Expert design and desirability function approach for the development of diazepam thermally sensitive rectal gel.

Aim: The aim of the present work was to develop an in situ thermosensitive rectal gel for diazepam by using Expert-design for improving three factors and a three-level process was formed by using a cold method. Methods & materials: Response surface design was utilized to investigate the effect of independent variables like sodium chloride (NaCl, X1), poloxamer 407 (F-127, X2) and diazepam (X3), on different dependent variables such as gelation temperature, mucoadhesive strength, drug content, along with permeation and stability. Results: The obtained results revealed that the addition of diazepam enhanced the gelation temperature of hydrogel while it decreased the gel strength and mucoadhesive force. Conclusion: It is suggested that in situ hydrogels may be suitable candidates for rectal delivery.

Comparative Study of Different Combinational Mucoadhesive Formulations of Sumatriptan-Metoclopramide.

PURPOSE: Sumatriptan succinate (Sum) is a Serotonin 5- HT1 receptor agonist, used in the treatment of migraine. It is absorbed rapidly but incompletely when taken orally and underwent first - pass metabolism, resulting in a low bioavailability of about 15%. The aim was to design mucoadhesive buccal discs and sublingual films of Sum and metoclopramide (Met) combined to improve their bioavailability. METHODS: In the current study, the microparticles and films were prepared by emulsion solvent diffusion (ESD) and solvent casting methods, respectively. Buccal-mucoadhesive microparticles and films with different drug to polymer ratios were prepared and characterized by encapsulation efficiency, particle size, DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetric), folding endurance, mucoadhesive property and drug release studies. RESULTS: The best drug/s to polymer ratios in films and microparticles were 1:2.7:8 (SM2) and 1:4:6 (SM4), respectively. The film of SM2 showed 11.01 mg weight, 123 µm thickness and 300 folding endurance. The production yield was 107.33% for SM4 microparticles, 323.59 µm for mean particle size and 94.53% for loading efficiency (for Sum) and 104.18% (for Met). The DSC showed no stable characteristic of Sum and Met in the drug loaded films/discs and revealed amorphous form and transition of hydrate to anhydrous form for Met. The films exhibited very good mucoadhesive properties and shorter retention time (15-30 s) in comparison with the discs (130 min). The results showed that the discs prepared had slower release than the films (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Films and discs of Sum-Met combinations were successfully prepared with improved release and mucoadhesive properties.

Experimental Design to Predict Process Variables in the Microcrystals of Celecoxib for Dissolution Rate Enhancement Using Response Surface Methodology.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present investigation was to increase the solubility and dissolution rate of celecoxib (CLX) by preparing microcrystals of drug by solvent change precipitation. METHODS: This procedure was optimized in order to obtain stable and homogeneous particles with a small particle size, high yield and fast dissolution rate. CLX agglomerates were prepared with brij35 (stabilizer agent) using acetone as solvent, water as non-solvent, respectively. The agglomerates were characterized by DSC, XRD, FTIR studies. A full-factorial design was employed to study the effect of independent variables, the amounts of stirring rate (X1), volume of organic solvent (X2), volume of aqueous solvent (X3), time of stirring (X4), concentration of Brij (X5), concentration of Tween 80 (X6), concentration of HPMC (X7) on dependent variables, particle size (PS), drug content (DC), drug released after 15 min (Q15), crystal yield (CY), Gibbs free energy change (ΔG°tr), antalpy change (ΔH) and saturated solubility (Ss). RESULTS: The DSC and FTIR results indicated the absence of any interactions between drug and stabilizers. These studies showed a decrease in crystalinity in agglomerates. The crystals exhibited significantly improved micromeritic properties compared to pure drug. The drug content and crystal yield were in the range of 32.84-48.22% and 64.55-83.33% with all formulations, respectively. The solubility and drug release rates increased with an increase in concentration of stabilizer. CONCLUSION: The results show that microcrystals of the drug in stabilizer considerably enhanced the dissolution rate.

