Clarithromycin and Pantoprazole Gastro-Retentive Floating Bilayer Tablet for the Treatment of Helicobacter Pylori: Formulation and Characterization

Investigation of pantoprazole loading and release from a magnetic-coated chitosan-modified zirconium-based metal-organic framework (MOF) as a nanocarrier in targeted drug delivery systems

This study reports a novel magnetic and porous nanocomposite, Fe3O4@CS@UIO-66-NH2(Zr), developed by growing a zirconium-based metal-organic framework on magnetite-chitosan. It is designed for targeted and delayed pantoprazole delivery, the nanocomposite exhibits pH-sensitive behavior and functions as an efficient nanocarrier. The synthesis process involved coating magnetite nanoparticles with chitosan, followed by the growth of UIO-66-NH2(Zr) on the coated nanoparticles. The nanocomposite demonstrated high drug loading efficiency (DLE) in acetate buffer (pH 5.0) and deionized water, with loading percentages of 79% and 75%, respectively, within 48 hours. The corresponding drug loading content (DLC) was approximately 14% and 10%. The Freundlich and Langmuir models accurately described the multilayer adsorption behavior of pantoprazole on the nanocomposite's active sites. BET and EDX-map analyses confirmed that the drug was loaded into the nanocomposite's pores and uniformly adsorbed on its surface. The drug release kinetics were best described by the pseudo-second-order model. Due to its porosity, magnetic properties, and favorable drug loading characteristics, the Fe3O4@CS@UIO-66-NH2(Zr) nanocomposite shows potential as an efficient targeted drug delivery system for in vivo applications.

Expanding the Manufacturing Approaches for Gastroretentive Drug Delivery Systems with 3D Printing Technology

Gastroretentive drug delivery systems (GRDDSs) have gained substantial attention in the last 20 years due to their ability to retain the drug in the stomach for an extended time, thus promoting an extended release and high bioavailability for a broad range of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) that are pH-sensitive and/or have a narrow absorption window. The currently existing GRDDSs include floating, expanding, mucoadhesive, magnetic, raft-forming, ion-exchanging, and high-density systems. Although there are seven types of systems, the main focus is on floating, expanding, and mucoadhesive systems produced by various techniques, 3D printing being one of the most revolutionary and currently studied ones. This review assesses the newest production technologies and briefly describes the in vitro and in vivo evaluation methods, with the aim of providing a better overall understanding of GRDDSs as a novel emerging strategy for targeted drug delivery.

Tailoring drug release in bilayer tablets through droplet deposition modeling and injection molding

This study explores the innovative production of personalized bilayer tablets, integrating two advanced manufacturing techniques: Droplet Deposition Modeling (DDM) and Injection Molding (IM). Unlike traditional methods limited to customizing dense bilayer medicines, our approach uses Additive Manufacturing (AM) to effectively adjust drug release profiles. Focusing on Caffeine and Paracetamol, we found successful processing for both DDM and IM using Caffeine formulation. The high viscosity of Paracetamol formulation posed challenges during DDM processing. Integrating Paracetamol formulation for the over-molding process proved effective, demonstrating IM's versatility in handling complex formulations. Varying infill percentages in DDM tablets led to distinct porosities affecting diverse drug release profiles in DDM-fabricated tablets. In contrast, tablets with high-density structures formed through the over-molding process displayed slower and more uniform release patterns. Combining DDM and IM techniques allows for overcoming the inherent limitations of each technique independently, enabling the production of bilayer tablets with customizable drug release profiles. The study's results offer promising insights into the future of personalized medicine, suggesting new pathways for the development of customized oral dosage forms.

pH-Sensitive Hydrogel Bilayers: Investigation on Transient Swelling-Induced Bending through Analytical and FEM Approaches

pH-responsive hydrogels are recognized as versatile sensors and actuators due to their unique time-dependent properties. Specifically, pH-sensitive hydrogel-based bilayers exhibit remarkable bending capabilities when exposed to pH-triggered swelling. This study introduces a semi-analytical technique that combines non-linear solid mechanics with ionic species transport to investigate the bending behavior of such bilayers. The technique is validated through numerical simulations, exploring the influence of kinetic and geometric properties on bilayer behavior. The results highlight the significance of the interfacial region, particularly in configurations with lower hydrogel geometric ratios, which are susceptible to rupture. The study also uncovers the benefits of a lower hydrogel layer ratio in improving the swelling rate and final deflection, with a stronger effect observed in the presence of a buffer solution. Additionally, the compressibility of the elastomer contributes to the durability of the final bent shape. These findings enhance our understanding of pH-sensitive hydrogel-based bilayers and offer valuable insights for their design and optimization in diverse applications.