Rapid Preparation of Spherical Granules via the Melt Centrifugal Atomization Technique

Preparation of oral solid dosage forms based on homogenized spot melting technique

Given the benefits of high printing precision and capability, the selective laser sintering technique has been used to manufacture medicines and implants with unique engineering and functional properties. Using homogenized beams with a reduced thermal gradient and a larger diameter as an alternative energy source, the thermal stability and production efficiency of powder bed fusion would be improved. Herein, a novel homogenized spot melting (HSM) technology for pharmaceutical preparation was developed in this study. The melting behavior of typical pharmaceutical polymers under a homogenized spot was determined. A crystalline polymer with a low melting point was used as a solid binder, and the HSM printability and formation of drug-loaded formulations were explored. Oral solid dosage forms with different morphological and dissolution designs were prepared and evaluated under optimal formulation and process conditions. It was observed that HSM reduced the surface temperature distribution of the powder bed and improved the printability of drugs and excipients. Crystalline PEG 8000 with suitable flowability and heat conduction efficiency in the molten state was preferable for HSM printing. Incorporating 40% PEG 8000 as a solid binder was an effective strategy for HSM processing of unfused or unstable powders. Solid preparations with different structures and dissolution behaviors were successfully printed, suggesting that HSM is a promisingtechnique for personalized medicine.

Stereomicroscope with Imaging Analysis: A Versatile Tool for Wetting, Gel Formation and Erosion Rate Determinations of Eutectic Effervescent Tablet

Wettability, gel formation and erosion behaviors could influence the drug release pattern of solid dosage forms. Typically, these parameters are evaluated using a variety of techniques. Nonetheless, there has been no previous research on versatile tool development for evaluating several tablet characteristics with a single tool. The aim of this study was to develop the versatile tool for measuring various physical properties of eutectic effervescent tablets and also investigate the relationship between these parameters with parameters from drug dissolution. Ibuprofen (IBU)-poloxamer 407 (P407) eutectic effervescent tablets were fabricated with a direct compression method. Their wetting properties, gel formation and erosion behaviors were investigated using a stereomicroscope with imaging analysis in terms of the liquid penetration distance, gel thickness and erosion boundary diameter, respectively. In addition, the dissolution rate (k) and disintegration time of eutectic effervescent tablets in 0.1 N HCl buffer pH 1.2 were also determined. Incorporation of P407 into the IBU tablet improved the tablet wetting properties with increasing liquid penetration distance under stereoscope. CO2 liberation from effervescent agents promoted tablet surface roughness from matrix erosion. The relationship between observed physical properties and disintegration and dissolution parameters suggested that the combination of erosion by effervescent agents and gel formation by P407 had a potential influence on dissolution enhancement of the formulation. Therefore, a developed stereomicroscope with an imaging analysis technique was exhibited as an alternative versatile tool for determining the wetting properties, gel formation and erosion behaviors of pharmaceutical solid dosage forms.

Improved bioavailability of oxcarbazepine, a BCS class II drug by centrifugal melt spinning: In-vitro and in-vivo implications

Poor bioavailability is a major obstacle in the development of an effective dosage form of the poorly soluble drugs. The present study aimed to improve the dissolution rate of a poorly soluble drug oxcarbazepine (OXC) exploiting the approach of surface area enhancement by fabricating drug loaded microfibers via centrifugal melt spinning (CMS) technique. For the generation of OXC loaded fibers, a well-known cotton candy process was used and the prepared fibers were characterized using SEM, DSC, XPRD and FTIR. Drug loaded fibers were also pressed into tablets which were also subjected to various in-vitro and in-vivo characterizations. The results have shown the formations of stable, amorphous, micro sized fibers, with average diameter of 6.0 ± 2 μm, loading efficiency > 80% and overall yield > 85%. In-vitro dissolution of OXC from fibers was > 90% within two minutes, which is ~ 5 times faster than that of pure drug. Pharmacokinetic data showed an improvement of ~ 25% and 35% in C_max and AUC, respectively with two hours earlier T_max. In-vivo studies in human oral cavity showed quick disintegration (45 ± 5 s) with > 90% OXC dissolved. The study concludes that the OXC incorporated in microfibers showed rapid in-vitro and in-vivo (oral) dissolution which resulted in rapid systemic absorption and improved bioavailability parameters. Furthermore, the addition of PVP boosted the extrusion process and stability of fibers and the sucrose base of these fibers has masked the taste of OXC making such formulation palatable, especially for pediatric patients.