulation showed 98.94% release of PSS at 8 h in simulated gastric fluid. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed no chemical interaction and differential scanning calorimetry indicated endothermic peaks at 250 °C for pantoprazole sodium sesquihydrate. t_max for the test and reference formulations were 8 ± 2.345 h and 8 ± 2.305 h, respectively. C_max of test and reference formulations were 46.026 ± 0.567 µg/mL and 43.026 ± 0.567 µg/mL, respectively. AUC_(0-t) of the test and reference formulations were 472.115 ± 3.467 µg × h/mL and 456.105 ± 2.017 µg × h/mL, respectively. Raft forming system successfully delivered the drug in controlled manner and improved the bioavailability of drugs.

Development of Domperidone Solid Lipid Nanoparticles: In Vitro and In Vivo Characterization

Domperidone (DOP) is extensively applied orally in the management of nausea and vomiting. Upon oral administration, its bioavailability is very poor due to its poor solubility in alkaline media. Therefore, the aim of this work was to investigate DOP-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (DOP-SLNs) in order to sustain its release pattern and to enhance oral bioavailability. DOP-SLNs were prepared using four different lipids. Prepared DOP-SLNs were characterized for "polydispersity index (PDI), particle size, zeta potential, % entrapment efficiency (% EE), and drug release behavior." Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) study was carried out to illustrate the physical form of DOP and excipients. The morphology of DOP-SLNs was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Pharmacokinetic study on optimized DOP-SLN in comparison to tablet was performed in rats. The "particle size, PDI, zeta potential, and % EE" of optimized formulation (F5) were recorded as 201.4 nm, 0.071, - 6.2 mV, and 66.3%, respectively. DSC thermograms suggested amorphous state of DOP in various SLNs. Surface morphology of SLNs using SEM suggested spherical shape of the nanoparticles within nanometer size range. In vitro release studies confirmed that all SLN formulations possessed a sustained release over a period of 12 h (51.3% from optimized formulation) in comparison with immediate release from conventional tablets (100% after 90 min). Pharmacokinetic study showed significant enhancement in oral absorption of DOP from optimized SLN in comparison with DOP tablet. The enhancement in relative bioavailability of DOP from optimized SLN was 2.62-fold in comparison with DOP tablet.

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D Printed Tablets for Intragastric Floating Delivery of Domperidone

The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing to prepare intragastric floating sustained release (FSR) tablets. Domperidone (DOM), an insoluble weak base, was chosen as a model drug to investigate the potential of FSR in increasing its oral bioavailability and reducing its administration frequency. DOM was successfully loaded into hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) filaments using hot melt extrusion (HME). The filaments were then printed into hollow structured tablets through changing the shell numbers and the infill percentages. Physical characterization results indicated that the majority of DOM gradually turned into the amorphous form during the fabrication process. The optimized formulation (contain 10% DOM, with 2 shells and 0% infill) exhibited the sustained release characteristic and was able to float for about 10 h in vitro. Radiographic images showed that the BaSO₄-labeled tablets were retained in the stomach of rabbits for more than 8 h. Furthermore, pharmacokinetic studies showed the relative bioavailability of the FSR tablets compared with reference commercial tablets was 222.49 ± 62.85%. All the results showed that FDM based 3D printing might be a promising way to fabricate hollow tablets for the purpose of intragastric floating drug delivery.

Simultaneous determination of domperidone and Itopride in pharmaceuticals and human plasma using RP-HPLC/UV detection: Method development, validation and application of the method in in-vivo evaluation of fast dispersible tablets

Domperidone and Itopride are pro-kinetic agents, regulating the gastric motility and are commonly prescribed as anti emetic drugs. In the present study a simple, rapid and sensitive RP-HPLC/UV method was developed for simultaneous determination of Domperidone and Itopride in pharmaceutical samples and human plasma, using Tenofavir as internal standard. Experimental conditions were optimized and method was validated according to the standard guidelines. Combination of water (pH 3.0) and acetonitrile (65:35 v/v) was used as mobile phase, pumped at the flow rate of 1.5 ml/min. Detector wavelength was set at 210 nm and column oven temperature was 40oC. Unlike conventional liquid-liquid extraction, simple precipitation technique was applied for drug extraction from human plasma using acetonitrile for deprotienation. The method showed adequate separation of both the analytes and best resolution was achieved using Hypersil BDS C8 column (150 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm). The method was quite linear in the range of 20-600 ng/ml. Recovery of the method was 92.31% and 89.82% for Domperidone and Itopride, respectively. Retention time of both the analytes and internal standard was below 15 min. The lower limit of detection (LLOD) and lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) for Domperidone were 5 and 10 ng/ml while for Itopride was 12 and 15 ng/ml, respectively. The developed method was successfully applied for in-vivo analysis of fast dispersible tablets of Domperidone in healthy human volunteer. The proposed method was a part of formulation development study and was efficiently applied for determination of the two drugs in various pharmaceutical products and human plasma.

