Optimization of the process variables of roller compaction, on the basis of granules characteristics (flow, mechanical strength, and disintegration behavior): an application of SeDeM-ODT expert system

The Influence of the Intergranular Superdisintegrant Performance on New Drotaverine Orodispersible Tablet Formulations

The main objective of this study consists in establishing the influence of the intergranular superdisintegrant on the specific properties of drotaverine hydrochloride fast-dissolving granules (DROT-FDGs) and orodispersible tablets (DROT-ODTs). The orodispersible tablets were obtained by the compression of the FDGs and excipient mixture with an eccentric tableting machine. To develop DROT-ODTs, two types of superdisintegrant excipients in different concentrations (water-soluble soy polysaccharides (SSP) (1%, 5%) and water-insoluble soy polysaccharides-Emcosoy® STS IP (EMCS) (1%, 3%, 5%)) were used, resulting in five formulations (D1-D5). The DROT-FDGs and the DROT-ODTs were subjected to pharmacotechnical and analytical evaluation. All the orodispersible tablets obtained respect the quality requirements in terms of friability (less than 1%), crushing strength (ranging between 52 N for D2 and 125.5 N for D3), and disintegration time (<180 s). The in vitro release of drotaverine from ODTs showed that all formulations presented amounts of active substance released greater than 85% at 10 min. The main objective, developing 30 mg DROT-ODTs for children aged between 6 and 12 years by incorporating the API in FDGs, was successfully achieved.

SeDeM as a Tool to Validate Drug Substance Manufacturing Processes and Assess Scalability and Suitability for Direct Compression: Supplier Screening

During the development of an oral solid form of a drug substance, a thorough understanding of the critical material attributes is necessary, as the physical properties of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) can profoundly influence the drug product's manufacturability, critical quality attributes, and bioavailability. The objective of this study was to validate the manufacturing process of the drug Linezolid from three different sources at both the pilot and industrial scale and to identify differences in critical material attributes between the API manufacturers. Furthermore, the scalability factor between the pilot and industrial scale and the suitability of a process for direct compression were also evaluated. In the present study, the different sources of API were characterized by SeDeM methodology, particle size distribution, and scanning electron microscopy determinations. The statistical analysis revealed that no statistically significant differences were found for any of the parameters under study for the same API source analyzed on both scales. On the other hand, for most of the parameters evaluated, statistical differences were observed between the different sources. It was concluded that SeDeM was able to successfully validate the API manufacturing process, assess scalability, and distinguish between sources. Therefore, it could be highly valuable in the formulation phase to select the best API source.

Development and Evaluation of Self-Emulsifying Drug-Delivery System-Based Tablets for Simvastatin, a BCS Class II Drug

Background

Self-emulsifying drug-delivery systems (SEDDSs) are designed to improve the oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. This study aimed at formulating and characterization of SEDDS-based tablets for simvastatin using castor and olive oils as solvents and Tween 60 as surfactant.

Methods

The liquids were adsorbed on microcrystalline cellulose, and all developed formulations were compressed using 10.5 mm shallow concave round punches.

Results

The resulting tablets were evaluated for different quality-control parameters at pre- and postcompression levels. Simvastatin showed better solubility in a mixture of oils and Tween 60 (10:1). All the developed formulations showed lower self-emulsification time (˂200 seconds) and higher cloud point (˃60°C). They were free of physical defects and had drug content within the acceptable range (98.5%-101%). The crushing strength of all formulations was in the range of 58-96 N, and the results of the friability test were within the range of USP (≤1). Disintegration time was within the official limits (NMT 15 min), and complete drug release was achieved within 30 min.

Conclusion

Using commonly available excipients and machinery, SEDDS-based tablets with better dissolution profile and bioavailability can be prepared by direct compression. These S-SEDDSs could be a better alternative to conventional tablets of simvastatin.

