Structured triglyceride vehicles for oral delivery of halofantrine: examination of intestinal lymphatic transport and bioavailability in conscious rats

Counterion optimization for hydrophobic ion pairing (HIP): Unraveling the key factors

In the present study, various surfactants were combined with insulin (INS), bovine serum albumin (BSA) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) via hydrophobic ion pairing to increase lipophilicity and facilitate incorporation into self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS). Lipophilicity of model proteins was successfully increased, achieving log Dn-butanol/water values up to 3.5 (INS), 3.2 (BSA) and 1.2 (HRP). Hereby, key factors responsible for complex formation were identified. In particular, surfactants with branched alkyl chains or chain lengths greater than C12 showed favorable properties for hydrophobic ion pairs (HIP). Furthermore, flexibility of the carbon chain resulted in higher lipophilicity and suitability of polar head groups of surfactants for HIP decreased in the rank order sulfonate > sulfosuccinate > phosphate = sulfate > carbonate > phosphonic acids = sulfobetaines. Stability studies of formed HIP complexes were performed in various gastrointestinal fluids and their solubility was determined in commonly used SEDDS excipients. Formed complexes were stable in simulated gastrointestinal fluids and could be incorporated into SEDDS formulations (C1: 10% caprylocaproyl polyoxyl-8 glycerides, 20% PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, 20% medium-chain triglycerides, 50% n-butanol; C2: 10% caprylocaproyl polyoxyl-8 glycerides, 20% PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, 20% medium-chain triglycerides, 40% n-butanol, 10% 1,2-butanediol), resulting in suitable payloads of up to 11.9 mg/ml for INS, 1.0 mg/ml for BSA and 1.6 mg/ml for HRP.

Development of a Novel In Vitro Model to Study Lymphatic Uptake of Drugs via Artificial Chylomicrons

The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in the absorption of lipophilic drugs, making it an important route for drug delivery. In this study, an in vitro model using Intralipid® was developed to investigate the lymphatic uptake of drugs. The model was validated using cannabidiol, halofantrine, quercetin, and rifampicin. Remarkably, the uptake of these drugs closely mirrored what would transpire in vivo. Furthermore, adding peanut oil to the model system significantly increased the lymphatic uptake of rifampicin, consistent with meals containing fat stimulating lymphatic drug uptake. Conversely, the inclusion of pluronic L-81 was observed to inhibit the lymphatic uptake of rifampicin in the model. This in vitro model emerges as a valuable tool for investigating and predicting drug uptake via the lymphatic system. It marks the first phase in developing a physiologically based predictive tool that can be refined further to enhance the precision of drug interaction predictions with chylomicrons and their subsequent transport via the lymphatic system. Moreover, it can be employed to explore innovative drug formulations and excipients that either enhance or hinder lymphatic drug uptake. The insights gained from this study have significant implications for advancing drug delivery through the lymphatic system.

Elucidating a Potential Mechanism of Permeability Enhancer Sodium N-[8-(2-hydroxybenzoyl) amino] Caprylate in Rats: Evidence of Lymphatic Absorption of Cyanocobalamin using the Mesenteric Lymph Duct Cannulated Rat

Oral administration is the most popular and convenient route for drug delivery, yet the success of oral drug delivery is dependent on the ADME properties of the drug. Among those ADME properties, permeability is considered one of the key attributes for successful oral drug absorption. Hence, the utilization of permeability enhancers to improve drug oral absorption is an important area of research in drug delivery. A multitude of data suggests that sodium N-[8-(2-hydroxybenzoyl) amino] caprylate (SNAC) is an effective permeability enhancer. Despite its success, the mechanism of how SNAC works to enhance the oral absorption of compounds is poorly understood. To better understand how SNAC worked, we investigated the hypothesis of SNAC promotes lymphatic absorption of target compounds. In this study, cyanocobalamin was used as the model compound and mesenteric lymph duct cannulated rats were used to investigate its absorption with or without SNAC. The present study demonstrated that SNAC enhanced the lymphatic absorption of cyanocobalamin when the two were co-dosed in rats. Furthermore, levels of SNAC in lymph fluid and the systemic circulation were higher when co-dosed with cyanocobalamin.

Validity of cycloheximide chylomicron flow blocking method for the evaluation of lymphatic transport of drugs

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Lymphatic transport of drugs after oral administration is an important mechanism for absorption of highly lipophilic compounds. Direct measurement in lymph duct cannulated animals is the gold standard method, but non-invasive cycloheximide chylomicron flow blocking method has gained popularity recently. However, concerns about its reliability have been raised. The aim of this work was to investigate the validity of cycloheximide chylomicron flow blocking method for the evaluation of lymphatic transport using model compounds with high to very high lipophilicity, that is, abiraterone and cinacalcet.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Series of pharmacokinetic studies were conducted with abiraterone acetate and cinacalcet hydrochloride after enteral/intravenous administration to intact, lymph duct cannulated and/or cycloheximide pre-treated rats.

KEY RESULTS

Mean total absolute oral bioavailability of abiraterone and cinacalcet was 7.0% and 28.7%, respectively. There was a large and significant overestimation of the lymphatic transport extent by the cycloheximide method. Mean relative lymphatic bioavailability of abiraterone and cinacalcet in cycloheximide method was 28-fold and 3-fold higher than in cannulation method, respectively.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

Cycloheximide chylomicron flow blocking method did not provide reliable results on lymphatic absorption and substantially overestimated lymphatic transport for both molecules, that is, abiraterone and cinacalcet. This non-invasive method should not be used for the assessment of lymphatic transport and previously obtained data should be critically revised.

