Investigation into liquisolid system processability based on the SeDeM Expert System approach

Data-driven insights into the properties of liquisolid systems based on machine learning algorithms

Liquisolid systems (LS) represent a formulation approach where liquid drug or its dispersion is transformed into a powder with good flowability and compactibility, leading to enhanced drug dissolution and bioavailability. Many research groups have focused on the preparation and investigation of LS, leading to a higher need for comprehensive evaluation of factors impacting LS characteristics. The aim of this work was to investigate the applicability of machine learning algorithms in the LS evaluation, using data mined from published literature, and provide an insight into critical factors governing the liquisolid system performance. The dataset was prepared using publication search engines and relevant keywords, with a total of 425 formulations included in the database. The database focused on preparation methods, formulation parameters, and liquisolid system characteristics. Subsequently, critical properties of the liquisolid system, i.e. flowability, compact hardness, and drug dissolution, were analyzed using machine learning algorithms, including Gradient Boosting, Adaptive Boosting and Random Forest. In addition to conventional preparation methods and excipients, novel technologies (fluid bed preparation, extrusion/spheronization) and materials (Neusilin®, Fujicalin®, and Syloid®) enhanced the properties of liquisolid systems. The analysis revealed that formulation factors, such as carrier and coating agent type and content, liquid phase load, model drug type and content, as well as preparation method, significantly influenced liquisolid system characteristics. The models developed exhibited high prediction accuracy when applied on test data (higher than 80 %). This indicates that the machine learning models may provide an insight into the critical attributes affecting the LS performance and may be used as a valuable tool in the development and optimization of these samples.

Improved Dissolution Time and Oral Bioavailability of Pioglitazone Using Liquisolid Tablets: Formulation, In Vitro Characterization, and In Vivo Pharmacokinetics in Rabbits

In the current study, it was intended to prepare liquisolid tablets of pioglitazone HCl to improve the bioavailability and dissolution time of the drug, as it has low solubility in water. Mathematical formulas were adopted, and the quantities of the carrier (MCC), coating material (colloidal silicon dioxides), and nonvolatile liquid vehicle (Tween 80) were taken. Various ratios of the drug to liquid and carrier to coating had been used in the formulation of liquisolid compacts. The evaluation of the formulated liquisolid compacts was done by performing FTIR, DSC, XRD, and SEM studies. Postcompression parameters, dissolution, stability, and bioavailability were accessed for the optimized formulation. FTIR and DSC studies showed the compatibility of the drugs and excipients. XRD revealed the transition to the amorphous state. It was found that the properties of the newly manufactured liquisolid tablets were within the parameters of what is considered acceptable. The optimized formulation of LST10 showed 99.87 ± 0.19% (p < 0.05) pioglitazone released within 60 min of dissolution. Dissolution data treatments (Q 15, IDR, RDR, %DE, MDT, f 1, and f 2) resulted in better drug release than other drugs studied and marketed tablet formulations. The optimized formulation produced had been proven stable when it was subjected to accelerated stability testing. This suggested that the bioavailability of pioglitazone was enhanced, as indicated by the substantial increase in AUC0-t (3.06-fold) and C max (4.18-fold). According to the findings, the selected combination and method significantly increased the dissolution time and bioavailability of pioglitazone. Moreover, this developed method can be used for other drugs with low water solubility.

Liquisolid Technique: A Novel Technique with Remarkable Applications in Pharmaceutics

Recently, it has been observed that newly developed drugs are lipophilic and have low aqueous solubility issues, which results in a lower dissolution rate and bioavailability of the drugs. To overcome these issues, the liquisolid technique, an innovative and advanced approach, comes into play. This technique involves the conversion of the drug into liquid form by dissolving it in non-volatile solvent and then converting the liquid medication into dry, free-flowing, and compressible form by the addition of carrier and coating material. It offers advantages like low cost of production, easy method of preparation, and compactable with thermo labile and hygroscopic drugs. It has been widely applied for BCS II drugs to enhance dissolution profile. Improving bioavailability, providing sustained release, minimizing pH influence on drug dissolution, and improving drug photostability are some of the other promising applications of this technology. This review article presents an overview of the liquisolid technique and its applications in formulation development.

An overview of the implementation of SeDeM and SSCD in various formulation developments

The Sediment Delivery Model explains experimental analysis and quantitative assessment of the powdered substance characterizing parameters, which offer pertinent data about the material's appropriateness for direct compression (DC) of tablet, which involves mathematical modeling and Semisolid Control Diagram using software like iTCM. The SeDeM diagram expert system (DES) determines the suitability of excipients and active ingredients for DC and the ratio of API to excipient is calculated. The DC is most suitable as it saves time and makes process easy, but these technique excipients compensate for their poor flow. Thus, a new system was required to help reduce number of experiments and time for making an optimized direct compression tablet. The SeDeM DES is based on quality by design (QbD) (ICH Q8) as it evaluates critical quality attributes that affect finished product's quality. This review mainly focuses on various dosage forms like Solid, Semisolid, Liquisolid, and Solidified liquid dosage forms. These techniques mainly characterize all substances using 12 parameters, resulting 12-sided regular polygon. However, parameters may increase or decrease according to the requirement of a particular dosage form like an Orodispersible tablet 15 and a Semisolid dosage form applying 5 parameters. The rationales behind limits for indexes are justified accordingly.

