The Evaluation of Meloxicam Nanocrystals by Oral Administration with Different Particle Sizes

Meloxicam (MLX) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. However, its poor water solubility limits the dissolution process and influences absorption. In order to solve this problem and improve its bioavailability, we prepared it in nanocrystals with three different particle sizes to improve solubility and compare the differences between various particle sizes. The nanocrystal particle sizes were studied through dynamic light scattering (DLS) and laser scattering (LS). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to characterize the morphology of nanocrystals. The sizes of meloxicam-nanocrystals-A (MLX-NCs-A), meloxicam-nanocrystals-B (MLX-NCs-B), and meloxicam-nanocrystals-C (MLX-NCs-C) were 3.262 ± 0.016 μm, 460.2 ± 9.5 nm, and 204.9 ± 2.8 nm, respectively. Molecular simulation was used to explore the distribution and interaction energy of MLX molecules and stabilizer molecules in water. The results of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) proved that the crystalline state did not change in the preparation process. Transport studies of the Caco-2 cell model indicated that the cumulative degree of transport would increase as the particle size decreased. Additionally, plasma concentration-time curves showed that the AUC0-∞ of MLX-NCs-C were 3.58- and 2.92-fold greater than those of MLX-NCs-A and MLX-NCs-B, respectively. These results indicate that preparing MLX in nanocrystals can effectively improve the bioavailability, and the particle size of nanocrystals is an important factor in transmission and absorption.

Smart phase transformation system based on lyotropic liquid crystalline@hard capsules for sustained release of hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs

Smart phase transformation systems@hard capsule (SPTS@hard capsule) based on lyotropic liquid crystalline (LLC) were developed for oral sustained release in this study. Doxycycline hydrochloride (DOXY) and meloxicam (MLX) were used as hydrophilic and hydrophobic model drug, respectively. Two systems were added with different additives, that is, gelucire 39/01, PEG 1000 and Tween 80 to adjust their melting point and release profiles. The phase transformation of these systems could be triggered by water as well as temperature. They could spontaneously transform into cubic phase or hexagonal phase when coming across with water, to achieve the 24 h sustained release profile. In addition, the obtained systems could switch between semisolid state and liquid state when temperature changed within room temperature and body temperature, which facilitated the phase transformation in gastrointestinal tract and during their encapsulation into hard capsules. LLC-based SPTS@hard capsule revealed potential for the industrialization of its oral administration on account of its drugs accommodation with different solubility, controllable release profile and simple preparation process.

Formulation design, characterization and in vitro drug release study of orodispersible film comprising BCS class II drugs

Fast dissolving orodispersible film (ODF) was prepared for concurrent administration of biopharmaceutical classification system (BCS) class II drugs, i.e., meloxicam (MX) and tizanidine (TZ), using natural (xanthan gum), semisynthetic (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and hydroxyethyl cellulose) and synthetic (polyvinyl alcohol) polymers. Compatibility of the ingredients of ODFs was ascertained through Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. ODFs were characterized through disintegration time, pH of the surface of film, tensile strength, folding endurance, % elongation and content uniformity (MX and TZ) which were found in the range between 17±1.3-56±3.1 s, 5.11±0.07-6.28±0.05, 14.721±1.2-33.084±3.1 N/m2, > 100, 3.33±0.53-10.04±0.77 % and 98.01-99.34 % (MX) and 97.48-99.03 % (TZ), respectively. The values of moisture uptake, moisture loss and loss on drying of all formulations were in the range from 1.06±0.09-7.51±0.93 %, 0.06±0.01-2.3±0.08 % and 0.008±0.002-0.03±0.03 %, respectively. In vitro drug release study in simulated saliva fluid of pH 7.4 has shown that > 90 % MX and TZ was released within 5 min. Visual inspection, scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction analysis of all ODFs expressed their smooth surfaces. ODF prepared from xanthan gum (F5) exhibited better physicochemical and mechanical properties as compared to other formulations.

Ternary solid dispersion to improve solubility and dissolution of meloxicam

Background Meloxicam (MLX) is a potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with poor solubility. Solid dispersion (SD) is an effective formulation strategy to improve the dissolution rate of poorly water-soluble compounds. Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) as an inert polymer carrier and nicotinic acid (NA) as disturbance can be used as a matrix of SD. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of MLX-HPMC-NA SD on the solubility and dissolution of MLX. Methods SD was prepared by the solvent evaporation technique with methanol being used as a solvent. Methanol was evaporated at room temperature. SD of MLX was prepared involving various matrix compositions at MLX:HPMC:NA ratios of 1:1:1 (SD1), 1:1:2 (SD2), 1:2:1 (SD3), and 1:2:2 (SD4). Results The solubility profile of MLX in SD3 (64.34 ppm) showed a higher improvement than the physical mixture (15.99 ppm) and pure MLX (6.89 ppm). This increase might be due to the formation of molecular dispersion of MLX in the polymer as hydrophilic matrix and NA have both donor-acceptor sites for hydrogen bonding interactions. The dissolution profile of SD3 also showed the highest improvement. The melting endotherm of SD3 was detected at 219.5 °C, in which case it originated from NA rather than from MLX, showing that MLX was molecularly dispersed and amorphous. Conclusions MLX solubility and dissolution profile could be improved by the SD technique with a matrix of HPMC and NA. The best result was given by SD3 with an MLX:HPMC:NA ratio of 1:2:1. Based on the characterization study, it is predicted that hydrophilic polymer and hydrogen bonding interactions play important roles in MLX solubility or dissolution rate improvement.

Psyllium (Plantago Ovata Forsk) Husk Powder as a Natural Superdisintegrant for Orodispersible Formulations: A Study on Meloxicam Tablets

(1) Background: In this work, we investigated the application of a natural superdisintegrant, psyllium (Plantago ovata Forsk) husk powder, for the manufacture of orodispersible meloxicam tablets. Meloxicam was chosen as a model compound for the study. (2) Methods: The tablets were prepared using different concentrations of psyllium husk by direct compression. Bulk density, tapped density, hardness, friability, in vitro disintegration, and dissolution time tests were used to assess the quality of the formulations. (3) Results: Psyllium husk powder significantly increased the dissolution rate of meloxicam. The formulation containing 16 mg of psyllium husk powder showed the lowest wetting time, the highest water absorption ratio, and the lowest disintegration time compared to the control and to the other formulations. These effects may be attributed to the rapid uptake of water due to the vigorous swelling ability of psyllium husk powder. (4) Conclusions: The powder could be recommended as an effective natural superdisintegrant for orodispersible formulations.

Biowaiver studies of newly optimized meloxicam tablets

In this research work biowaiver studies of newly developed and optimized Meloxicam 7.5mg and 15mg water dispersible formulations were carried out at different dissolution media i.e. 0.1N HCl, phosphate buffer pH 4.5, pH 6.8, and pH 7.5 at 50 rpm. For this purpose reference (MA₉ and MB₉) and tests (MA₂, MA₄, MA₆, MA₇ and MA₈ (15 mg) and MB2, MB4, MB6, MB7and MB8 (7.5 mg) formulations were compared. In vitro patterns were analyzed by using model-independent and model-dependent methods. Results indicated that all formulation at pH 0.1N HCl and phosphate buffer pH 4.5 followed Weibull model, while at pH 6.8 and pH 7.5 all formulations followed Hixson-Crowell model. Similarly results of model independent methods demonstrated that all the reference formulations were found to be similar with the tests formulations. Results indicated that Biowaiver could be granted to all the optimized water dispersible meloxicam formulations of both batches, so waiver for bioequivalence study can be allowed.