Experimental Solubility, Thermodynamic/Computational Validations, and GastroPlus-Based In Silico Prediction for Subcutaneous Delivery of Rifampicin

Hansen Solubility Parameters, Computational, and Thermodynamic Models for Tofacitinib Citrate Solubility in Neat Mono Solvents, and GastroPlus Based Predicted In Vivo Performance of Subcutaneous Solution in Humans

We investigated the experimental solubility of tofacitinib citrate (TNF) in HSPiP predicted mono solvents at varied temperature points, followed by validation with various models (computational and thermodynamic) and GastroPlus based predicted in-vivo performance in individuals (adult humans). HSPiP (Hansen software) predicted five mono solvents (N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone as NMP, ethanol, polyethylene glycol 400 as PEG400, chloroform, and water). The thermally stable drug was solubilized in these solvents. Computational (Van't Hoff and Apelblat) models were applied to validate the experimental solubility data (mole fraction solubility, Xe). The selected solvent (NMP) was used as a vehicle for subcutaneous (sub-Q) formulation development and compared against conventional tablet for high effectiveness in terms of pharmacokinetic parameters (PK) in humans. Results showed that the drug solubility in NMP was "endothermic and entropy" driven as evidenced with the applied models (computational and thermodynamic). The optimized components for sub-Q delivery were NMP (21.5% v/v), PEG400 (10.0% v/v), and PBS (phosphate buffer solution at pH 7.4). GastroPlus predicted 0.036 µg/mL and 0.042 µg/mL values of Cmax (maximum drug reached in the blood) in the blood after sub-Q and oral delivery, respectively. In vivo access of the drug was maximally extended in sub-Q delivery as compared to tablets as predicted in GastroPlus considering humans (fast condition). Conclusively, the sub-Q administration of TNF can be a promising alternative to the conventional tablets.

HSPiP, Computational, and Thermodynamic Model-Based Optimized Solvents for Subcutaneous Delivery of Tolterodine Tartrate and GastroPlus‑Based In Vivo Prediction in Humans: Part II

In part I, we reported Hansen solubility parameters (HSP, HSPiP program), experimental solubility at varied temperatures for TOTA delivery. Here, we studied dose volume selection, stability, pH, osmolality, dispersion, clarity, and viscosity of the explored combinations (I-VI). Ex vivo permeation and deposition studies were performed to observe relative diffusion rate from the injected site in rat skin. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) study was conducted to support ex vivo findings. Moreover, GastroPlus predicted in vivo parameters in humans and the impact of various critical factors on pharmacokinetic parameters (PK). Immediate release product (IR) contained 60% of PEG400 whereas controlled release formulation (CR) contained PEG400 (60%), water (10%) and d-limonene (30%) to deliver 2 mg of TOTA. GastroPlus predicted the plasma drug concentration of weakly basic TOTA as function of pH (from pH 2.0 to 9). The cumulative drug permeation and drug deposition were found to be in the order as B-VI˃ C-VI˃A-VI across rat skin. This finding was further supported with CLSM. Moreover, IR and CR were predicted to achieve Cmax of 0.0038 µg/ mL and 0.00023 µg/mL, respectively, after sub-Q delivery. Added limonene in CR extended the plasma drug concentration over period of 12 h as predicted in GastroPlus. Parameters sensitivity analysis (PSA) assessment predicted that sub-Q blood flow rate is the only factor affecting PK parameters in IR formulation whereas this was insignificant for CR. Thus, sub-Q delivery CR would be promising alternative with ease of delivery to children and aged patient.

Preferential Solvation Study of Rosuvastatin in the {PEG400 (1) + Water (2)} Cosolvent Mixture and GastroPlus Software-Based In Vivo Predictions

Rosuvastatin (RST) is a poorly water-soluble drug responsible for limited in vivo dissolution and subsequently low oral systemic absorption (poor bioavailability). The mole fraction solubility values of RST in various ratios of binary mixtures "{PEG400 (1) + water (2)}" at 298.15 K were employed to investigate the preferential solvation (PS) of RST (3) by the binary components. Moreover, the GastroPlus program predicted the drug dissolution/absorption rates, plasma drug concentration, and compartmental regional drug absorbed from a conventional tablet as compared to the RST-loaded (PEG400 + water) mixture (at x ₁ = 0.5) in healthy subjects (considering the fast condition). Fedors' method was adopted to estimate the values of molar volume (314.8 cm³·mol^-1) and Hildebrand solubility parameter (28.08 MPa^1/2) of RST. The results of inverse Kirkwood-Buff integrals showed the PS of RST by PEG400 as observed in all studied ratios of the binary mixture. The highest PS value (δx _1,3 = 1.65 × 10^-2) for RST by PEG400 was attained at x ₁ = 0.5. Finally, the GastroPlus program predicted the maximum dissolution rate [20 mg within 15 min as compared to pure RST (1.5 mg within 15 min)]. Moreover, the program predicted increased in vivo oral absorption (1.2 μg/mL) and enhanced regional absorption (95.3%) of RST from upper segments of the gastrointestinal tract for the RST-loaded PEG400 + water mixture in humans as compared to conventional tablets (87.5% as total regional absorption and 0.88 μg/mL as in vivo absorption). Hence, the present binary system ferrying RST can be a promising strategy to control systemic dyslipidemia after oral or subcutaneous administration.