Formulation Development and Characterization of pH Responsive Polymeric Nano-Pharmaceuticals for Targeted Delivery of Anti-Cancer Drug (Methotrexate)

Oral administration of pH sensitive/stimuli responsive nanoparticles are gaining importance because of the limited side effects, minimum dose and controlled drug release. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate pH sensitive polymeric nanoparticles for methotrexate with the aim to maximize the drug release at target site. In the presented study, pH sensitive polymeric nanoparticles of methotrexate were developed through modified solvent evaporation technique using polymer Eudragit S100. Different process parameters like drug to polymer ratio, speed of sonication, concentration of surfactant and time of sonication were optimized by evaluating their effects on particle size, PDI, zeta potential, entrapment/encapsulation efficiency. The developed formulations were evaluated for their size, polydispersity (PDI), zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, XRD, scanning electron microscopy, in-vitro drug release and stability studies. Best results were obtained with poloxamer-407 and PVA and were selected as surfactants. Physicochemical characterization of the developed formulations showed that the particle size lies in the range 165.7 ± 1.85–330.4 ± 4.19, PDI 0.119 ± 0.02–0.235 ± 0.008, zeta potential −0.163 ± 0.11–−5.64 ± 0.36 mV, and encapsulation efficiency more than 61%. The results of scanning electron microscopy revealed that nanoparticles have regular geometry with spherical shape. Initially the drug release occur through diffusion followed by erosion. The present studies showed that MTX-ES100 nanoparticles prepared during this study have the desired physicochemical properties, surface morphology and release characteristics used to target the desired organs.

Pharmacotechnical Evaluation by SeDeM Expert System to Develop Orodispersible Tablets

Sediment delivery model (SeDeM) system is innovative tool to correlate micromeritic properties of powders with compressibility. It involves computation of indices which facilitate direct compressibility of solids and enable corrective measures through particle engineering. Study had multiple objectives, viz, (i) to enhance solubility of BCS class II, nevirapine using solid dispersions; (ii) SeDeM analyses of excipients and solid dispersions to analyze direct compressibility; and (iii) prepare orodispersible tablets (ODT). Solid dispersions were prepared by solvent evaporation. Superdisintegrants and solid dispersions were analyzed for primary indices of dimension, compressibility, flowability, stability, and disgregability derived from micromeritic properties. Radar diagrams were constructed to provide visual clues to deficient properties for direct compressibility. ODTs were prepared using excipients which passed criteria for direct compressibility and evaluated for tablet properties. Solid dispersions with Eudragit S100 revealed 6 to 10 fold increase in solubility in various dissolution media including biorelevant media in comparison with plain drug. Solubility was found to be pH dependent. SeDeM analyses facilitated identification of superdisintegrants and excipients with unfavorable compressibility. Radar diagrams provided a clear pictorial evidence of lacunae in powder properties. Based on SeDeM results, tablets were formulated by direct compression using crosspovidone, croscarmellose sodium, and mannitol. All batches showed 40% release in first minute in simulated salivary fluid.

Mathematical approaches for powders and multiparticulate units processability characterization in pharmaceutical development

An understanding of material properties and processing effects on solid dosage forms performance is required within the Quality-by-design approach to pharmaceutical development. Several research groups have developed mathematical approaches aiming to facilitate the selection of formulation composition and the manufacturing technology. These approaches are based on material particulate, bulk and compression-related properties. This paper provides theoretical assumptions and a critical review of different mathematical approaches for processability characterization of powders and multiparticulate units. Mathematical approaches have mainly been developed for directly compressible materials, but sometimes other manufacturing technologies, such as roller compaction and wet granulation, are also considered. The obtained compact tensile strength has been implemented in the majority of approaches, as an important characteristic describing compact mechanical properties. Flowability should be also evaluated, since it affects sample processability. Additionally, particle size and shape, material density and compressibility, compactibility and tabletability profiles have been also distinguished as relevant properties for solid dosage form development. The application of mathematical approaches may contribute to the mechanistic understanding of critical material attributes and facilitate dosage form development and optimization. However, it is essential to select the appropriate one, based on the intended dosage form characteristics, in order to ensure that all relevant powder/multiparticulate units characteristics are implemented and critically evaluated.

Prediction of quality attributes (mechanical strength, disintegration behavior and drug release) of tablets on the basis of characteristics of granules prepared by high shear wet granulation

