Comparative Analysis of PEG-Free and PEG-Based Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery Systems for Enhanced Oral Bioavailability of Therapeutic (Poly) Peptides

This study aims to compare the potential of Polyethylene glycol (PEG-free and PEG-based self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) for the oral administration of insulin glargine (IG). Hydrophobic ion pairs (HIPs) of IG are formed using various counterions. HIPs are assessed for log P octanol/water and dissociation behavior. They are incorporated into SEDDS based on polyglycerol (PG) and zwitterionic surfactant (ZW) using response surface methodology and compared to conventional PEG-SEDDS in size, stability, and log D SEDDS/release medium . Oral IG bioavailability in PG/ZW-SEDDS and PEG-SEDDS is evaluated in rats. Among the various counterions studied, IG-BIS (bis(isotridecyl)sulfosuccinate) HIPs demonstrated the highest log P and an improved dissociation profile. PG/ZW-SEDDS and PEG-SEDDS have similar ≈40 nm sizes and are stable over 24 h. Both formulations have log D > 4 in water and >2 in 50 mM phosphate buffer pH 6.8. PG/ZW-SEDDS yielded an oral bioavailability of 2.13 ± 0.66% for IG, while the employment of PEG-SEDDS resulted in an oral bioavailability of 1.15 ± 0.35%. This study highlights the prospective utilization of PEG-free SEDDS involving the concurrent application of PG and ZW surfactants, an alternative to conventional PEG surfactants, for improved oral therapeutic (poly) peptide delivery.

Synergistic stabilization of emulsion gel by nanoparticles and surfactant enables 3D printing of lipid-rich solid oral dosage forms

Pharmaceutical formulation of oral dosage forms is continuously challenged by the low solubility of new drug candidates. Pickering emulsions, emulsions stabilized with solid particles, are a promising alternative to surfactants for developing long-term stable emulsions that can be tailored for controlled release of lipophilic drugs. In this work, a non-emulsifying lipid-based formulation (LBF) loaded with fenofibrate was formulated into an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion synergistically stabilized by stearic acid and silica (SiO2) nanoparticles. The emulsion had a droplet size of 341 nm with SiO2 particles partially covering the oil-water interface. In vitro lipid digestion was faster for the emulsion compared to the corresponding LBF due to the larger total surface area available for digestion. Cellulose biopolymers were added to the emulsion to produce a gel for semi-solid extrusion (SSE) 3D printing into tablets. The emulsion gel showed suitable rheological attributes for SSE, with a trend of higher viscosity, yield stress, and storage modulus (G'), compared to a conventional self-emulsifying lipid-based emulsion gel. The developed emulsion gel allows for a non-emulsifying LBF to be transformed into solid dosage forms for rapid lipid digestion and drug release of a poorly water-soluble drug in the small intestine.

Optimization and characterization of self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system of iloperidone using box-behnken design and desirability function

PURPOSE

Iloperidone (IP) is an antipsychotic drug which belongs to Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS) II exhibiting poor aqueous solubility. The current investigation explores the possibility of enhancement of solubility and dissolution characteristics of IP by formulation of liquid self-nano emulsifying drug delivery system (L-SNEDDS) utilizing Box-Behnken Design (BBD) and desirability function.

METHODS

The oils, surfactants and co-surfactants used in the study were selected based on solubility of the drug and their emulsification ability. Optimization of the formulation was performed using BBD by employing four response variables such as globule size (nm), percentage transmittance (%), self-emulsification time (sec) and percent drug released in 15min. 2D contour plots and 3D response surface plots were constructed using Design Expert software.

RESULTS

The developed optimal L-SNEDDS of IP through BBD approach resulted in improvement of solubility and dissolution rate as compared with the pure drug. Based on desirability function, optimized formulation was prepared and was assessed for response variables (globule size, percentage transmittance, self-emulsification time and percent drug dissolved in 15min). The characterization studies revealed droplet size to be 21.80±2.41nm, 99.584±0.65% transmittance, 24.43±2.12sec emulsification time and 95.31±1.57% cumulative drug release in 15min.

CONCLUSION

The results conclude the potentiality of prepared L-SNEDDS in improving solubility and dissolution rate of IP.

Preclinical development of sodium fusidate antibiotic cutaneous spray based on water-free lipid formulation system

Topical antibiotics are a key component in the management of mild to moderate skin and soft tissue infections. There are, however, concerns about the emerging bacterial resistance against topical antibacterial agents such as fusidic acid, due to the prolonged treatment period of its marketed dosage forms. Improving the efficacy of topical formulations could potentially shorten the treatment period and avoid the resistance growth. To provide a more effective drug delivery, a water-free lipid-based formulation system (AKVANO®) which can be applied by spraying, has been developed. In the current paper, different formulations containing sodium fusidate were evaluated for their in vitro skin permeability using artificial skin mimicking membranes and antibacterial properties using ex vivo and in vivo skin wound infection models. The novel formulations containing sodium fusidate showed a much higher skin permeation (up to 60% of nominal amount) than the commercially available Fucidin® cream (3%). These formulations also gave a significantly stronger antibacterial effect than Fucidin cream showing a clear dose-response relationship for the sodium fusidate content. A spray product based on the described formulation technology would therefore require a shorter treatment time and thereby lower the risk for the development of bacterial resistance. Spray administration of these formulations provides an even layer on the skin surface from which the solvent quickly evaporates and thereby facilitates a non-touch application where no rubbing is required.

