Evaluation of the printability of agar and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose gels as gummy formulations: Insights from rheological properties

The trial-and-error method currently used to create formulations with excellent printability demands considerable time and resources, primarily due to the increasing number of variables involved. Rheology serves as a relatively rapid and highly beneficial method for assessing materials and evaluating their effectiveness as 3D constructs. However, the data obtained can be overwhelming, especially for users lacking experience in this field. This study examined the rheological properties of formulations of agar, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, and the model drug caffeine, alongside exploring their printability as gummy formulations. The gels' rheological properties were characterized using oscillatory and rotational experiments. The correlation between these gels' rheological properties and their printability was established, and three clusters were formed based on the rheological properties and printability of the samples using principal component analysis. Furthermore, the printability was predicted using the sample's rheological property that correlated most with printability, the phase angle δ, and the regression models resulted in an accuracy of over 80%. Although these relationships merit confirmation in later studies, this study suggests a quantitative definition of the relationship between printability and one rheological property and can be used for the development of formulations destined for extrusion 3D printing.

Fused Deposition Modelling 3D printing and solubility improvement of BCS II and IV active ingredients - A narrative review

In the field of pharmaceutical research and development, Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) 3D printing (3DP) has aroused growing interest within the last ten years. The use of thermoplastic polymers, combined with the melting process of the raw materials, offers the possibility of manufacturing amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs). In the pharmaceutical industry, the formulation of an ASD is a widely used strategy to improve the solubility of poorly soluble drugs (classified by the Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS) as class II and IV). In this review, an analysis of studies that have developed a FDM printed form containing a BCS class II or IV active substance was performed. The focus has been placed on the evaluation of the solid state of the active molecules (crystalline or amorphous) and on the study of their dissolution profile. Thus, the aim of this work is to highlight the interest of FDM 3DP to induce the amorphisation phenomenon of Class II and IV active substances by forming an ASD, and as result improving their solubility.

Preliminary Study on the Development of Caffeine Oral Solid Form 3D Printed by Semi-Solid Extrusion for Application in Neonates

Apnea of prematurity can be treated with a body-weight-adjusted dosage of caffeine. Semi-solid extrusion (SSE) 3D printing represents an interesting approach to finely tailor personalized doses of active ingredients. To improve compliance and ensure the right dose in infants, drug delivery systems such as oral solid forms (orodispersible film, dispersive form, and mucoadhesive form) can be considered. The aim of this work was to obtain a flexible-dose system of caffeine by SSE 3D printing by testing different excipients and printing parameters. Gelling agents (sodium alginate (SA) and hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC)) were used to obtain a drug-loaded hydrogel matrix. Disintegrants (sodium croscarmellose (SC) and crospovidone (CP)) were tested for get rapid release of caffeine. The 3D models were patterned by computer-aided design with variable thickness, diameter, infill densities, and infill patterns. The oral forms produced from the formulation containing 35% caffeine, 8.2% SA, 4.8% HPMC, and 52% SC (w/w) were found to have good printability, achieving doses approaching to those used in neonatology (between 3 and 10 mg of caffeine for infants weighing approximately between 1 and 4 kg). However, disintegrants, especially SC, acted more as binder/filler, showing interesting properties to maintain the shape after extrusion and enhance printability without a significant effect on caffeine release.

Decellularized Spinach Biomaterials Support Physiologically Relevant Mechanical Cyclic Strain and Prompt a Stretch-Induced Cellular Response

Recently, decellularized plant biomaterials have been explored for their use as tissue engineered substitutes. Herein, we expanded upon the investigation of the mechanical properties of these materials to explore their elasticity as many anatomical areas of the body require biomechanical dynamism. We first constructed a device to secure the scaffold and induce a strain within the physiological range of the normal human adult lung during breathing (12-20 movements/min; 10-20% elongation). Results showed that decellularized spinach leaves can support cyclic strain for 24 h and displayed heterogeneous local strain values (7.76-15.88%) as well as a Poisson's ratio (0.12) similar to that of mammalian lungs (10.67-19.67%; 0.01), as opposed to an incompressible homogeneous standard polymer (such as PDMS (10.85-12.71%; 0.4)). Imaging and mechanical testing showed that the vegetal scaffold exhibited strain hardening but maintained its structural architecture and water retention capacity, suggesting an unaltered porosity. Interestingly, we also showed that cells seeded on the scaffold can also sense the mechanical strain as demonstrated by a nuclear reorientation perpendicular to strain direction (63.3° compared to 41.2° for nonstretched cells), a nuclear location of YAP and increased expression of YAP target genes, a high cytoplasmic calcium level, and an elevated expression level of collagen genes (COL1A1, COL3A1, COL4A1, and COL6A) with an increased collagen secretion at the protein level. Taken together, these data demonstrated that decellularized plant leaf tissues have an inherent elastic property similar to that found in the mammalian system to which cells can sense and respond.

