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Nirwan JS, Lou S, Hussain S, Nauman M, Hussain T, Conway BR, Ghori MU. Electrically Tunable Lens (ETL)-Based Variable Focus Imaging System for Parametric Surface Texture Analysis of Materials. MICROMACHINES 2021; 13:17. [PMID: 35056182 PMCID: PMC8778955 DOI: 10.3390/mi13010017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Electrically tunable lenses (ETLs) are those with the ability to alter their optical power in response to an electric signal. This feature allows such systems to not only image the areas of interest but also obtain spatial depth perception (depth of field, DOF). The aim of the present study was to develop an ETL-based imaging system for quantitative surface analysis. Firstly, the system was calibrated to achieve high depth resolution, warranting the accurate measurement of the depth and to account for and correct any influences from external factors on the ETL. This was completed using the Tenengrad operator which effectively identified the plane of best focus as demonstrated by the linear relationship between the control current applied to the ETL and the height at which the optical system focuses. The system was then employed to measure amplitude, spatial, hybrid, and volume surface texture parameters of a model material (pharmaceutical dosage form) which were validated against the parameters obtained using a previously validated surface texture analysis technique, optical profilometry. There were no statistically significant differences between the surface texture parameters measured by the techniques, highlighting the potential application of ETL-based imaging systems as an easily adaptable and low-cost alternative surface texture analysis technique to conventional microscopy techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorabar Singh Nirwan
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK; (J.S.N.); (B.R.C.)
| | - Shan Lou
- EPSRC Future Metrology Hub, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK;
| | - Saqib Hussain
- Department of Mathematics and Physics, Texas A&M International University, Laredo, TX 78041, USA;
| | - Muhammad Nauman
- Division of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Institute of Science and Technology, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria;
| | - Tariq Hussain
- System Engineering Department, Military Technological College, Muscat 111, Oman;
- The Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solid Handling Technology, University of Greenwich, London SE10 9LS, UK
| | - Barbara R. Conway
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK; (J.S.N.); (B.R.C.)
| | - Muhammad Usman Ghori
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK; (J.S.N.); (B.R.C.)
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Hussain A, Mahmood F, Arshad MS, Abbas N, Qamar N, Mudassir J, Farhaj S, Nirwan JS, Ghori MU. Personalised 3D Printed Fast-Dissolving Tablets for Managing Hypertensive Crisis: In-Vitro/In-Vivo Studies. Polymers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3057. [PMID: 33419348 PMCID: PMC7765967 DOI: 10.3390/polym12123057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypertensive crisis (HC) is an emergency health condition which requires an effective management strategy. Over the years, various researchers have developed captopril based fast-dissolving formulations to manage HC; however, primarily, the question of personalisation remains unaddressed. Moreover, commercially these formulations are available as in fixed-dose combinations or strengths, so the titration of dose according to patient's prerequisite is challenging to achieve. The recent emergence of 3D printing technologies has given pharmaceutical scientists a way forward to develop personalised medicines keeping in view patients individual needs. The current project, therefore, is aimed at addressing the limitations as mentioned above by developing fast-dissolving captopril tablets using 3D printing approach. Captopril unloaded (F1) and loaded (F2-F4) filaments were successfully produced with an acceptable drug loading and mechanical properties. Various captopril formulations (F2-F4) were successfully printed using fused deposition modelling technique. The results revealed that the formulations (F2 and F3) containing superdisintegrant had a faster extent of dissolution and in-vivo findings were endorsing these results. The present study has successfully exhibited the utilisation of additive manufacturing approach to mend the gap of personalisation and manufacturing fast-dissolving captopril 3D printed tablets. The procedure adopted in the present study may be used for the development of fused deposition modelling (FDM) based fast-dissolving 3D printed tablets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amjad Hussain
- University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54000, Pakistan; (F.M.); (N.A.); (N.Q.)
| | - Faisal Mahmood
- University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54000, Pakistan; (F.M.); (N.A.); (N.Q.)
| | - Muhammad Sohail Arshad
- Department of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan; (M.S.A.); (J.M.)
| | - Nasir Abbas
- University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54000, Pakistan; (F.M.); (N.A.); (N.Q.)
| | - Nadia Qamar
- University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54000, Pakistan; (F.M.); (N.A.); (N.Q.)
| | - Jahanzeb Mudassir
- Department of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan; (M.S.A.); (J.M.)
| | - Samia Farhaj
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK; (S.F.); (J.S.N.)
| | - Jorabar Singh Nirwan
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK; (S.F.); (J.S.N.)
| | - Muhammad Usman Ghori
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK; (S.F.); (J.S.N.)
