An innovative floating gastro retentive dosage system: formulation and in vitro evaluation.

Over the years, different formulation technologies intended for gastro retentive dosage delivery were investigated and patented. The aim of this study was to develop an innovative floating gastro retentive dosage form (GRDF). The developed technology induces a low-density dosage form containing high active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) concentration by using a hydrophobic dusty powder excipient under specific conditions. The new dosage form was obtained by state of the art wet granulation manufacturing process. An experimental design using a discrete variable and four mixture variables was conducted in order to optimize API concentration and buoyancy of the new dosage form. An apparatus was developed to measure the apparent density of floating tablet. The GRDF was characterized for apparent density, buoyancy, porosity and dissolution using in vitro experimentations.

Determination of the in vitro disintegration profile of rapidly disintegrating tablets and correlation with oral disintegration.

The assessment of the in vitro disintegration profile of rapidly disintegrating tablets (RDT) is very important in the evaluation and the development of new formulations of this type. So far neither the US Pharmacopoeia nor the European Pharmacopoeia has defined a specific disintegration test for RDT; currently, it is only possible to refer to the tests on dispersible or effervescent tablets for the evaluation of RDT's disintegration capacity. In the present study, we have evaluated the disintegration profile of RDT manufactured by main commercialised technologies, using the texture analyser (TA). In order to simulate as much as possible the oral disintegration of these dosage forms, a new operating structure was developed. This structure mimics the situation in the patient's mouth and provides a gradual elimination of the detached particles during the disintegration process. The obtained time-distance profiles or disintegration profiles enabled the calculation of certain quantitative values as the disintegration onset (t1) and the total disintegration time (t2). These values were used in the characterisation of the effect of test variables as the disintegration medium and temperature on the disintegration time of RDT. Moreover, the oral disintegration time of the same products was evaluated by 14 healthy volunteers. Results obtained when artificial saliva at 37 degrees C was employed as disintegration medium were used to correlate the in vitro (t2) and oral disintegration times. Excellent correlation was found and in addition, we were able to achieve a qualitative measure of the mouthfeel by comparing the thickness of the tablets and the penetration distance obtained from the disintegration profile. This method also permitted the discrimination between different RDT, where differences in the disintegration mechanism were reflected on the disintegration profile achieved for each tablet.

The preparation of orally disintegrating tablets using a hydrophilic waxy binder.

The demand for rapidly disintegrating tablets (RDT) has been growing during the last decade especially for elderly and children who have swallowing difficulties. The problem of certain RDT is their low physical resistance and high friability. This work describes a new approach to prepare RDT with sufficient mechanical integrity, involving the use of a hydrophilic waxy binder (Superpolystate, PEG-6-stearate). Superpolystate is a waxy material with a melting point of 33-37 degrees C and an HLB value of 9. So it will not only act as a binder and increase the physical resistance of tablets but will also help the disintegration of the tablets as it melts in the mouth and solublises rapidly leaving no residues. The incorporation of Superpolystate in the formulation of RDT was realised by means of two different granulation methods: wet granulation by using an emulsion of this waxy binder as granulating liquid and melt granulation where the molten form of the binder was used. Granule size distributions of both wet and melt granules of crystallised Paracetamol and D-mannitol were compared using laser light diffractometer. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine their morphological characteristics. The potential of the intragranular addition of croscarmellose sodium as a disintegrating agent was also evaluated. The subsequent step encompassed the preparation and the evaluation of the tablets, including the effect of the extragranular introduction of croscarmellose sodium. An improvement in tablet hardness and friability was observed with both granulation methods where we were able to obtain RDT with a disintegration time of 40 +/- 2 s and a hardness of 47.9 +/- 2.5N.

EPR study of gamma induced radicals in amino acid powders.

To better understand the composite character of amino acids EPR spectra, the radiolysis and reactions which occurred after irradiation of amino acids, a comparative EPR study of a few simple amino acids has been made in order to identify qualitatively and quantitatively the different radiation-induced radicals in amino acid powders. A spin-trapping methodology has been developed and carried out on irradiated glycine, alanine and valine.

Electron paramagnetic resonance of radicals induced in drugs and excipients by radiation or mechanical treatments.

Radiation as well as mechanical treatments induced in drugs and excipients radicals, which can be studied by electron paramagnetic resonance. A special attention is pointed about the use of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) to bring the proof whether or not a drug has been irradiated or not. We also discuss of other methods (thermoluminescence (TL), gas phase chromatography (GPC)) which can be used to bring the same proof in case of irradiated drugs, excipients and cosmetic products.

Stress relaxation studies of granules as a function of different lubricants.