High shear wet granulation is commonly applied technique for commercial manufacturing of tablets. Granulation process for tablets manufacturing is generally optimized by hit and trial which involves preparation of granules under different processing parameters, compression of granules and evaluation of the resultant tablets; and adjustment is made in granulation process on the basis of characteristics of tablets. Objective of the study was to optimize the process of high shear wet granulation and prediction of characteristics of tablets on the basis of properties of granules. Atenolol granules were prepared by high shear wet granulation method, using aqueous solution of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP k-30) as binder. Concentration of binder solution and granulation time were taken as process variables, both studied at three levels. Different combinations of process variables were determined by Design Expert software. Granules were evaluated for different parameters on the basis of SeDeM-ODT (Sediment Delivery Model-Oro Dispersible Tablets) expert system. Granules from all the trials were compressed using round (10.5 mm) flat faced punches at compression weight of 250 mg/tablet. Tablets were evaluated of different quality control parameters as per USP. Results showed that both the process variables had positive effect on mechanical strength of tablets and negative effect on disintegration and dissolution rate. Granule prepared with highest level of binder concentration (15%) and highest granulation time (60 sec) resulted in tablets with highest crushing strength (11.8 kg), specific crushing strength (0.328 kg/mm²), tensile strength (0.208 kg/mm²), lowest value of friability (0.19%) and highest disintegration time (10.9 min), as predicted from granules characteristics on the basis of SeDeM-ODT expert system. Drug release from Trial-13 (processed under highest level of both process parameters) was also lower than rest of the trials. It is concluded from the study that quality characteristics of tablets can be predicted from granules characteristics using SeDeM-ODT expert system. Furthermore, SeDeM-ODT expert system can also be used for optimization of the process of high shear wet granulation.

Pharmacotechnical and analytical preformulation studies for cannabidiol orodispersible tablets

Obtaining orodispersible tablets (ODT) containing substances from the second Biopharmaceutical Class has raised concerns as the dissolution test is challenging. This study aimed to select suitable excipients for developing orodispersible tablets containing cannabidiol (CBD) by direct compression method. No similar studies were found in the literature. Excipients from different classes were characterized using the SeDeM-ODT tool: fillers – lactose (LCT) and microcrystalline cellulose (CelMC), sweeteners – sorbitol (SRB) and mannitol (MNT), disintegrants – sodium starch glycolate (SSG), sodium croscarmellose (CCS), soy polysaccharides (Emcosoy® – EMCS) and two co-processed excipients (Prosolv®-ODT G2 – PODTG2 and Prosolv® EasyTab sp – PETsp). Drug compatibility with excipients in binary mixtures (1:1) was verified by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier Transform-Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Using the SeDeM-ODT expert system, the fillers and the co-processed excipients showed good properties regarding compressibility and disintegration behavior. Also, the DSC and FTIR results showed that small or no interactions between the CBD and the excipients took place.

SeDeM Expert System, an Innovative Tool for Developing Directly Compressible Tablets: A Review

BACKGROUND

SeDeM (Sediment Delivery Model) expert system is a preformulation tool employed for evaluating direct compression suitability of various excipients. SeDeM is a 12 parameters derived diagram and SeDeM-ODT (Sediment Delivery Model-Orodispersible tablets) is a 15 parameters derived diagram that can be used as a research tool for reducing the product development time. The best possible excipients for a specified pharmaceutical active ingredient could be screened for direct compression suitability.

OBJECTIVE

SeDeM expert system has been successfully used and implemented for characterizing galenic properties of pharmaceutical excipients, direct compression suitability of excipients, development of ODT formulations, development of sustained-release formulations, and development of tablets of taste-masked drugs.

CONCLUSION

In the present review paper, the development and applications of SeDeM and SeDeMODT systems have been discussed in detail.

Using a Material Library to Understand the Impacts of Raw Material Properties on Ribbon Quality in Roll Compaction

The purpose of this study is to use a material library to investigate the effect of raw material properties on ribbon tensile strength (TS) and solid fraction (SF) in the roll compaction (RC) process. A total of 81 pharmaceutical materials, including 53 excipients and 28 natural product powders (NPPs), were characterized by 22 material descriptors and were compacted under five different hydraulic pressures. The transversal and longitudinal splitting behaviors of the ribbons were summarized. The TS-porosity and TS-pressure relationships were used to explain the roll compaction behavior of powdered materials. Through defining the target ribbon quality (i.e., 0.6 ≤ SF ≤ 0.8 and TS ≥ 1 MPa), the roll compaction behavior classification system (RCBCS) was built and 81 materials were classified into three categories. A total of 24 excipients and five NPPs were classified as Category I materials, which fulfilled the target ribbon quality and had less occurrence of transversal splitting. Moreover, the multivariate relationships between raw material descriptors, the hydraulic pressure and ribbon quality attributes were obtained by PLS regression. Four density-related material descriptors and the cohesion index were identified as critical material attributes (CMAs). The multi-objective design space summarizing the feasible material properties and operational region for the RC process were visualized. The RCBCS presented in this paper enables a formulator to perform the initial risk assessment of any new materials, and the data modeling method helps to predict the impact of formulation ingredients on strength and porosity of compacts.