Advances in the development of amorphous solid dispersions:The role of polymeric carriers

Amorphous solid dispersion(ASD)is one of the most effective approaches for delivering poorly soluble drugs.In ASDs,polymeric materials serve as the carriers in which the drugs are dispersed at the molecular level.To prepare the solid dispersions,there are many polymers with various physicochemical and thermochemical characteristics available for use in ASD formulations.Polymer selection is of great importance because it influences the stability,solubility and dissolution rates,manufacturing process,and bioavailability of the ASD.This review article provides a comprehensive overview of ASDs from the perspectives of physicochemical characteristics of polymers,formulation designs and preparation methods.Furthermore,considerations of safety and regulatory requirements along with the studies recommended for characterizing and evaluating polymeric carriers are briefly discussed.

PROGRESS IN PHASE INVERSION EMULSIFICATION FOR EPOXY RESIN WATERBORNE DISPERSIONS

In this review, our recent work in phase inversion emulsification （PIE） for polymer （especially epoxy resin） waterborne dispersions is summarized. Based on experimental results about PIE process, the physical model is proposed which can guide the synthesis of the waterborne dispersions such as polymer/nanoparticle composite dispersion. In the presence of a latent curing catalyst, PIE can give a crosslinkable epoxy resin waterborne dispersion. The dispersions can form cured transparent coatings with some unique properties such as UV shielding. They are promising in functional coatings, waterborne resin matrices for composites, and sizing for high performance fibers.

PREPARATION OF BISPHENOL A EPOXY RESIN WATERBORNE DISPERSIONS BY THE PHASE INVERSION EMULSIFICATION TECHNIQUE

The phase inversion emulsification technique (PIET) is an effective physical method for preparing waterborne dispersions of polymer resins. Some results concerning the preparation of bisphenol A epoxy resin waterborne dispersions by PIET in our laboratory were summarized. Electrical properties, rheological behavior and morphological evolution during phase inversion progress were systematically characterized. The effects of the emulsifier concentration and emulsification temperature on phase inversion progress and the structural features of the waterborne particles were studied as well. The deformation and break up of water drops in a shear field were analyzed in terms of micro-theology, while the interaction and coalescence dynamics of water drops were discussed in terms of DLVO theory and Smoluchowski effective collision theory, respectively. Based on the experimental results and theoretical analysis, a physical model of phase inversion progress was suggested, by which the effects of the parameters on phase inversion progress and the structural features of the waterborne particles were interpreted and predicted.

Evaluation of blank film forming polymeric dispersions based on Eudragit RL 30D and RS30D for transdermal drug delivery

The first approved transdermal drug delivery system in the United States in 1979 is a scopolamine patch for treatment of motion sickness. Transdermal drug delivery system has many advantages over oral route such as it is useful for vomiting and unconscious patients. It can avoid first pass metabolism by the liver. It is non-invasive way and self-administered system compared to injections. The film forming polymeric solutions are a novel transdermal drug delivery system. This system consists of an active drug, film forming polymer, plasticizer.

Improvement of Dissolution Rate of Gliclazide Using Solid Dispersions with Aerosil 380 and Its Effect on Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats

The main objective of this research is to conduct a comprehensive study for enhancing the aqueous solubility of poorly water soluble gliclazide using hydrophilic fumed silica particles (Aerosil®380) and evaluating the influence of silica on drug release profile and pharmacological activity on alloxan induced diabetic rats. Solid dispersions (SD’s) of gliclazide were prepared using solvent evaporation method. The dissolution profiles and solid state characterization of the SD’s prepared were all evaluated. The dissolution rate of gliclazide in the SD’s with fumed silica (weight ratio, 1:1) was approximately 38%, which is about 10 fold higher than that of the pure drug after 30 min. After forming the SD’s, gliclazide changed into an amorphous state, which can infer from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) also revealed the formation of weak hydrogen bonding through the interactions between the secondary amine groups of gliclazide and silanol groups of silica particles in the SD’s. The rapid dissolution rate from the SD’s might be attributed to the amorphization of drug, improved specific surface area and wettability than the original drug crystals. Further, we investigated the antidiabetic effects of SD’s of gliclazide in alloxan induced diabetic rats. The SD’s of gliclazide decrease the blood glucose level 64% whereas the conventional gliclazide decreases only 37% in diabetic rats. Lipid profiles, kidney and liver functions are remarkably improved in diabetic rat treated with SD’s of gliclazide than that of conventional gliclazide. These results suggest that SD’s of gliclazide have much more bioavailability and hence are more pharmacologically active than that of conventional gliclazide form.

