Study of the solid state of carbamazepine after processing with gas anti-solvent technique

Curcumin and n-acetylcysteine cocrystal produced with supercritical solvent: characterization, solubility, and preclinical evaluation of antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities

Curcumin presents a promising anti-inflammatory potential, but its low water-solubility and bioavailability hinder its application. In this sense, cocrystallization represents a tool for improving physicochemical properties, solubility, permeability, and bioavailability of new drug candidates. Thus, the aim of this work was to produce curcumin cocrystals (with n-acetylcysteine as coformer, which possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities), by the anti-solvent gas technique using supercritical carbon dioxide, and to test its antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory potential. The cocrystal was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The cocrystal solubility and antichemotaxic activity were also assessed in vitro. Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities were carried out in vivo using the acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing and carrageenan-induced paw oedema assays in mice. The results demonstrated the formation of a new crystalline structure, thereby confirming the successful formation of the cocrystal. The higher solubility of the cocrystal compared to pure curcumin was verified in acidic and neutral pH, and the cocrystal inhibited the chemotaxis of neutrophils in vitro. In vivo assays showed that cocrystal presents increased antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory potency when compared to pure curcumin, which could be related to an improvement in its bioavailability.

Using Supercritical Fluid Technology as a Green Alternative During the Preparation of Drug Delivery Systems

Micro- and nano-carrier formulations have been developed as drug delivery systems for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) that suffer from poor physico-chemical, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic properties. Encapsulating the APIs in such systems can help improve their stability by protecting them from harsh conditions such as light, oxygen, temperature, pH, enzymes, and others. Consequently, the API's dissolution rate and bioavailability are tremendously improved. Conventional techniques used in the production of these drug carrier formulations have several drawbacks, including thermal and chemical stability of the APIs, excessive use of organic solvents, high residual solvent levels, difficult particle size control and distributions, drug loading-related challenges, and time and energy consumption. This review illustrates how supercritical fluid (SCF) technologies can be superior in controlling the morphology of API particles and in the production of drug carriers due to SCF's non-toxic, inert, economical, and environmentally friendly properties. The SCF's advantages, benefits, and various preparation methods are discussed. Drug carrier formulations discussed in this review include microparticles, nanoparticles, polymeric membranes, aerogels, microporous foams, solid lipid nanoparticles, and liposomes.

Stability-enhanced hot-melt extruded amorphous solid dispersions via combinations of Soluplus® and HPMCAS-HF

The aim of this study was to evaluate a novel combination of Soluplus® and hypromellose acetate succinate (HPMCAS-HF) polymers for solubility enhancement as well as enhanced physicochemical stability of the produced amorphous solid dispersions. This was accomplished by converting the poorly water-soluble crystalline form of carbamazepine into a more soluble amorphous form within the polymeric blends. Carbamazepine (CBZ), a Biopharmaceutics Classification System class II active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) with multiple polymorphs, was utilized as a model drug. Hot-melt extrusion (HME) processing was used to prepare solid dispersions utilizing blends of polymers. Drug loading showed a significant effect on the dissolution rate of CBZ in all of the tested ratios of Soluplus® and HPMCAS-HF. CBZ was completely miscible in the polymeric blends of Soluplus® and HPMCAS-HF up to 40% drug loading. The extrudates were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and dissolution studies. DSC and XRD data confirmed the formation of amorphous solid dispersions of CBZ in the polymeric blends of Soluplus® and HPMCAS-HF. Drug loading and release of CBZ was increased with Soluplus® (when used as the primary matrix polymer) when formulations contained Soluplus® with 7-21% (w/w) HPMCAS-HF. In addition, this blend of polymers was found to be physically and chemically stable at 40°C, 75% RH over 12 months without any dissolution rate changes.

Influence of isomerism on recrystallization and cocrystallization induced by CO2 as an antisolvent

The position of the amine group in aminosalicylic acid has a significant impact not only on polymorph or cocrystal formation but also on the crystal shape during crystallization using CO₂ as an antisolvent.

