Dissolution and coarsening of polydisperse, polymorph drug particles liberated from a disintegrating finished dosage form: Theoretical considerations

Improving Solubility and Bioavailability of Breviscapine with Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Prepared Using Ultrasound-Assisted Solution-Enhanced Dispersion by Supercritical Fluids Method

Background

Breviscapine (BRE) has significant efficacy in cardiovascular disease, but the poor water solubility of breviscapine affects its oral absorption and limits its clinical application. In this study, supercritical carbon dioxide (SCF-CO₂) technology was used to improve the solubility and bioavailability of BRE loaded into mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs).

Methods

The solubility of BRE in SCF-CO₂ was measured under various conditions to investigate the feasibility of preparing drug-loaded MSNs by using ultrasound-assisted solution-enhanced dispersion by supercritical fluids (USEDS). The preparation process of drug-loaded MSNs was optimized using the central composite design (CCD), and the optimized preparation was comprehensively characterized. Furthermore, the drug-loaded MSNs prepared by the conventional method were compared. Finally, the dissolution and bioavailability of the preparations were evaluated by in vitro release and pharmacokinetics study.

Results

The solubility of BRE in SCF-CO₂ was extremely low which was suitable to prepare BRE-loaded MSNs by USEDS technology. The particle size of the preparation was 177.24 nm, the drug loading was 8.63%, and the specific surface area was 456.3m²/g. As compared to the conventional preparation method of solution impregnation-evaporation (SIV), the formulation prepared by USEDS technology has smaller particle size, higher drug loading, less residual solvent and better stability. The results of the in vitro release study showed that drug-loaded MSNs could significantly improve drug dissolution. The results of pharmacokinetics showed that the bioavailability of drug-loaded MSNs was increased 1.96 times compared to that of the BRE powder.

Conclusion

Drug-loaded MSNs can significantly improve the solubility and bioavailability of BRE, indicating a good application prospect for MSNs in improving the oral absorption of drugs. In addition, as a solid dispersion preparation technology, USEDS technology has incomparable advantages.

First-Principles and Empirical Approaches to Predicting In Vitro Dissolution for Pharmaceutical Formulation and Process Development and for Product Release Testing

This manuscript represents the perspective of the Dissolution Working Group of the International Consortium for Innovation and Quality in Pharmaceutical Development (IQ) and of two focus groups of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS): Process Analytical Technology (PAT) and In Vitro Release and Dissolution Testing (IVRDT). The intent of this manuscript is to show recent progress in the field of in vitro predictive dissolution modeling and to provide recommended general approaches to developing in vitro predictive dissolution models for both early- and late-stage formulation/process development and batch release. Different modeling approaches should be used at different stages of drug development based on product and process understanding available at those stages. Two industry case studies of current approaches used for modeling tablet dissolution are presented. These include examples of predictive model use for product development within the space explored during formulation and process optimization, as well as of dissolution models as surrogate tests in a regulatory filing. A review of an industry example of developing a dissolution model for real-time release testing (RTRt) and of academic case studies of enabling dissolution RTRt by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is also provided. These demonstrate multiple approaches for developing data-rich empirical models in the context of science- and risk-based process development to predict in vitro dissolution. Recommendations of modeling best practices are made, focused primarily on immediate-release (IR) oral delivery products for new drug applications. A general roadmap is presented for implementation of dissolution modeling for enhanced product understanding, robust control strategy, batch release testing, and flexibility toward post-approval changes.