Low-Dimensional Architectures in Isomeric cis-PtCl2{Ph2PCH2N(Ar)CH2PPh2} Complexes Using Regioselective-N(Aryl)-Group Manipulation

The solid-state behaviour of two series of isomeric, phenol-substituted, aminomethylphosphines, as the free ligands and bound to Pt^II, have been extensively studied using single crystal X-ray crystallography. In the first library, isomeric diphosphines of the type Ph₂PCH₂N(Ar)CH₂PPh₂ [1a–e; Ar = C₆H₃(Me)(OH)] and, in the second library, amide-functionalised, isomeric ligands Ph₂PCH₂N{CH₂C(O)NH(Ar)}CH₂PPh₂ [2a–e; Ar = C₆H₃(Me)(OH)], were synthesised by reaction of Ph₂PCH₂OH and the appropriate amine in CH₃OH, and isolated as colourless solids or oils in good yield. The non-methyl, substituted diphosphines Ph₂PCH₂N{CH₂C(O)NH(Ar)}CH₂PPh₂ [2f, Ar = 3-C₆H₄(OH); 2g, Ar = 4-C₆H₄(OH)] and Ph₂PCH₂N(Ar)CH₂PPh₂ [3, Ar = 3-C₆H₄(OH)] were also prepared for comparative purposes. Reactions of 1a–e, 2a–g, or 3 with PtCl₂(η⁴-cod) afforded the corresponding square-planar complexes 4a–e, 5a–g, and 6 in good to high isolated yields. All new compounds were characterised using a range of spectroscopic (¹H, ³¹P{¹H}, FT–IR) and analytical techniques. Single crystal X-ray structures have been determined for 1a, 1b∙CH₃OH, 2f∙CH₃OH, 2g, 3, 4b∙(CH₃)₂SO, 4c∙CHCl₃, 4d∙½Et₂O, 4e∙½CHCl₃∙½CH₃OH, 5a∙½Et₂O, 5b, 5c∙¼H₂O, 5d∙Et₂O, and 6∙(CH₃)₂SO. The free phenolic group in 1b∙CH₃OH, 2f∙CH₃OH_,2g, 4b∙(CH₃)₂SO, 5a∙½Et₂O, 5c∙¼H₂O, and 6∙(CH₃)₂SO exhibits various intra- or intermolecular O–H∙∙∙X (X = O, N, P, Cl) hydrogen contacts leading to different packing arrangements.

Sodium alginate and alginic acid as pharmaceutical excipients for tablet formulation: Structure-function relationship

Alginic acid and its sodium salt are well-accepted pharmaceutical excipients fulfilling several roles in the development of solid oral dosage forms. Although they have attractive advantages as safety, abundance, relatively low cost and biodegradability, these natural polysaccharides possess a high variability that may limit their use as excipients for tablet formulation. Thus, to obtain robust formulations and high-quality drug products with consistent performance a complete understanding of the structure-property relationship becomes necessary as the structure of alginates affects both, technological and biopharmaceutical properties. This review compiles the compaction studies carried out that relate the structure of alginates to their mechanical and dissolution performances. The different analytical methods used to determine the chemical composition, primary structure and molecular weight distribution, major factors affecting the behavior of alginates in direct compression, are also exposed. Finally, different strategies reported to improve the properties of alginic acid as direct compression excipient are discussed.

Investigating the Potential Plasticizing Effect of Di-Carboxylic Acids for the Manufacturing of Solid Oral Forms with Copovidone and Ibuprofen by Selective Laser Sintering

In selective laser sintering (SLS), the heating temperature is a critical parameter for printability but can also be deleterious for the stability of active ingredients. This work aims to explore the plasticizing effect of di-carboxylic acids on reducing the optimal heating temperature (OHT) of polymer powder during SLS. First, mixtures of copovidone and di-carboxylic acids (succinic, fumaric, maleic, malic and tartaric acids) as well as formulations with two forms of ibuprofen (acid and sodium salt) were prepared to sinter solid oral forms (SOFs), and their respective OHT was determined. Plasticization was further studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Following this, the printed SOFs were characterized (solid state, weight, hardness, disintegration time, drug content and release). It was found that all acids (except tartaric acid) reduced the OHT, with succinic acid being the most efficient. In the case of ibuprofen, only the acid form demonstrated a plasticizing effect. DSC and FTIR corroborated these observations showing a decrease in the glass transition temperature and the presence of interactions, respectively. Furthermore, the properties of the sintered SOFs were not affected by plasticization and the API was not degraded in all formulations. In conclusion, this study is a proof-of-concept that processability in SLS can improve with the use of di-carboxylic acids.

