Fabrication and in vitro evaluation of bidirectional release and stability studies of mucoadhesive donut-shaped captopril tablets.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain controlled release of captopril in the stomach, coated, mucoadhesive donut-shaped tablets were designed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Donut-shaped tablet were made of different ratios of diluents to polymer or combination of polymers by direct compression method. Top and bottom portions of the tablet were coated with water-insoluble polymer followed by mucoadhesive coating. Time of water penetration, measurement of tensile strength, mucoadhesion studies (static ex vivo and ex vivo wash-off) were taken into account for characterization of respective films. In vitro study has been performed at different dissolution mediums. Optimized batches were also prepared by wet granulation. Stability studies of optimized batches have been performed. RESULTS: The results of time of water penetration and tensile strength indicated positive response against water impermeation. Mucoadhesive studies showed that film thickness of 0.12 mm was good for retention of tablet at stomach. At pH 1.2, optimized batch of tablet made with hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) E15 as binder showed 80% w/w drug release within 4­5 h with maximum average release of 97.49% w/w. Similarly, maximum average releases of 96.36% w/w and 95.47% w/w were obtained with nearly same dissolution patterns using combination of HPMC E5 and HPMC E50 and sodium salt of carboxy methyl cellulose (NaCMC) 500­600 cPs instead of HPMC E15. The release profiles in the distilled water and pH 4.5 followed the above pattern except deviation at pH 6.8. Stability studies were not positive for all combinations. CONCLUSION: Coated, mucoadhesive donut-shaped tablet is good for controlled release of drug in the stomach.

In vitro-in vivo correlation and bioavailability studies of captopril from novel controlled release donut shaped tablet.

A controlled release formulation of captopril which was coated and fabricated into a donut shaped tablet formulation, was investigated in rabbit for pharmacokinetic and in vitro-in vivo correlation studies. Coated donut shaped tablets were prepared and in vitro release was studied in simulated gastric fluid at three different RPMs. New Zealand albino male rabbits have been used as animal model for in vivo study. A sensitive and simple HPLC method was developed for the determination of captopril content in rabbit plasma. In vitro release studies showed that release patterns followed zero order for around 4h. Single oral administration of coated donut shaped tablets in rabbit illustrated retained availability of captopril to the injected drug. Captopril content could pursue the same release pattern over the same time course in in vivo study. The in vivo-in vitro correlation coefficients obtained from point-to-point analysis were greater than 99% between concentrations at certain time points obtained from release study in simulated gastric fluid at different RPMs and HPLC analysis of rabbit's plasma. From the in vitro-in vivo correlation prediction it was evident that the coated donut shaped tablet is a good device for controlled delivery of captopril.

Drug delivery system based on chronobiology--A review.

With the advancement in the field of chronobiology, modern drug delivery approaches have been elevated to a new concept of chronopharmacology i.e. the ability to deliver the therapeutic agent to a patient in a staggered profile. However the major drawback in the development of such delivery system that matches the circadian rhythm requires the availability of precise technology (pulsatile drug delivery). The increasing research interest surrounding this delivery system has widened the areas of pharmaceutics in particular with many more sub-disciplines expected to coexist in the near future. This review on chronopharmaceutics gives a comprehensive emphasis on potential disease targets, revisits the existing technologies in hand and also addresses the theoretical approaches to emerging discipline such as genetic engineering and target based specific molecules. With the biological prospective approaches in delivering drugs it is well understood that safer and more realistic approaches in the therapy of diseases will be achieved in the days to come.

Niosome: A future of targeted drug delivery systems.

Over the past several years, treatment of infectious diseases and immunisation has undergone a revolutionary shift. With the advancement of biotechnology and genetic engineering, not only a large number of disease-specific biological have been developed, but also emphasis has been made to effectively deliver these biologicals. Niosomes are vesicles composed of non-ionic surfactants, which are biodegradable, relatively nontoxic, more stable and inexpensive, an alternative to liposomes. This article reviews the current deepening and widening of interest of niosomes in many scientific disciplines and, particularly its application in medicine. This article also presents an overview of the techniques of preparation of niosome, types of niosomes, characterisation and their applications.

Arthrichitin. A New Cell Wall Active Metabolite from Arthrinium phaeospermum.

Arthrichitin (1), C(33)H(46)N(4)O(9), is a new cell wall active depsipeptide isolated from the fermentation broth of Arthrinium phaeospermum (HIL Y-903022). Its structure was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical degradation studies. Arthrichitin consists of serine, beta-keto tryptophan, glutamic acid, and 2,4-dimethyl-3-hydroxydodecanoic acid units.