Formulation development and evaluation of medicated chewing gum of anti-emetic drug

Context: Medicated chewing gum (MCG) of Domperidone Maleate (DM) was developed by direct compression method with the goal to achieve quick onset of action and to improve patient compliance. Objective: Formulation development of MCG of DM and optimization of the formulation by screening of different excipients. Material and methods: MCG containing DM was prepared by screening different concentrations of sweeteners, flavouring agents, softening agents, lubricants and anti-adherents by changing one variable at a time. Performance evaluation was carried out by evaluating size, shape, thickness, taste, scanning electron microscopy, texture analysis, in vivo drug release study, ex vivo buccal permeation study and by studying statistical analysis for quality. Results and discussion: The statistical analysis showed significant improvement in organoleptic properties such as chewable mass, product taste, product consistency, product softness, total flavour lasting time and pharmaceutical properties like micromeritic properties after incorporation of appropriate excipients in an optimum amount in final optimized MCG formulation. In vivo drug release study showed 97% DM release whereas ex vivo buccal permeation study through goat buccal mucosa exhibited 11.27% DM permeation within 15 min indicating its potential for increasing bioavailability by decreasing time of onset. The optimized formulation showed good surface properties and the peak load required for drug release was found to be acceptable for crumbling action. Conclusion: The developed formulation of medicated chewing gum can be a better alternative to mouth dissolving and conventional tablet formulation. It may be proved as a promising approach to improve the bioavailability as well as to improve patient compliance.

Enhancing dissolution of domperidone by spray-drying: effect of different storage conditions on stability

Background: Domperidone is an antidopaminergic drug that facilitates a function of the digestive smooth muscle. Depending on the Biopharmaceutical Classification System, domperidone is classified as class II with poor solubility and high permeability. Method/results: Solid dispersions were prepared by spray-drying with a polymer. The characterization of prepared solid dispersions was analyzed by scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimeter. In vitro dissolution behavior was carried out in gastric juice (pH 1.2) and these results were compared with pure domperidone (active pharmaceutical ingredient). The dissolution rate was improved due to the influence of polymers. Stability assays were conducted by the same pre-experiment. Storage conditions of the solid dispersions were as follows: 25°C relative humidity 25% and 65°C relative humidity 80%. Conclusion: In this study, the goal is to improve the dissolution rate of domperidone by solid dispersions and to confirm stability of the prepared solid dispersions. It suggests that the content of polymers added in solid dispersions can affect the dissolution behavior and change dissolution rate of drug.

Application of SeDeM Expert system in formulation development of effervescent tablets by direct compression

The SeDeM expert system is a pre formulation tool applied for the prediction of the suitability of a material for direct compression. This innovative tool provides an index of good compressibility of the material indicating its aptitude to be compressed by direct compression. In the study the SeDeM expert system has been applied for the prediction of the behavior of the material to be used in the formulation of effervescent tablets by direct compression. Different formulations were developed on the basis of the results of the SeDeM expert system. Various parameters for the material as per the SeDeM expert system were determined according to their official and reported methods. Powder blend for different formulations was evaluated for their rheological properties while tablets were evaluated for various official and unofficial tests. Suitability of the material for direct compression was successfully predicted using the SeDeM expert system. Domperidone was found unsuitable for direct compression. During formulation all excipients responded as they were predicted as per the SeDeM expert system. Tablets produced using the resultant formulations were having sufficient mechanical strength, free of premature effervescence and were capable to be scaled up for commercial manufacturing.

Pharmacokinetics and comparative bioavailability of domperidone suspension and tablet formulations in healthy adult subjects

Domperidone is a dopamine antagonist with a unique gastroprokinetic and antiemetic properties. This study was conducted to evaluate the pharmacokinetics (PKs) and comparative bioavailability of suspension (reference) and tablet (test) formulations of domperidone. In vivo study was established according to a single-center, randomized, single-dose, laboratory-blinded, two way, cross-over study with a washout period of 1 week. Under fasting conditions, 26 healthy Egyptian male volunteers were randomly allocated to receive a single oral dose of either 20 mL domperidone or two tablets (each contains 10 mg domperidone) of marketed suspension and tablet formulations. Plasma samples were obtained over a 24-hour interval and analyzed for domperidone by reversed phase liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The 90% confidence intervals for the ratio of log transformed values of Cmax , AUC0-t , and AUCt-∞ of the two treatments were within the acceptable range (0.8-1.25) for bioequivalence. From PK perspectives, in this small study in healthy Egyptian adult male volunteers, a single 20 mg dose of the tablet formulation was bioequivalent to a single 20 mg dose of the suspension formulation based on the US FDA's regulatory definition. No adverse events occurred or were reported during the study and both formulations were well tolerated.

