Understanding and optimizing the dual excipient functionality of sodium lauryl sulfate in tablet formulation of poorly water soluble drug: wetting and lubrication

Effect of sodium lauryl sulfate-mediated gelation on the suppressed dissolution of crystalline lurasidone hydrochloride and a strategy to mitigate the gelation

In dissolution test, the surfactant sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is usually added to increase the dissolution of insoluble drugs and achieve the sink condition. However, the current study found that 0.1 % SLS would significantly decrease the dissolution of crystalline lurasidone hydrochloride (LH, a BCS Ⅱ drug). The aim of this study was to clarify the mechanism of this unexpected phenomenon and explore a strategy for mitigating the negative effect of SLS on the dissolution of LH. Sample characterizations (such as PLM, DSC, PXRD, IR and NMR) confirmed that the insoluble single-phase amorphous LH-SLS complex (with a single T_g at 35.2 °C) formed during dissolution in 0.1 % SLS aqueous solution via electrostatic interaction, tetrel bond interaction, and hydrophobic effect. Due to the plasticization effect of water, the transition of amorphous LH-SLS from its glassy state to viscous supercooled liquid state led to the gel formation, and suppressd the dissolution of LH. Meanwhile, the solubility curve of LH in SLS aqueous solution at various concentrations exhibited an unusual V-shaped feature, with the CMC value of SLS serving as the inflection point, since the gel degree was attenuated due to the micelle solubilization of SLS. Additionally, an innovative strategy was developed to alleviate the inhibiting effect of SLS on LH dissolution based on the potential competitive interactions. This study not only enriches the internal mechanism of surfactant-inhibited drug dissolution but also informs an effective strategy to mitigate the gelation.

A New Saquinavir Mesylate-Sodium Decyl Sulfate Salt Discovered by Serendipity during an Anomalous Dissolution Test

PURPOSE

To understand the anomalous behavior of Saquinavir Mesylate (SQVM) in sodium decyl sulfate (SDS) medium during a dissolution test through a crystallographic analysis of the crystal obtained. As a result, it will be possible to elucidate its crystal structure and carry out a complete solid-state characterization of the API.

METHODS

The solid form obtained was characterized by a structural analysis through X-ray single crystal and powder diffraction. The crystallographic structures of the new salt and the SQVM were compared. In addition, a complete solid-state characterization of SQVM raw material was carried out by techniques such as diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and a dissolution method.

RESULTS

A new salt consisting of SQVM and SDS was crystallized and its crystal structure was elucidated and reported herein for the first time. The anionic part of SDS interacts with the cationic segment of SQVM to obtain a new salt designated as SQV-DS, which precipitates. The main difference between the two structures occurs in the c-axis expansion, which increases from 15.966 (5) to 21.1924 (14), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Some of the strategies to enhance the dissolution rate of poorly aqueous soluble APIs include the use of surfactants such as SDS in the dissolution medium, as well as in the formulated products. However, there have been constant reports of a dissolution rate slowdown by some surfactants. The interaction mechanisms between the APIs and the dissolution medium containing surfactants need to be carefully investigated in current pharmaceutical formulations. Graphical Abstract.

Impact of the manufacturing technique on the dissolution-enhancement functionality of PEG4000 in Cilostazol tablets

Cilostazol was selected as poorly-soluble model drug to investigate the impact of the manufacturing method on the excipient functionality of PEG4000 at various levels. Powder blends were prepared by direct compression (DC), wet granulation (WG) and hot-melt extrusion (HME). Characteristics of these blends and their compressed tablets were investigated by standard techniques. Solid-state characterization was carried out using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). While DC trials were found with no significant differences, WG and HME showed contrasting enhancement and retardation effects regarding the dissolution profile of Cilostazol tablets depending on the level of PEG4000 incorporated. The optimal enhancement of dissolution was obtained at 10% w/w PEG4000 for tablets prepared by HME. DSC analysis indicated that no solid solutions were formed at such low levels of PEG4000during processing by either manufacturing techniques. Consequently, the wetting functionality and dissolution enhancement of PEG4000 was revealed to be level- and manufacturing method dependent.

Advancing the understanding of the tablet disintegration phenomenon - An update on recent studies

Disintegration is the de-aggregation of particles within tablets upon exposure to aqueous fluids. Being an essential step in the bioavailability cascade, disintegration is a fundamental quality attribute of immediate release tablets. Although the disintegration phenomenon has been studied for over six decades, some gaps of knowledge and research questions still exist. Three reviews, published in 2015, 2016 and 2017, have discussed the literature relative to tablet disintegration and summarised the understanding of this topic. Yet, since then more studies have been published, adding to the established body of knowledge. This article guides a step forward towards the comprehension of disintegration by reviewing, concisely, the most recent scientific updates on this topic. Initially, we revisit the mechanisms of disintegration with relation to the three most used superdisintegrants, namely sodium starch glycolate, croscarmellose sodium and crospovidone. Then, the influence of formulation, storage, manufacturing and media conditions on disintegration is analysed. This is followed by an excursus on novel disintegrants. Finally, we highlight unanswered research questions and envision future research venues in the field.

