A poorly soluble model drug, indomethacin (IMC), was loaded into two types of silica particles using three different loading methods. The loading efficiency and the extent/rate of drug release were evaluated. Widely used equipment in pharmaceutical laboratories, rotavapor and fluid bed, were used in the loading. The porous materials used were ordered mesoporous silica MCM-41 and nonordered silica gel Syloid 244 FP EU. The materials differ both in their pore properties and particle sizes. Tablets were successfully compressed from the IMC-loaded particles. Mechanical stability of the porous structures was studied with XRPD and nitrogen sorption after tableting and drug release was evaluated at pH 5.5 before and after tableting. The release of the poorly soluble IMC was faster from the Syloid than from the MCM-41, presumably due to the larger pore size and smaller particle size. Loading of IMC into the MCM-41 microparticles improved the drug dissolution, and blending the microparticles with pharmaceutical excipients improved the IMC release even further. The fast release was also maintained after tableting. Loading of IMC into the Syloid particles alone was sufficient to produce similar IMC release profiles, as in the case of MCM-41 with the excipients. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci.

Meloxicam (MLX) suffers from poor aqueous solubility leading to slow absorption following oral administration; hence, immediate release MLX tablet is unsuitable in the treatment of acute pain. This study aims to overcome such a drawback by increasing MLX solubility and dissolution using PEG solid dispersion (SD), then, to investigate the feasibility of incorporating the SD into orodispersible tablets (ODTs). A 2(3) full factorial design was employed to investigate the influence of three formulation variables on MLX ODTs. The selected factors: camphor (X(1)) as pore-forming material, and croscarmellose sodium (X(2)) as superdisintegrant, showed significant positive influence, while PEG content (X(3)) was proved to negatively affect both disintegration and wetting times. In addition, isomalt increased disintegration and wetting times when compared to mannitol as diluents. The pharmacokinetic assessment of the optimum ODT formulation in healthy human subjects proved that the faster MLX dissolution by using PEG solid dispersion at pH 6.8 resulted in more rapid absorption of MLX. The rate of absorption of MLX from ODT was significantly faster (p = 0.030) with a significantly higher peak plasma concentration (P = 0.037) when compared to the marketed immediate release MLX tablet with a mean oral disintegration time of 17 +/- 3 s.

The aim of this study was to prepare bi-layer tablet of Metoclopramide Hydrochloride (MTH) and Ibuprofen (IB) for the effective treatment of migraine. MTH and IB were formulated as immediate and sustained release layer respectively. MTH was formulated as immediate release layer by using various disintegrants like Ac-Di-Sol, Polyplasdone XL, Explotab, Agar and Gellan Gum. Treated form of gellan gum and agar was prepared and compared for their disintegrant efficiency with other disintegrants. IB was formulated as sustained release layer using hydrophilic matrix (hydroxypropylmethylcellulose [HPMC K(4)M]). The effect of concentration of hydrophilic matrix (HPMC K(4)M), binder (polyvinylpyrollidone [PVP K(30)]) and buffer (sodium bicarbonate) on IB release was studied. The dissolution study of sustained release layer showed that an increasing amount of HPMC or PVP K(30) results in reduced IB release. The inclusion of buffer (sodium bicarbonate) enhanced the release of IB from sustained release layer. The rational for formulation of bi-layer tablet of these two drugs in combination was (1) MTH increases the absorption of acidic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) by increasing gastric motility. So sequential release of MTH (as immediate release) and IB (as sustained release) was suitable for treatment of migraine.(2) MTH was degraded when prolonged contact with acidic NSAID. Bi-layer tablet was suitable for preventing direct contact of these two drugs and thus to maximize the efficacy of combination of two drugs for migraine.