An update on oral drug delivery via intestinal lymphatic transport

Orally administered drug entities have to survive the harsh gastrointestinal environment, penetrate the enteric epithelia and circumvent hepatic metabolism before reaching the systemic circulation. Whereas the gastrointestinal stability can be well maintained by taking proper measures, hepatic metabolism presents as a formidable barrier to drugs suffering from first-pass metabolism. The pharmaceutical academia and industries are seeking alternative pathways for drug transport to circumvent problems associated with the portal pathway. Intestinal lymphatic transport is emerging as a promising pathway to this end. In this review, we intend to provide an updated overview on the rationale, strategies, factors and applications involved in intestinal lymphatic transport. There are mainly two pathways for peroral lymphatic transport-the chylomicron and the microfold cell pathways. The underlying mechanisms are being unraveled gradually and nowadays witness increasing research input and applications.

Lymphatic Transport of Drugs after Intestinal Absorption: Impact of Drug Formulation and Physicochemical Properties

PURPOSE

To provide a comprehensive and up-to-date overview focusing on the extent of lymphatic transport of drugs following intestinal absorption and to summarize available data on the impact of molecular weight, lipophilicity, formulation and prandial state.

METHODS

Literature was searched for in vivo studies quantifying extent of lymphatic transport of drugs after enteral dosing. Pharmacokinetic data were extracted and summarized. Influence of molecular weight, log P, formulation and prandial state was analyzed using relative bioavailability via lymph (F_RL) as the parameter for comparison. The methods and animal models used in the studies were also summarized.

RESULTS

Pharmacokinetic data on lymphatic transport were available for 103 drugs. Significantly higher F_RL [median (IQR)] was observed in advanced lipid based formulations [54.4% (52.0)] and oil solutions [38.9% (60.8)] compared to simple formulations [2.0% (27.1)], p < 0.0001 and p = 0.004, respectively. Advanced lipid based formulations also provided substantial F_RL in drugs with log P < 5, which was not observed in simple formulations and oil solutions. No relation was found between F_RL and molecular weight. There were 10 distinct methods used for in vivo testing of lymphatic transport after intestinal absorption so far.

CONCLUSION

Advanced lipid based formulations provide superior ability to increase lymphatic absorption in drugs of various molecular weights and in drugs with moderate to low lipophilicity.

Lipase-Catalyzed Interesterification for the Synthesis of Medium-Long-Medium (MLM) Structured Lipids - A Review

Medium-long-medium (MLM) structured lipids typically contain medium-chain fatty acids (C6-C12) at sn-1,3 and long-chain fatty acids (C14-C24) at sn-2 positions. They have reduced calories and are suitable for the control of obesity, lipid malabsorption and other metabolic disorders. This review focuses on the synthesis of MLM lipids by the enzymatic interesterification. It gives detailed description of biocatalysts, substrates, reactors and synthesis methods, and discusses the use of MLM lipids in food products. The information provided in this review can be considered as the current state-of-the art for developing a future strategy for the synthesis of MLM structured lipids.

Comparisons of in vitro Fick's first law, lipolysis, and in vivo rat models for oral absorption on BCS II drugs in SNEDDS

Purpose

The objective of this study was to compare the in vitro Fick’s first law, in vitro lipolysis, and in vivo rat assays for oral absorption of Biopharmaceutical Classification Systems Class II (BCS II) drugs in self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS), and studied drugs and oils properties effects on the absorption.

Methods

The transport abilities of griseofulvin (GRI), phenytoin (PHE), indomethacin (IND), and ketoprofen (KET) in saturated water solutions and SNEDDS were investigated using the in vitro Madin-Darby canine kidney cell model. GRI and cinnarizine (CIN) in medium-chain triglycerides (MCT)-SNEDDS and long-chain triglycerides (LCT)-SNEDDS were administered in the in vivo SD rat and in vitro lipolysis models to compare the oral absorption and the distribution behaviors in GIT and build an in vitro-in vivo correlation (IVIVC).

Results

In the cell model, the solubility of GRI, PHE, IND, and KET increased 6–8 fold by SNEDDS, but their permeability were only 18%, 4%, 8%, and 33% of those of their saturated water solutions, respectively. However, in vivo absorption of GRI-SNEDDS was twice that of the GRI suspension and those of CIN-SNEDDS were 15–21 fold those of the CIN suspension. In the lipolysis model, the GRI% in aqueous and pellet phases of MCT were similar to that in LCT. In contrast, the CIN% in the aqueous and pellet phases were decreased but that of the lipid phase increased. In addition, an IVIVC was found between the CIN% in the lipid phase and in vivo relative oral bioavailability (F_r).

Conclusion

The in vitro cell model was still a suitable tool to study drug properties effects on biofilm transport and SNEDDS absorption mechanisms. The in vitro lipolysis model provided superior oral absorption simulation of SNEDDS and helped to build correlation with in vivo rats. The oral drug absorption was affected by drug and oil properties in SNEDDS.

Systematic Development of Sertraline Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticle (SLN) by Emulsification-Ultrasonication Method and Pharmacokinetic Study in Sprague-Dawley Rats

OBJECTIVE

To circumvent the aforementioned problems and for the successful delivery of those newly discovered poorly soluble compounds, researchers have focused on the feasibility of biocompatible lipids such as Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) as carrier system.

BACKGROUND

Sertraline (SRT) is commercially available as hydrochloride salt. Poor bioavailability (around 44%) of hydrochloride salt is considered to be conversion of salts to free base in the gastrointestinal tract which retard it's absorption.