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), a New Chapter in the Production of Solid Oral Forms (SOFs) by 3D Printing

3D printing is a new emerging technology in the pharmaceutical manufacturing landscape. Its potential advantages for personalized medicine have been widely explored and commented on in the literature over recent years. More recently, the selective laser sintering (SLS) technique has been investigated for oral drug-delivery applications. Thus, this article reviews the work that has been conducted on SLS 3D printing for the preparation of solid oral forms (SOFs) from 2017 to 2020 and discusses the opportunities and challenges for this state-of-the-art technology in precision medicine. Overall, the 14 research articles reviewed report the use of SLS printers equipped with a blue diode laser (445-450 nm). The review highlights that the printability of pharmaceutical materials, although an important aspect for understanding the sintering process has only been properly explored in one article. The modulation of the porosity of printed materials appears to be the most interesting outcome of this technology for pharmaceutical applications. Generally, SLS shows great potential to improve compliance within fragile populations. The inclusion of "Quality by Design" tools in studies could facilitate the deployment of SLS in clinical practice, particularly where Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) for 3D-printing processes do not currently exist. Nevertheless, drug stability and powder recycling remain particularly challenging in SLS. These hurdles could be overcome by collaboration between pharmaceutical industries and compounding pharmacies.

Selective Laser Sintering of Solid Oral Dosage Forms with Copovidone and Paracetamol Using a CO2 Laser

Material suitability needs to be considered for the 3D printing of solid oral dosage forms (SODFs). This work aims to assess the suitability of a CO₂ laser (λ = 10.6 μm) for selective laser sintering of SODFs containing copovidone and paracetamol. First, physicochemical characterization of powders (two grades of copovidone, two grades of paracetamol and their mixtures at various proportions) was conducted: particle size distribution, morphology, infrared absorbance, flowability, and compactness. Then, printing was launched, and printability of the powders was linked to their physicochemical characteristics. The properties of the sintered SODFs were evaluated (solid state, general aspect, porosity, hardness, drug content and release). Hence, it was found that as copovidone absorbs at the laser’s wavelength, sintering was feasible without using an absorbance enhancer. Also, flowability, which mainly depends on the particle size, represents the first control line for “sinterability” as a fair flow is at least required. Low compactness of copovidone and mixtures reduces the mechanical properties of the SODFs but also increases porosity, which can modulate drug release. Moreover, the drug did not undergo degradation and demonstrated a plasticizer effect by lowering the heating temperature. In conclusion, this work proves the applicability of CO₂ laser SLS printer to produce SODFs.

Structure-Property Relationship of Amorphous Maltitol as Tableting Excipient

Maltitol shows interesting properties compared with mannitol or sorbitol, two other polyols, which are widely used as a pharmaceutical excipients for tablet compaction. For this study, the properties of an amorphous polyol, maltitol, were investigated using a tablet press simulator. The aim of this study was to evaluate the behavior of amorphous maltitol compared to SweetPearl® P 200, a pure product, and SweetPearl® P 300 DC, a textured crystalline maltitol excipient for direct compression. The physicochemical and pharmacotechnical properties were compared, revealing a major change in properties after amorphization. The study of the tabletability, mean yield pressure, elastic properties, etc. shows that the compression behavior of amorphous powders has been significantly altered. The results showed specific properties of amorphous maltitol with good tabletability at low compaction pressure. The stability of the amorphous and the evolution of its behavior in compression were then studied, showing a direct link between its recrystallization and the change in its properties. The use of a stabilizing agent, maltotriitol, slowed down the recrystallization, maintaining the specific properties of the amorphous material in compression for a longer period of time.

Development of alginate esters as novel multifunctional excipients for direct compression

Methyl ester derivatives of alginic acid have been evaluated as potential multifunctional excipients for pharmaceutical direct compression. The use of alginic acid as an excipient in tablet formulation is limited because of certain drawbacks such as low tablet hardness and poor compressibility. The objective of this work is to improve these properties through esterification of alginic acid, chemical modification commonly used for enhancing the functionality of tableting excipients. It has been observed that the degree of methylation (DM) has a profitable impact in the physico-chemical and mechanical properties of the obtained materials. In general, an increase in the degree of methylation yielded tablets with higher tensile strength and better compressibility. Furthermore, modified alginates exhibited extended disintegration times compared to native alginic acid due to the introduced hydrophobicity. Finally, the functional versatility of the modified alginates as disintegrating and filling/binding agents was tested by formulating them with microcrystalline cellulose and lactose.

