Development of stability-indicating HPLC method and accelerated stability studies for osmotic and pulsatile tablet formulations of Clopidogrel Bisulfate.

The purpose of the present study is to develop a simple, rapid and sensitive stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for Clopidogrel Bisulfate (CBS) and further extending it for assessment of CBS stability in osmotic and pulsatile tablet formulations tested under accelerated conditions. A stability-indicating HPLC method for quantitative determination of CBS in gastro-retentive formulations is developed by using a C18 HPLC column, acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid (60:40 v/v) as mobile phase, with a flow rate of 0.9 mL/min, UV detection at 222 nm and subsequently validated. The key objective was to analyze the stability profile of formulations under accelerated conditions. The retention time (Rt) of CBS was observed as 5.9 min with the linearity range between 0.06-1.95 µg/mL. Forced degradation studies were performed on bulk samples of CBS using acidic, basic, oxidative, thermal (80 °C) and photolytic (under sunlight) conditions. The resulting method was validated as per ICH Q2(R1) guidelines. Moreover, an attempt has been made to identify the degradation products by Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis. The proposed method was successfully applied to novel gastro-retentive tablet formulations (osmotic tablet and pulsatile tablet) for assessment of stability under accelerated conditions.

Development of Novel High Density Gastroretentive Multiparticulate Pulsatile Tablet of Clopidogrel Bisulfate Using Quality by Design Approach.

Myocardial infarction, i.e., heart attack, is a fatal condition which is on the increase all over the world. It is reported that a large number of heart attack occur in morning hours which are attributable to platelet aggregation. Chronotherapy at this stage can be crucial. Clopidogrel bisulfate (CLB) is an antiplatelet agent and has become a drug of choice for prevention of heart attack. It is soluble in acidic pH and has a narrow absorption window. So, its long residence time in stomach is desirable. Therefore, a novel high density tablet was developed comprising multiparticulate pellets with pulsatile release necessary to maintain chronotherapy of heart attack. The pellets were prepared by extrusion-spheronization and coated in fluidized bed processor with different coating material to achieve pulsatile release. The size, shape of pellets, and drug release were evaluated. High density tablet containing coated pellets was formulated and evaluated for retention in stomach. Quality by design tools was used to design and optimize the processes. Timed release observed by dissolution study showed lag time of 6 h followed by burst release of drug up to 94% in 1 h. Density of tablets was found to be 2.2 g cm-3 which is more than gastric fluid. In vivo x-ray studies in rabbit revealed 8 h of gastric retention of tablet at the bottom of the stomach. Thus, CLB high density pulsatile system looks to open up a window of opportunity for developing formulations with drugs that are stable in gastric region and needed chronotheraupetic activity.

Design and Development of Clopidogrel Bisulfate Gastroretentive Osmotic Formulation Using Quality by Design Tools.

Clopidogrel bisulfate (CBS) is antiplatelet drug and it is becoming a drug of choice in the treatment and management of prevention of heart attacks and strokes. CBS is stable and soluble in acidic pH; therefore, retention in stomach for prolonged period appears to be beneficial for controlling the bioavailability. The gastroretentive osmotic system (GROS) facilitates prolonged retention of drug in stomach and provides zero-order drug release. A complex formulation like GROS poses many challenges, and QbD tools can help in designing robust formulation which takes all aspects of product and process development in order to deliver a robust product. The GROS was formulated in three steps: core tablet, osmotic tablet, and gastroretentive osmotic tablet. The design of experiment was used for screening and optimization of formulation and process-related parameters. The dissolution study was carried out to analyze the release pattern of tablet. The optimized batch O-4 showed cumulative drug release of 19.43, 30.49, 64.41, and 85.11% at 2, 4, 8, and 12 h which is in the range of QTPP predictions. The novel technique of GROS was implemented successfully which demonstrates robust design giving consistent and desired results.

In Vitro and In Vivo Performance of Novel Spray Dried Andrographolide Loaded Scleroglucan Based Formulation for Dry Powder Inhaler.

BACKGROUND: Current therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is unable to prevent progression of disease due to continuous infusions and multiple oral administrations. This resulted in the need of novel treatment which would target directly structural vascular changes that weaken blood flow through pulmonary circulation. OBJECTIVE: The objective of present study was to develop spray dried (SD) formulation for dry powder inhaler (DPI) with enhanced aerosol performance and lung deposition by using novel bioactive, andrographolide (AGP) and carrier, scleroglucan (SCLG) with improved antihypertensive activity. The SDAGP formulation was evaluated for physicochemical properties and in vitro/in vivo lung deposition. Further, antihypertensive activity was studied by monocrotaline (MCT) induced rat model. RESULTS: The SDAGP exhibited mean median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) and fine particle fraction (FPF) of 3.37 ± 0.47 µm and 60.24 ± 0.98%. The in vivo absorption profile of final formulation reflected increased lung deposition of AGP at the end of 24 h with no signs of inflammation and toxicity. Moreover, SDAGP formulation confirmed enhanced antihypertensive activity. CONCLUSION: The results proved use of AGP and SCLG as a novel bioactive and carrier with enhanced lung deposition and pulmonary antihypertensive activity.

Development of Budesonide Loaded Biopolymer Based Dry Powder Inhaler: Optimization, In Vitro Deposition, and Cytotoxicity Study.

The progress in the development of DPI technology has boosted the use of sensitive drug molecules for lung diseases. However, delivery of these molecules from conventional DPI to the active site still poses a challenge with respect to deposition efficiency in the lung. At same time, serious systemic side effects of drugs have become a cause for concern. The developed budesonide loaded biopolymer based controlled release DPI had shown maximum in vitro lung deposition with least toxicity. The subject of present study, lactose-free budesonide loaded biopolymer based DPI, further corroborates the great potential of antiasthmatic drugs. This technology is expected to revolutionize the approaches towards enhanced therapeutic delivery of prospective drugs.