Disintegrants and fillers represent important excipients for immediate-release solid dosage forms in many pharmaceutical applications. A new excipient based on the coprecipitation of chitosan and silica has been achieved. The "intimate" physical association between chitosan and silica creates an insoluble, hydrophilic, highly absorbent material, consequently, resulting in superiority in water uptake, water saturation for gelling formation, and compactability among other superdisintegrants. The new excipient has an outstanding functionality that does not primarily depend on water wicking and swelling properties. In fact, it translates it into superior disintegration characteristics with improved powder flow and compaction properties. Thus, the new excipient could act as a superdisintegrant and pharmaceutical filler at the same time. Studies have shown that chitosan-silica delivers superior performance in wet granulation formulations and is the only disintegrant that is effective at all concentrations in tablet formulation.

Chitin-silica represents a potentially useful superdisintegrant in many pharmaceutical applications. The "intimate" association between chitin and silica, without evidence of chemical reaction, creates an insoluble, hydrophilic, highly absorbent inert material. The new superdisintegrant is characterized by superiority in water uptake and water penetration, with no gelling hindrance effects, as well as compatibility with pharmaceutical drugs. In addition, it has an outstanding functionality that does not depend on swelling properties, as in the case of most conventional superdisintegrants. Chitin-silica offers good compressibility and compactability characteristics that may allow it to function as a pharmaceutical filler. Studies have shown that chitin-silica, as a superdisintegrant, is effective at all concentrations tested in tablet formulation.

The objective of this study was to formulate directly compressible rapidly disintegrating tablets of fenoverine with sufficient mechanical integrity, content uniformity, and acceptable palatability to assist patients of any age group for easy administration. Effect of varying concentrations of different superdisintegrants such as crospovidone, croscarmellose sodium, and sodium starch glycolate on disintegration time was studied. Tablets were evaluated for weight variation, thickness, hardness, friability, taste, drug content, in vitro and in vivo disintegration time, and in vitro drug release. Other parameters such as wetting time, water absorption ratio ('R'), and drug-excipient compatibility were also evaluated. The disintegration time of the best rapidly disintegrating tablet formulation among those tested was observed to be 15.9 sec in vitro and 37.16 sec in vivo. Good correlation was observed between disintegration time and 'R' for each of the three superdisintegrants at the concentrations studied. Considering the 'R' values and disintegration time, crospovidone was significantly superior (p < 0.05) compared to the other superdisintegrants tested. Release of drug was faster from formulations containing 6% crospovidone (CP 6) compared to the marketed fenoverine (Spasmopriv(R)) capsules. Similarity factor 'f(2)'(51.5) between dissolution profiles of the rapidly disintegrating tablet formulation CP 6 and the marketed formulation indicated that the two dissolution profiles were similar. Differential scanning calorimetric studies did not indicate any excipient incompatibility, either during mixing or after compression. In conclusion, directly compressible rapidly disintegrating tablets of fenoverine with lower friability, acceptable taste, and shorter disintegration times were obtained using crospovidone and other excipients at optimum concentrations.

The effect of maltodextrins and superdisintegrants on the tablet properties was evaluated in directly compressible powders coprocessed via spray drying. Powder mixtures containing acetaminophen, mannitol, erythritol and different maltodextrin types were prepared via co-spray drying and physically mixed with crospovidone (6% w/w, Kollidon((R)) CL) in order to evaluate the influence of maltodextrin grade (amylose/amylopectin ratio) on powder hygroscopicity, flowability, density and compactability. In addition, different superdisintegrant types and grades (6% w/w) were co-spray dried to evaluate their effect on tablet disintegration time. Tablet disintegration was affected by the amylose/amylopectin ratio of the maltodextrins. Tablets containing Glucidex((R)) 2 (1-5% amylose) had a longer disintegration time compared to Glucidex((R)) 9 (20% amylose)(11.8min versus 5.7min) and Unipure DC (50-70% amylose)(1min). The disintegration time of tablets containing a coprocessed superdisintegrant was long due to loss of superdisintegrant during processing (preferential depositing on the spray dryer wall) and was in the following order: Kollidon((R)) CL<Polyplasdone((R)) XL<Explotab((R))<Kollidon((R)) CL-M<Polyplasdone((R)) XL-10=Ac-Di-Sol((R)). A combination of acetaminophen, mannitol, erythritol, Glucidex((R)) 9 and Kollidon((R)) CL was selected for further formulation and process optimisation of co-spray dried powders intended for direct compression.

