Formulation, Pharmacokinetics evaluation, and IVIVC Assessment of Gliclazide Multiparticulates in Rat Model

Application of Response Surface Methodology Using Face-centered Central Composite Design for Studying Long-Term Stability of Gliclazide-Loaded Multiparticulate Systems

The appropriate design of experiments (DoE) could support post-approval lean-stability approaches. A three-factor three-level face-centered design was constructed to evaluate the long-term stability of gliclazide (GLZ) alginate-gelatin beads. The formulation variables were GLZ%(X1), alginate:gelatin ratio(X2), and glutaraldehyde%(X3). The studied responses included GLZ release at predefined intervals in 0.1 N HCl (2 h) followed by phosphate buffer (pH 7.4). Model-dependent and independent approaches were utilized for comparison. DoE-model validation and reduction were implemented. All the studied formulations showed non-significant changes in the particle size (p > 0.05) and most of them showed similar release profiles before and after storage. The directions of the relationships between the factors' main effects and the responses (Y1:Q0.5h, Y2:Q2h, and Y3:Q4h) remained unchanged after storage. The optimal factor settings based on the proposed optimization criteria were defined. The optimized formulations (OP-1 and OP-2) showed non-significant changes in the particle size after storage. The release profiles and kinetics of OP-1 and OP-2 remained unchanged after storage. No chemical change was indicated (FT-IR). DSC-thermograms of OP-1 indicated GLZ conversion to a more stable polymorph after storage. While OP-2 showed a change in GLZ crystallinity. The stored and fresh beads' surfaces after GLZ release were almost similar. DoE could be utilized to evaluate, optimize, and predict the effects of different formulation variables on the long-term stability of GLZ alginate-gelatin beads.

Formulation and evaluation of alginate-gelatin hydrogel scaffolds loaded with zinc-doped hydroxyapatite and 5-fluorouracil

Alginate and gelatin are natural macromolecules used to formulate biocompatible drug delivery systems. Hydroxyapatite (HA) is an osteophilic ceramic used to prepare bone scaffolds. The current study aimed at preparing and characterizing HA, zinc-doped HA, and 5-fluorouracil(5-FU)-loaded alginate-gelatin-based hydrogel scaffolds using different crosslinking solutions. 5-FU incorporation efficiency, in-vitro drug release, antitumor bioassays, FTIR, X-ray-diffraction (XRD), High-Resolution Transmission, and Scanning-Electron Microscope (HR-TEM and SEM) studies were conducted. XRD showed the incorporation of Zn²⁺ into HA structure with a deformity in HA crystal lattice and inhibited crystal growth. FTIR-spectra represented the characteristic bands corresponding to HA structure. HR-TEM showed a decreased HA crystal size and rod-like crystallites that increased with increasing zinc content. Zn²⁺ content and 5-FU-loading caused significant effects on the scaffolds' thickness (p-value = 0.021 and 0.035, respectively). Burst 5-FU release within 10-15 min followed by 100 % release within 4 h was observed. Zinc content showed a significant positive effect on the cytotoxicity% of the blank and drug-loaded scaffolds. XRD and FTIR studies revealed that 5-FU was completely incorporated into the hydrogel with no chemical interaction. SEM-imaging showed interconnected pores and needle-shaped drug particles. The prepared formulations showed promising physico-chemical properties for targeted delivery of 5-FU in the form of biocompatible bone scaffolds.

Customized 3D-printed hollow capsular device filled with norfloxacin-loaded micropellets for controlled-release delivery

Pharmacotherapy has become more focused on the personalized treatment of patients with various diseases. This field of pharmacology and pharmacogenomics focuses on developing drug delivery systems designed to address the unique characteristics of individual patients. Three-dimensional printing technology can be used to fabricate personalized drug delivery systems with desired release properties according to patient needs. Norfloxacin (NOR)-loaded micropellets (MPs) were fabricated and filled inside a stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing technology-mediated hollow capsular device in accordance with a standard size of 09 (8.4 mm length × 2.70 mm diameter). The prepared 3D-printed hollow capsular device filled with pristine NOR and NOR-loaded MPs were characterized in terms of both in vitro and in vivo means. MPs with the particle size distribution of 1540.0 ± 26 µm showed 95.63 ± 2.0% NOR content with pellet-shaped surface morphology. The in vitro release profile showed an initial lag phase of approximately 30 min, followed by the sustained release of NOR from MPs from the 3D-printed hollow capsular device. The pharmacokinetic profile showed prolonged T_max, AUC, and evidence of good RBA of NOR compared to pure NOR after a single oral administration in the experimental animal model. The overall results confirm the feasibility of SLA-mediated 3D printing technology for preparing customized solid oral unit dosage carriers that can be filled with pure NOR- and NOR-loaded MPs with controlled-release delivery features.