Freeze Dried Quetiapine-Nicotinamide Binary Solid Dispersions: A New Strategy for Improving Physicochemical Properties and Ex Vivo Diffusion

Comparison of oven drying and freeze drying methods for the production of fast melt films containing quetiapine fumarate

BACKGROUND

Quetiapine fumarate (QTP) is commonly prescribed for schizophrenic patient, typically available in tablet or oral suspension form, presenting challenges such as administration difficulties, fear of choking and distaste for its bitter taste. Fast melt films (FMF) offer an alternative dosage form with a simple development process, ease of administration and rapid drug absorption and action onset.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to prepare FMF with different formulations using solvent casting methods and to compare the effects of different drying methods, including oven drying and freeze drying, on the properties of the films.

METHODS

Various formulations were created by manipulating polymer types (starch, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and guar gum) at different concentrations, along with fixed concentrations of QTP and other excipients. Characterization tests including surface morphology, weight, thickness, pH, tensile strength, elongation length, Young's modulus, folding endurance and disintegration time were conducted. The optimal FMF formulation was identified and further evaluated for moisture and drug content, dissolution behavior, accelerated stability, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and palatability.

RESULTS

FMF containing 10 mg guar gum/film developed using oven drying emerged as the optimum choice, exhibiting desirable film appearance, ultra-thin thickness (0.453 ± 0.002 mm), appropriate pH for oral intake (pH 5.0), optimal moisture content of 11.810%, rapid disintegration (52.67 ± 1.53 s), high flexibility (folding endurance > 300 times) and lower Young's modulus (1.308 ± 0.214).

CONCLUSION

Oven drying method has been proven to be favorable for developing FMF containing QTP, meeting all testing criteria and providing an alternative option for QTP prescription.

Co-Amorphous Drug Formulations in Numbers: Recent Advances in Co-Amorphous Drug Formulations with Focus on Co-Formability, Molar Ratio, Preparation Methods, Physical Stability, In Vitro and In Vivo Performance, and New Formulation Strategies

Co-amorphous drug delivery systems (CAMS) are characterized by the combination of two or more (initially crystalline) low molecular weight components that form a homogeneous single-phase amorphous system. Over the past decades, CAMS have been widely investigated as a promising approach to address the challenge of low water solubility of many active pharmaceutical ingredients. Most of the studies on CAMS were performed on a case-by-case basis, and only a few systematic studies are available. A quantitative analysis of the literature on CAMS under certain aspects highlights not only which aspects have been of great interest, but also which future developments are necessary to expand this research field. This review provides a comprehensive updated overview on the current published work on CAMS using a quantitative approach, focusing on three critical quality attributes of CAMS, i.e., co-formability, physical stability, and dissolution performance. Specifically, co-formability, molar ratio of drug and co-former, preparation methods, physical stability, and in vitro and in vivo performance were covered. For each aspect, a quantitative assessment on the current status was performed, allowing both recent advances and remaining research gaps to be identified. Furthermore, novel research aspects such as the design of ternary CAMS are discussed.

Oleic Acid Vesicles as a new Approach for Transdermal Delivery of Econazole Nitrate: Development, Characterization, and In-vivo Evaluation in Wistar rats

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous candidiasis is a deep-seated skin fungal infection that is most commonly observed in immunocompromised patients. This fungal infection is conventionally treated with various formulations like gels and creams which are having different side effects and least therapeutic efficacy. Hence, it becomes necessary to develop a novel carrier system for the treatment of this deep-seated skin fungal infection. Econazole nitrate is the most widely used antifungal for the treatment of cutaneous candidiasis, therefore, in present research work we developed and evaluated econazole nitrate loaded oleic acid vesicles for treatment of cutaneous candidiasis through transdermal route.

METHODS

Econazole nitrate loaded oleic acid vesicles were prepared by thin-film hydration and characterized for drug entrapment, vesicle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index (PDI), Fourier Transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Furthermore, the oleic acid vesicular gel was evaluated for ex-vivo skin permeation/retention and in-vitro and in-vivo antifungal activity in Wistar rats.

RESULTS

Econazole nitrate loaded oleic acid vesicles showed high encapsulation of drug (74.76 ± 3.0%), acceptable size (373.4 ± 2.9 nm), and colloidal characteristics (PDI = 0.231 ± 0.078, zeta potential = -13.27 ± 0.80 mV). The oleic acid vesicular gel showed high skin permeation (Transdermal flux = 61.98 ± 2.45 μg/cm2/h), skin retention (35.90 ± 2.06%), in-vitro, and in-vivo antifungal activity compared to marketed cream (EcodermR) of econazole nitrate for a prolonged period of time (4 days).

CONCLUSION

Developed econazole nitrate loaded oleic acid vesicles could be used effectively in the treatment of cutaneous candidiasis with minimization of side effects of econazole nitrate with increased therapeutic efficacy.

Preparation of Co-Amorphous Systems by Freeze-Drying

Freeze-drying was evaluated as a production technique for co-amorphous systems of a poorly water-soluble drug. Naproxen was freeze-dried together with arginine and lysine as co-former. To increase the solubility of naproxen in the starting solution, the applicability of five surfactants was investigated, namely sodium dodecyl sulfate, pluronic F-127, polyoxyethylene (40) stearate, tween 20 and TPGS 1000. The influence of the surfactant type, surfactant concentration and total solid content to be freeze-dried on the solid state of the sample was investigated. X-ray powder diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry showed that the majority of systems formed co-amorphous one-phase systems. However, at higher surfactant concentrations, and depending on the surfactant type, surfactant reflections were observed in the XRPD analysis upon production. Crystallization of both naproxen and amino acid occurred from some combinations under storage. In conclusion, freeze-drying was shown to be a feasible technique for the production of a selection of co-amorphous drug–amino acid formulations.

Glucosamine-paracetamol spray-dried solid dispersions with maximized intrinsic dissolution rate, bioavailability and decreased levels of in vivo toxic metabolites

Purpose

This study is aimed at preparing and testing physicochemical, pharmacokinetic and levels of toxic metabolites of paracetamol and glucosamine solid dispersions intended for multiple deliveries via the parenteral or per oral route.

Methods

Solid dispersions were prepared using the spray drying technique at different molar ratios of paracetamol and glucosamine. Characterization of the solid dispersions was carried out using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), equilibrium solubility and intrinsic dissolution rate. In vivo pharmacokinetics and toxic metabolites of the prepared dispersions were evaluated and compared to those of pure drugs and physical mixtures.

Results

Instant water solubility and more than 7-fold increase in dissolution rate led to significantly high plasma drug concentration (>6.5-fold) compared to paracetamol alone. More than 2-fold increase in area under the curve from 0 to 24 h from the dispersions was noticed on the third day of oral dosing to animals. Lower number and concentration followed by the complete disappearance of toxic pathway metabolites were observed on second and third days of dosing with solid dispersions and physical mixtures, respectively.

Conclusions

The spray-dried dispersions support safer and more effective delivery of multiple doses of paracetamol, leading to an acceleration of its analgesic actions. Synergism between the analgesic actions of paracetamol and joint protective actions of glucosamine in this combination is expected to facilitate effective treatment of persistent pain-related illnesses such as osteoarthritis.