The purpose of this study is to identify the causes of efficiency loss of super disintegrants following granulation or reworking. Two processes, precompression and prewetting, were proposed to simulate the processes during dry and wet granulation, respectively. The disintegration efficiency of the resulting disintegrant granules was tested in model formulations composed of dicalcium phosphate and lactose with the unprocessed disintegrants as controls. No significant difference was shown in the intrinsic swelling and the water uptake abilities of all super disintegrants following dry granulation. However, a significant decrease was observed for both Primojel and Polyplasdone XL10 in the rate of water being absorbed into the tablet matrix following wet granulation, but not for Ac-Di-Sol. United States Pharmacopeia (USP) disintegration testing without disc revealed a significant increase in disintegration time for tablets formulated with dry granulated Primojel and Polyplasdone XL10 and all wet granulated disintegrants. The increase in particle size following granulation appears to be the cause of the loss in disintegration efficiency. In conclusion, Ac-Di-Sol is less affected by both precompression and prewetting. The efficiency of Primojel and Polyplasdone XL10 is highly dependent on their particle size. Descreasing the particle size tends to increase their efficiency. Due to the size increase following granulation, a higher addition level of super disintegrant is required to ensure fast and uniform disintegration of tablets prepared by granulation.

The purpose of this study is to identify the causes of efficiency loss of super disintegrants following granulation or reworking. Two processes, precompression and prewetting, were proposed to simulate the processes during dry and wet granulation, respectively. The disintegration efficiency of the resulting disintegrant granules was tested in model formulations composed of dicalcium phosphate and lactose with the unprocessed disintegrants as controls. No significant difference was shown in the intrinsic swelling and the water uptake abilities of all super disintegrants following dry granulation. However, a significant decrease was observed for both Primojel and Polyplasdone XL10 in the rate of water being absorbed into the tablet matrix following wet granulation, but not for Ac-Di-Sol. United States Pharmacopeia (USP) disintegration testing without disc revealed a significant increase in disintegration time for tablets formulated with dry granulated Primojel and Polyplasdone XL10 and all wet granulated disintegrants. The increase in particle size following granulation appears to be the cause of the loss in disintegration efficiency. In conclusion, Ac-Di-Sol is less affected by both precompression and prewetting. The efficiency of Primojel and Polyplasdone XL10 is highly dependent on their particle size. Descreasing the particle size tends to increase their efficiency. Due to the size increase following granulation, a higher addition level of super disintegrant is required to ensure fast and uniform disintegration of tablets prepared by granulation.

The aims of this study are (1) to compare the disintegration efficiency, and (2) to develop a discriminating test model for the 3 classes of superdisintegrants represented by Ac-Di-Sol, Primojel, and Polyplasdone XL10. Using a digital video camera to examine the disintegration process of tablets containing the same wt/wt percentage concentration of the disintegrants, Ac-Di-Sol was found to disintegrate tablets rapidly into apparently primary particles; Primojel also apparently disintegrated tablets into primary particles but more slowly; Polyplasdone XL10 disintegrated tablets rapidly but into larger masses of aggregated particles. The differences in the size distribution generated in the disintegrated tablets likely contribute to the drug dissolution rate differences found for aspirin tablets with similar disintegration rates. The aspirin tablet matrix is proposed as a model formulation for disintegrant efficiency comparison and performance consistency testing for quality control purposes.