METHODS

Different batches of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) were prepared and on the basis of particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP), encapsulation efficiency (EE), and drug loading capacity (L) an optimum system was designed.

RESULTS

The optimized formulation contains; 5% (w/v) Compritol® E ATO as lipids, 2.5% (w/v) Tween® 80 as surfactant and 0.1% (w/v) SRT as actives. The formulation was freeze-dried using mannitol as a cryoprotectant to control the aggregation of particles during redispersion process. SLN with <110 nm size, <0.2 PDI, >36 mV ZP, >72% EE, and nearly 0.7% L can be formed at appropriate formulation process conditions; homogenization time (HT) and sonication time (ST) at 5 min and 10 min, respectively. XRD studies indicated the presence of amorphous form of drug that is completely encapsulated within the nanoparticulate matrix system. The optimized SLN formulation have shown the highest value of zeta potential (-36.5 mV) confers stability of nanodispersion. Release of drug encapsulated in SLN showed a biphasic pattern and was extended upto 12 hours. The maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the curve (AUC) in case of sertraline loaded SLN were found 10-fold and 6-fold higher, respectively compared to pure drug.

CONCLUSION

The result depicted enhanced extent of absorption of sertraline from SLN compared to plain sertraline. Furthermore, sertraline-loaded SLN were found to be stable at 4°C for 6 months of study period. Hence, the SLN can be used as a potential carrier for successful delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs associated with poor oral bioavailability like sertraline.

Excipient Stability in Oral Solid Dosage Forms: A Review

The choice of excipients constitutes a major part of preformulation and formulation studies during the preparation of pharmaceutical dosage forms. The physical, mechanical, and chemical properties of excipients affect various formulation parameters, such as disintegration, dissolution, and shelf life, and significantly influence the final product. Therefore, several studies have been performed to evaluate the effect of drug-excipient interactions on the overall formulation. This article reviews the information available on the physical and chemical instabilities of excipients and their incompatibilities with the active pharmaceutical ingredient in solid oral dosage forms, during various drug-manufacturing processes. The impact of these interactions on the drug formulation process has been discussed in detail. Examples of various excipients used in solid oral dosage forms have been included to elaborate on different drug-excipient interactions.

The Effect of Digestion and Drug Load on Halofantrine Absorption from Self-nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery System (SNEDDS)

A super-saturated self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (super-SNEDDS), containing the poorly water-soluble drug halofantrine (Hf) at 150% of equilibrium solubility (S eq), was compared in vitro and in vivo with a conventional SNEDDS (75% of S eq) with respect to bioavailability and digestibility. Further, the effect of digestion on oral absorption of Hf from SNEDDS and super-SNEDDS was assessed by incorporation of the lipase inhibitor tetrahydrolipstatin (orlistat) into the SNEDDS. The SNEDDS contained soybean oil/Maisine 34-I (1:1), Kolliphor RH40, and ethanol at a ratio of 55:35:10, w/w percent. For the dynamic in vitro lipolysis, the precipitation of Hf at 60 min was significantly larger for the super-SNEDDS (66.8 ± 16.4%) than for the SNEDDS (18.5 ± 9.2%). The inhibition of the in vitro digestion by orlistat (1% (w/w)) lowered drug precipitation significantly for both the super-SNEDDS (36.8 ± 1.7%) and the SNEDDS (3.9 ± 0.7%). In the in vivo studies, the super-SNEDDS concept proved valid in a rat model with a significantly larger C max for the super-SNEDDS (964 ± 167 ng/mL) than for the SNEDDS (506 ± 112 ng/mL). The bioavailability of Hf dosed in super-SNEDDS (32.9 ± 3.6%) and SNEDDS (22.5 ± 6.3%) did not change significantly with co-administration of orlistat (45.5 ± 7.3% and 21.9 ± 6.5%, respectively). However, the pharmacokinetic parameters changed; the t max of the super-SNEDDS (1.3 ± 0.1 h) and SNEDDS (2.8 ± 1.2 h) were significantly lower when dosed with orlistat (6.0 ± 1.3 and 6.3 ± 1.2 h, respectively). These findings suggest that the role of lipid digestion for the absorption of drugs from SNEDDS may be less important than previously thought.

Using in situ Raman spectroscopy to study the drug precipitation inhibition and supersaturation mechanism of Vitamin E TPGS from self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS)

We are reporting a new methodology of using Raman spectroscopy for studying the drug surfactant interactions in self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS). The physicochemical properties of surfactants could affect the performance of drugs from lipid delivery systems. Thus the purpose of our research was to study the drug surfactant interactions on a molecular level to understand the mechanism of supersaturation and precipitation inhibition. Two surfactants, Labrasol® and Vitamin E TPGS, were used to formulate several SEDDS. The optimized SEDDS were further evaluated by a kinetic solubility study and in situ Raman spectroscopy for two model drugs. It was found that both drugs precipitated from Labrasol® SEDDS whereas TPGS was able to inhibit precipitation and achieve high drug supersaturation levels. In situ Raman spectroscopy indicated that hydrogen bonding with TPGS was the main factor responsible for inhibiting precipitation. This study was able to correlate the structure and physicochemical properties of the drugs and surfactants to their ability to prevent drug precipitation. Our study brings up a possible new systematic approach by using Raman spectroscopy in the development and optimization of lipid based delivery systems.

