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Review on Starter Pellets: Inert and Functional Cores. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14061299. [PMID: 35745872 PMCID: PMC9227027 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14061299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
A significant proportion of pharmaceuticals are now considered multiparticulate systems. Modified-release drug delivery formulations can be designed with engineering precision, and patient-centric dosing can be accomplished relatively easily using multi-unit systems. In many cases, Multiple-Unit Pellet Systems (MUPS) are formulated on the basis of a neutral excipient core which may carry the layered drug surrounded also by functional coating. In the present summary, commonly used starter pellets are presented. The manuscript describes the main properties of the various nuclei related to their micro- and macrostructure. In the case of layered pellets formed based on different inert pellet cores, the drug release mechanism can be expected in detail. Finally, the authors would like to prove the industrial significance of inert cores by presenting some of the commercially available formulations.
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Agrawal S, Fernandes J, Shaikh F, Patel V. Quality aspects in the development of pelletized dosage forms. Heliyon 2022; 8:e08956. [PMID: 35243077 PMCID: PMC8873546 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e08956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this work was to identify and collate the major common challenges that arise during pellet development. These challenges focus on aspects right from raw material properties until the final drying process of the pelletization. The challenges associated with the particle size of drug and excipients, physicochemical properties, drug excipient interaction and the effect of type/grade and amount of raw material on the pellet properties are covered in this review. Technological and process related challenges within the commonly used pelletization techniques such as extrusion-spheronization, hot-melt extrusion and layering techniques are also emphasized. The paper likewise gives an insight to the possible ways of addressing the quality of pellets during development.
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Elsergany RN, Chan LW, Heng PWS. Cushioning pellets based on microcrystalline cellulose - Crospovidone blends for MUPS tableting. Int J Pharm 2020; 586:119573. [PMID: 32599135 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2020.119573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Compaction of multiple-unit pellet system (MUPS) tablets has been extensively reported to be potentially challenging. Thus, there is a need for non-segregating cushioning agents to mitigate the deleterious effect of the compaction forces. This study was designed to investigate the use of porous pellets as cushioning agents using different drying techniques to prepare pellets of various porosities and of different formulations. The pellets fabricated were characterized for their porosity and crushing strength. Subsequently, MUPS tablets were prepared using blends of polymer-coated pellets and custom-designed cushioning pellets by compacting at different pressures. The effects of pellet volume fraction and dwell time on the pellet coat damage, as well as the tensile strength of the resultant MUPS tablets were also investigated. Compacts with coated pellet volume fraction of 0.21 exhibited the best cushioning effect when tableted at different compression speeds with both gravity and force feeders. The findings from this study showed that cushioning pellet porosity was highest when drying was carried out by freeze drying, followed by fluid bed drying and oven drying. There was an inverse relationship between cushioning pellet porosity and strength. The tensile strength of tablets prepared from freeze dried pellets was highest. The protective effect of the cushioning pellets was principally dependent on their porosity. Also, pellet volume fraction in the compacts and compaction pressure used had remarkable effect on pellet coat damage. When unprocessed powders were compacted by automatic die filling, capping and lamination problems were observed. However, tablets of reasonable quality were made with the cushioning pellets. Freeze dried pellets containing crospovidone were found to be promising as cushioning agents and had enabled the production of MUPS tablets even at higher compaction pressures, beyond the intrinsic crushing strength of the coated pellets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramy N Elsergany
- GEA-NUS Pharmaceutical Processing Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Lai Wah Chan
- GEA-NUS Pharmaceutical Processing Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Paul Wan Sia Heng
- GEA-NUS Pharmaceutical Processing Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore.