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Ghori MU, Nirwan JS, Asim T, Chahid Y, Farhaj S, Khizer Z, Timmins P, Conway BR. MUCO-DIS: a New AFM-Based Nanoscale Dissolution Technique. AAPS PharmSciTech 2020; 21:142. [PMID: 32419061 PMCID: PMC7231801 DOI: 10.1208/s12249-020-01697-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mucoadhesion-based drug delivery systems have recently gained interest because of their bio-adhesion capability, which results in enhanced residence time leading to prolonged duration of action with the mucosal surface, potentially improving compliance and convenience. Mucoadhesion testing of these formulations is widely reported; however, this is technically challenging due to the absence of any standard methods and difficulty in conducting mucoadhesion, formulation-mucosal surface interaction, mucosal surface topography and drug release in a single experiment. As these measurements are currently conducted separately, on replicate formulations, results can often be subjective and difficult to correlate. Hence, the aim of the present study was to develop a new AFM-based single-entity ex vivo muco-dissolution (MUCO-DIS) technique to simultaneously evaluate mucoadhesion force, 3D surface topography, polymer dissolution and drug release characteristics. To demonstrate the potential of the current technique, the interactions between model pectin microparticles containing metformin HCl and a range of gastrointestinal mucosal surfaces (gastric, small intestine, large intestine and buccal) were studied. This novel system has not only successfully determined the mucoadhesion force, polymer dissolution and drug release information but has also highlighted the difference in microparticle performance with different mucosal targets. The current work has highlighted the potential of this newly developed MUCO-DIS system and we believe this will be a valuable tool for characterising these popular pharmaceutical formulations. This technique could also provide an opportunity to other scientific fields to evaluate materials, substrate behaviour and their interactions in their hydrated state at nanoscale with real-time chemical and surface mapping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Usman Ghori
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, HD1 3DH, UK.
| | - Jorabar Singh Nirwan
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, HD1 3DH, UK
| | - Taimoor Asim
- School of Engineering, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, AB10 7GJ, UK
| | - Younes Chahid
- EPSRC Future Metrology Hub, School of Computing and Engineering, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, HD1 3DH, UK
| | - Samia Farhaj
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, HD1 3DH, UK
| | - Zara Khizer
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, HD1 3DH, UK
| | - Peter Timmins
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, HD1 3DH, UK
| | - Barbara R Conway
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, HD1 3DH, UK
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Okra (Hibiscus esculentus) gum based hydrophilic matrices for controlled drug delivery applications: Estimation of percolation threshold. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 155:835-845. [PMID: 32240737 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.03.227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 03/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This study aims to explore the potential of gum extracted from okra fruit (Hibiscus esculentus) in developing hydrophilic matrices for controlled drug release applications, including determination of its percolation threshold. Flurbiprofen (poorly soluble), theophylline (sparingly soluble) and metformin (freely soluble) were employed as model drugs and incorporated using direct compression into matrices containing 40% w/w of three drugs with different physicochemical properties. Atomic force microscopy was used to study the surface texture properties of developed matrices; the surfaces of the flurbiprofen-based matrices were comparatively rough most likely as a consequence of its poor compactability. Swelling studies found that the swelling rate increased as the concentration of okra gum was increased. However, for all matrices, an increase in the gum concentration resulted in decreased drug release. The estimated percolation threshold of the okra gum calculated was found in the region of ~25% v/v plus initial porosity. Knowing the percolation threshold will enable formulators to use the minimal amount of polymer for sustain release matrices thus the controlling costs and maximising the sustainable potential of okra. This study will not only assist researchers in developing effective okra gum-based extended-release matrices but also expected to contribute towards its exploration at an industrial scale.
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Khizer Z, Akram MR, Sarfraz RM, Nirwan JS, Farhaj S, Yousaf M, Hussain T, Lou S, Timmins P, Conway BR, Ghori MU. Plasticiser-Free 3D Printed Hydrophilic Matrices: Quantitative 3D Surface Texture, Mechanical, Swelling, Erosion, Drug Release and Pharmacokinetic Studies. Polymers (Basel) 2019; 11:E1095. [PMID: 31261678 PMCID: PMC6680934 DOI: 10.3390/polym11071095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, HPMC, a hydrophilic polymer, is widely used for the development of extended release hydrophilic matrices and it is also considered as a good contender for the fabrication of 3D printing of matrix tablets. It is often combined with plasticisers to enable extrusion. The aim of the current project was to develop plasticizer-free 3D printed hydrophilic matrices using drug loaded filaments prepared via HME to achieve an in vitro (swelling, erosion and drug release) and in vivo (drug absorption) performance which is analogous to hydrophilic matrix tablets developed through conventional approaches. Additionally, the morphology of the printed tablets was studied using quantitative 3D surface texture studies and the porosity calculated. Filaments were produced successfully and used to produce matrix tablets with acceptable drug loading (95-105%), mechanical and surface texture properties regardless of the employed HPMC grade. The viscosity of HPMC had a discernible impact on the swelling, erosion, HPMC dissolution, drug release and pharmacokinetic findings. The highest viscosity grade (K100M) results in higher degree of swelling, decreased HPMC dissolution, low matrix erosion, decreased drug release and extended drug absorption profile. Overall, this study demonstrated that the drug loaded (glipizide) filaments and matrix tablets of medium to high viscosity grades of HPMC, without the aid of plasticisers, can be successfully prepared. Furthermore, the in vitro and in vivo studies have revealed the successful fabrication of extended release matrices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zara Khizer
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK
| | - Muhammad R Akram
- College of Pharmacy, University of Sargodha, Sargodha 40100, Pakistan
| | - Rai M Sarfraz
- College of Pharmacy, University of Sargodha, Sargodha 40100, Pakistan
| | - Jorabar Singh Nirwan
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK
| | - Samia Farhaj
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK
| | - Maria Yousaf
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK
| | - Tariq Hussain
- System Engineering Department, Military Technological College, Muscat 111, Oman
- The Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solid Handling Technology, University of Greenwich, London SE10 9LS, UK
| | - Shan Lou
- School of Computing and Engineering, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK
| | - Peter Timmins
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK
| | - Barbara R Conway
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK
| | - Muhammad Usman Ghori
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK.
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