Enhanced association of probucol with chylomicron by pharmaceutical excipients: an in vitro study

In this study, we examined the effect of pharmaceutical excipients preferred in lipid-based formulations for lymphatic delivery on in vitro association of probucol with chylomicron (CM). CM stability study was performed under the conditions of room temperature, refrigeration and deep freezing to optimize the storage condition of CM dispersion prior to CM-binding study. The mean particle size, size distribution and zeta potential value were considerably maintained for 48 h under the refrigeration condition. CM-binding study was conducted using probucol incorporated in vehicles composed of solubilizer (Transcutol HP or ethanol or propylene glycol) or surfactant (Tween-80 or Tween-20 or Cremophor ELP), and CM dispersion obtained by a density-gradient ultracentrifugation. Levels of the association of probucol with CM were largely governed by solubility of probucol in pharmaceutical excipients tested in this study, and the ability of solubilizers tested to enhance the affinity of probucol with CM was much greater than that of surfactants tested. Furthermore, the association of probucol with CM was enhanced by increasing the amount of the drug solubilized in propylene glycol or Transcutol HP. Together, the result of this CM-binding study showed that solubilizers tested in this study can increase levels of the association of probucol with CM, potentially leading to an increase in lymphatic exposure of drugs. Thus, identifying pharmaceutical excipients having better solubilizing ability would be advantageous for enhanced lymphatic delivery.

Role of lipid-based excipients and their composition on the bioavailability of antiretroviral self-emulsifying formulations

The objective of this study was to develop self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) to improve solubility and enhance the oral absorption of the poorly water-soluble drug, nevirapine. This lipid-based formulation may help to target the drug to lymphoid organs where HIV-1 virus resides mainly. The influence of the oil, surfactant and co-surfactant types on the drug solubility and their ratios on forming efficient and stable SEDDS were investigated in detail. Two SEDDS (F1 and F2) were prepared and characterized by morphological observation, droplet size and zeta potential determination, cloud point measurement and in vitro diffusion study. The influence of droplet size on the absorption from formulations with varying concentration of oil and surfactant was also evaluated from two self-emulsifying formulations. Oral bioavailability of nevirapine SEDDS was checked by using rat model. Results of diffusion rate and oral bioavailability of nevirapine SEDDS were compared with marketed suspension. The absorption of nevirapine from F1 and F2 showed 1.92 and 1.98-fold increase (p < 0.05) in relative bioavailability, respectively, compared with that of the suspension. There was no statistical significant difference (p < 0.05) between F1 and F2 in their AUC and C(max). This indicated that there was apparent poor correlation between the droplet size and in vivo absorption. However, nevirapine in SEDDS showed higher ex vivo stomach and intestinal permeability and in vivo absorption than the marketed suspension, suggesting that the SEDDS may be a useful delivery system for targeting nevirapine to lymphoid organs.

Quantitative analysis of the effect of triglyceride alkyl-chain length on the partitioning of highly lipophilic compounds to the mesenteric lymph in intestinal cells

The purpose of this study was to quantitatively clarify the effect of alky-chain length of a triglyceride in an emulsion on the partitioning of highly lipophilic compounds into the lymph fluid after their oral administration. Highly lipophilic anthraquinone derivatives were orally administered in emulsions to rats. Emulsions composed of long-, medium-, and short-chain triglycerides (LCT, MCT, and SCT emulsions, respectively) were used. The concentrations of the compounds in plasma and lymph fluid were periodically determined and their partitioning to the lymph was calculated using a mathematical model. Intestinal absorption of all compounds was enhanced and the plasma concentrations of the compounds were found to be in the following order: LCT emulsion > MCT emulsion > SCT emulsion. The amounts of each compound recovered in the lymph were not in agreement with their lipophilicity. Quantitative analysis revealed that the partitioning of the compounds to the lymph may be determined by the solubility of the compound in the triglyceride in the form of an emulsion and the amount of triglyceride transferred to the lymph fluid. These results suggest a possibility that the amount of a compound absorbed via the lymph route after oral administration can be quantitatively controlled by the formulations.

Liquid and solid self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems for improving the oral bioavailability of andrographolide from a crude extract of Andrographis paniculata

The purpose of this study was to develop self-microemulsifying formulations of an Andrographis paniculata extract in liquid and pellet forms for an improved oral delivery of andrographolide. The optimized liquid self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) was composed of A. paniculata extract (11.1%), Capryol 90 (40%), Cremophor RH 40 (40%) and Labrasol (8.9%). This liquid SMEDDS was further adsorbed onto colloidal silicon dioxide and microcrystalline cellulose, and converted to SMEDDS pellets by the extrusion/spheronization technique. The microemulsion droplet sizes of the liquid and pellet formulations after dilution with water were in the range of 23.4 and 30.3 nm. The in vitro release of andrographolide from the liquid SMEDDS and SMEDDS pellets was 97.64% (SD 1.97%) and 97.74% (SD 3.36%) within 15 min, respectively while the release from the initial extract was only 10%. The oral absorption of andrographolide was determined in rabbits. The C(max) value of andrographolide from the A. paniculata extract liquid SMEDDS and SMEDDS pellet formulations (equivalent to 17.5mg/kg of andrographolide) was 6-fold and 5-fold greater than the value from the initial extract in aqueous suspension (equivalent to 35 mg/kg of andrographolide), respectively. In addition, the AUC(0-12h) was increased 15-fold by the liquid SMEDDS and 13-fold by the SMEDDS pellets compared to the extract in aqueous suspension, respectively. The results clearly indicated that the liquid and solid SMEDDS could be effectively used to improve the dissolution and oral bioavailability that would also enable a reduction in the dose of the poorly water soluble A. paniculata extract.