Fast-dissolving microparticles fail to show improved oral bioavailability

Oral dosage forms are the preferred means of delivering drugs for systemic absorption. However, development problems occur for drugs with poor water solubility and/or gastrointestinal permeability. It is generally believed that the in-vivo bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs from Class II of the Biopharmaceutics Classification System can be improved by increasing the dissolution rate. We have attempted to increase the in-vivo oral bioavailability of a model Class II drug (griseofulvin) by preparing rapidly-dissolving particles. The solvent-diffusion method was used to prepare particles with hydrophilic surfactants (Brij 76/Tween 80 surfactant blend) and in-vivo studies were conducted in rats. The griseofulvin particles produced were bipyramidal in habit with a particle size of 2.18 ± 0.12 mm; they contained crystalline drug and a relatively large proportion (12% w/w) of hydrophilic surfactant. The latter and the small particle size ensured rapid particle dispersion and dissolution in-vitro. Thus, within 30 min of the in-vitro dissolution test, the bipyramidal particles had released ∼70% of drug compared with ∼10% from the starting material (particle size 12.61 ± 1.11 μm). However, the rapid and increased drug dissolution in-vitro was not translated to rapid and enhanced absorption in-vivo, and the oral bioavailability of the model drug was found to be the same from the control and from the bipyramidal particles. The poor in-vivo performance of the bipyramidal particles showed that although the dissolution rate of a Class II drug is thought to be a good indicator of its in-vivo bioavailability, this is not always the case.

Self-built supercritical CO2 anti-solvent unit design, construction and operation using carbamazepine

The purpose of this study was to design and build a supercritical CO(2) anti-solvent (SAS) unit and use it to produce microparticles of the class II drug carbamazepine. The operation conditions of the constructed unit affected the carbamazepine yield. Optimal conditions were: organic solution flow rate of 0.15 mL/min, CO(2) flow rate of 7.5 mL/min, pressure of 4,200 psi, over 3,000 s and at 33 degrees C. The drug solid-state characteristics, morphology and size distribution were examined before and after processing using X-ray powder diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy and laser diffraction particle size analysis, respectively. The in vitro dissolution of the treated particles was investigated and compared to that of untreated particles. Results revealed a change in the crystalline structure of carbamazepine with different polymorphs co-existing under various operation conditions. Scanning electron micrographs showed a change in the crystalline habit from the prismatic into bundled whiskers, fibers and filaments. The volume weighted diameter was reduced from 209 to 29 mum. Furthermore, the SAS CO(2) process yielded particles with significantly improved in vitro dissolution. Further research is needed to optimize the operation conditions of the self-built unit to maximize the production yield and produce a uniform polymorphic form of carbamazepine.

Particle design of poorly water-soluble drug substances using supercritical fluid technologies

In order to improve the dissolution properties of poorly water-soluble drugs, some drugs were subjected to micronization or prepared as composite particles using supercritical fluid (SCF) technology with carbon dioxide (CO(2)). Solubility in CO(2) is the key when using this method. Solubility affects the supersaturation of the materials in the solvent as well as the mass transfer of that solvent, which are both critical to the micronization of the materials and the formation of the composite particles. Some useful techniques that can be used to avoid the problems posed by the characteristics of the drug itself are combining SC-CO(2) with other technologies, such as the formation of coacervates or emulsions, and other equipment types, such as milling or ultrasound fields. Another advantage of SCF technology is that it is considered to be green chemistry. SC-CO(2) can improve the solubility of poorly water-soluble drug substances using few or no organic solvents and with little or no heating.

Comparative Physicochemical Characterization of Phospholipids Complex of Puerarin Formulated by Conventional and Supercritical Methods

PURPOSE

The aim of this work was to compare the physicochemical characteristics of the phospholipids complex of puerarin (Pur) prepared by traditional methods (solvent evaporation, freeze-drying and micronization) and a supercritical fluid (SCF) technology. The physicochemical properties of the pure drug and the corresponding products prepared by two different SCF methods were also compared.