Preparation and Properties of Two-Component and Double-Crosslinking Waterborne Polyurethane-Acrylic Dispersions

In this paper, isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), polyethylene glycol (PEG), dimethylolpropionic acid (DMPA) and internal crosslinking agent trimethylolpropane (TMP) were used to prepare waterborne polyurethane. And then double-crosslinked polyurethane-acrylic composite aqueous dispersion was prepared in which polyacrylate was adopted to modify waterborne polyurethane and some special external crosslinking agents were added including silicone and trifunctional aziridine. The influence of the amounts of internal and external crosslinking agents, emulsifier, initiator on the particle size, particle size distribution, viscosity, molecular weight, as well as water adsorption ratio were studied.

The Aqueous Dispersions of Bicontinuous Cubic Phases Formed by Precursor Method

The morphologies and the microstructures of the dispersed particles of the cubic phase, which were formed by precursor method, were studied. The freeze-fracture TEM clearly showed that the aqueous dispersed particles have irregular cubic shapes. X-ray diffraction technique has been utilized to study the microstructure of the particles and it was found that these particles still retained the cubic character. The sizes of the particles were measured by dynamic light scattering, and the results showed that the sizes of the dispersed particles were between 200 ~ 400 nm under different conditions.

Thermodynamics of clayedrug complex dispersions: Isothermal titration calorimetry and high-performance liquid chromatography

An understanding of the thermodynamics of the complexation process utilized in sustaining drug release in clay matrices is of great importance.Several characterisation techniques as well as isothermal calorimetry were utilized in investigating the adsorption process of a model cationic drug(diltiazem hydrochloride,DIL)onto a pharmaceutical clay system(magnesium aluminium silicate,MAS).X-ray powder diffraction(XRPD),attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(ATRFTIR)and optical microscopy confirmed the successful formation of the DIL-MAS complexes.Drug quantification from the complexes demonstrated variable behaviour in the differing media used with DIL degrading to desacetyl diltiazem hydrochloride(DC-DIL)in the 2 M HCl media.Here also,the authors report for the first time two binding processes that occurred for DIL and MAS.A competitor binding model was thus proposed and the thermodynamics obtained suggested their binding processes to be enthalpy driven and entropically unfavourable.This information is of great importance for a formulator as care and consideration should be given with appropriate media selection as well as the nature of binding in complexes.

Novel Biomaterial for NCT - “Rigid” Particles of (DNA-gadolinium) Liquid-Crystalline Dispersions

The formation and physico-chemical properties of biomaterial, based on double-stranded (ds) DNA molecules and bearing high concentration of gadolinium, is described. This “rigid” biomaterial demonstrate a few unique properties: (i) the ds DNA molecules forming complexes with gadolinium are fixed in the spatial structure of “rigid” particles, (ii) an abnormal negative band in the circular dichroism spectrum permits to follow the formation of this biomaterial;(iii) local concentration gadolinium in the content of biomaterial can reach 40%. These properties show that we are dealing with a novel type of biomaterial strongly enriched by gadolinium. This opens a gateway for practical application of this biomaterial for neutron-capture reactions. A first attempt to apply this material for neutron-capture reaction in combination with neutron generator of thermal neutron flux was performed. Positive result obtained at destruction of CHO cells allows one to state that the advantages of this biomaterial are a simple manipulation with it, a possibility to adjust its gadolinium content, long-term stability of its physico-chemical properties, as well as a reduced cost of neutron-capture experiment.