The crystal packing, morphology and hydrophobicity of polyoxometalate-based amphiphilic materials

Crystal structures of polyoxometalate-based amphiphiles with multiple alkyl tails were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction to reveal the relationship between morphologies and manner of packing.

Mechanism for the Reduced Dissolution of Ritonavir Tablets by Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is an anionic surfactant widely used in pharmaceutical research as a dissolution enhancer for poorly soluble drugs. When SLS was used in ritonavir (RTV) tablet formulation to improve wetting, dissolution of RTV was surprisingly deteriorated in acidic media. To understand this unexpected phenomenon, a systematic investigation, including solubility determination, intrinsic dissolution rate measurement, dissolution in an artificial stomach and duodenum apparatus, and solid-state characterization, revealed the formation of a poorly soluble salt, [RTV²⁺][LS^-]₂, in an acidic environment. Solubilization of the poorly soluble RTV salt was observed when the concentration of SLS exceeded the critical micelle concentration. Thus, precipitation of [RTV²⁺][LS^-]₂ at a low pH and in presence of a low SLS concentration can lead to deteriorated bioavailability. This unintended negative effect on dissolution should be carefully considered when using SLS in a tablet formulation of a basic drug that can be ionized in gastric fluid.

Excipient-process interactions and their impact on tablet compaction and film coating

The objective of this study was to establish the effects of the level of minor formulation components (sodium lauryl sulfate: SLS, and magnesium stearate: MgSt) and manufacturing process on final blend compaction properties and the performance of the tablets during film coating. A 2 × 2 × 3 factorial study was conducted at two levels of SLS (0% and 1%, w/w) and MgSt (0.5% and 1.75%, w/w), along with three different manufacturing processes (direct compression, high-shear wet granulation, and dry granulation). The tablets were compressed to the same solid fraction (0.9) and the resulting tablet hardness values were found to vary over a range of 13-42 SCU, highlighting large compactability differences among these batches. Increase in the level of SLS or MgSt in the formulation had a significant negative effect on compactability and the performance of film-coated tablets. The detrimental effects on compaction and coating performance were magnified for the dry granulation process, likely due to the overall increased shear experienced by excipients (SLS, MgSt, microcrystalline cellulose) during the roller compaction and milling steps. The findings of this study highlight the importance of the manufacturing process when considering the use-level of formulation components such as SLS and MgSt in the formulation.

Curcumin-cyclodextrin encapsulated chitosan nanoconjugates with enhanced solubility and cell cytotoxicity

Curcumin (CUR), a naturally derived anti-cancer cocktail is arguably the most widely studied neutraceutical. Despite a lot of promises, it is yet to reach the market as an active anti-cancer formulation. In the present study, we have prepared highly soluble (3 mg/ml) CUR-γ-hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin (CUR-CD) hollow spheres. CUR-CD hollow spheres were prepared by a novel and scalable spray drying method. CUR-CD was then encapsulated into positively charged biodegradable chitosan (CUR-CD-CS) nanoparticles. The CUR-CD-CS nanoparticles were characterised by TEM, SEM, DLS, drug loading and in vitro release. We tested the efficacy of these CUR-CD-CS nanoparticles in SCC25 cell lines using MTT assay and investigated its cellular uptake mechanism. We also studied Oligo DNA loading in CUR-CD-CS nanoparticles and its delivery via confocal imaging and FACS analysis. Our results demonstrated that CUR-CD-CS nanoparticles showed superior in vitro release performance and higher cytotoxicity in SCC25 cell line amongst all tested formulations. The cytotoxicity results were corroborated by cell cycle analysis and apoptosis test, showing nearly 100% apoptotic cell death in the case of CUR-CD-CS nanoparticles. Compared to CS nanoparticles, CS-CD nanoformulation showed higher cellular delivery of Cy3-Oligo DNA which was tested quantitatively using flowcytometry analysis, indicating that CD not only enhanced CUR solubility but also boosted the cellular uptake. Our study shows that rationally designed bio-degradable natural biomaterials have great potential as next generation nano-carriers for hydrophobic drug delivery such as CUR with potential of dual drug-gene delivery.