Improving oral bioavailability of medicinal herbal compounds through lipid-based formulations - A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

Although numerous medicinal herbal compounds demonstrate promising therapeutic potential, their clinical application is often limited by their poor oral bioavailability. To circumvent this barrier, various lipid-based herbal formulations have been developed and trialled with promising experimental results.

PURPOSE

This scoping review aims to describe the effect of lipid-based formulations on the oral bioavailability of herbal compounds.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted across three electronic databases (Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library) between January 2010 and January 2021 to identify relevant studies. The articles were rigorously screened for eligibility. Data from eligible studies were then extracted and collated for synthesis and descriptive analysis using Covidence.

RESULTS

A total of 109 studies were included in the present review: 105 animal studies and four clinical trials. Among the formulations investigated, 50% were emulsions, 34% lipid particulate systems, 12% vesicular systems, and 4% were other types of lipid-based formulations. Within the emulsion system classification, self-emulsifying drug delivery systems were observed to produce the best improvements in oral bioavailability, followed by mixed micellar formulations. The introduction of composite lipid-based formulations and the use of uncommon surfactants such as sodium oleate in emulsion preparation was shown to consistently enhance the bioavailability of herbal compounds with poor oral absorption. Interestingly, the lipid-based formulations of magnesium lithospermate B and Pulsatilla chinensis produced an absolute bioavailability greater than 100% indicating the possibility of prolonged systemic circulation. With respect to chemical conjugation, D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) was the most frequently used and significantly improved the bioavailability of its phytoconstituents.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that there is no distinct lipid-based formulation superior to the other. Bioavailability improvements were largely dependent on the nature of the phytoconstituents. This scoping review, however, provided a detailed summary of the most up-to-date evidence on phytoconstituents formulated into lipid preparations and their oral bioavailability. We conclude that a systematic review and meta-analysis between bioavailability improvements of individual phytoconstituents (such as kaempferol, morin and myricetin) in various lipid-based formulations will provide a more detailed association. Such a review will be highly beneficial for both researchers and herbal manufacturers.

Magnetically-stimulated transformations in the nanostructure of PEGylated phytantriol-based nanoparticles for on-demand drug release

Lipid-based liquid crystalline (LLC) systems are formed by the self-assembly of lipid materials in aqueous environments. The internal nanostructures of LLC systems can be manipulated using remote stimuli and have the potential to serve as 'on-demand' drug delivery systems. In this study, a magnetically-responsive system that displayed a transition in nanostructure from liposomes to cubosomes/hexasomes under external alternating magnetic field (AMF) was established by the incorporation of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) into a PEGylated phytantriol (PHYT)-based LLC system. Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) was utilized to assess the equilibrium phase behaviour of the systems with different compositions of the lipids to find the optimized formulation. Time-resolved SAXS was then used to determine the dynamic transformation of nanostructures of the IONP-containing systems with the activation of AMF. The formulation containing PHYT and DSPE-PEG2000 at a 95 to 5 molar percent ratio produced a transition from lamellar phase to bicontinuous cubic phase, showing a slow-to-fast drug release profile. Inclusion of either 5 nm or 15 nm IONPs imparted magnetic-responsiveness to the system. The magnetically-responsive system produced an 'on-demand' drug delivery system from which the drug release was able to be triggered externally by AMF-stimulation.

In vitro and in vivo correlation for lipid-based formulations: Current status and future perspectives

Lipid-based formulations (LBFs) have demonstrated a great potential in enhancing the oral absorption of poorly water-soluble drugs. However, construction of in vitro and in vivo correlations (IVIVCs) for LBFs is quite challenging, owing to a complex in vivo processing of these formulations. In this paper, we start with a brief introduction on the gastrointestinal digestion of lipid/LBFs and its relation to enhanced oral drug absorption; based on the concept of IVIVCs, the current status of in vitro models to establish IVIVCs for LBFs is reviewed, while future perspectives in this field are discussed. In vitro tests, which facilitate the understanding and prediction of the in vivo performance of solid dosage forms, frequently fail to mimic the in vivo processing of LBFs, leading to inconsistent results. In vitro digestion models, which more closely simulate gastrointestinal physiology, are a more promising option. Despite some successes in IVIVC modeling, the accuracy and consistency of these models are yet to be validated, particularly for human data. A reliable IVIVC model can not only reduce the risk, time, and cost of formulation development but can also contribute to the formulation design and optimization, thus promoting the clinical translation of LBFs.