BACKGROUND Venous thromboembolism is known to be an important social and health care problem because of its high incidence among patients who undergo surgery. Studies on the mechanical prophylaxis of thromboembolism after gynaecological pelvic surgery are few. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of mechanical thromboembolism prophylaxis after gynaecological pelvic surgery using a combination of graduated compression stockings (GCS) and intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) or GCS alone. METHODS The study was performed on 108 patients who were randomly assigned to two groups. The first group received GCS before the operation and IPC during the operation (IPC + GCS group). The second group received GCS before the operation (GCS group). To analyze the effect of the preventive measures and the laboratory examination on the incidence of thrombosis and to compare the safety of these measures, the incidence of adverse reactions was assessed. RESULTS The morbidity associated with DVT was 4.8%(5/104) in the IPC + GCS group and 12.5%(14/112) in the GCS group. There were significant statistical differences between the two groups. There were no adverse effects in either group. CONCLUSIONS The therapeutic combination of GCS and IPC was more effective than GCS alone for thrombosis prevention in high-risk patients undergoing gynaecological pelvic surgery, and there were no adverse effects in either group.

Abstract Glioblastoma is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a set of noncoding RNA of about 20∼22 nt in length and they play regulatory roles such as regulating the expression of proteins. Altered miRNA expression is related to cancers, including glioblastoma. In this report, we used deep sequencing to explore the miRNA profiles of glioblastoma and normal brain tissues. We found 875 and 811 known miRNA and miRNA* in glioblastoma and normal brain tissue, respectively, representing the largest characterization of the miRNAs in GBM so far. 33 of them were upregulated in glioblastoma, including miR-21, which is well known as an oncomir, while 40 of them were downregulated. Using miR-10b, miR-124, miR-433, and miR-92b as examples, we verified the data by quantitative RT-PCR, suggesting that deep sequencing was able to capture the expression profiles of miRNAs. In addition, we found 18 novel miRNA and 16 new miRNA* in glioblastoma and normal brain tissues. This report provides a useful resource for future studies of the roles of miRNAs in the pathogenesis and early detection of glioblastoma.

BACKGROUND: QiShenYiQi Pills® (QSYQ) is a compound Chinese medicine used in China for alleviating cardiac function. The present study was designed to explore the effect and mechanism of QSYQ on ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced disorders in myocardial structure and function, with particularly focusing on the regulation of energy metabolism. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats, with or without QSYQ pretreatment, were subjected to 30min occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery and followed by 90min or 24h reperfusion. Myocardial blood flow (MBF) and cardiac function were evaluated at baseline, immediately after ischemia and 30, 60, 90min, and 24h after reperfusion. Myocardial infarction, myocardial histology and ultrastructure were assessed. Double staining of alpha-cardiac actinin and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling was conducted to assess myocardial apoptosis. ATP, ADP and AMP content was determined by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, F-actin in myocardial cells determined by immunofluorescence microscopy and expression of ATP synthase α, ATP5D, and phosphorylated-Myosin Light Chain (P-MLC) determined by western blotting. RESULTS: Pre-treatment with QSYQ protected against I/R-induced MBF decrease, myocardial infarction and apoptosis at 90min and 24h after reperfusion. Moreover, I/R 90min caused an impairment on cardiac function, a decrease in the ratio of ADP/ATP and AMP/ATP, accompanying with reduction of ATP 5D expression and increase in the expression of P-MLC, meanwhile, myocardium to exhibit myocardial fiber rupture, interstitial edema, and mitochondria swelling, all of which were significantly ameliorated by pre-treatment with QSYQ. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggest an involvement of regulation of energy metabolism in the action of QSYQ to protect against myocardial I/R injury.