An experimental study of immiscible liquid–liquid dispersions in a pump–mixer of mixer–settler

Drop size distribution(DSD) or mean droplet size(d32) and liquid holdup are two key parameters in a liquid–liquid extraction process. Understanding and accurately predicting those parameters are of great importance in the optimal design of extraction columns as well as mixer–settlers. In this paper, the method of built-in endoscopic probe combined with pulse laser was adopted to measure the droplet size in liquid–liquid dispersions with a pump-impeller in a rectangular mixer. The dispersion law of droplets with holdup range 1% to 24% in batch process and larger flow ratio range 1/5 to 5/1 in continuous process was studied. Under the batch operation condition, the DSD abided by log-normal distribution. With the increase of impeller speed or decrease of dispersed phase holdup, the d32 decreased. In addition, a prediction model of d32 of kerosene/deionized system was established as d32/D = 0.13(1 + 5.9φ)We-0.6. Under the continuous operation condition, the general model for droplet size prediction of kerosene/water system was presented as d32/D = C3(1 + C4φ)We-0.6. For the surfactant system and extraction system, the prediction models met a general model as d32/D = bφnWe-0.6.

Preparation and characterisation of solid dispersions of tanshinone ⅡA, cryptotanshinone and total tanshinones

Total tanshinones are lipophilic active constituents extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge.Tanshinone ⅡA and cryptotanshinone are the major components in total tanshinones.However, the bioavailability of both compounds is low due to poor water solubility. To enhance the solubility and dissolution rate of tanshinone ⅡA, cryptotanshinone and total tanshinones,three common used hydrophilic carriers including PEG 6000, poloxamer 188 and PVP K30 were used to prepare the solid dispersions at different ratios, respectively. The solid dispersions were characterised by scanning electron microscopy(SEM), differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR). The results of powder X-ray diffraction confirmed the microcrystal state of total tanshinones in solid dispersions and no chemical interaction between total tanshinones and carriers was observed in FTIR spectra. The solubility and dissolution rate of tanshinone ⅡA and cryptotanshinone were significantly increased in all solid dispersions. Regarding tanshinone ⅡA, the solubility and dissolution rate of in solid dispersions prepared with poloxamer 188 were significantly higher than that with PEG 6000 and PVP K30. The higher solubility and dissolution rate of cryptotanshinone were obtained in solid dispersion of PVP K30 than that of PEG 6000 solid dispersions but no significant difference from poloxamer 188 solid dispersions. The results indicate that the superior carrier for preparation of tanshinone ⅡA and total tanshinones solid dispersions is poloxamer 188, and that for cryptotanshinone is PVP K30.

Cooperative effect of polyvinylpyrrolidone and HPMC E5 on dissolution and bioavailability of nimodipine solid dispersions and tablets

Solid dispersion(SD)systems have been extensively used to increase the dissolution and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs.To circumvent the limitations of polyvinylpyrrolidone(PVP)dispersions,HPMC E5 was applied in the formulation process and scaling-up techniques,simultaneously.In this study,SD of nimodipine(NMP)and corresponding tablets were prepared through solvent method and fluid bed granulating one step technique,respectively.Discriminatory dissolution media were used to obtain reliable dissolution results.Meanwhile,the stability study of SDs was investigated with storage under high temperature and humidity conditions.Moreover,the solubility of SDs was measured to explore the effect of carriers.The preparations were characterized by DSC,PXRD,and FTIR.Dramatical improvements in the dissolution rate of NMP were achieved by the ingenious combination of the two polymers.Binary NMP/PVP/HPMC-SDs released steadily,while the dissolution of single NMP/PVP-SDs decreased rapidly in water.The fluid-bed tablets(FB-T)possessed a similar dissolution behavior to the commercial Nimotop TM tablets.The characterization patterns implied that NMP existed in an amorphous state in our SDs.Furthermore,the results of stability tests suggested a better stability of the binary SDs.A special cooperative effect of PVP and HPMC was discovered on dissolution characteristics of NMP SDs and tablets,which could be extended to other drugs henceforth.Finally,the bioavailability of FB-T was evaluated in beagle dogs with Nimotop TM as the reference,and the results showed a higher AUC 0–12h value for FB-T.

