Advancements in Colon-Targeted Drug Delivery: A Comprehensive Review on Recent Techniques with Emphasis on Hot-Melt Extrusion and 3D Printing Technologies.

This review investigates the progression and effectiveness of colon-targeted drug delivery systems, offering a comprehensive understanding of the colon's anatomy and physiological environment. Recognizing the distinctive features of the colon is crucial for successfully formulating oral dosage forms that precisely target specific areas in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) while minimizing side effects through mitigating off-target sites. This understanding forms the basis for designing effective targeted drug delivery systems. The article extensively examines diverse approaches to formulating drugs for colonic targeting, highlighting key polymers and excipients in their production. Special emphasis is given to innovative approaches such as hot-melt extrusion (HME) and three-dimensional printing (3D-P), renowned for their accuracy in drug release kinetics and intricate dosage form geometry. However, challenges arise regarding material standardization and the complex network of regulatory clearances required to confirm safety and effectiveness. The review provides insights into each application's advantages and potential challenges. Furthermore, it sheds light on the local diseases that necessitate colon targeting and the available marketed products, providing an overview of the current state of colon-targeted drug delivery systems. Additionally, the review emphasizes the importance of testing drugs in a controlled in vitro environment during the development phase. It also discusses the future directions for successful development in this field. By integrating knowledge across anatomy, formulation techniques, and assessment methodologies, this review is a valuable resource for researchers navigating the dynamic field of colonic drug delivery.

Quality by design approach for fabrication of extended-release buccal films for xerostomia employing hot-melt extrusion technology.

The study endeavors the fabrication of extended-release adipic acid (APA) buccal films employing a quality by design (QbD) approach. The films intended for the treatment of xerostomia were developed utilizing hot-melt extrusion technology. The patient-centered quality target product profile was created, and the critical quality attributes were identified accordingly. Three early-stage formulation development trials, complemented by risk assessment aligned the formulation and process parameters with the product quality standards. Employing a D-optimal mixture design, the formulations were systematically optimized by evaluating three formulation variables: amount of the release-controlling polymer Eudragit® (E RSPO), bioadhesive agent Carbopol® (CBP 971P), and pore forming agent polyethylene glycol (PEG 1500) as independent variables, and % APA release in 1, 4 and 8 h as responses. Using design of experiment software (Design-Expert®), a total of 16 experimental runs were computed and extruded using a Thermofisher ScientificTM twin screw extruder. All films exhibited acceptable content uniformity and extended-release profiles with the potential for releasing APA for at least 8 h. Films containing 30% E RSPO, 10% CBP 971P, and 20% PEG 1500 released 88.6% APA in 8 h. Increasing the CBP concentration enhanced adhesiveness and swelling capacities while decreasing E RSPO concentration yielded films with higher mechanical strength. The release kinetics fitted well into Higuchi and Krosmeyer-Peppas models indicating a Fickian diffusion release mechanism.

Formulation and evaluation of inhaled Sildenafil-loaded PLGA microparticles for treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH): A novel high drug loaded formulation and scalable process via hot melt extrusion technology (Part â ).

In recent years, several techniques were employed to develop a local sustained pulmonary delivery of sildenafil citrate (SC) as an alternative for the intravenous and oral treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Most of these methods, however, need to be improved due to limitations of scalability, low yield production, low drug loading, and stability issues. In this study, we report the use of hot-melt extrusion (HME) as a scalable process for making Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles with high SC load. The prepared particles were tested in vitro for local drug delivery to the lungs by inhalation. Sodium bicarbonate was included as a porogen in the formulation to make the particles more brittle and to impart favorable aerodynamic properties. Six formulations were prepared with different formulation compositions. Laser diffraction analysis was used to estimate the geometric particle size distribution of the microparticles. In-vitro aerodynamic performance was evaluated by the next-generation cascade impactor (NGI). It was reported in terms of an emitted dose (ED), an emitted fraction (EF%), a respirable fraction (RF%), a fine particle fraction (FPF%), a mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD), and geometric standard deviation (GSD). The formulations have also been characterized for surface morphology, entrapment efficiency, drug load, and in-vitro drug release. The results demonstrated that PLGA microparticles have a mean geometric particle size between 6 and 14 µm, entrapment efficiency of 77 to 89 %, and SC load between 17 and 33 % w/w. Fifteen percent of entrapped sildenafil was released over 24 h from the PLGA microparticles, and seventy percent over 7 days. The aerodynamic properties included fine particle fraction ranging between 19 and 33 % and an average mass median aerodynamic diameter of 6-13 µm.

Formulation Development of Solid Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery Systems of Quetiapine Fumarate via Hot-Melt Extrusion Technology: Optimization Using Central Composite Design.

Quetiapine fumarate (QTF) was approved for the treatment of schizophrenia and acute manic episodes. QTF can also be used as an adjunctive treatment for major depressive disorders. QTF oral bioavailability is limited due to its poor aqueous solubility and pre-systemic metabolism. The objective of the current investigation was the formulation development and manufacturing of solid self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (S-SNEDDS) formulation through a single-step continuous hot-melt extrusion (HME) process to address these drawbacks. In this study, Capmul® MCM, Gelucire® 48/16, and propylene glycol were selected as oil, surfactant, and co-surfactant, respectively, for the preparation of S-SNEDDS. Soluplus® and Klucel™ EF (1:1) were selected as the solid carrier. Response surface methodology in the form of central composite design (CCD) was utilized in the current experimental design to develop the S-SNEDDS formulations via a continuous HME technology. The developed formulations were evaluated for self-emulsifying properties, particle size distribution, thermal behavior, crystallinity, morphology, physicochemical incompatibility, accelerated stability, and in vitro drug release studies. The globule size and emulsification time of the optimized SNEDDS formulation was 92.27 ± 3.4 nm and 3.4 ± 3.38 min. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) studies revealed the amorphous nature of the drug within the formulation. There were no drug-excipient incompatibilities observed following the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The optimized formulation showed an extended-release profile for 24 h. The optimized formulation was stable for three months (last time-point tested) at 40 °C/75% RH. Therefore, the developed S-SNEDDS formulation could be an effective oral delivery platform for QTF and could lead to better therapeutic outcomes.

Recent Advances in the Applications of Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) in Drug Delivery: A Comprehensive Review.

There has been a tremendous increase in the investigations of three-dimensional (3D) printing for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications, and drug delivery in particular, ever since the US FDA approved the first 3D printed medicine, SPRITAM® (levetiracetam) in 2015. Three-dimensional printing, also known as additive manufacturing, involves various manufacturing techniques like fused-deposition modeling, 3D inkjet, stereolithography, direct powder extrusion, and selective laser sintering, among other 3D printing techniques, which are based on the digitally controlled layer-by-layer deposition of materials to form various geometries of printlets. In contrast to conventional manufacturing methods, 3D printing technologies provide the unique and important opportunity for the fabrication of personalized dosage forms, which is an important aspect in addressing diverse patient medical needs. There is however the need to speed up the use of 3D printing in the biopharmaceutical industry and clinical settings, and this can be made possible through the integration of modern technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and Internet of Things, into additive manufacturing. This will lead to less human involvement and expertise, independent, streamlined, and intelligent production of personalized medicines. Four-dimensional (4D) printing is another important additive manufacturing technique similar to 3D printing, but adds a 4th dimension defined as time, to the printing. This paper aims to give a detailed review of the applications and principles of operation of various 3D printing technologies in drug delivery, and the materials used in 3D printing, and highlight the challenges and opportunities of additive manufacturing, while introducing the concept of 4D printing and its pharmaceutical applications.