Two linear fused heteroacenes bearing a pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyrrole core have been synthesized via a novel reductive ring closure methodology in three steps and in good overall yield. Preliminary OFET results showed that dinaphtho[2,3-b:2',3'-f]pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyrrole (DNPP) is a potential candidate for organic electronics.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether high glucose enhances β-amyloid (Aβ) production in HEK293 Swedish mutant (APPsw) cells with Aβ precursor protein (APP) overexpression, and whether under this condition benfotiamine reduces the increased Aβ production. METHODS: HEK293 APPsw cells were cultured with different concentrations of glucose for different times. The Aβ content in the supernatant was determined by ELISA. To investigate the mechanism by which benfotiamine reduced Aβ production, glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) activity and expression were measured after the cells were cultured with 5.5 g/L glucose for 12 h. RESULTS: With 1.0, 3.0, 4.5, 5.5, 6.5, 7.5, 8.5, or 10.5 g/L glucose, Aβ production by HEK293 APPsw cells was highest in the presence of 5.5 g/L glucose for 6 and 12 h. The difference in Aβ content between 5.5 and 1.0 g/L was most marked after incubation for 12 h. Benfotiamine at 20 and 40 μg/mL significantly reduced Aβ production in cells incubated with 5.5 g/L glucose for 12 h. Moreover, 40 μg/mL benfotiamine significantly enhanced the ratio of phosphorylated GSK-3 to total GSK-3, together with consistent down-regulation of GSK-3 activity. CONCLUSION: High glucose increases Aβ production by HEK293 APPsw cells while benfotiamine prevents this increase. This is correlated with the modulation of GSK-3 activity.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to evaluate whether CP was beneficial for alleviating myocardial fibrosis following I/R injury. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 30 min occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery, followed by reperfusion. CP (0.4 or 0.8 g/kg) was daily administrated starting from 3 h after reperfusion until day 6. Coronary venular diameter, RBC velocity, albumin leakage, MBF, heart function, myocardial infarction and fibrosis size, myocardium ultrastructure, MPO activity and MDA level were evaluated. The expression of MCP-1, RP S19, TGF-β1, P-Smad3, Smad4, MMP-9 and α-SMA, and the infiltration of leukocytes were examined. RESULTS: CP post-treatment ameliorated I/R-induced myocardial RBC velocity reduction, MBF decrease, cardiac dysfunction, and albumin leakage increase. Moreover, myocardial infarction and fibrosis size, MPO activity, MDA level, the expression of RP S19, TGF-β1, P-Smad3, Smad4, MMP-9 and α-SMA, the number of CD68-positive cells increased significantly after I/R, and myocardium collagen deposition was observed on day 6 after reperfusion. All the alterations after I/R were significantly ameliorated by CP. CONCLUSIONS: Post-treatment with CP ameliorates I/R induced myocardial fibrosis, suggesting that CP may be applied as an option for preventing cardiac remodeling after I/R injury. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Objectives: To assess knowledge of HPV and attitudes towards HPV vaccination among the general female population, government officials, and healthcare providers in China to assist the development of an effective national HPV vaccination program. Methods: A cross-sectional epidemiologic survey was conducted across 21 urban and rural sites in China using a short questionnaire. 763 government officials, 760 healthcare providers, and 11,681 women aged 15-59 years were included in the final analysis. Data were analyzed using standard descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Results: Knowledge of HPV among the general female population was low; only 24% had heard of HPV. Less than 20% of healthcare providers recognized sexually naive women as the most appropriate population for HPV vaccination. There was high acceptance of the HPV vaccine for all categories of respondents. Only 6% of women were willing to pay more than US $300 for the vaccine. Conclusions: Aggressive education is necessary to increase knowledge of HPV and its vaccine. Further proof of vaccine safety and efficacy and government subsidies combined with increased awareness could facilitate development and implementation of HPV vaccination in China.

This report describes a new disintegration tester that can determine not only the disintegration time of orally rapidly disintegrating tablets (ODT), but also the disintegration behavior and mechanism. Using the tester, the disintegration properties of the tablets prepared in a previous study were examined. The purpose of this study is to confirm the utility of the tester as an instrument for evaluating the disintegration properties of ODT and determine relations among time, behavior and mechanism of the disintegration. Results demonstrated that in vitro disintegration time in the tester is similar to that in the commercial disintegration tester for ODT and is highly correlated with oral disintegration time. Observations of disintegration process revealed that a difference in disintegration behavior between tablets compressed at 50-75 MPa and 100 MPa; the disintegration behavior of the tablets were designated immediate disintegrating type and gradual disintegrating type, respectively. The dynamic swelling profile and water absorption profile indicated that the disintegration mechanism of the tablets involved wicking action induced by swelling of the disintegrant; the disintegration time was closely related to the initial rates of swelling and water absorption. Furthermore, the mechanism of water absorption of tablets compressed at 50-75 MPa and 100 MPa shows anomalous diffusion and case-II transport, respectively. The shift in this mechanism is consistent with differences in disintegration time and behavior between the tablets. These findings suggest that information on disintegration properties obtained by our tester is useful for understanding of disintegration phenomena of ODT.