Preparation and characterization of solid dispersions of Quercetin with PEG4000

Objective To enhance the solubility,quicken the speed of digesting and absorption,and increase the bioavailability of quercetin(3,3',4',5,7-pentahydroxyflavone).Methods A series of Quercetin-PEG4000 solid dispersions were prepared by fusion method.The configuration and property of solid dispersion were characterized by solubility tests,dissolution tests,FTIR spectra,differential scanning calorimetry(DSC)and microphotograph.Results 1.According to solubility tests the the mass ratio of quercetin to PEG4000 affected strongly on the solubility of solid dispersions,on the whole,the relation of the solubility of solid dispersions to the mass ratio presented linear relationship.The preparation temperature had little effect on the solubility of solid dispersions.The surface-active agent,polysorbate80 increased strongly the solubility of solid dispersions.2.According to the dissolution tests,the mass ratio of quercetin to PEG4000 affected strongly on the dissolution of solid dispersions,the preparation temperature had little effect on the dissolution of solid dispersions.The surface-active agent,polysorbate80 increased strongly the dissolution of solid dispersions,and after addition polysorbate80,the dissolution of solid dispersions was two times of the dissolution of solid dispersions without polysorbate80.3.According to the DSC results,except that a little of quercetin molecular existed as crystalline state in the solid dispersion with the mass ratio was qu:PEG=1:2,quercetin existed as amorphous phase in other mass ratio solid dispersion.4.According to the FTIR spectra and microphotograph results,the relation of quercetin and PEG4000 was mainly physical mixing in quercetin-PEG4000 solid dispersion.Quercetin was just like solute in solution,and PEG4000 was just like solvent in solution.The force between quercetin and PEG4000 was mainly hydrogen bonding,so the biological activity of quercetin would not be influenced greatly after the formation solid dispersion.Conclusions These results suggest that quercetin existed mainly as amorphous phase in solid dispersion;the solubility and the dissolution in water were increased obviously after formation the solid dispersion.

Polymer-based nanoparticulate solid dispersions prepared by a modified electrospraying process

A modified electrospraying process is exploited to enhance the dissolution profiles of a poorly water-soluble drug. With polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a hydrophilic polymer matrix and ketoprofen (KET) as a model drug, polymer-drug composites in the form of nanoparticles were prepared and characterized. The surface morphologies, the physical status of the drug, and the drug-polymer interactions were studied using FESEM, DSC, XRD, and ATR-FTIR. FESEM observations demonstrated that the nanoparticles gradually decreased in size from 640 ± 350, to 530 ± 320, 460 ± 200 and 320 ± 160 nm as the KET content increased from 0, to 9.1%, 16.7% and 33.3% w/w, respectively. Results from DSC and XRD suggested that KET was distributed in the PVP matrix in an amorphous manner at the molecular level. This is thought to be due to their compatibility, arising through hydrogen bonding as demonstrated by ATR- FTIR spectra. In vitro dissolution tests showed that the nanoparticles released the incorporated KET within 1 min, evidencing markedly improved dissolution over pure KET and a KET-PVP physical mixture. Electrospraying can hence offer a facile route to develop new polymer composites for biomedical applications, in particular for improving dissolution rate of poorly water-soluble drugs.

Dissolution improvement by solid dispersions composed of nifedipine, Eudragit?E and silica from rice husk

Nifedipine is a practically water-insoluble drug used therapeutically as a calcium-channel blocker for systemic and coronary vasodilation.Poorly soluble drugs that undergo dissolution rate-limited gastrointestinal absorption generally show increased bioavailability when dissolution is improved by formulation techniques[1].In solid dispersion system,a drug may exist as an amorphous form in polymeric carriers,and this may result in improved solubility and dissolution rate as compared with crystalline drug.Solid dispersion can be prepared by either fusion or solvent method[2].