A novel domperidone hydrogel: preparation, characterization, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic properties

The purpose of the present study was to prepare a novel domperidone hydrogel. The domperidone dispersion was prepared by the solvent evaporation method. The characteristics of domperidone dispersion were measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffractometry, and solubility test, respectively. Domperidone hydrogel was prepared by directly incorporating the domperidone dispersion in Carbopol hydrogel to increase its mucoadhesive properties to gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The in vivo pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies were investigated to evaluate the relative oral bioavailability and the propulsion efficacy of domperidone hydrogel as compared with market domperidone tablet (Motilium tablet). The particle size of domperidone dispersion in distilled water was 454.0 nm. The results of DSC and X-ray indicated that domperidone in dispersion was in amorphous state. The solubility of domperidone in the dispersion in distilled water, pH of 1, 5, and 7 buffer solution was 45.7-, 63.9-, 13.1-, and 3.7-fold higher than that of raw domperidone, respectively. The area under the plasma concentration curve (AUC(0-24)) in domperidone hydrogel was 2.2-fold higher than that of tablet. The prolonged propulsion efficacy in the domperidone hydrogel group compared to that in tablet group was observed in the pharmacodynamic test.

Multi-criteria decision making approach and experimental design as chemometric tools to optimize HPLC separation of domperidone and pantoprazole

This paper deals with multiple response simultaneous optimization using the Derringer's desirability function for the development of a reversed-phase HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of domperidone and pantoprazole in commercial pharmaceutical preparations. Twenty experiments, taking the retention factor of the first peak, the two resolutions, and three retention times as the responses with three important factors, mobile phase composition, buffer molarity and flow rate, were used to design mathematical models. The experimental responses were fitted into a second order polynomial and the six responses simultaneously optimized to predict the optimum conditions for the effective separation of the studied compounds. The optimum assay conditions were: methanol-acetonitrile-dipotassium hydrogen phosphate (pH 7.0; 15.3 mM) (20:33:47, v/v/v) as the mobile phase and at a flow rate of 1.19 ml/min. While using this optimum condition, baseline separation with a minimum resolution of 2.0 and a run time of less than 6 min were achieved. The method showed good agreement between the experimental data and predictive value throughout the studied parameter space. The optimized assay condition was validated according to ICH guidelines to confirm specificity, linearity, accuracy and precision.

Basic Drug—Enterosoluble Polymer Coevaporates: Development of Oral Controlled Release Systems

Precipitation of basic drugs within oral prolonged release systems, at the higher pH values of the intestine, would affect drug release. Coevaporates of a model basic drug verapamil HCl, in single or mixed polymer systems, containing Eudragit L100 (L100) and ethyl cellulose or Eudragit RS100, were prepared from ethanolic solution. XRD and DSC indicated loss of crystallinity of the drug in the coevaporates. The presence of the enterosoluble polymer in the system was found to aid in faster dissolution of the drug at higher pH values. This was affected by the presence and type of retarding polymer present in the system. Compression of the coevaporates resulted in either very slow release of the drug or undesirable changes in the release profile. Pelletization of a coevaporate containing drug and L100 yielded systems, which released the drug uniformly when studied by the buffer change method in simulated gastric (SGF) and intestinal (SIF) fluids. The presence of L100 in intimate contact with the drug was found to be essential for the desirable drug release properties of the system. The drug release occurred predominantly by diffusion in SGF and by a combination of diffusion and polymer dissolution/erosion in SIF. Appropriate choice of release modifiers and formulation variables and development of suitable formulations can yield systems which compensate for the reduced solubility of the drug in the higher pH environments of the intestine.

Factors affecting incorporation of drug into solid solution with HPMCP during solvent change co-precipitation

Drug-hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate (HPMCP) mixtures were completely dissolved in acetone, and the resulting solution was added drop-wise into HCl(aq). Resulting co-precipitates were filtered, and then dried under vacuum at 45 degrees C, -800 mbar for 24 h. Modulated differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray powder diffraction and HPLC were used to detect and quantify different phases present in co-precipitates. A 1/8 factorial study followed by a circumscribed central composite (CCC) study of significant factors, were used to detect and quantify respectively, the effects that processing factors had on the percentage of drug present in co-precipitates which was incorporated into solid solution (the response). Robustness of the model obtained from the CCC study was tested. Statistically significant factors were found to be the percentage of drug added into solvent, stirrer speed, and antisolvent pH. The statistically significant mathematical model obtained from the CCC study predicted that the dominant factor influencing the response is the percentage of drug added into solvent. The effect of stirrer speed on the response includes a local maximum at stirrer speed approximately 700 rpm. Both stirrer speed and antisolvent pH showed interactions with the percentage of drug added into solvent. The model obtained from this study indicated the possibility of two opposing phenomena influencing the response: crystallization inhibition by HPMCP, and solvent-antisolvent plasticization. Testing of this model using eight experimentally determined points showed reasonable robustness, with six out of eight points lying inside 95% prediction intervals.