Spironolactone is a drug derived from sterols that exhibits an incomplete oral absorption due to its low water solubility and slow dissolution rate. In this study, formulations of spironolactone with four disintegrants named as croscarmellose sodium, crospovidone, sodium starch glycolate and microcrystalline cellulose II (MCCII) were conducted. The effect of those disintegrants on the tensile strength, disintegration time and dissolution rate of spironolactone-based compacts was evaluated using a factorial design with three categorical factors (filler, lubricant, and disintegrant). The swelling values, water uptake and water sorption studies of these disintegrants all suggested that MCCII compacts disintegrate by a wicking mechanism similar to that of crospovidone, whereas a swelling mechanism was dominant for sodium starch glycolate and croscarmellose sodium. The disintegration time of MCCII and sodium starch glycolate remained unchanged with magnesium stearate. However, this lubricant delayed the disintegration time of crospovidone and croscarmellose sodium. MCCII presented the fastest disintegration time independent of the medium and lubricant employed. The water sorption ratio and swelling values determined sodium starch glycolate followed by croscarmellose sodium as the largest swelling materials, whereas crospovidone and MCCII where the least swelling disintegrants. The swelling property of sodium starch glycolate and croscarmellose sodium was strongly affected by the medium pH. The disintegration time of spironolactone compacts was faster when starch was used as a filler due to the formation of soft compacts. In this case, the type of filler employed rather than the disintegrant had a major effect on the disintegration and dissolution times of spironolactone.

Atorvastatin calcium, a lipid-lowering drug, is much less bioavailable because of reduced solubility in acidic media. Multiple-unit floating microcapsules of Atorvastatin calcium (ATC) were developed to expand the gastric residence time of the drug, as ATC has maximum rate of absorption in the upper GI tract. Floating microcapsules were prepared by Emulsion-solvent evaporation technique through incorporation of dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate (DSS) as a dissolution enhancer. The microcapsules were assessed for shape, size, drug entrapment efficiency, stability and in-vitro drug dissolution rate and were subjected to SEM, DSC and PXRD studies. The ATC-loaded floating microcapsules were spherical in shape and had the particle size of about 28.10 μm and drug-loading efficiency of about 96.55 %. The floating microspheres containing DSS had significantly higher drug dissolution rates than those without DSS. The best formulation, AT4, consisting of Ethyl cellulose, DSS and Poly Ox®, had a maximum drug dissolution rate of 97.86 %, as compared to Storvas 80 mg (Ranbaxy Ltd, as a reference) which had a rate of only 54% during a period of 12 h in acidic media. A pharmacokinetic study performed on albino rabbits illustrates that the bioavailability of AT4 floating microcapsules significantly increased to nearly 1.7 times that of Storvas 80 mg. The present study indicates that the use of multi-unit floating microcapsules for delivery of ATC can improve its bioavailability.

Polacrilin Potassium NF is a commonly used weak cation exchange resin disintegrant in pharmaceutical tablets. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of sorbed moisture on physical characteristics and disintegrant performance of four brands of Polacrilin Potassium NF. The disintegrants were stored in five different relative humidity chambers and their dynamic vapor adsorption-desorption analysis, effect of moisture on their compressibility, compactability, particle size, morphology, water uptake rate, and disintegration ability were studied. Moisture seemed to plasticize the disintegrants, reducing their yield pressures. However, certain optimum amount of moisture was found to be useful in increasing the compactablity of the tablets containing disintegrants. The tablets, however, lost their tensile strengths beyond this optimum moisture content. Moisture caused two brands of the disintegrants to swell; however, two other brands aggregated upon exposure to moisture. Swelling without aggregation increased the water uptake, and in turn the disintegrant performance. However, aggregation probably reduced the porosities of the disintegrants, reducing their water uptake rate and disintegrant performance. Different brands of Polacrilin Potassium NF differed in the abilities to withstand the effects of moisture on their functionality. Effect of moisture on disintegrant performance of Polacrilin Potassium NF needs to be considered before its use in tablets made by wet granulation.