Studying the effect of lipid chain length on the precipitation of a poorly water soluble drug from self-emulsifying drug delivery system on dispersion into aqueous medium

Objective

The lipid excipients of the self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) could play a role in interfering with the drug precipitation to maintain its supersaturation, a step with possible major significance on the SEDDS. Thus, the effect of lipid chain length on indomethacin precipitation rate from SEDDS upon dilution was studied.

Method

Indomethacin SEDDS were prepared using medium and long chain lipids at 5% and 13% (w/w) drug load. Two medium chain lipids Lauroglycol and Capryol, and two long chain lipids Labrafil and castor oil, were studied. The 13% w/w SEDDS were evaluated for drug release, and the physicochemical properties of the precipitated drug were characterized by PXRD, DSC, IR and Raman.

Key findings

The final optimized SEDDS consisted of Lauroglycol (lipid): Transcutol (co-solvent): Labrasol (surfactant). No precipitate was observed with long chain lipids SEDDS, whereas medium chain lipids SEDDS showed precipitation within 30 min of drug release from 13% w/w formulations. Precipitation studies showed that the medium chain lipids resulted in a modified indomethacin form possibly an ester. The ester formation signifies the interaction between indomethacin and medium chain length lipids.

Conclusions

The study emphasizes the importance of lipids chain length of excipients in successful SEDDS formulations. The study provides insight into the underlying drug lipid interactions in SEDDS formulations.

In vitro and in vivo performance of novel supersaturated self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (super-SNEDDS)

Novel supersaturated self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (super-SNEDDS) containing the poorly water-soluble drug halofantrine above equilibrium solubility (150% S(eq)) were compared in vitro and in vivo with conventional SNEDDS containing the drug below equilibrium solubility (75% S(eq)). Pre-concentrates comprising of either medium chain lipids (Captex 300/Capmul MCM) or long chain lipids (soybean oil/Maisine), Cremophor RH40 and ethanol were formulated maintaining the lipid-to-surfactant-to-cosolvent ratio constant (55:35:10, w/w %). The ability of super-SNEDDS to increase the absorption of halofantrine in dogs, as well as the predictivity of the dynamic in vitro lipolysis model was studied. In vitro lipolysis of SNEDDS and super-SNEDDS showed rapid drug precipitation from all formulations while the same drug concentrations in the digestion medium were found during digestion of equal amounts of SNEDDS and super-SNEDDS. Elevated halofantrine solubilisation during in vitro lipolysis was observed only when multiple capsules of conventional SNEDDS were subjected to in vitro digestion. After lipolysis the isolated super-SNEDDS pellets were characterised by XRPD revealing no crystalline halofantrine from any of the investigated formulations. Subsequent dissolution studies of the super-SNEDDS pellet in the lipolysis medium demonstrated enhanced dissolution of halofantrine suggesting that halofantrine in the pellet was amorphous. The enhanced dissolution of the amorphous halofantrine was also reflected in vivo since two capsules of conventional SNEDDS were needed to achieve similar AUC and C(max) as obtained after dosing of a single capsule of super-SNEDDS. The study demonstrated that the absorption of halofantrine was not hampered by drug precipitation. Super-SNEDDS lead to precipitation of halofantrine in an amorphous form, which can be the driving force for enhanced absorption. Since super-SNEDDS were also physically stable for at least 6 months they represent a potential novel oral lipid-based drug delivery system for low aqueous soluble compounds.

Self-emulsifying therapeutic system: a potential approach for delivery of lipophilic drugs

Self-emulsifying therapeutic system (SETs) provide an effective and intelligent solution to the various issues related to the formulation of hydrophobic drugs with limited solubility in gastrointestinal fluid. Although the potential utility of SETs is well known, only in recent years has a mechanistic understanding of the impact of these systems on drug disposition emerged. These in situ emulsion-forming systems have a high stability when incorporated in various dosage forms. SETs are being looked upon as systems which can overcome the problems associated with delivery of poorly water soluble drugs. An in-depth knowledge about lipids and surfactants that can contribute to these systems, criterion for their selection and the proportion in which they can be used, represent some crucial factors determining the in vivo performance of these systems. This article presents a comprehensive account of various types of self-emulsifying formulations with emphasis on their composition and examples of currently marketed preparations.

Intestinal absorption and intestinal lymphatic transport of sirolimus from self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems assessed using the single-pass intestinal perfusion (SPIP) technique and a chylomicron flow blocking approach: linear correlation with oral bioavailabilities in rats

This work aims to investigate the impact of different amount of oil or surfactant included in self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems on the intestinal lymphatic transport of sirolimus using the single-pass intestinal perfusion (SPIP) technique and a chylomicron flow blocking approach. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated intraperitoneally with 3.0mg/kg cycloheximide or saline. One hour later, single-pass intestinal perfusion experiments in jejunum and ileum and in vivo bioavailability studies were carried out to calculate the effective permeability coefficient and pharmacokinetic parameters, respectively. Drug absorption from oil-free formulation was mostly via the portal blood. In contrast, for the SMEDDS formulations containing ≥25% MCT, the lymphatic transport of sirolimus was a major contributor to oral bioavailability. The formulation including more content of oil presented higher lymphatic transport of drug and further exhibited the increased oral bioavailability. Besides, distal ileum presented much more lymphatic transport of drug compared to proximal jejunum. Furthermore, even though the smaller droplet size of resultant microemulsions and more surfactant content also can positively influence the intestinal absorption of drug, their influences on the drug intestinal lymphatic transport were relatively weaker than that of more oil content. In addition, there was a high linear correlation between the AUC values and the mean of P(eff) values in jejunum and ileum.