Viscoelastic properties of granules may be studied using stress relaxation. The effect of viscoelastic properties of different lubricants, namely magnesium stearate (Mgst), talc and precirol, on granule compaction properties was examined using texture analyzer TA-XT2i at low pressure. Normalized compact curves of stress relaxation have been discussed in relation to some parameters (flowability, porosity, viscoelasticity as well as particle size). The literature shows that viscoelasticity is always present and it produces an accompanying plastic deformation.This study revealed that bonding in compacted granules lubricated with Mgst was higher than those in compacts lubricated with the other two lubricants being studied. When studying the partial porosity of granule beds, we see that this is the result of stored energy, like the tablet case and the problem of its capping. The small stress relaxation due to talc or precirol suggested that these materials deformed principally by energy storage. However, a qualitative characterization of Mgst as tablet lubricant would be that it avoids the accumulation of stress in the compact that causes the problem of capping due to the entrapped air and therefore facilitates the optimization of pharmaceutical manufacturing. It has been possible to normalize stress relaxation using the Wischert model, represented by the sum of several exponentials, according to the nature of the lubricant. The use of texture analyzer TA-XT2i was considered to be a good technique for the evaluation of the stress relaxation of solid particles in the compression process at low pressure. It permitted the observation that viscoelasticity is influenced by the lubricant used. The brittle fracture index, like Carr's index values, has been correlated with the viscoelastic characteristics of granules.

In-vitro comparative study of buccal mucoadhesive performance of different polymeric films.

A comparison of the buccal mucoadhesive performance of different polymeric films was carried out using texture analyzer TA-XT2i. A large range of putative polymers differing in their chemical nature, molecular structure as well as hydration status was used. The used polymeric films were classified in rank order of buccal mucoadhesive performance, namely carbopol 971P>polycarbophil>Carrrageenan type lambda > Sodium carboxymethylcellulose. Swelling state as well as tensile strength of the used polymeric films was used as measuring parameters of mucoadhesive interaction. These two approaches gave two opposite orders of performance between CMC and Carrrageenan type lambda after a contact time of 15 min. However the measurement of the viscoelastic moduli of the hydrogels gave the same ranking order of mucoadhesive performance after the same contact time. In reference to the previous works, we noted the importance of the molecular weight, the density of charges, the composition of which the chains of molecules are capable to arrange themselves in a network like form, thus those which are characterized by a tan delta<1 (i.e network formation), are those which develop the best synergism with the mucus because of the reinforcement of an established link. The goal of this study is to assess the buccal mucoadhesive performance aiming to optimize the design of drug delivery via buccal mucoadhesive polymeric films

Hot melt coating technology: influence of Compritol 888 Ato and granule size on chloroquine release.

The tangential spray technique was used to coat chloroquine granules with Compritol 888 Ato in a fluidized bed (Glatt GPCG-1,1). After validation of the assay method for chloroquine, dissolution tests were carried out on four size fractions obtained from the same batch of granules. The dissolution profiles obtained showed differences in the rate of release between one fraction and another, despite the fact that each of these fractions had been coated with the same quantity of wax. This suggests that the rate of release of the chloroquine may be adjusted by controlling the size of the granules. Furthermore these dissolution profiles were characterized by a rapid release phase followed by a slow release phase. Examination of the surfaces of the granules from the various size fractions under a scanning electron microscope revealed that Compritol did not form a continuous film but existed rather as a lipid environment around the granule. This lipid environment was made up of solidified droplets of the wax which had become piled up on the surface of the granule. Compression of the granules produced tablets which remained intact until chloroquine dissolution was complete. This undicated that the active substance diffused across the Compritol matrix generated during compression. Determination of the dissolution kinetics using the Higuchi model demonstrated the diffusion release mechanism.

Hot-melt coating technology. I. Influence of Compritol 888 Ato and granule size on theophylline release.

The aim of this work was to study the influence of theophylline granule size and the percentage of Compritol 888 Ato on in vitro drug release from granules and tablets. The granules were coated in a fluidized bed apparatus. The dissolution profiles of these granules differed from those of granules coated with classical agents, and there were also differences between the various sieve fractions studied. Drug release was characterized by a rapid-release phase, followed by a slow-release phase. Results indicate that theophylline release can be controlled by controlling granule size. Inspection of the appearance of the tablets at the end of the dissolution test revealed that all tablets containing Compritol 888 Ato remained intact. This indicated that the Compritol 888 Ato used in the tablet formulation created an inert matrix through which the drug diffused. It was found that the Higuchi relationship of linear square root of time was the best model to describe the release kinetics of the drug from tablets. This also confirmed that a matrix diffusion-controlled mechanism was operative. Given the difference between the dissolution profiles of the granules and the tablets, it was concluded that this matrix is formed during compression.

Comparative tablet and rheological properties of new microcrystalline cellulose: direct compression and wet granulation methods.

The overall objective of this study was to compare the rheological properties and tablet characteristics of two new varieties of celluloses (Vivacel 101 and 102), recently produced and commercialized, with the classical varieties of celluloses (Avicel and Elcema). The results showed no significant differences in the rheological properties of Vivacel and Avicel, while significant differences were found between the two celluloses and Elcema. Furthermore, there were no statistically significant differences in the disintegration times and Td values of Vivacel and Avicel. In conclusion, it was found that these new celluloses offer all the known advantages of Avicel.