Structure-Properties Relationship in the Evaluation of Alginic Acid Functionality for Tableting

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the structural, molecular, and particulate properties of alginic acid and its functional characteristics in direct compression (tabletability, compressibility, elasticity, deformation mechanism, and disintegration ability). Therefore, accurate characterization of two different batches of alginic acid was executed (X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electronic microscopy, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance, size exclusion chromatography - multi angle light scattering, viscosimetry, carboxylic acid titration, powder flowability, true density, laser granulometry). Results showed that molecular weight seems to affect tablet properties and that the alginic acid with the lowest molecular weight provides the hardest tablets with the lowest elastic recovery. Furthermore, these results show the potential interest of exploiting alginic acid as filler excipient in tablet formulation. Finally, disintegration properties of tested materials were found to be close to that of commercial superdisintegrants (Glycolys® and Kollidon Cl®) but not correlated to their swelling force. It can be concluded, for the first time, that the determination of alginic acid molecular weight seems key for applications in direct compression and in particular for obtaining tablets with reproducible strength.

Flexible heteroionic calcium-magnesium alginate beads for controlled drug release

In the present work heteroionic calcium-magnesium alginate beads have been prepared by ionotropic gelation using different Ca:Mg ratios. This simple and straightforward approach allowed the obtention of CaMg-alginate beads presenting different mechanical performance depending on the Mg:Ca ratio. The dynamic swelling behavior of the beads was investigated. Increase in the quantity of Mg²⁺ incorporated in the beads increased the rate of swelling at pH 1.2 and pH 7.2. Finally, the release of ibuprofen was investigated. It was found that increasing the Mg²⁺ present in the beads raised the drug release rate.

Evaluation of the super disintegrant functionnalities of alginic acid and calcium alginate for the design of orodispersible mini tablets

This study explores the influence of different synthesis methods and drying conditions in the preparation of sodium alginate-derivate xerogels presenting interesting disintegrant functionalities. Xerogels containing alginic acid (AA) or calcium alginate (CaA) and a mixture of both, AA/CaA, were isolated using two different drying methods oven and rotary evaporation. AA showed the best wettability behavior, in contrast to the rigid crosslinked CaA structure which showed a limited rate of water penetration. Interestingly, xerogel containing AA dried in the oven showed an enhanced maximum water uptake. Oven drying seems to favor the isolation of materials presenting good tabletability. Compression parameters of the formulations (tensile strength, elastic energy and porosity) were not affected by their presence (5%) in the design of OroDispersible Mini Tablets. In vitro disintegration results highlighted the water wicking as the key factor leading the disintegration mechanism of these materials. These results show promise of potential properties for the development of super disintegrant excipients.

Development of Coprocessed Chitin-Calcium Carbonate as Multifunctional Tablet Excipient for Direct Compression

Owing to the increasing interest in multifunctional excipients for tableting, coprocessing of individual excipients is regularly used to produce excipients of improved multifunctionality superior to individual excipients or their physical mix. The use of chitin as an excipient in tablet formulation is limited because of certain drawbacks such as poor flowability and low true density. The objective of this work is to improve these properties through coprocessing of chitin with calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) by precipitating CaCO₃ on chitin particles using different methods. In addition, optimization of the coprocessed chitin was carried out to improve the excipient's properties. Physicochemical (CaCO₃ content, true density, X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy) and functional testing (swelling force, flowability, tensile strength, deformation mechanism, and disintegration time) were used to characterize the coprocessed product. Results showed that the calcite CaCO₃ polymorph is precipitated on the chitin surface and that it interacts with chitin at carbonyl- and amide-group level. In addition, the coprocessed excipient has an improved true density and powder flowability, with CaCO₃ forming single layer on the chitin particles surface. Tableting studies showed that the coprocessed powder exhibited an intermediate deformation behavior between CaCO₃ (most brittle) and chitin (most plastic). Tablets showed acceptable tensile strength and rapid disintegration (2-4 s). These results show the potential use of coprocessed chitin-CaCO₃ as a multifunctional excipient for fast disintegration of tablets produced by direct compression.

Visible light promoted photocatalytic water oxidation: proton and electron collection via a reversible redox dye mediator

A quinone analogue as reversible electron and proton collector in visible light promoted water oxidations was investigated. Reagents were incorporated into microporous silica with surface absorbed cobalt catalyst. Reversible storage molecules are an important step towards solar fuels.

