Scale-up and optimization of fenofibrate-loaded fibers electrospun by corona-electrospinning

One-Step Preparation of Fiber-Based Chlorzoxazone Solid Dispersion by Centrifugal Spinning

An amorphous fiber-based solid dispersion of chlorzoxazone was prepared for the first time by employing centrifugal spinning, using polyvinylpyrrolidone as the fiber-forming polymer. After optimization of the spinning parameters, the obtained fibers were characterized using a set of analytical techniques, both in a solid- and solution-state. Morphological characterization revealed a slightly aligned, defect-free fibrous structure with an average fiber diameter of d = 3.07 ± 1.32 μm. The differential scanning calorimetric results indicated a crystalline-to-amorphous transition of the active substance during the centrifugal spinning process, while gas chromatographic determinations revealed a residual ethanol content of 0.42 ± 0.04%. UV spectroscopy indicated the incorporation of chlorzoxazone in the fibrous structures, with an average active substance content of 15.91 ± 0.36 w/w%. During small-volume dissolution studies, the prepared fiber mats presented immediate disintegration upon contact with the dissolution media, followed by rapid dissolution of the active substance, with 84.8% dissolved at 1 min and 93.7% at 3 min, outperforming the micronized, pure chlorzoxazone. The obtained results indicate that centrifugal spinning is a low-cost, high-yield, viable alternative to the currently used methods to prepare fiber-based amorphous solid dispersions of poorly soluble drugs. The prepared chlorzoxazone-loaded microfibers could be used as a buccal dosage form for the systematic delivery of chlorzoxazone and could potentially lead to a rapid onset of action and longer efficacy of the muscle relaxant drug.

Evaluation of Lapatinib-Loaded Microfibers Prepared by Centrifugal Spinning

Lapatinib (Lap) is a lypophilic drug frequently used in cancer treatment; however, due to its limited solubility and permeability, achieving therapeutic dose through oral administration proves to be a challenge. There are various methods for enhancing the solubility of Lap and other similar drugs, one being the preparation of amorphous solid dispersions (ASD). In this study, a Lap-loaded polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) fiber mat was created with centrifugal spinning from a PVP/Lap solution in dimethyl formamide and ethanol. The production rate was 12.2 g/h dry fibers, and the fibers had an average thickness of 2.55 ± 0.92 μm. In the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermogram of the fiber mat, the melting peak of the crystalline Lap was not visible, suggesting that Lap was in an amorphous state. A dissolution study was carried out in 0.2 M phosphate buffer saline solution at 37 °C. UV spectrophotometry data indicated that in the sample containing the fiber mat, the Lap concentration was 332 μg/mL (66%) in 10 min, decreasing to 227 μg/mL by 45 min. Meanwhile the crystalline Lap formed a 30-40 μg/mL (6-8%) solution in 5 min, maintaining that concentration. We conclude that centrifugal spinning can be an effective and easy method to produce ASDs.