Solid lipid extrudates with the model drug praziquantel were produced with chemically diverse lipids and investigated regarding their dissolution behaviour in different media. The lipids used in this study were glyceryl tripalmitate, glyceryl dibehenate, glyceryl monostearate, cetyl palmitate and solid paraffin. Thermoanalytical and dissolution behaviour was investigated directly after extrusion and after 3 and 6 months open storage at 40°C/75% RH. Dissolution studies were conducted in hydrochloric acid (HCl) pH 1.2 with different levels of polysorbate 20 and with a biorelevant medium containing pancreatic lipase, bile salts and phospholipids. Furthermore, the impact of lipid digestion on drug release was studied using in vitro lipolysis. The release of praziquantel from cetyl palmitate and glyceryl monostearate in the biorelevant medium was much faster than in HCl, whereas there was hardly any difference for the other lipids. It was shown that drug release from glyceryl monostearate matrices is driven by both solubilisation and enzymatic degradation of the lipid, whereas dissolution from cetyl palmitate extrudates is dependent only on solubilisation by surfactants in the medium. Moreover, storage influenced the appearance of the extrudate surface and the dissolution rate for all lipids except solid paraffin.

The main purposes of this study are to prepare cross-linked carboxymethyl jackfruit starch (CL-CMJF) and to evaluate its pharmaceutical property as a tablet disintegrant. CL-CMJF was prepared by a dual carboxymethyl-crosslinking reaction in a flask containing jackfruit seed starch (JFS), chloroacetic acid (CAA), sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP). The reaction was carried out using methanol as a solvent for 60 min at 70°C and at JFS:CAA:NaOH:STMP ratio of 1.0:0.29:0.28:0.07. The obtained CL-CMJF, with degree of substitution and degree of crosslinking calculated to be 0.34 and 0.06, respectively, was insoluble but swellable in water. Rheological study revealed a decreased in solution viscosity compared to the non-crosslinked CMJF. The water uptake of CL-CMJF was 23 times higher than that of native starch and was comparable to that of a commercial superdisintegrant, sodium starch glycolate (SSG). The swelling ability of CL-CMRS was similar to that of crosscarmellose sodium (CCS), another commercial superdisintegrant. Disintegration test of aspirin tablets containing 2%w/w of JFS, CL-CMJF, SSG and CCS showed disintegration times in the order of SSG < CCS ~ CL-CMJF < JFS. The results suggested that CL-CMJF could be developed as a tablet disintegrant.

Benznidazole (BNZ) is traditionally used to treat Chagas disease. Despite its common use, BNZ has a poor water solubility and a variable bioavailability. The purpose of this study was to prepare BNZ microcrystals by solvent change precipitation and to study the effects of BNZ micronisation on therapeutic efficiency using a murine model of Chagas disease. The solvent change precipitation procedure was optimised in order to obtain stable and homogeneous particles with a small particle size, high yield and fast dissolution rate. The thermal and crystallographic analysis showed no polymorphic change in the microcrystals, and microscopy confirmed a significant reduction in particle size. A marked improvement in the drug dissolution rate was observed for micronised BNZ particles and BNZ tablets in comparison with untreated BNZ and commercial Rochagan. In vivo studies showed a significant increase in the therapeutic efficacy of the BNZ microparticles, corroborating the dissolution results.