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Elsergany RN, Lenhart V, Kleinebudde P. Influence of the surface tension of wet massing liquid on the functionality of microcrystalline cellulose as pelletization aid. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2020; 153:285-296. [PMID: 32599270 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2020.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
This study designed to investigate the impact of surface tension of moistening liquid on the functionality of MCC as pelletization aid. For this purpose, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), poloxamer 188 (PL), di-potassium hydrogen phosphate (K2HPO4) and combinations thereof were incorporated into the powder blend comprised of MCC and dicalcium phosphate (DCP) at different levels. Physical mixture (PM) and co-processed composite (Cop) of MCC and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (SCMC) replaced MCC as pelletization aids. The pellets prepared were characterized for their median diameter (D50), particle size distribution (PSD), sphericity, porosity, tensile strength and disintegration. SDS induced a drop in the surface tension of water from 68.7 to 23.7 mN/m at 0.1% (w/w). In contrast, the surface tension values of PL and K2HPO4 solutions were 2.08- and 3.07-fold higher than that of SDS solutions, respectively. MCC based pellets obtained with SDS showed wider PSD and lower sphericity than those made with PL, K2HPO4 and their combinations. In addition, the PSD and porosity increased with rise of SDS concentration from 0.05 to 0.25% (w/w). It was thus inferred that a critical surface tension of moistening liquid was essential for functionality of MCC as pelletization aid but not for PM and Cop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramy N Elsergany
- GEA-NUS Pharmaceutical Processing Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore; Institute of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitaetsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Vincent Lenhart
- Institute of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitaetsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Peter Kleinebudde
- Institute of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitaetsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
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Patel H, Pandey N, Patel B, Ranch K, Bodiwala K, Vyas B. Enhancement of in vivo hypoglycemic effect of gliclazide by developing self-microemulsifying pellet dosage form. FUTURE JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES 2020. [DOI: 10.1186/s43094-020-00034-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The present research was aimed to develop a self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) pellet to increase the dissolution rate and in vivo hypoglycemic effect of gliclazide. Gliclazide belongs to BCS class 2 and it exhibits dissolution rate-limited absorption. Thus, dissolution enhancement of gliclazide from its dosage form is a prime requirement to achieve a better therapeutic effect. The solubility of gliclazide was estimated in oils, surfactants, and co-surfactants. A most effective self-emulsification region was identified using pseudoternary phase diagrams. The optimized liquid SMEDDS gliclazide formulation was converted to SMEDDS pellets using the extrusion-spheronization technique. The in vitro release and hypoglycemic effect of SMEDDS was compared with the marketed product.
Results
The optimized liquid gliclazide SMEDDS formulations contained mixtures of Tween 80 and PEG 400 and Capmul MCM C8. The gliclazide SMEDDS in liquid preparation quickly formed a fine oil-in-water microemulsion having a globule size of 31.50 nm. In vitro release of gliclazide from SMEDDS pellets was 100.9% within 20 min. SMEDDS pellets exhibited a significant reduction in plasma glucose levels in albino mice compared to the marketed product.
Conclusion
The results indicated that SMEDDS pellets could be effectively used to improve the oral delivery of gliclazide.
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Ting GL, Chan YY, Chaw CS. Mixed solvent system as binder for the production of silicified microcrystalline cellulose‐based pellets. J Appl Polym Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/app.47924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Grace Loong Ting
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Well Being, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, City CampusUniversity of Sunderland SR1 3SD, Sunderland UK
| | - Yen Yee Chan
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Well Being, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, City CampusUniversity of Sunderland SR1 3SD, Sunderland UK
| | - Cheng Shu Chaw
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Well Being, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, City CampusUniversity of Sunderland SR1 3SD, Sunderland UK
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Garekani HA, Dolatabadi R, Akhgari A, Abbaspour MR, Sadeghi F. Evaluation of ethylcellulose and its pseudolatex (Surelease) in preparation of matrix pellets of theophylline using extrusion-spheronization. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES 2017; 20:9-16. [PMID: 28133518 PMCID: PMC5243980 DOI: 10.22038/ijbms.2017.8086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study evaluates the effect of substitution of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) with ethylcellulose (EC) on mechanical and release characteristics of theophylline pellets. MATERIALS AND METHODS The effect of addition of EC was investigated on characteristics of pellets with varying drug content prepared by extrusion-spheronization. Also the effect of type of granulating liquid (water or Surelease) was investigated on characteristics of selected pellets. The pellets were characterized for particle size (sieve analysis), mechanical strength, morphology (microscopy), thermal (DSC) and dissolution behaviors. RESULTS The exrtudability of the wet mass was reduced upon inclusion of EC so that complete replacement of MCC was not possible. Increase in EC percentage led to lower production yield and formation of pellets with larger diameter and slightly rough surfaces. Inclusion of EC also affected the mechanical properties of pellets but had negligible effect on drug release profile. The surface of selected pellets became smoother and their production yield increased upon the use of Surelease as granulating liquid. In addition the rate of drug release decreased to some extent when Surelease was used. CONCLUSION Preparation of theophylline pellets with EC alone was not possible in process of extrusion-spheronization. Partial replacement of MCC with EC changed physicomechanical properties of pellets but hardly affected drug release. Although the use of Surelease as granulation liquid slightly decreased the rate of drug release, desirable matrix pellets with sustained drug release could not be produced. Despite this outcome however, these pellets could benefit from reduced coating thickness for drug release control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadi Afrasiabi Garekani