Visible light promoted photocatalytic water oxidation: effect of metal oxide catalyst composition and light intensity

Simply prepared low-cost nanoparticulate transition metal oxides were used as catalysts in visible light promoted water oxidations. The activity using daylight equivalent light intensities was assessed.

Unexpected but convenient synthesis of soluble meso-tetrakis(3,4-benzoquinone)-substituted porphyrins

A new route to 3,4-benzoquinone-substituted porphyrins is reported. In attempted nitration reactions on the copper(II) or nickel(II) complexes of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin using lithium nitrate in acetic anhydride-acetic acid/chloroform no nitration products could be detected with the main products being the corresponding complexes of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(3,4-dioxo-5-t-butylcyclohexa-1,5-dienyl)porphyrin. These o-quinone-substituted porphyrins are available in reasonable yield (> 50%), their synthesis is simple and they are of good solubility. The electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties of representative o-quinone-substituted Cu ( II ) and Ni ( II ) porphyrin derivatives are also reported.

Polymeric micelle assembly for the direct synthesis of functionalized mesoporous silica with fully accessible Pt nanoparticles toward an improved CO oxidation reaction

Pt-decorated mesoporous silica is directly prepared through a polymeric micelles assembly approach using an asymmetric triblock copolymer.

Self-assembly of a mononuclear [Fe(III)(L)(EtOH)2] complex bearing an n-dodecyl chain on solid highly oriented pyrolytic graphite surfaces

The synthesis and structures of the N-[(2-hydroxy-3-methyl-5-dodecylphenyl)methyl]-N-(carboxymethyl)glycine disodium salt (HL) ligand and its neutral mononuclear complex [Fe(III) (L)(EtOH)(2)] (1) are reported. Structural and electronic properties of 1 were investigated by using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and current imaging tunneling spectroscopy (CITS) techniques. These studies reveal that molecules of 1 form well-ordered self-assemblies when deposited on a highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) surface. At low concentrations, single or double chains (i.e., nanowires) of the complex were observed, whereas at high concentration the complex forms crystals and densely packed one-dimensional structures. In STM topographies, the dimensions of assemblies of 1 found on the surface are consistent with dimensions obtained from X-ray crystallography, which indicates the strong similarities between the crystal form and surface assembled states. Double chains are attributed to hydrogen-bonding interactions and the molecules align preferentially along graphite defects. In the CITS image of complex 1 a strong tunneling current contrast at the positions of the metal ions was observed. These data were interpreted and reveal that the bonds coordinating the metal ions are weaker than those of the surrounding ligands; therefore the energy levels next to the Fermi energy of the molecule should be dominated by metal-ion orbitals.

Supramolecular approaches for drug development

Various supramolecular systems can be used as drug carriers to alter physicochemical and pharmacokinetic characteristics of drugs. Representative supramolecular systems that can be used for this purpose include surfactant/polymer micelles, (micro)emulsions, liposomes, layer-by-layer assemblies, and various molecular conjugates. Notably, liposomes are established supramolecular drug carriers, which have already been marketed in formulations including AmBisome(®) (for treatment of fungal infection), Doxil(®) (for Kaposi's sarcoma), and Visudyne(®) (for age-related macular degeneration and choroidal neovascularization). Microemulsions have been used oral drug delivery of poorly soluble drugs due to improvements in bioavailability and predictable of absorption behavior. Neoral(®), an immunosuppressant used after transplant operations, is one of the most famous microemulsion-based drugs. Polymer micelles are being increasingly investigated as novel drug carriers and some formulations have already been tested in clinical trials. Supramolecular systems can be functionalized by designing the constituent molecules to achieve efficient delivery of drugs to desired sites in the body. In this review, representative supramolecular drug delivery systems, that may improve usability of candidate drugs or add value to existing drugs, are introduced.

Nanostructured manganese oxide particles from coordination complex decomposition and their catalytic properties for ethanol oxidation

Novel manganese oxide particles with complex morphologies and different nanostructures (i.e., spherical/lamellar) were synthesized by initial preparation of a coordination complex of manganese with 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (cyclen), followed by characterization of the nanostructured oxide as a catalytic material for ethanol oxidation. The samples present a bulk gamma-MnO2 structure although X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis reveals that their surfaces have different chemical compositions. Some of these nanostructured particles show high catalytic activities for ethanol oxidation enabling a decrease of the reaction temperature by more than 80 degrees C as compared with traditional MnO2 particles. The high catalytic activity of the particles depends on their morphology and a relationship between morphology and specific area was established. It is proposed that these novel nanostructured manganese oxide particles may be highly active in the catalytic oxidation of other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) opening up their further development for environmental applications.