An overview on liquisolid technique: its development and applications

With its simplicity and cost-effectiveness, the liquisolid technique offers solutions for numerous formulation problems. Among these are dissolution enhancement and sustaining drug release, and the liquisolid technique dealt with both approaches. This review focuses on the latest advances in the technique. It discusses modified additives for use as carrier materials, which secure the required large surface area for enclosing liquids. The review also covers the modern liquipellet technique derived from the extrusion/palletization technique. Also, the liquiground term is introduced, combining the advantages of co-grinding with the liquisolid concept. Furthermore, several grades of Eudragits, and hydrophilic retarding polymers are mentioned to explain modes of sustaining drug release. This review sums up the liquisolid technique development and its applications recently achieved.

Pharmacotechnical Evaluation by SeDeM Expert System to Develop Orodispersible Tablets

Sediment delivery model (SeDeM) system is innovative tool to correlate micromeritic properties of powders with compressibility. It involves computation of indices which facilitate direct compressibility of solids and enable corrective measures through particle engineering. Study had multiple objectives, viz, (i) to enhance solubility of BCS class II, nevirapine using solid dispersions; (ii) SeDeM analyses of excipients and solid dispersions to analyze direct compressibility; and (iii) prepare orodispersible tablets (ODT). Solid dispersions were prepared by solvent evaporation. Superdisintegrants and solid dispersions were analyzed for primary indices of dimension, compressibility, flowability, stability, and disgregability derived from micromeritic properties. Radar diagrams were constructed to provide visual clues to deficient properties for direct compressibility. ODTs were prepared using excipients which passed criteria for direct compressibility and evaluated for tablet properties. Solid dispersions with Eudragit S100 revealed 6 to 10 fold increase in solubility in various dissolution media including biorelevant media in comparison with plain drug. Solubility was found to be pH dependent. SeDeM analyses facilitated identification of superdisintegrants and excipients with unfavorable compressibility. Radar diagrams provided a clear pictorial evidence of lacunae in powder properties. Based on SeDeM results, tablets were formulated by direct compression using crosspovidone, croscarmellose sodium, and mannitol. All batches showed 40% release in first minute in simulated salivary fluid.

Liquisolid systems as a novel approach in formulation and manufacturing of solid dosage forms: Challenges and perspectives

Liquisolid systems are a novel, promising platform for the production of solid dosage forms with a high liquid content, i.e. dispersion of the drug in a suitable, hydrophilic, non-volatile liquid vehicle or liquid drug. This technology requires conventional, but highly porous excipients (carrier and coating material in the appropriate ratio) able to absorb/adsorb liquid medication, resulting in both good flowability and acceptable compression properties. This approach has shown great potential to improve the dissolution rate and bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs, and has been recognized as a good alternative to common, more complex and expensive techniques. A variety of applications of this simple technique have been investigated recently, including the preparation of: modified release tablets, orally disintegrating tablets, solid dosage forms with liquid herbal extracts, etc. This emerging technology has numerous advantages, and the most important are: simplicity, cost-effectiveness, applicability in large scale production and environmental friendliness. However, it is accompanied by certain challenges as well, such as limited applicability in the case of highly dosed drugs. This article aims to give a comprehensive overview of recent progress regarding the potential applications of this technology, as well as to give an insight into the new liquisolid-based techniques intending to further support its commercial applicability.

Mathematical approaches for powders and multiparticulate units processability characterization in pharmaceutical development

An understanding of material properties and processing effects on solid dosage forms performance is required within the Quality-by-design approach to pharmaceutical development. Several research groups have developed mathematical approaches aiming to facilitate the selection of formulation composition and the manufacturing technology. These approaches are based on material particulate, bulk and compression-related properties. This paper provides theoretical assumptions and a critical review of different mathematical approaches for processability characterization of powders and multiparticulate units. Mathematical approaches have mainly been developed for directly compressible materials, but sometimes other manufacturing technologies, such as roller compaction and wet granulation, are also considered. The obtained compact tensile strength has been implemented in the majority of approaches, as an important characteristic describing compact mechanical properties. Flowability should be also evaluated, since it affects sample processability. Additionally, particle size and shape, material density and compressibility, compactibility and tabletability profiles have been also distinguished as relevant properties for solid dosage form development. The application of mathematical approaches may contribute to the mechanistic understanding of critical material attributes and facilitate dosage form development and optimization. However, it is essential to select the appropriate one, based on the intended dosage form characteristics, in order to ensure that all relevant powder/multiparticulate units characteristics are implemented and critically evaluated.