Recent advances in lipid nanoparticle formulations with solid matrix for oral drug delivery

Lipid nanoparticles based on solid matrix have emerged as potential drug carriers to improve gastrointestinal (GI) absorption and oral bioavailability of several drugs, especially lipophilic compounds. These formulations may also be used for sustained drug release. Solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) and the newer generation lipid nanoparticle, nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC), have been studied for their capability as oral drug carriers. Biodegradable, biocompatible, and physiological lipids are generally used to prepare these nanoparticles. Hence, toxicity problems related with the polymeric nanoparticles can be minimized. Furthermore, stability of the formulations might increase than other liquid nano-carriers due to the solid matrix of these lipid nanoparticles. These nanoparticles can be produced by different formulation techniques. Scaling up of the production process from lab scale to industrial scale can be easily achieved. Reasonably high drug encapsulation efficiency of the nanoparticles was documented. Oral absorption and bioavailability of several drugs were improved after oral administration of the drug-loaded SLNs or NLCs. In this review, pros and cons, different formulation and characterization techniques, drug incorporation models, GI absorption and oral bioavailability enhancement mechanisms, stability and storage condition of the formulations, and recent advances in oral delivery of the lipid nanoparticles based on solid matrix will be discussed.

Lipid nanoparticles with a solid matrix (SLN, NLC, LDC) for oral drug delivery

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN), nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC), and lipid-drug conjugates (LDC), commonly produced by high-pressure homogenization, are interesting vectors for oral delivery of lipophilic and, to a certain extent, hydrophilic substances. Their production can be done without the use of organic solvents. Techniques to make them a physically stable delivery system have been developed. Scaling up of the production process from lab-size to large-scale dimensions using high-pressure homogenization can be easily achieved by using a different type of homogenizer. The machines used for large-scale production often yield an even better product quality than the lab-scale types. This review article covers the methods of production, characterization, mechanisms of oral bioavailability enhancement, scale-up, final oral dosage forms, and regulatory aspects of lipid nanoparticles for oral drug delivery. It focuses mainly on high-pressure homogenization production methods.

Assessing the Antifungal Activity of a New Oral Lipid-Based Amphotericin B Formulation Following Administration to Rats Infected withAspergillus Fumigatus

The purpose of this study was to assess the antifungal activity of a new oral amphotericin B (AmpB) lipid-based formulation following administration to rats infected with Aspergillus fumigatus. Aspergillus fumigatus inoculum (2.1-2.5 x 10(7) colony forming units [CFU]) were injected via the jugular vein; 48h later male albino Sprague-Dawley rats (350-400 g) were administered either a single oral dose of AmpB incorporated into Peceol (50 mg AmpB/kg), physiologic saline (nontreated controls) or Peceol alone (vehicle control) once daily for 4 days. To assess antifungal activity Brain, Lung, Heart, Liver, Spleen and Kidney sections were homogenized with normal saline (1 mL/g of tissue) and a 0.1-mL aliquot was spread plated onto a Sabourand dextrose agar plate. The plates were incubated for 48 hr at 37 degrees C, at which time the number of fungal CFU were determined and corrected for tissue weight. In addition, plasma galactomannan antigen concentrations were determined. Data was reported as mean +/- standard error of the mean. The AmpB-Peceol oral formulation significantly decreased total fungal CFU concentrations recovered in all the organs added together, brain CFU concentrations, spleen CFU concentrations and plasma galactomannan antigen concentrations compared to baseline. No significant differences in lung, heart, liver and kidney CFU concentrations between treatment and control groups were observed. Peceol vehicle control did not exhibit any antifungal activity. These findings suggest that a new oral lipid-based formulation of AmpB incorporated into Peceol can significantly decrease brain and spleen CFU concentrations and plasma galactomannan antigen concentrations compared to non-treated controls.

Intestinal lymphatic transport of halofantrine in rats assessed using a chylomicron flow blocking approach: the influence of polysorbate 60 and 80

The aim of the study was to examine the effects of polysorbate 60 and 80 on intestinal lymphatic transport of a poorly water-soluble compound, halofantrine, using a chylomicron flow blocking approach in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated intraperitoneally with 3.0 mg/kg cycloheximide or saline. One hour later, rats were dosed with 6.7 mg/kg halofantrine in 0.4 or 1.0 g/kg polysorbate 60 or 80, 0.33 g/kg soybean oil or 0.33 g/kg soybean oil+1.0 g/kg polysorbate 80 by gavage, and plasma samples were collected. The fraction of halofantrine transported to the lymphatic system was determined as the difference between the bioavailability in saline-pretreated rats and cycloheximide-pretreated rats. No significant differences in halofantrine transport to the systemic blood and in the deduced lymphatic transport were observed between the two polysorbates, at the tested dosages. The lymphatic transport of halofantrine was the same whether dosing with polysorbate 60, polysorbate 80 or soybean oil; accordingly both surfactants can be used as lymphotropic carriers. Furthermore, there was a good correlation between the halofantrine transport to blood and lymphatics in the chylomicron flow blocking model and published results from the mesenteric lymph-cannulated model.

Bioavailability of Seocalcitol IV: Evaluation of Lymphatic Transport in Conscious Rats

PURPOSE

To study the use of long chain triglycerides (LCT) as a lymphotropic carrier of (3)H-seocalcitol by comparing the lymphatic transport and the portal absorption of (3)H-seocalcitol when dissolved in a (1) LCT solution or a (2) reference solution without lipid containing propylene glycol (PG).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A lymph cannulated conscious rat model was dosed orally with (3)H-seocalcitol dissolved in either LCT or PG. Lymph was collected continuously, and blood was sampled over 9 h. (3)H-seocalcitol in blood and lymph and triglycerides in lymph were analysed.