Natural sesame oil is superior to pre-digested lipid formulations and purified triglycerides in promoting the intestinal lymphatic transport and systemic bioavailability of cannabidiol

Lipid-based formulations play a significant role in oral delivery of lipophilic drugs. Previous studies have shown that natural sesame oil promotes the intestinal lymphatic transport and oral bioavailability of the highly lipophilic drug cannabidiol (CBD). However, both lymphatic transport and systemic bioavailability were also associated with considerable variability. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that pre-digested lipid formulations (oleic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid with 2-oleoylglycerol, oleic acid with 2-oleoylglycerol and oleic acid with glycerol) could reduce variability and increase the extent of the intestinal lymphatic transport and oral bioavailability of CBD. The in vivo studies in rats showed that pre-digested or purified triglyceride did not improve the lymphatic transport and bioavailability of CBD in comparison to sesame oil. Moreover, the results suggest that both the absorption of lipids and the absorption of co-administered CBD were more efficient following administration of natural sesame oil vehicle compared with pre-digested lipids or purified trioleate. Although multiple small molecule constituents and unique fatty acid compositions could potentially contribute to a better performance of sesame oil in oral absorption of lipids or CBD, further investigation will be needed to identify the mechanisms involved.

Encapsulation of lipid-based formulations in porous carriers for controlled drug delivery

Lipid-based formulations have recently been investigated as a promising approach to enhance the bioavailability of drugs, especially poorly water-soluble drugs. The encapsulation of lipid-based formulations in porous materials can result in a transformation of liquids or semisolid forms to solid dosage forms. Moreover, the specific structure of porous carriers could offer an enhanced ability to load and control active pharmaceutical ingredients. Although there have been prominent reports on lipid-based formulations and porous materials as promising technologies for controlled drug release, the overall methods of encapsulating lipid-based formulations need to be discussed for further formulation investigations. This review aims to present the key strategies used for producing porous carriers containing lipid-based formulations. We also discuss methods that enhance the encapsulation efficiency of loaded drugs within porous structures (instead of lipid-based formulations). Moreover, the critical factors that affect tablet formation are outlined. This overview of lipid-based formulations encapsulated within porous materials provides a summary of the technical methods used in the development of these formulations and their clinical translation.

The Influence of Solidification on the in vitro Solubilisation of Blonanserin Loaded Supersaturated Lipid-Based Oral Formulations

Supersaturated silica-lipid hybrids have previously demonstrated improved in vitro solubilisation and in vivo oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs, however were only fabricated using a single lipid (LFCS type I formulations) and were not compared to their liquid precursors. This study investigated the influence of lipid formulation classification (type I vs. type II vs. type IIIA/SNEDDS) and physical state (liquid LBF vs. solidified with silica) on the in vitro solubilisation of the poorly soluble, weak base, anti-psychotic drug, blonanserin (BLON), from a supersaturated lipid-based formulation (LBF). Stable liquid supersaturated LBF were fabricated using BLON (loaded at 150% of its equilibrium solubility), and solidified through encapsulation within porous silica microparticles at a 1:1 ratio. Their physicochemical properties and in vitro solubilisation during lipolysis were compared. Supersaturated BLON was encapsulated in the non-crystalline form. All supersaturated LBF improved the solubilisation of pure BLON during lipolysis regardless of their lipid formulation type or their physical state (1.7- to 13.4-fold). SNEDDS achieved greater solubilisation than the type II formulations (1.4- to 1.7-fold). Furthermore, the liquid precursors achieved greater solubilisation than the silica solidified formulations (4.5- to 5.7-fold). Additionally, in an attempt to increase BLON solubilisation, a spray-dried SNEDDS and dual-loaded solidified super-SNEDDS solidified with silica pre-loaded with BLON was developed, however did not significantly improve solubilisation. Liquid SNEDDS were identified as the optimal oral supersaturated LBF strategy for BLON based on in vitro lipolysis studies. Solidification of LBF using silica is a viable strategy for improving stability, however for drugs such as BLON, solidification may impede in vitro release and solubilisation.

