Formulation design of granules prepared by wet granulation method using a multi-functional single-punch tablet press to avoid tableting failures.

We previously determined "Tableting properties" by using a multi-functional single-punch tablet press (GTP-1). We plotted "Compactability" on the x-axis against "Manufacturability" on the y-axis to allow visual evaluation of "Tableting properties". Here, we examined whether this evaluation method can be used in the formulation design of tablets prepared by wet granulation. We used the GTP-1 to measure "Tableting properties" with different amounts of binder, disintegrant, and lubricant, and compared the results with those of tableting on a commercial rotary tableting machine. Tableting failures (capping and binding in particular) occurred when samples that had been evaluated as having poor "Compactability" or "Manufacturability" on the GTP-1 were compressed on the rotary tableting machine. Thus, our evaluation method predicted tableting failure at the commercial scale. The method will prove useful for scaling up production.

Prediction of effects of punch shapes on tableting failure by using a multi-functional single-punch tablet press.

We previously determined "Tableting properties" by using a multi-functional single-punch tablet press (GTP-1). We proposed plotting "Compactability" on the x-axis against "Manufacturability" on the y-axis to allow visual evaluation of "Tableting properties". Various types of tableting failure occur in commercial drug production and are influenced by the amount of lubricant used and the shape of the punch. We used the GTP-1 to measure "Tableting properties" with different amounts of lubricant and compared the results with those of tableting on a commercial rotary tableting machine. Tablets compressed with a small amount of lubricant showed bad "Manufacturability", leading to sticking of powder on punches. We also tested various punch shapes. The GTP-1 correctly predicted the actual tableting results for all punch shapes. With punches that were more likely to cause tableting failure, our system predicted the effects of lubricant quantity in the tablet formulation and the occurrence of sticking in the rotary tableting machine.

Characterization of tableting properties measured with a multi-functional compaction instrument for several pharmaceutical excipients and actual tablet formulations.

Before designing tablet formulations, it is important to understand the "Tableting Properties" of excipients and API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) powders. Those properties refer to "Compressibility", "Compactability" and "Manufacturability", which are difficult to evaluate quantitatively. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the "Tableting Properties" by using a benchtop single-punch tablet press, developed recently to measure these parameters using a single device. In order to facilitate understanding of the results visually, we proposed a new plot, where the X-axis showed the tensile fracture stress and the Y-axis showed the ejection stress. This plot, which is composed of four regions, shows the combination of "Compactability" and "Manufacturability". We confirmed the ability of this device to evaluate the characteristics of typical pharmaceutical additives as a value of "Tableting Properties". Losartan potassium was used as an API, and Dilactose R and MCC as an excipient with good "Tableting Properties". The ejection stresses of losartan potassium and Dilactose R were very high. An increase in magnesium stearate shifted the point along the Y-axis in this plot, and it meant an improvement in "Manufacturability". It was confirmed that the device and plot are useful in designing formulations efficiently using a small amount of sample powders.

Effects of compression on the interaction between 1,4-dihydropyridine compounds and lactose monohydrate (II): differences in powder properties of 1,4-dihydropyridine compounds.

The solid-state interaction between manidipine dihydrochloride (Man) or benidipine hydrochloride (Ben) and lactose monohydrate (Lac) was investigated. An endothermic peak area at 170 degrees C was observed when their mixtures were subjected to differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurement, and this interaction was accelerated by compression. In the present study, dependency on the particle size of Lac was examined in this solid-state interaction. The DSC peak area at 170 degrees C as a function of the compression force profile was influenced by different particle sizes of Lac in combination with the two medicinal compounds in a different manner. The profile of the onset temperature of Lac dehydration, which indicates the degree of crystalline structure disruption, changed with differing Lac particle size. Moreover, when the particle size of Lac was large, the dehydration onset temperature of Lac with Man decreased from the lower compression force than that of Lac with Ben. The reason for this is thought to be the difference in the powder properties between Man and Ben, although the physicochemical properties of Man and Ben are similar.

Effect of compression on interaction between 1,4-dihydropyridine compounds and lactose monohydrate.

Manidipine dihydrochloride or benidipine hydrochloride will change to hydrate form in part, when differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) measurement is carried out together with lactose monohydrate. This interaction was accelerated by compressing their mixture. It can be suggested that the interaction may cause by the disruption of crystal structure of lactose monohydrate due to compression to set free of water molecules. A new DSC peak at 170 degrees C, which was not observed in each component, appeared in DSC measurement of a mixture. This will be based on hydrate formed by the interaction, i.e., movement of water molecules. The profile of the plotting of the DSC peak area ratio before and after compression against the compression force changed by the molar ratio of lactose monohydrate in a mixture. In the case of low molar ratio of lactose monohydrate, profiles for manidipine dihydrochloride and benidipine hydrochloride differed from each other. This will be because manidipine dihydrochloride is stickier than benidipine hydrochloride. The profile for manidipine dihydrochloride became more gradual and showed lag compression force region when the amount of addition of the lubricant, magnesium stearate in a mixture increased. The endothermic peak area at 170 degrees C for manidipine dihydrochloride was larger than that for benidipine hydrochloride. It should be suggested that benidipine hydrochloride is easier to be transformed to its hydrate than manidipine dihydrochloride.

Development of a new dissolution test method for an oral controlled release preparation, the PVA swelling controlled release system (SCRS).

In vitro dissolution tests of novel controlled release tablets, the poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) swelling controlled release system (SCRS), were performed by various methods under different conditions in the sinking state in water. The in vitro release profiles of various tests were almost the same and faster than the in vivo absorption profiles calculated from the plasma drug concentrations of humans. A novel dissolution test method was developed considering the gastrointestinal tract (GI) conditions. PVA particles were used as the filler in a flow-through cell. PVA particles swelled with water were put in the flow-through cell and the tablet was buried in PVA. The test medium was dropped from the top of the cell, and the dissolution medium that dripped from the bottom of the cell was collected and assayed. The in vitro dissolution profile determined by this method was similar to the in vivo absorption profile against other in vitro methods in the sinking state in water. Furthermore, a good correlation between in vitro and in vivo for the two different release rate preparations was obtained using a flow pattern imitating the GI transition.

RELATION BETWEEN THE ACROSOME REACTION AND FERTILIZATION IN THE SEA URCHIN. I. FERTILIZATION IN Ca-FREE SEA WATER WITH EGG-WATER-TREATED SPERMATOZOA.

When spermatozoa are treated with egg-water and undergo the acrosome reaction, their fertilizing capacity is lost within 5 min. However, if insemination is carried out within 4 min after the egg-water treatment, there is no difference in fertilizing capacity between spermatozoa treated with egg-water and non-treated ones. With such spermatozoa, eggs can be fertilized even in the virtual absence of calcium, whereas with spermatozoa treated with Ca-free egg-water, no fertilization occurs under the same conditions. It is postulated that in normal fertilization the acrosome reaction has occurred before the attachment of the gametes. The failure of fertilization with normal spermatozoa in Ca-free sea water may be due to the failure of occurrence of the acrosome reaction.