Formulation of amorphous ternary solid dispersions of dapagliflozin using PEG 6000 and Poloxamer 188: solid-state characterization, ex vivo study, and molecular simulation assessment

In Vitro and Biological Evaluation of Oral Fast-Disintegrating Films Containing Ranitidine HCl and Syloid® 244FP-Based Ternary Solid Dispersion of Flurbiprofen

Flurbiprofen (FBP), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is commonly used to treat the pain of rheumatoid arthritis, but in prolonged use it causes gastric irritation and ulcer. To avoid these adverse events of NSAIDs, the simultaneous administration of H2 receptor antagonists such as ranitidine hydrochloride (RHCl) is obligatory. Here, we developed composite oral fast-disintegrating films (ODFs) containing FBP along with RHCl to provide a gastroprotective effect as well as to enhance the solubility and bioavailability of FBP. The ternary solid dispersion (TSD) of FBP was fabricated with Syloid® 244FP and poloxamer® 188 using the solvent evaporation technique. The synthesized FBP-TSD (coded as TSD) was loaded alone (S1) and in combination with plain RHCl (S2) in the composite ODFs based on hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose E5 (HPMC E5). The synthesized composite ODFs were evaluated by in vitro (thickness, folding endurance, tensile strength, disintegration, SEM, FTIR, XRD and release study) and in vivo (analgesic, anti-inflammatory activity, pro-inflammatory cytokines and gastroprotective assay) studies. The in vitro characterization revealed that TSD preserved its integrity and was effectively loaded in S1 and S2 with optimal compatibility. The films were durable and flexible with a disintegration time ≈15 s. The release profile at pH 6.8 showed that the solid dispersion of FBP improved the drug solubility and release when compared with pure FBP. After in vitro studies, it was observed that the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of S2 was higher than that of pure FBP and other synthesized formulations (TSD and S1). Similarly, the level of cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) was also markedly reduced by S2. Furthermore, a gastroprotective assay confirmed that S2 has a higher safety profile in comparison to pure FBP and other synthesized formulations (TSD and S1). Thus, composite ODF (S2) can effectively enhance the FBP solubility and its therapeutic efficacy, along with its gastroprotective effect.

Computer numerical control (CNC) carving as an on-demand point-of-care manufacturing of solid dosage form: A digital alternative method for 3D printing

Computer numerical control (CNC) carving is a widely used method of industrial subtractive manufacturing of wood, plastics, and metal products. However, there have been no previous reports of applying this approach to manufacture medicines. In this work, the novel method of tablet production using CNC carving is introduced for the first time. This report provides a proof-of-concept for applying subtractive manufacturing as an alternative to formative (powder compression) and additive (3D printing) manufacturing for the on-demand production of solid dosage forms. This exemplar manufacturing approach was employed to produce patient-specific hydrocortisone (HC) tablets for the treatment of children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. A specially made drug-polymer cast based on polyethene glycol (PEG 6,000) and hydroxypropyl cellulose was produced using thermal casting. The cast was used as a workpiece and digitally carved using a small-scale 3-dimensional (3D) CNC carving. To establish the ability of this new approach to provide an accurate dose of HC, four different sizes of CNC carved tablet were manufactured to achieve HC doses of 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 mg with a relative standard deviation of the tablet weight in the range of 3.69-4.79%. In addition, batches of 2.5 and 5 mg HC tablets met the British Pharmacopeia standards for weight uniformity. Thermal analysis and X-ray powder diffraction indicated that the model drug was in amorphous form. In addition, HPLC analysis indicated a level of purity of 96.5 ± 1.1% of HC. In addition, the process yielded mechanically strong cylindrical tablets with tensile strength ranging from 0.49 to 1.6 MPa and friability values of <1%, whilst maintaining an aesthetic look. In vitro, HC release from the CNC-carved tablets was slower with larger tablet sizes and higher binder contents. This is the first report on applying CNC carving in the pharmaceutical context of producing solid dosage forms. The work showed the potential of this technology as an alternative method for the on-demand manufacturing of patient-specific dosage forms.

Pluronic-Coated Biogenic Gold Nanoparticles for Colon Delivery of 5-Fluorouracil: In vitro and Ex vivo Studies

The aim of the study was to prepare 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-loaded biogenic gold nanoparticles with pluronic-based coating (PFGNPs), their optimization (full factorial predicted OBPN-1) and in vitro-ex vivo evaluation. Several formulations were prepared, selected for optimization using Design Expert®, and compared for morphology, 5-FU release kinetics, compatibility, cell line toxicity, in vitro hemocompatibility, and ex vivo intestinal permeation across the rat duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The pluronic-coated 5-FU-carrying GNPs were spherical, 29.11-178.21 nm in diameter, with a polydispersity index (PDI) range of 0.191-292, and a zeta potential (ZP) range of 11.19-29.21 (-mV). The optimized OBPN-1 (desirability = 0.95) demonstrated optimum size (175.1 nm), %DL as 73.8%, ZP as 21.7 mV, % drug release (DR) as 75.7%, and greater cytotoxicity (viability ~ 8.9%) against the colon cancer cell lines than 5-FU solution (~ 24.91%), and less hemocompatibility. Moreover, OBPN-1 exhibited 4.5-fold permeation across the rat jejunum compared with 5-FU solution. Thus, the PFGNPs exhibit high DL capacity, sustained delivery, hemocompatibility, improved efficacy, and enhanced permeation profiles compared with 5-FU solution and several other NPs preparations suggesting it is a promising formulation for effective colon cancer control with reduced side effects.