Interaction with biliary and pancreatic fluids drives supersaturation and drug absorption from lipid-based formulations of low (saquinavir) and high (fenofibrate) permeability poorly soluble drugs

Drug absorption from lipid-based formulations (LBFs) in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is the result of a series of processes, including formulation dispersion, interaction with biliary and pancreatic secretions, drug solubilisation and supersaturation, and finally intestinal permeability. Optimal formulation design is dependent on a good understanding of the limitations to, and drivers of, absorption, but for LBFs the complexity of these processes makes data interpretation complex. The current study has re-examined a previous in vitro digestion-in situ perfusion model to increase physiological relevance and has used this model to examine drug absorption from LBFs. The composition of rat bile and jejunal fluid was also characterised to identify in vivo-relevant conditions. Digestion was initiated using rat bile/pancreatic fluid and the formulation and digestive enzymes mixed immediately prior to entry into the jejunum (allowing dilution/digestion to occur at the absorptive site). These conditions were employed to study drug absorption from LBFs of high (fenofibrate, FFB) and low (saquinavir, SQV) permeability compounds. The impact of polymeric precipitation inhibitors (PPIs) was also evaluated. For FFB, supersaturation, initiated by formulation interaction with biliary/pancreatic fluids, appeared to drive absorption and the addition of the PPIs poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PPGAE) and hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC), reduced drug precipitation, increased FFB supersaturation and increased absorption from a Type IV LBF of FFB. For a Type IIIB LBF however, PPIs were ineffective at increasing absorption. The impact of PPIs on the absorption of a less permeable drug, SQV, was similarly evaluated and again drug absorption appeared to be related to the extent of supersaturation, although in this case PPI were unable to promote absorption. For both FFB and SQV, drug absorption patterns obtained with the in vitro digestion-in situ perfusion mode, correlated well with in vitro supersaturation data and in vivo drug exposure data from oral bioavailability studies. The data are consistent with a mode of drug absorption where rapid dilution of LBFs with biliary and pancreatic secretions at the absorptive site in the upper small intestine drives transient supersaturation, that supersaturation is a significant driver of drug absorption for both low and high permeability drugs, and that PPIs delay drug precipitation, enhance supersaturation and promote drug absorption in a drug and formulation specific manner.

Predicting Oral Absorption of fenofibrate in Lipid-Based Drug Delivery Systems by Combining In Vitro Lipolysis with the Mucus-PVPA Permeability Model

The aim of this work was to develop a new in vitro lipolysis-permeation model to predict the in vivo absorption of fenofibrate in self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDSs). More specifically, the in vitro intestinal lipolysis model was combined with the mucus-PVPA (Phospholipid Vesicle-based Permeation Assay) in vitro permeability model. Biosimilar mucus (BM) was added to the surface of the PVPA barriers to closer simulate the intestinal mucosa. SNEDDSs for which pharmacokinetic data after oral dosing to rats was available in the literature were prepared, and the ability of the SNEDDSs to maintain fenofibrate solubilized during in vitro lipolysis was determined, followed by the assessment of drug permeation across the mucus-PVPA barriers. The amount of drug solubilized over time during in vitro lipolysis did not correlate with the AUC (area under the curve) of the plasma drug concentration curve. However, the AUC of the drug permeated after in vitro lipolysis displayed a good correlation with the in vivo AUC (R² > 0.9). Thus, it was concluded that the in vitro lipolysis-mucus-PVPA permeation model, simulating the physiological digestion and absorption processes, was able to predict in vivo absorption data, exhibiting great potential for further prediction of in vivo performance of SNEDDSs.

Do Phospholipids Boost or Attenuate Drug Absorption? In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of Mono- and Diacyl Phospholipid-Based Solid Dispersions of Celecoxib

Phospholipids are amphiphilic lipids with versatile properties making them promising excipients for enabling formulations for oral drug delivery. Unfortunately, systematic studies on how phospholipid type and content affect oral absorption are rare. Often, only one phospholipid type is used for the formulation development and only one formulation, optimized according to in vitro parameters, is included in oral bioavailability studies. Using this approach, it is unclear if a certain in vitro parameter is predictive for the in vivo performance. In this study, a labor-saving in vitro permeation screening method was combined with a pharmacokinetic study in rats to for the first time systematically compare two types of phospholipid-based solid dispersions. The dispersions contained the drug celecoxib and monoacyl or diacyl phosphatidylcholine at different drug-to-phospholipid ratios. The in vitro screening revealed: 1) none of the formulations with high phospholipid content increased permeation, 2) phospholipid content was negatively correlated with permeation, and 3) mono and diacyl-phosphatidylcholine formulations performed equally. The pharmacokinetic study revealed: 1) At low phospholipid content absorption was enhanced, 2) phospholipid content was negatively correlated with absorption, and 3) monoacyl and diacyl phosphatidylcholine formulations performed equally. Apart from the reference (suspension), the in vitro permeation screening thus predicted the formulations in vivo performance.