Experimental and computational models to investigate intestinal drug permeability and metabolism

Oral administration is the preferred route for drug administration that leads to better therapy compliance. The intestine plays a key role in the absorption and metabolism of oral drugs, therefore, new intestinal models are being continuously proposed, which contribute to the study of intestinal physiology, drug screening, drug side effects, and drug-drug interactions.Advances in pharmaceutical processes have produced more drug formulations, causing challenges for intestinal models. To adapt to the rapid evolution of pharmaceuticals, more intestinal models have been created. However, because of the complexity of the intestine, few models can take all aspects of the intestine into account, and some functions must be sacrificed to investigate other areas. Therefore, investigators need to choose appropriate models according to the experimental stage and other requirements to obtain the desired results.To help researchers achieve this goal, this review summarised the advantages and disadvantages of current commonly used intestinal models and discusses possible future directions, providing a better understanding of intestinal models.

Preferential Solvation Study of the Synthesized Aldose Reductase Inhibitor (SE415) in the {PEG 400 (1) + Water (2)} Cosolvent Mixture and GastroPlus-Based Prediction

(Z)-N-Benzyl-2-{2,4-dioxo-5-(4-prop-2-yl-1-yloxyl)benzylidene)thiazolin-3-yl)}acetamide (SE415) is a novel aldose reductase inhibitor used in the management of diabetes mellitus (DM) and associated complications. Herein, the drug was solubilized (mole fraction solubility) in a "PEG 400 (polyethylene glycol 400) + water" mixture of various ratios at 298.15 K. We reported the preferential solvation of SE415 by PEG 400 using Kirkwood-Buff integrals, the thermodynamic functional parameter, in vitro dissolution, and GastroPlus-based predictions for in vivo performance. The result of Hansen solubility parameter analysis suggested PEG 400 as a suitable solvent for SE415 solubilization at 298.0 K, followed by prediction of several physicochemical properties. In the preferential solvation study, the molar volume, Hildebrand solubility parameters, and the molecular radius of SE415 were estimated as 258.4 cm³·mol^-1, 27.62 MPa^1/2, and 0.468 nm, respectively, using Fedors' method. The inverse Kirkwood-Buff integrals indicated that the preferential solvation of SE415 by PEG 400 occurred in all studied ratios of the (PEG 400 + water) mixtures. The maximum value (δx _1,3 = 1.21 × 10^-2) of the preferential solvation of SE415 by PEG 400 was achieved at x ₁ = 0.15. Then, using GastroPlus software, the maximum dissolution, improved in vivo oral absorption, and high regional compartmental absorption (total 99.0%) of SE415 in humans were predicted. Finally, the solubility data were correlated/predicted using various cosolvency models with satisfactory results. Thus, the binary cosolvent system can be a promising approach for enhanced oral absorption in controlling DM and associated complications in humans.

The emerging role of physiologically-based pharmacokinetic/biopharmaceutics modeling in formulation development

Computer-based (in silico) modeling & simulation tools have been embraced in different fields of pharmaceutics for a variety of applications. Among these, physiologically-based pharmacokinetic/biopharmaceutics modeling (PBPK/PBBM) emerged as a particularly useful tool in formulation development. PBPK/PBBM facilitated strategies have been increasingly evaluated over the past few years, as demonstrated by several reports from the pharmaceutical industry, and a number of research and review papers on this subject. Also, the leading regulatory authorities have recently issued guidance on the use of PBPK modeling in formulation design. In silico PBPK models can comprise different dosing routes (oral, intraoral, parenteral, inhalation, ocular, dermal etc.), although the majority of published examples refer to modeling of oral drugs performance. In order to facilitate the use of PBPK modeling tools, a couple of companies have launched commercially available software such as GastroPlus™, Simcyp™ PBPK Simulator and PK-Sim®. This paper highlights various application fields of PBPK/PBBM modeling, along with the basic principles, advantages and limitations of this approach, and provides relevant examples to demonstrate the practical utility of modeling & simulation tools in different stages of formulation development.