Release kinetics of salbutamol sulphate from wax coated microcapsules and tableted microcapsules

Development of novel gastroretentive salbutamol sulfate-loaded sodium alginate-pectin bubble beads prepared by co-axial needle air-injection method and in vivo clinical evaluation by ultrasound studies

In the present study, the salbutamol sulfate-loaded sodium alginate-pectin (SS-loaded SA-PEC) bubble beads have been optimized and evaluated for drug loading, in vitro drug release, in vivo floating behavior in the stomach, etc. Nine batches (F1-F9) of bubble beads with different SA and PEC contents were prepared by novel co-axial needle air-injection method and related to their percent drug loading efficiency (%DLE) and percent drug release at 4 h (%R_4h) as response factors. The multivariate analysis has shown the effect of SA/PEC ratio, total polymer content, as well as their interaction on %DLE and %R_4h. In the quantitative modeling, the satisfactory adjustment of the linear models (along with interaction terms) with the experimental data for both %DLE and %R_4h has confirmed the findings of the multivariate analysis. The optimized SS-loaded SA-PEC bubble beads based on 2D (contours), 3D, desirability, and overlay plots has exhibited %DLE of 87.35 ± 2.48% (n = 3 and error = 2.94%) and %R_4h of 85.79 ± 2.98% (n = 3 and error = 0.25%). The in vitro drug release studies have shown almost complete (≥85%) SS release from all the batches within 4-6 h in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) pH 1.2. The in vivo clinical findings by ultrasound studies have shown excellent floatation (>6 h) behavior of bubble beads in the upper gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and efficient stomach-specific gastroretention.

Comparison of spray congealing and melt emulsification methods for the incorporation of the water-soluble salbutamol sulphate in lipid microparticles

CONTEXT

Salbutamol sulphate is widely used as bronchodilator for the treatment of asthma. Its use is limited by the relatively short duration of action and hence sustained delivery of salbutamol sulphate offers potential benefits to patients.

OBJECTIVE

This study explores the preparation of lipid microparticles (LMs) as biocompatible carrier for the prolonged release of salbutamol sulphate.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The LMs were produced using different lipidic materials and surfactants, by classical melt emulsification-based methods (oil-in-water and water-in-oil-in-water emulsions) and the spray congealing technique.

RESULTS

For the LMs obtained by melt emulsification a lack of release modulation was observed. On the other hand, the sustained release of salbutamol sulphate was achieved with glyceryl behenate microparticles prepared by spray congealing. These LMs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry and differential scanning calorimetry. The drug loading was 4.72% (w/w). The particle size distribution measured by laser diffraction and electrical zone sensing was represented by a volume median diameter (Dv(50)) of 51.7-71.4 µm. Increasing the atomization air pressure from 4 to 8 bar produced a decrease of the Dv(50) to 12.7-17.5 µm.

CONCLUSIONS

Incorporation of the hydrophilic salbutamol sulphate into LMs with sustained release characteristics was achieved by spray congealing.

Wax encapsulation of water-soluble compounds for application in foods

Water-soluble ingredients have been successfully encapsulated in wax using two preparation techniques. The first technique ('solid preparation') leads to relatively large wax particles. The second technique ('liquid preparation') leads to relatively small wax particles immersed in vegetable oil. On the first technique: stable encapsulation of water-soluble colourants (dissolved at low concentration in water) has been achieved making use of beeswax and PGPR. The leakage from the capsules, for instance of size 2 mm, is about 30% after 16 weeks storage in water at room temperature. To form such capsules a minimum wax mass of 40% relative to the total mass is needed. High amounts of salt or acids at the inside water phase causes more leaking, probably because of the osmotic pressure difference. Osmotic matching of inner and outer phase can lead to a dramatic reduction in leakage. Fat capsules are less suitable to incorporate water soluble colourants. The reason for this could be a difference in crystal structure (fat is less ductile and more brittle). On the second technique: stable encapsulation of water-soluble colourants (encapsulated in solid wax particles) has been achieved making use of carnauba wax. The leakage from the capsules, for instance of size 250 mm, is about 40% after 1 weeks storage in water at room temperature.