Enhanced intestinal lymphatic absorption of saquinavir through supersaturated self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems

The therapeutic potential of saquinavir, a specific inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 and HIV-2 protease enzymes, has been largely limited because of a low solubility and consequnt low bioavailability. Thus, we aimed to design a supersaturated self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (S-SMEDDS) that can maintain a high concentration of saquinavir in gastro-intestinal fluid thorugh inhibiting the drug precipitation to enhance the lymphatic transport of saquinavir and to increase the bioavailability of saquinavir considerably. Solubilizing capacity of different oils, surfactants, and cosurfactants for saquinavir was evaluated to select optimal ingredients for preparation of SMEDDS. Through the construction of pseudo-ternary phase diagram, SMEDDS formulations were established. A polymer as a precipitation inhibitor was selected based on its viscosity and drug precipitation inhibiting capacity. The S-SMEDDS and SMEDDS designed were administered at an equal dose to rats. At predetermined time points, levels of saquinavir in lymph collected from the rats were assessed. SMEDDS prepared presented a proper self-microemulsification efficiency and dispersion stability. The S-SMEDDS fabricated using the SMEDDS and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose 2910 as a precipitation inhibitor exhibited a signficantly enhanced solubilizing capacity for saquinavir. The drug concentration in a simulated intestinal fluid evaluated with the S-SMEDDS was also maintained at higher levels for prolonged time than that examined with the SMEDDS. The S-SMEDDS showed a considerably enhanced lymphatic absoprtion of saquinavir in rats compared to the SMEDDS. Therefore, the S-SMEDDS would be usefully exploited to enhance the lymphatic absorption of hydrophobic drugs that need to be targeted to the lymphatic system.

Enhancing the oral bioavailability of simvastatin with silica-lipid hybrid particles: The effect of supersaturation and silica geometry

Silica-lipid hybrid (SLH) microparticles are a solidified lipid-based drug delivery system under investigation for their aptitude to enhance the oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. The cholesterol-lowering agent, simvastatin (SIM), is poorly water-soluble and undergoes extensive first pass metabolism, resulting in a low oral bioavailability of approximately 5%. Hence, the current pre-clinical studies investigated the application of SLH technology to SIM with a supersaturation approach, aiming to enhance bioavailability and drug loading capacity. Additionally, the effect of silica was explored by evaluating the performance of SLH fabricated with silica of different particle geometries. SLH microparticles with supersaturated SIM loading levels ranging from 100% to 400% above the equilibrium solubility were successfully fabricated using either Aerosil® 300 or Syloid® 244 silica. All SLH formulations existed as white free-flowing powders, consisting of spherical porous microparticles for Aerosil® 300, and aggregated irregular microparticles for Syloid® 244. During in vitro dissolution in pH 7.0 media, the SLH formulations performed up to 4.4-fold greater than pure SIM powder. Furthermore, in vivo oral pharmacokinetics in male Sprague-Dawley rats revealed that the SLH formulations enhanced the oral bioavailability of SIM up to 6.1-fold and 2.9-fold, in comparison to pure SIM powder and a commercially available formulation (Simvastatin Sandoz®), respectively. The greatest in vivo performance enhancement was observed for the SLH formulation manufactured with Syloid® 244 silica with a supersaturation level of 200%. SLH technology demonstrated to be a successful formulation strategy to significantly improve the oral bioavailability of SIM in rodents and therefore, has a strong potential to also improve the oral bioavailability of SIM in humans.

Effect of lipids on absorption of carvedilol in dogs: Is coadministration of lipids as efficient as a lipid-based formulation?

Lipid-based formulations (LBFs) is a formulation strategy for enabling oral delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs. However, current use of this strategy is limited to a few percent of the marketed products. Reasons for that are linked to the complexity of LBFs, chemical instability of pre-dissolved drug and a limited understanding of the influence of LBF intestinal digestion on drug absorption. The aim of this study was to explore intestinal drug solubilization from a long-chain LBF, and evaluate whether coadministration of LBF is as efficient as a lipid-based drug formulation containing the pre-dissolved model drug carvedilol. Thus, solubility studies of this weak base were performed in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) and aspirated dog intestinal fluid (DIF). DIF was collected from duodenal stomas after dosing of water and two levels (1 g and 2 g) of LBF. Similarly, the in vitro SIF solubility studies were conducted prior to, and after addition of, undigested or digested LBF. The DIF fluid was further characterized for lipid digestion products (free fatty acids) and bile salts. Subsequently, carvedilol was orally administered to dogs in a lipid-based drug formulation and coadministered with LBF, and drug plasma exposure was assessed. In addition to these studies, in vitro drug absorption from the different formulation approaches were evaluated in a lipolysis-permeation device, and the obtained data was used to evaluate the in vitro in vivo correlation. The results showed elevated concentrations of free fatty acids and bile salts in the DIF when 2 g of LBF was administered, compared to only water. As expected, the SIF and DIF solubility data revealed that carvedilol solubilization increased by the presence of lipids and lipid digestion products. Moreover, coadministration of LBF and drug demonstrated equal plasma exposure to the lipid-based drug formulation. Furthermore, evaluation of in vitro absorption resulted in the same rank order for the LBFs as in the in vivo dog study. In conclusion, this study demonstrated increased intestinal solubilization from a small amount of LBF, caused by lipid digestion products and bile secretion. The outcomes also support the use of coadministration of LBF as a potential dosing regimen in cases where it is beneficial to have the drug in the solid form, e.g. due to chemical instability in the lipid vehicle. Finally, the in vitro lipolysis-permeation used herein established IVIVC for carvedilol in the presence of LBFs.

