Preparation and Optimization of Fast-Disintegrating Tablet Containing Naratriptan Hydrochloride Using D-Optimal Mixture Design

Compritol-Based Nanostrucutured Lipid Carriers (NLCs) for Augmentation of Zolmitriptan Bioavailability via the Transdermal Route: In Vitro Optimization, Ex Vivo Permeation, In Vivo Pharmacokinetic Study

Migraine is a severe neurovascular disease manifested mainly as unilateral throbbing headaches. Triptans are agonists for serotonin receptors. Zolmitriptan (ZMP) is a biopharmaceutics classification system (BCS) class III medication with an absolute oral bioavailability of less than 40%. As a result, our research intended to increase ZMP bioavailability by developing transdermal nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs). NLCs were prepared utilizing a combination of hot melt emulsification and high-speed stirring in a 3² full factorial design. The studied variables were liquid lipid type (X₁) and surfactant type (X₂). The developed NLCs were evaluated in terms of particle size (Y₁, nm), polydispersity index (Y₂, PDI), zeta potential (Y₃, mV), entrapment efficacy (Y₄, %) and amount released after 6 h (Q6h, Y₅, %). At 1% Mygliol as liquid lipid component and 1% Span 20 as surfactant, the optimized formula (NLC9) showed a minimum particle size (138 ± 7.07 nm), minimum polydispersity index (0.39 ± 0.001), acceptable zeta potential (−22.1 ± 0.80), maximum entrapment efficiency (73 ± 0.10%) and maximum amount released after 6 h (83.22 ± 0.10%). The optimized formula was then incorporated into gel preparation (HPMC) to improve the system stability and ease of application. Then, the pharmacokinetic study was conducted on rabbits in a cross-over design. The calculated parameters showed a higher area under the curve (AUC_0–24, AUC_0–∞ (ng·h/mL)) of the developed ZMP-NLCs loaded gel, with a 1.76-fold increase in bioavailability in comparison to the orally administered marketed product (Zomig^®). A histopathological examination revealed the safety of the developed nanoparticles. The declared results highlight the potential of utilizing the proposed NLCs for the transdermal delivery of ZMP to improve the drug bioavailability.

Formulation and optimization of gastroretentive bilayer tablets of calcium carbonate using D-optimal mixture design

Gastroretentive bilayer tablets of calcium carbonate (CC) were developed using D-optimal mixture design. The effect of formulation factors such as levels of HPMC K100 M (X1), sodium bicarbonate (X2), and HPMC E15 LV (X3) on responses like floating lag time (R1) and release of CC at 1 h (R2) and 6 h (R3) was elucidated. The optimized formulations developed by numerical optimization technique were found to have short floating lag time (2.85 ± 0.98 min), minimum burst release (27.02 ± 1.18%), and controlled yet near complete release (88.98 ± 2.75%) at 6 h. In vivo radiographic studies in rabbits indicated that optimized batch displayed a mean gastric retention time (GRT) of 5.5 ± 1 h which was significantly prolonged (P < 0.05) compared to the conventional tablets that displayed a GRT of less than 1 h. The studies proved that the gastroretentive tablets can be a promising platform to improve bioavailability of nutrients having absorption window in upper gastrointestinal tract.

Eco-Friendly Tadalafil Surfactant-Free Dry Emulsion Tablets (SFDETs) Stabilized by In Situ Self-Assembled Aggregates of Natural Oil and Native Cyclodextrins

The main principles of green chemistry and engineering were extended to pharmaceutical formulations to prepare eco-friendly surfactant-free dry emulsion tablets (SFDETs) devoid of solvents or synthetic surfactants. Surfactant-free emulsions were stabilized by in situ cyclodextrins/sweet almond oil inclusion complexes and assessed for creaming stability. Formulation variables' effects on the emulsion droplet size and tadalafil solubility were studied using 2² × 3 factorial design. The emulsions exhibited nanometric and micrometric droplet sizes. The optimized nanoemulsion was loaded with tadalafil, morphologically evaluated, and utilized for preparing lyophilized SFDETs using different gelatin/Pearlitol® ratios. The tablets were characterized and the selected formulation was subjected to storage for 6 months. The emulsions prepared using β-cyclodextrin or higher concentrations of α-cyclodextrin showed little or no phase separation. Statistical analysis revealed significant influence of cyclodextrin type and amount on droplet size, while cyclodextrin type and oil volume exhibited significant effect on drug solubility. Morphological examination revealed non-aggregated spherical emulsion droplets. The prepared tablets showed satisfactory mechanical strength, short disintegration times, and enhanced drug dissolution. The selected tablet formulation (gelatin/Pearlitol®, 4:2 w/w) showed acceptable stability at 25°C/60% relative humidity. An overall conclusion claims that the absence of surfactants is expected to minimize the proposed tablets' in vivo toxicity and environmental concerns.