A well known superdisintegrant like croscarmellose sodium or crospovidone loses their quick disintegration property when compressed at more than 4 kg tablet crushing strength (TCS). Therefore, the objective of the present work was to develop a disintegrating system that could be used for preparing fast disintegrating tablets (FDTs) of highly water soluble drug, metoclopramide, without compromising on the mechanical strength, irrespective of the TCS used for compressing the granules. For this purpose disintegrating system consisting of chitosan-alginate (CTN-ALG) complex (1:1): glycine and chitin was developed. The results revealed that when CTN-ALG and glycine were mixed in the ratio of 30:70, the granules exhibited a minimum water sorption time and maximum effective pore radius (R(eff.p)). The addition of chitin (5-10% w/w) into this mixture further enhanced the R(eff.p). Further, increase in the concentration of chitin from 10% to 20% w/w did not produce any significant effect (p>0.05) on the R(eff.p). The FDTs prepared by using CTN-ALG:glycine (30:70) and chitin exhibited increased porosity and lower disintegration time (DT). Further, chitin was found to neutralize the effect of TCS on DT of FDTs. This property of chitin was also observed in FDTs prepared by using croscarmellose sodium (5% w/w) or crospovidone (5% w/w). The reduction in DT of FDTs by chitin was also observed in tablets prepared without the drug. Hence, the effect was not influenced by the solubility component present in the tablets. Overall, the results suggested incorporation of chitin (5-10% w/w) while preparing FDTs of metoclopramide to enhanced the disintegration without compromising their mechanical strength of the tablets.

In the present study, an attempt was made to prepare immediate-release enteric-coated pellets of aceclofenac, a poorly soluble nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that has a gastrointestinal intolerance as its serious side effect. Formulation of enteric-coated pellets with improved solubility of aceclofenac could address both of these problems. To achieve these goals, pellets were prepared by extrusion-spheronization method using pelletizing agents that can contribute to the faster disintegration and thereby improve the solubility of the drug. Different disintegrants like beta-cyclodextrin, kollidon CL, Ac-Di-Sol, and sodium starch glycolate were tried in order to further improve disintegration time. The pellets were characterized for drug content, particle size distribution, flow properties, infrared spectroscopy, surface morphology, disintegration rate, and dissolution profile. The formulations, which showed best disintegration and dissolution profiles, were coated with Eudragit L100-55, an enteric-coated polymer which does not dissolve at gastric pH but dissolves at intestinal pH, releasing the drug immediately in the dissolution medium. The optimized enteric-coated formulation containing 20% kappa-carrageenan, lactose, and sodium starch glycolate as a disintegrant did inhibit the release of the drug for 2 h in 0.1 N HCl, whereas 87% of the drug was released within 45 min. The improvement was substantial when it was compared with solubility of pure drug under the same conditions. Thus, dissolution profiles suggested that combination of kappa-carrageenan and sodium starch glycolate resulted into fast-disintegrating, immediate-release pellets, overcoming the bioavailability problem of the poorly soluble drug, aceclofenac, and enteric coating of these pellets avoids the exposure of aceclofenac to ulcer-prone areas of the gastrointestinal tract.

Orally disintegrating tablets of levocetirizine dihydrochloride were formulated with different superdisintegrants (sodium starch glycollate, croscarmellose sodium, and crospovidone) using mannitol as a diluent. Tulsion-335, Indion-204, and poly kyron T-134 cation exchange resins were used as taste-masking agents. The drug and resin complex was prepared by the kneading method. Ten formulations were prepared with varying combinations of superdisintegrants and ion-exchange resins by the wet granulation technique, using polyvinylpyrrolidone K-30 as the binder. The prepared tablets were evaluated for degree of taste masking, weight variation, hardness, friability, in vitro and in vivo disintegration time, content uniformity, and water absorption ratio. Dissolution studies were performed in two dissolution media: 0.1N HCl and distilled water. The corresponding dissolution rates were compared with the marketed formulation. Differential scanning calorimetry studies were carried out on the drug-resin complexes. Prepared tablets were good in appearance and showed acceptable results for hardness and friability. In vitro and in vivo disintegration times for the optimum formulation (F-1) were found to be 22 and 55 s, respectively. Relatively acceptable taste was achieved with both Indion-204 and Tulsion-335. Rapid disintegration time was achieved in tablets containing crosspovidone as the superdisintegrant. Dissolution studies indicated the formation of the complex of drug and resin. Differential scanning calorimetry studies indicated the formation of drug-resin complex.