Solidification to improve the biopharmaceutical performance of SEDDS: Opportunities and challenges

Self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) offer potential for overcoming the inherent slow dissolution and poor oral absorption of hydrophobic drugs by retaining them in a solubilised state during gastrointestinal transit. However, the promising biopharmaceutical benefits of liquid lipid formulations has not translated into widespread commercial success, due to their susceptibility to long term storage and in vivo precipitation issues. One strategy that has emerged to overcome such limitations, is to combine the solubilisation and dissolution enhancing properties of lipids with the stabilising effects of solid carrier materials. The development of intelligent hybrid drug formulations has presented new opportunities to harness the potential of emulsified lipids in optimising oral bioavailability for lipophilic therapeutics. Specific emphasis of this review is placed on the impact of solidification approaches and excipients on the biopharmaceutical performance of self-emulsifying lipids, with findings highlighting the key design considerations that should be implemented when developing hybrid lipid-based formulations.

The impact of digestion is essential to the understanding of milk as a drug delivery system for poorly water soluble drugs

Milk has previously been considered as a potential lipid-based drug delivery system for poorly water soluble drugs but it has never gained significant attention. This is in part because relying on solubility in lipid-based formulations (in this case milk) does not provide a complete picture of the behavior of such systems upon digestion. Herein, we demonstrate using time resolved X-ray scattering that the digestion of milk is actually crucial to the solubilisation of a poorly water-soluble drug, halofantrine. Halofantrine was chosen because its behaviour in lipid-based formulations has been widely investigated and because of its close structural relationship to lumefantrine, an antimalarial drug of current interest for the treatment of paediatric malaria. The transformation of the drug from a crystalline solid form in suspension in milk, to a solubilised form as a direct consequence of lipolysis highlights that consideration of digestion of the milk lipids as a critical process that influences drug solubilisation and availability for absorption is vital.

A Novel Surfactant-free Lipid-based Formulation for Improving Oral Bioavailability of Loratadine Using Colloidal Silicon Dioxide as Emulsifier and Solid Carrier

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to develop an innovative surfactant-free lipidbased formulation (LF) for improving oral bioavailability of loratadine based on using solid particles colloidal silicon dioxide (CSD) as emulsifier and solid carrier.

METHODS

Loratadine was dissolved in oil solution with the aid of co-solvent and LF formulations were prepared by a simple adsorption and milling technique. The LF Powder was evaluated in terms of angle of repose and X-ray powder diffraction. After dispersing and emulsifying in water, the particle size and morphology were also characterized. In vitro dissolution and pharmacokinetic behavior in vivo were also studied.

RESULTS

Orthogonal design indicated that the amount of CSD in formulations had a major and significant influence on emulsification. The optimal formulation showed LF with good flowability and without crystallization or deposition of loratadine in it.

CONCLUSION

After dispersing in water, an emulsion with the mean droplet size of 1.2μm was obtained. Although the dissolution of drug from LF was slower in vitro in acidic aqueous solution, pharmacokinetic studies in vivo showed that the bioavailability of loratadine increased 2.49-fold by CF compared to a commercial tablet.

Supersaturated silica-lipid hybrids (super-SLH): An improved solid-state lipid-based oral drug delivery system with enhanced drug loading

The method of supersaturation for achieving high drug loads in lipid-based formulations is under exploited and relatively unexplored, especially in the case of solid-state lipid-based formulations. Silica-lipid hybrids are solid-state lipid-based formulations designed for improving the oral delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs. However, their application to compounds of low potency and requiring large doses is limited by their low drug loading capacity. Here, an innovative technique to fabricate supersaturated silica-lipid hybrid formulations (super-SLH) has been established and the relationship between drug load and performance investigated. Using the model poorly water-soluble drug, ibuprofen, super-SLH was fabricated possessing drug loads ranging from 8 to 44% w/w, i.e. greater than the previously developed standard ibuprofen silica-lipid hybrids (5.6% w/w). Drug crystallinity of the encapsulated ibuprofen ranged from non-crystalline to part-crystalline with an increase in drug load. Super-SLH achieved improved rates and extents of dissolution when compared to pure ibuprofen, regardless of the drug load. The percentage increase in dissolution extent at 60 min varied from 200 to 600%. The results of the current study indicate that supersaturation greatly improves drug loading and that 16-25% w/w is the optimum loading level which retains optimal dissolution behaviour for the oral delivery of ibuprofen, which has the potential to be translated to other poorly water-soluble drugs.