RESULTS

A statistically significantly (p < 0.05) higher recovery of the dosed (3)H-seocalcitol was found in the intestinal lymph upon administration of the LCT solution (1.3 +/- 0.6%) compared to the PG solution (0.5 +/- 0.4%). The portal absorption of (3)H-seocalcitol was significantly (p < 0.05) higher from the LCT solution (16.2 +/- 2.2%) than from the PG solution (10.8 +/- 0.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

The LCT solution resulted in a statistical significantly higher level of lymphatic and portal transport of (3)H-seocalcitol compared with the PG solution. However, even though LCT facilitates the formation of chylomicrons, (3)H-seocalcitol favours absorption directly to the portal blood probably due to the moderate lipophilicity of the molecule.

The metabolism of structured triacylglycerols

The triacylglycerol (TAG) structure in addition to the overall fatty acid profile is of importance when considering the nutritional effect of a dietary fat. This review aims at summarizing our current knowledge of the digestion, absorption, uptake, and transport of structured TAGs, with particular emphasis on the following aspects: gastric emptying, specificity of pancreatic lipase, lymphatic transport and clearance of chylomicrons, effects of lipid structure on tissue lipid compositions and the fecal loss of fats. So an overview will be provided for how the structure and fatty acid composition of TAGs affect their absorption and the distribution of the fatty acids in the body following digestion and absorption.

Potential mechanisms by which Peceol increases the gastrointestinal absorption of amphotericin B

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to ascertain how the incorporation of AmpB into a glyceride-rich excipient Peceol significantly increased Amphotericin B's (AmpB) gastrointestinal absorption in white male Sprague-Dawley rats. Based on preliminary studies, our working hypothesis was that incorporation of AmpB into mixed micelles composed of Peceol would significantly enhance gastro-intestinal (GI) tract absorption by increasing lymphatic drug transport and decreasing P-glycoprotein (PGP)-mediated drug efflux.

METHODS

I. Lymphatic Transport

STUDIES

Following an overnight fast (12-16 hr) and 48 hr postsurgery, rats were divided into two treatment groups and received a single-dose oral gavage (1 mL total volume) at 0700 h of either desoxycholate (DOC)-AmpB (5 mg AmpB/kg; n = 6 at each time point) or AmpB incorporated into 100% Peceol (Peceol-AmpB; 5 mg AmpB/kg; n = 6 at each time point). Mesenteric lymph samples were obtained prior to and at 0-4-hr, 4-6-hr, and 6-8-hr intervals post oral gavage. An equal volume of normal saline (1 mL) was administered intravenously to the animal following each blood draw to prevent fluid depletion throughout the duration of the study. Lymph was immediately harvested by centrifugation and analyzed for drug by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). II. Multidrug Resistance 1 (mdr-1) STUDIES: Caco-2 cells were seeded at 10,000 cells/cm2 in T-75 flasks. When the cells reached 80% confluency, they were treated for 1 day and 7 days with 0.1% to 1.0% (v/v) Peceol or media alone (control). Following treatment, total RNA was isolated using TRIzol reagent, followed by reverse transcription into single-stranded cDNA. Polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were performed with specific primers for mdr-1. The PGP protein was determined by Western Blot Analysis.

RESULTS

Mean weight of rats was not significantly different prior to and following drug administration. Similarly, kidney, liver, lung, spleen, and heart weights were not different between DOC-AmpB and Peceol-AmpB treatment group. A significantly greater amount of AmpB was transported through the mesenteric lymph duct for all the time intervals used following the administration of Peceol-AmpB treatment group compared to the administration of DOC-AmpB (suspension). A significant lower mdr-1 mRNA and PGP protein expression within Caco-2 cells was observed following 1 and 7 days treatment with Peceol 0.1% to 1.0% (v/v) compared to nontreated controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, these findings suggest that Peceol increases the gastrointestinal absorption of AmpB by increasing the amount of drug that is transported through the mesenteric lymph duct and by decreasing mdr-1 mRNA and PGP protein expression, resulting in lower PGP-mediated AmpB efflux.

Solubilizing excipients in oral and injectable formulations

A review of commercially available oral and injectable solution formulations reveals that the solubilizing excipients include water-soluble organic solvents (polyethylene glycol 300, polyethylene glycol 400, ethanol, propylene glycol, glycerin, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, dimethylacetamide, and dimethylsulfoxide), non-ionic surfactants (Cremophor EL, Cremophor RH 40, Cremophor RH 60, d-alpha-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate, polysorbate 20, polysorbate 80, Solutol HS 15, sorbitan monooleate, poloxamer 407, Labrafil M-1944CS, Labrafil M-2125CS, Labrasol, Gellucire 44/14, Softigen 767, and mono- and di-fatty acid esters of PEG 300, 400, or 1750), water-insoluble lipids (castor oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, olive oil, peanut oil, peppermint oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, soybean oil, hydrogenated vegetable oils, hydrogenated soybean oil, and medium-chain triglycerides of coconut oil and palm seed oil), organic liquids/semi-solids (beeswax, d-alpha-tocopherol, oleic acid, medium-chain mono- and diglycerides), various cyclodextrins (alpha-cyclodextrin, beta-cyclodextrin, hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin, and sulfobutylether-beta-cyclodextrin), and phospholipids (hydrogenated soy phosphatidylcholine, distearoylphosphatidylglycerol, L-alpha-dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine, L-alpha-dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol). The chemical techniques to solubilize water-insoluble drugs for oral and injection administration include pH adjustment, cosolvents, complexation, microemulsions, self-emulsifying drug delivery systems, micelles, liposomes, and emulsions.