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Roshanak Dolatabadi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Abbas Akhgari
- Targeted Drug Delivery Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Abbaspour
- Targeted Drug Delivery Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Sadeghi
- Targeted Drug Delivery Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Xia Y, Shi CY, Fang JG, Wang WQ. Approaches to developing fast release pellets via wet extrusion-spheronization. Pharm Dev Technol 2016; 23:432-441. [PMID: 27882815 DOI: 10.1080/10837450.2016.1265556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is widely regarded as the excellent choice to manufacture pellets via wet extrusion-spheronisation (ES) process due to its excellent water uptake capability, water holding capacity, desirable rheological properties, cohesiveness and plasticity etc. Nevertheless, in spite of all these advantages, limitations associated with the application of MCC also have been reported. The most prevailing limitation is prolonged or incomplete drug release profile due to the lack of disintegration as pellet contracts significantly during the drying process, especially when in combination with poorly soluble drug at a high level. This characteristic limits the application of MCC in immediate release formulations. Over the years, many approaches have been tried to overcome this disadvantage, such as modifying MCC, incorporation of superdisintegrant, increasing the porosity of pellet, partial or complete substitution for MCC, enhancing the solubility of poorly soluble drug (e.g. solid dispersion, self-emulsifying drug-delivery system), etc. In this review, we will provide an updated and integrated discussion of current approaches to prepare fast release pellets via wet ES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Xia
- a Department of Pharmacy , Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology , Wuhan , People's Republic of China
| | - Chun-Yang Shi
- a Department of Pharmacy , Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology , Wuhan , People's Republic of China
| | - Jian-Guo Fang
- a Department of Pharmacy , Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology , Wuhan , People's Republic of China
| | - Wen-Qing Wang
- a Department of Pharmacy , Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology , Wuhan , People's Republic of China
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Saripella KK, Loka NC, Mallipeddi R, Rane AM, Neau SH. A Quality by Experimental Design Approach to Assess the Effect of Formulation and Process Variables on the Extrusion and Spheronization of Drug-Loaded Pellets Containing Polyplasdone® XL-10. AAPS PharmSciTech 2016; 17:368-79. [PMID: 26169900 DOI: 10.1208/s12249-015-0345-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2015] [Accepted: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful pellet production has been reported in literature with cross-linked poly(vinylpyrrolidone), Polyplasdone® XL-10 and INF-10. In the present study, a quality by experimental design approach was used to assess several formulation and process parameter effects on the characteristics of Polyplasdone® XL-10 pellets, including pellet size, shape, yield, usable yield, friability, and number of fines. The hypothesis is that design of experiments and appropriate data analysis allow optimization of the Polyplasdone product. High drug loading was achieved using caffeine, a moderately soluble drug to allow in vitro release studies. A five-factor, two-level, half-fractional factorial design (Resolution V) with center point batches allowed mathematical modeling of the influence of the factors and their two-factor interactions on five of the responses. The five factors were Polyplasdone® level in the powder blend, volume of water in the wet massing step, wet mixing time, spheronizer speed, and spheronization time. Each factor and/or its two-factor interaction with another factor influenced pellet characteristics. The behavior of these materials under various processing conditions and component levels during extrusion-spheronization have been assessed, discussed, and explained based on the results. Numerical optimization with a desirability of 0.974 was possible because curvature and lack of fit were not significant with any of the model equations. The values predicted by the optimization described well the observed responses. The hypothesis was thus supported.
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Sarkar S, Liew CV. Moistening liquid-dependent de-aggregation of microcrystalline cellulose and its impact on pellet formation by extrusion-spheronization. AAPS PharmSciTech 2014; 15:753-61. [PMID: 24554239 PMCID: PMC4037494 DOI: 10.1208/s12249-014-0098-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2013] [Accepted: 01/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The wet-state particle size of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) dispersed in different moistening liquids was characterized to elucidate the effect of moistening liquid type on the extent of MCC particle de-aggregation. Cohesive strength of moistened MCC masses was also assessed and pellet production by extrusion-spheronization attempted. MCC dispersed in alcohol or water-alcohol mixtures with higher alcohol proportions generally had larger particle sizes. Moistened mass cohesive strength decreased and poorer quality pellets were obtained when water-alcohol mixtures with higher alcohol proportions were used as the moistening liquid. MCC comprise aggregates of small sub-units held together by hydrogen bonds. As MCC particle de-aggregation involves hydrogen bond breaking, moistening liquids with lower polarity, such as water-alcohol mixtures with higher alcohol proportions, induced lesser de-aggregation and yielded MCC with larger particle sizes. When such water-alcohol mixtures were employed during extrusion-spheronization with MCC, the larger particle size of MCC and lower surface tension of the moistening liquid gave rise to moistened masses with lower cohesive strength. During pelletization, agglomerate growth by coalescence and closer packing of components by particle rearrangement would be limited. Thus, weaker, less spherical pellets with smaller size and wider size distribution were produced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srimanta Sarkar
- GEA-NUS Pharmaceutical Processing Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive, Singapore, 117543 Singapore
| | - Celine Valeria Liew
- GEA-NUS Pharmaceutical Processing Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive, Singapore, 117543 Singapore
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