Montmorillonite-lipid hybrid carriers for ionizable and neutral poorly water-soluble drugs: Formulation, characterization and in vitro lipolysis studies

Lipid-based formulations (LBFs) are a popular strategy for enhancing the gastrointestinal solubilization and absorption of poorly water-soluble drugs. In light of this, montmorillonite-lipid hybrid (MLH) particles, composed of medium-chain triglycerides, lecithin and montmorillonite clay platelets, have been developed as a novel solid-state LBF. Owing to the unique charge properties of montmorillonite, whereby the clay platelet surfaces carry a permanent negative charge and the platelet edges carry a pH-dependent charge, three model poorly water-soluble drugs with different charge properties; blonanserin (weak base, pKa 7.7), ibuprofen (weak acid, pKa 4.5) and fenofibrate (neutral), were formulated as MLH particles and their performance during biorelevant in vitro lipolysis at pH 7.5 was investigated. For blonanserin, drug solubilization during in vitro lipolysis was significantly reduced 3.4-fold and 3.2-fold for MLH particles in comparison to a control lipid solution and silica-lipid hybrid (SLH) particles, respectively. It was hypothesized that strong electrostatic interactions between the anionic montmorillonite platelet surfaces and cationic blonanserin molecules were responsible for the inferior performance of MLH particles. In contrast, no significant influence on drug solubilization was observed for ibuprofen- and fenofibrate-loaded MLH particles. The results of the current study indicate that whilst MLH particles are a promising novel formulation strategy for poorly water-soluble drugs, drug ionization tendency and the potential for drug-clay interactions must be taken into consideration to ensure an appropriate performance.

The gut in the beaker: Missing the surfactants?

Gastrointestinal drug administration is the preferred route for the majority of drugs however, the natural physiology and physicochemistry of the gastrointestinal tract is critical to absorption but complex and influenced by factors such as diet or disease. The pharmaceutical sciences drive for product consistency has led to the development of in vitro product performance tests whose utility and interpretation is hindered by the complexity, variability and a lack of understanding. This article explores some of these issues with respect to the drug, formulation and the presence of surfactant excipients and how these interact with the natural bile salt surfactants. Interactions start in the mouth and during swallowing but the stomach and small intestine present the major challenges related to drug dissolution, solubility, the impact of surfactants and supersaturation along with precipitation. The behaviour of lipid based formulations and the influence of surfactant excipients is explored along with the difficulties of translating in vitro results to in vivo performance. Possible future research areas are highlighted with the conclusion that, "a great deal of work using modern methods is still required to clarify the situation".

Lipid-associated oral delivery: Mechanisms and analysis of oral absorption enhancement

The majority of newly discovered oral drugs are poorly water soluble, and co-administration with lipids has proven effective in significantly enhancing bioavailability of some compounds with low aqueous solubility. Yet, lipid-based delivery technologies have not been widely employed in commercial oral products. Lipids can impact drug transport and fate in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract through multiple mechanisms including enhancement of solubility and dissolution kinetics, enhancement of permeation through the intestinal mucosa, and triggering drug precipitation upon lipid emulsion depletion (e.g., by digestion). The effect of lipids on drug absorption is currently not quantitatively predictable, in part due to the multiple complex dynamic processes that can be impacted by lipids. Quantitative mechanistic analysis of the processes significant to lipid system function and overall impact on drug absorption can aid in the understanding of drug-lipid interactions in the GI tract and exploitation of such interactions to achieve optimal lipid-based drug delivery. In this review, we discuss the impact of co-delivered lipids and lipid digestion on drug dissolution, partitioning, and absorption in the context of the experimental tools and associated kinetic expressions used to study and model these processes. The potential benefit of a systems-based consideration of the concurrent multiple dynamic processes occurring upon co-dosing lipids and drugs to predict the impact of lipids on drug absorption and enable rational design of lipid-based delivery systems is presented.

Rapid determination of drug solubilization versus supersaturation in natural and digested lipids

Lipid-based formulations (LBFs) represent one of the successful formulation approaches that enable oral delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs. This work presents a simple equilibrium approach based on solubility in lipids and their corresponding digestion media to estimate a maximum drug supersaturation ratio (SR_max). This value of drug concentration normalized by the solubility in the aqueous digestion phase indicates the propensity for drug precipitation. A set of 16 structurally diverse drugs was first measured for their solubility in tricaprin and tricaprylin and results were compared to an empirical model based on molecular predictors. In the next step, digestion media were either prepared by in vitro lipolysis or by assembling a composition to mimic the endpoint of digestion. It was found that drug solubility in the pure lipids mainly was related to the melting point in that increased values resulted in reduced solubility. The solubility values measured in the lipolysis media correlated well with those obtained from assembled digestion media. Interestingly, the solubilization upon digestion was typically higher when using tricaprin than tricaprylin in spite of that the latter oil (as pure excipient) generally was a more potent solvent. This work suggests that a simplified digestion screen can be used to facilitate evaluation of formulations during early development. Estimation of SR_max provides an early risk assessment of drug precipitation for LBFs. The method is easily scaled down to the microtiter plate format and can be used for selecting candidate formulations that merit further evaluation in more complex and dynamic in vitro tests.