Self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) for improved oral delivery of lipophilic drugs

The oral delivery of hydrophobic drugs presents a major challenge because of the low aqueous solubility of such compounds. Self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS), which are isotropic mixtures of oils, surfactants, solvents and co-solvents/surfactants, can be used for the design of formulations in order to improve the oral absorption of highly lipophilic drug compounds. SEDDS can be orally administered in soft or hard gelatin capsules and form fine relatively stable oil-in-water (o/w) emulsions upon aqueous dilution owing to the gentle agitation of the gastrointestinal fluids. The efficiency of oral absorption of the drug compound from the SEDDS depends on many formulation-related parameters, such as surfactant concentration, oil/surfactant ratio, polarity of the emulsion, droplet size and charge, all of which in essence determine the self-emulsification ability. Thus, only very specific pharmaceutical excipient combinations will lead to efficient self-emulsifying systems. Although many studies have been carried out, there are few drug products on the pharmaceutical market formulated as SEDDS confirming the difficulty of formulating hydrophobic drug compounds into such formulations. At present, there are four drug products, Sandimmune and Sandimmun Neoral (cyclosporin A), Norvir (ritonavir), and Fortovase (saquinavir) on the pharmaceutical market, the active compounds of which have been formulated into specific SEDDS. Significant improvement in the oral bioavailability of these drug compounds has been demonstrated for each case. The fact that almost 40% of the new drug compounds are hydrophobic in nature implies that studies with SEDDS will continue, and more drug compounds formulated as SEDDS will reach the pharmaceutical market in the future.

Effect of lipid excipients on in vitro pancreatic lipase activity

PURPOSE

To study the effects of two lipid excipients, Peceol and Gelucire 44/14 on the in vitro pancreatic lipase activity.

METHODS

A 50 microL reaction mixture, consisting of 45 microL (3H) triolein as the radiolabeled substrate, 2.5 microL Peceol or Gelucire 44/14 (0.05-0.5%), either alone or in combination, 2.5 microL colipase (100 microg/mL), and 2.5 microL pancreatic lipase (1 mg/mL), was incubated for 10 min at room temperature. At the end of incubation, the reaction was stopped by the addition of an extraction solvent containing chloroform, methanol, and n-heptane (12.5:14:10), and the mixture vortexed briefly. Subsequently, 250 microL of 50 mM sodium carbonate was added and the aqueous and organic phase separated by centrifugation for 5 min at 1000 g. One hundred microliters of the supernatant was transferred to a scintillation counter and then radioactivity measured after the addition of 3.6 mL of scintillation fluid. Pancreatic lipase activity was determined by measuring the amount of free fatty acid released into the incubation medium and expressed as micromol free fatty acid released/min.

RESULTS

When used alone, Peceol inhibited the pancreatic lipase activity significantly in a concentration-dependent manner, with a maximum inhibition of 57% at 0.4% of the excipient [p < 0.05, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)]. Similarly, Gelucire 44/14 alone caused inhibition of lipase activity in a concentration-dependent manner. However, the maximum inhibition (30%) was smaller in magnitude compared with the former agent. When the two excipients were used in combination, the inhibitory effects on the enzyme activity were similar to those observed with the individual agents (p < 0.05, one-way ANOVA). However, the maximum inhibition of 30% was lower than that observed with Peceol alone.

CONCLUSIONS

The results from this study suggest that these lipid excipients inhibit in vitro pancreatic lipase activity and should be taken into consideration when developing oral formulations using these agents.

Effects of lipid-based oral formulations on plasma and tissue amphotericin B concentrations and renal toxicity in male rats

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of various lipid and mixed-micelle formulations on the oral absorption and renal toxicity of amphotericin B (AMB) in rats. The maximum concentration of AMB in plasma and the area under the concentration-time curve for 0 to 24 h for AMB were elevated in rats administered triglyceride (TG)-rich AMB formulations in comparison to those in rats given (i) AMB preformulated as a micelle containing sodium deoxycholate with sodium phosphate as a buffer (DOC-AMB), (ii) an AMB-lipid complex suspension, or (iii) AMB solubilized in methanol. Furthermore, our findings suggest that AMB incorporated into TG-based oral formulations has less renal toxicity than DOC-AMB.

A stepwise surgical procedure to investigate the lymphatic transport of lipid-based oral drug formulations: Cannulation of the mesenteric and thoracic lymph ducts within the rat

INTRODUCTION

A number of animal models have been described for the assessment of intestinal lymphatic drug transport. Lymphatic transport studies are commonly first conducted in the laboratory rat, with larger more complicated models (i.e., dog or pig) subsequently investigated. However, the utility of lymph fistulation in large animals is limited by considerable logistical and economic constraints.

METHODS

This paper describes a stepwise surgical procedure for cannulating the thoracic and mesenteric lymph ducts in male Sprague-Dawley rats.

RESULTS

Following surgery, thoracic and mesenteric lymph flow rates during the 24-h period immediately following surgery averaged 12.5+/-2.5 and 2.4+/-1.1 ml/h, respectively. This flow rate is greater than that obtained with previously described methods, which require restraint of the animals and/or a 24-h recovery period and are reported to produce average intestinal lymph flow rates of 2 ml/h.

DISCUSSION

This animal model can be utilized for the assessment of drug transport by the lymphatics and for determining what percentage of lymphatic transport is a result of only intestinal lymphatics.