METHODS

Solid-state characterization of particles included differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), solubility, dissolution rate and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examinations. Besides puerarin phospholipids complex (PPC) by four different methods, the solid-state properties of unprocessed, gas antisolvent (GAS) crystallized and solution enhanced dispersion by supercritical fluid (SEDS) precipitated puerarin samples were also compared. Crystallinity was assessed using DSC and XRPD. Drug-phospholipids interactions were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). SEM was used to determine any morphological changes. Pharmaceutical performance was assessed in dissolution rate and solubility tests.

RESULT

The results of the physical characterization attested a substantial correspondence of the solid state of the drug before and after treatment with GAS technique, whereas a pronounced change in size and morphology of the drug crystals was noticed. The GAS-processed puerarin exhibited a better crystal shape confirmed by DSC, XRPD and IR. Polymorphic change of puerarin during SEDS coupled with the dramatic reduction of the dimensions determined a remarkable enhancement of its solubility and in vitro dissolution rate. Phospholipids complex prepared using supercritical fluid technology showed similar properties of physical state, thermal stability and molecular interaction with phospholipids (PC) to those of corresponding systems prepared by other three conventional methods namely solvent evaporation, freeze-drying and micronization as proved by XRPD, DSC, and FTIR. The best dissolution rate was obtained by SEDS-prepared complex, while the highest solubility was obtained for solvent evaporation method.

CONCLUSION

Supercritical fluid technology for the preparation of puerarin and its phospholipids complex has been proven to have significant advantages over the solvent evaporation technique and other conventional methods.

Recrystallization of fluconazole using the supercritical antisolvent (SAS) process

The supercritical antisolvent (SAS) process was used to modify solid state characteristics of fluconazole. Fluconazole was recrystallized at various temperatures (60-80 degrees C) and pressures (8-16MPa) using dichloromethane (DCM) as a solvent. Acetone and ethanol were also employed as solvents. The fluconazole polymorphs prepared by the SAS process were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, the equilibrium solubility of the samples in aqueous solution was determined. Fluconazole anhydrate form I was obtained at low temperature (40 degrees C) and anhydrate form II was obtained at high temperature (80 degrees C). The variation of pressure during the SAS process may influence the preferred orientation. Anhydrate forms I and II were also obtained using various solvents. Therefore, it was shown that solid state characteristics of fluconazole, including the polymorphic form and preferred orientation, can be controlled by changing operating conditions of the SAS process such as temperature, pressure, and solvent.

Enhancement of the dissolution rate and oral absorption of a poorly water soluble drug by formation of surfactant-containing microparticles

The slow dissolution rate exhibited by poorly water-soluble drugs is a major challenge in the drug development process. Following oral administration, drugs with slow dissolution rates generally show erratic and incomplete absorption which may lead to therapeutic failure. The aim of this study was to improve the dissolution rate and subsequently the oral absorption and bioavailability of a model poorly water-soluble drug. Microparticles containing the model drug (griseofulvin) were produced by spray drying the drug in the absence/presence of a hydrophilic surfactant. Poloxamer 407 was chosen as the hydrophilic surfactant to improve the particle wetting and hence the dissolution rate. The spray dried particles were characterized and in vitro dissolution studies and in vivo absorption studies were carried out. The results obtained showed that the dissolution rate and absolute oral bioavailability of the spray dried griseofulvin/Poloxamer 407 particles were significantly increased compared to the control. Although spray drying griseofulvin alone increased the drug's in vitro dissolution rate, no significant improvement was seen in the absolute oral bioavailability when compared to the control. Therefore, it is believed that the better wetting characteristics conferred by the hydrophilic surfactant was responsible for the enhanced dissolution rate and absolute oral bioavailability of the model drug.