Selection of a discriminant and biorelevant in vitro dissolution test for the development of fenofibrate self-emulsifying lipid-based formulations

Fenofibrate, a BCS class II compound, has a low bioavailability especially when taken orally on an empty stomach. The challenge to find a new formulation for providing bioavailability, independent of food, is still ongoing. If the development of a suitable oral delivery formulation of BCS class II compounds is a frequent and great challenge to formulation scientists, the in vitro evaluation of these new formulations is also a great challenge. The purpose of this study was therefore to select an in vitro dissolution test that would be useful and as biorelevant as possible for the development of fenofibrate self-emulsifying lipid-based formulations. In this context, three different fenofibrate formulations, for which in vivo data are available in the literature, were tested using different dissolution tests until we found the one that was the most suitable. As part of this approach, we started with the simplest in vitro dissolution tests and progressed to tests that were increasingly more complex. The first tests were different single phase dissolution tests: a test under sink conditions based on the USP monograph, and different tests under non-sink conditions in non-biorelevant and biorelevant media. Given the inconclusive results obtained with these tests, biphasic dissolution systems were then tested: one with USP apparatus type II alone and another which combined USP apparatus types II and IV. This last combined test seemed the most suitable in vitro dissolution test for the development of the future fenofibrate lipid-based formulations we intend to develop in our own laboratory.

Evaluation of Lipid-based Drug Delivery System (Phytosolve) on Oral Bioavailability of Dibudipine

The objective of present study was to evaluate pharmacokinetic parameters of dibudipine Phytosolve after oral administration in rats. The solubility test was carried out to select suitable oily solvent for dibudipine. Phytosolve formulation was prepared with a medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil (20%), soybean phospholipids (5%) and a 70% fructose solution (75%). The effect of polyol content on the mean globule size of Phytosolve formulation was studied. The optimized formulation was evaluated for robustness toward dilution, transparency, droplet size, zeta potential and transmission electron microscopic analysis. The Phytosolve of dibudipine with an average droplet size of 142.3 ± 4.3 nm and surface charge -18.36 ± 0.37 mv was administered orally to rats. The average relative bioavalabilities of dibudipine in the plasma with Phytosolve were 170.4% and 211.2% as compared to the oily solution and aqueous suspension respectively. So this formulation could be offered as a useful technique to improve the oral delivery of the poorly water soluble drugs such as dibudipine.

Analysis of the enhanced oral bioavailability of fenofibrate lipid formulations in fasted humans using an in vitro-in silico-in vivo approach

Lipid-based formulations have established a significant role in the formulation of poorly soluble drugs for oral administration. In order to better understand their potential advantages over solid oral dosage forms, we studied the solubility and dissolution/precipitation characteristics of three self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) formulations and one suspension of micronized fenofibrate in lipid excipients, for which pharmacokinetic studies had already been reported in the open literature. The in vitro dispersion/dissolution studies were carried out in biorelevant media using USP II apparatus. These were followed up by in silico simulations using STELLA® software, in which not only dispersion/dissolution, but also the precipitation and re-dissolution of fenofibrate was taken into account. While unformulated drug exhibited poor solubility (0.22 μg/mL in FaSSGF and 4.31 μg/mL in FaSSIF-V2(PO4)) and dissolved less than 2% in dissolution tests, the solubility of fenofibrate in the presence of the lipid excipients increased dramatically (e.g., to 65.44 μg/mL in the presence of the Myritol 318/TPGS/Tween 80 SMEDDS) and there was an attendant increase in the dissolution (over 80% from capsules containing the Myritol 318/TPGS/Tween 80 SMEDDS and about 20% from the dispersion of fenofibrate in lipid excipients). For the four lipid-based fenofibrate formulations studied, combining in vitro data in biorelevant media with in silico simulation resulted in accurate prediction of the in vivo human plasma profiles. The point estimates of C(max) and AUC ratio calculated from the in silico and in vivo plasma profiles fell within the 0.8-1.25 range for the SMEDDS solution and capsule formulations, suggesting an accurate simulation of the in vivo profiles. This similarity was confirmed by calculation of the respective f2 factors. Sensitivity analysis of the simulation profiles revealed that the SMEDDS formulations had virtually removed any dependency of absorption on the dissolution rate in the small intestine, whereas for the dispersion in lipid excipients, this barrier remained. Such results pave the way to optimizing the performance of oral lipid-based formulations via an in vitro-in silico-in vivo approach.