Investigating the molecular dissolution process of binary solid dispersions by molecular dynamics simulations

Dissolution molecular mechanism of solid dispersions still remains unclear despite thousands of reports about this technique. The aim of current research was to investigate the molecular dissolution mechanism of solid dispersions by molecular dynamics simulations. The formation of ibuprofen/polymer solid dispersions was modeled by the simulated annealing method. After that, the models of solid dispersions were immersed into the water box with 25–30 ? thicknesses and 50–100 ns MD simulations were performed to all systems.Simulation results showed various dissolution behaviors in different particle sizes and various polymers of solid dispersions. Small-sized particles of solid dispersions dissolved quickly in the water, while the large particles of PEG or PVP-containing solid dispersions gradually swelled in the dissolution process and drug molecules may aggregate together. In the dissolution process, the carboxylic groups of ibuprofen molecules turned its direction from polymer molecules to external water box and then the drug molecules left the polymer coils.At the same time, polymer coils gradually relaxed and became free polymer chains in the solution. In addition, solid dispersion with poloxamer could prevent the precipitate of drug molecules in the dissolution process, which is different from those of PEG or PVPcontaining systems. This research provided us clear images of dissolution process of solid dispersions at the molecular level.

Research on PTFE Dispersions Filled with Nanometer ZnO

PTFE dispersion composites filled with nanometer ZnO were successfully prepared by controlling stirring speed and using ultrasonic mixture with no damage to PTFE dispersion. Properties of PTFE composites, such as wear rate, friction coefficient and thermal conductivity coefficient were tested respectively. Also, the grain size of nanometer filler in composites were observed by different methods, such as small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering particle size distribution analyzer (DLSPSDA). Results show that nanometer ZnO fillers can further improve properties of PTFE-based composite, and its properties varies with the content of the fillers.

NEW METHOD FOR EFFECTIVE VISCOSITY OF COLLOIDAL DISPERSIONS WITH PERIODIC MICROSTRUCTURES

One of the central theoretical problems in the colloid field is to determine the rheological relation between the macroscopic properties of colloidal suspensions and the microstructures of the systems. In this work, the authors develop a method of transformation field by which one call calculate the effective viscosity of an incompressible: viscous fluid containing colloidal particles (either solid particles: or liquid drops) fixed at the points of a periodic lattice. The effective viscosity of a colloidal dispersion of spherical particles is calculated. The predictions of the theory are in good agreement with the Einstein's formula for suspensions and the Taylor's formula for emulsions at low particle concentrations. At higher particle concentrations, the theory reproduces the results of Nunan and Keller. The method is also applicable to the viscosity of colloidal systems with non-spherical particles.

A THEORETICAL RESEARCH TO EFFECTIVE VISCOSITY OF COLLOIDAL DISPERSIONS

Colloidal dispersions are common in nature with wide industrial applications. One of the central theoretical problems in the field is to determine the rheological properties of the colloidal dispersion from the microstructures of the systems. Because of the difficulties associated with the boundary-value problems of the many-particle system, existing theories for colloidal suspensions are limited to low particle concentrations. In this work, a method of transformation field is developed by which one can calculate the effective viscosity of an incompressible viscous fluid containing colloidal particles ( either solid particles or liquid drops). The predictions of the theory are in goad agreement with the Einstein's formula for suspensions and the Taylor's formula for emulsions at low particle concentrations. At higher particle concentrations, the results of Nunan and Keller are produced. The method is also applicable to the viscosity of colloidal systems with non-spherical particles.

Monitoring film coalescence from aqueous polymeric dispersions using atomic force microscopy: Surface topographic and nano-adhesion studies

The aim of the investigation was to develop the use of topographic and nano-adhesion atomic force microscopy(AFM) studies as a means of monitoring the coalescence of latex particles within films produced from a pharmaceutically relevant aqueous dispersion(Eudragit~?NE30 D). Films were prepared via spin coating and analysed using AFM, initially via tapping mode for topographic assessment followed by force-distance measurements which allowed assessment of site-specific adhesion. The results showed that colloidal particles were clearly observed topographically in freshly prepared samples, with coalescence detected on curing via the disappearance of discernible surface features and a decrease in roughness indices. The effects of temperature and humidity on film curing were also studied, with the former having the most pronounced effect. AFM force measurements showed that the variation in adhesive force reduced with increasing curing time, suggesting a novel method of quantifying the rate of film formation upon curing. It was concluded that the AFM methods outlined in this study may be used as a means of qualitatively and quantitatively monitoring the curing of pharmaceutical films as a function of time and other variables, thereby facilitating rational design of curing protocols.