Preparation and evaluation of mucoadhesive beads/discs of alginate and algino-pectinate of piroxicam for colon-specific drug delivery via oral route.

BACKGROUND: Targeted drug delivery to colon would ensure direct treatment at the disease site, decrease in dose administration and reduction side effects improved drug utilization. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research was to decrease gastric side effects of piroxicam by formulating microspheres of alginate and algino-pectinate beads of the drug. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ionotropic gelation was used to entrap piroxicam into alginate and algino-pectinate mucoadhesive microspheres as a potential drug carrier for oral delivery of piroxicam. Microparticles with different drug to polymers ratio were prepared and characterized by encapsulation efficiency, particle size, DSC (differential scanning calorimetric), mucoadhesive property, gastroretentive time and drug release studies. RESULTS: The best drug to polymer ratio of microparticles was 1:2.5 (F1) with Na-Alg and 1:7.5 (F4) with Alg-Na with pectin, respectively. The microparticles F1 and F4 showed 28.80%, 50.01% loading efficiency, 82.57%, 82.31% production yield and 945.4, 899.91 µm mean particle size. DSC showed stable character of piroxicam in drug-loaded microparticles and revealed amorphous form. It was found that microparticles (Na-Alg) prepared had faster release and microparticles (Alg-Na and pectin mixture) prepared had slower release than untreated piroxicam (P < 0.05). Microparticles (mixture of Na-Alg and pectin) exhibited very good percentage of mucoadhesion and flowability properties. Mucoadhesion strength and retention time study showed better retention of piroxicam microparticles in intestine. Besides, there was a significant higher retention of mucoadhesive microparticles in upper GI tract. CONCLUSIONS: Algino-pectinate mucoadhesive formulations exhibited promising properties of a sustained release form for piroxicam and provided distinct tissue protection in stomach.

Comparison of microencapsulation by emulsion-solvent extraction/evaporation technique using derivatives cellulose and acrylate-methacrylate copolymer as carriers.

BACKGROUND: Microencapsulation is a useful method to prolong a drug release from dosage forms and to reduce its adverse effect (1) among various available methods. The microencapsulation of hydrophilic active ingredients requires the use of a polar dispersing phase such as a mineral oil. Acetone/paraffin systems are conventionally used. OBJECTIVES: The current study aimed to investigate two different microencapsulation techniques comparatively, water in oil in oil (w/o/o) and oil in oil (o/o), for theophylline (TH) loaded ethylcellulose (EC), cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB), Eudragit RS and RL microspheres with regard to loading efficiency, release and degradation kinetics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Microspheres were prepared by the emulsification method by solvent diffusion/evaporation technique and different polymers which were incorporated into microspheres to control the release rate of drug. Theophylline (TH) was chosen as a model drug. The emulsion technique was investigated for to prepare theophylline microparticles. EC and CAB and acrylatemethacrylate copolymer corresponding to the above ratios were selected as microparticles wall materials. The effects of type polymers on the physical characteristics and dissolution of the microparticles were also studied. However, the TH loading efficiency (for w/o/o emulsion about 90.64% and o/o emulsion about 73.90/5 to 95.90%) and the TH release kinetics were influenced by the microencapsulation technique. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that the o/o microspheres (containing of CAB) was most appropriate, providing a high encapsulation efficiency (95.90%) and low initial burst release (6.45%). The microspheres prepared with CAB polymer showed faster dissolution rate than other polymers with 0.75: 1 drug to polymer ratio. The double emulsion technique with EC as wall material gave the high dissolution efficiency (80.48%) of microcapsules. CONCLUSIONS: Eudragit RS microspheres showed higher yield (90%). The release of TH from CAB and Eudragit RL walled microcapsules was slow whilst the release from those of EC and Eudragit RS were faster. The type of polymer and the drug to polymer ratio were found to be the key factors affecting the release profile which could lead to microspheres with desired release behavior.