Optimization of Dissolution Compartments in a Biorelevant Dissolution Apparatus Golem v2, Supported by Multivariate Analysis.

Biorelevant dissolution instruments represent an important tool for pharmaceutical research and development. These instruments are designed to simulate the dissolution of drug formulations in conditions most closely mimicking the gastrointestinal tract. In this work, we focused on the optimization of dissolution compartments/vessels for an updated version of the biorelevant dissolution apparatus-Golem v2. We designed eight compartments of uniform size but different inner geometry. The dissolution performance of the compartments was tested using immediate release caffeine tablets and evaluated by standard statistical methods and principal component analysis. Based on two phases of dissolution testing (using 250 and 100 mL of dissolution medium), we selected two compartment types yielding the highest measurement reproducibility. We also confirmed a statistically ssignificant effect of agitation rate and dissolution volume on the extent of drug dissolved and measurement reproducibility.

ROLE OF THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN PREVENTING THE COUNTERFEIT MEDICINES ENTRY INTO THE WORLD MARKETS.

30 years have passed since Conference of Experts on the Rational Use of Drugs was held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 25 to 29 November 1985, where the problem of counterfeit medicines was mentioned as the international for the first time. The problem of counterfeit medicines is not only a major threat to public health and national and private economy, but also it is of great interest for key decision-making actors at the international level. The authors analyzed what has been done since that time by international organizations. Combating the counterfeiting of medicines cannot be successfully achieved by the health sector alone - World Health Organization (WHO), - so the efforts of the other United Nations (UN) organizations relevant to counterfeiting were in need and were studied in the article: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), World Trade Organization (WTO), World Customs Organization (WCO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), etc. Today WHO is unable to coordinate all their activities, so the few existing proposals for establishing a new mechanism of international cooperation have been examined. Will the MEDICRIME Convention that will enter into force on January 1, 2016 be the start of the new era in the combating with the counterfeit medicines? - the authors offered their vision on the international developments.

Advances in dissolution instrumentation and their practical applications.

The rising demands on discriminatory and prediction abilities of dissolution methods and the increasing complexity of new drug products are the main driving forces of the progress in this field. The research moves forward as imperfections and shortcomings of classical methods are being described, and where the capabilities of the contemporary methods are insufficient, new methods are being developed. The review discusses these advances with respect to the issues that currently draw the most attention, i.e. correct simulation of hydrodynamics and stress forces, maintenance of sink conditions, study of precipitation, use of biorelevant media and the employment of more physiologically relevant methods in general.

Remotely controlled diffusion from magnetic liposome microgels.

The reversible, temperature-dependent change in the permeability of a phospholipid bilayer has been used for controlling the diffusion rate of encapsulated molecular payload from liposomes. Liposomes were preloaded with a fluorescent dye and immobilized in calcium alginate hydrogel microparticles that also contained iron oxide nanoparticles. The composite microparticles were produced by a drop-on-demand inkjet method. The ability of iron oxide nanoparticles to locally dissipate heat upon exposure to a radio-frequency (RF) alternating magnetic field was used to control the local temperature and therefore diffusion from the liposomes in a contactless way using an RF coil. Several different release patterns were realized, including repeated on-demand release. The internal structure of the composite alginate-liposome-magnetite microparticles was investigated, and the influence of microparticle concentration on the heating rate was determined. In order to achieve a temperature rise required for the liposome membrane melting, the concentration of alginate beads should be at least 25% of their maximum packing density for the nanoparticle concentration and specific absorption rate used.

In vitro permeation of micronized and nanonized alaptide from semisolid formulations.

This study is focused on in vitro permeation of the original Czech compound, a skin/mucosa tissue regeneration promoter, known under the international nonproprietary name "alaptide," in micronized and nanonized forms. Alaptide showed a great potential for local applications for treatment and/or regeneration of the injured skin. The above mentioned technological modifications influence the permeation of alaptide through artificial or biological membranes, such as PAMPA or skin. The permeation of micronized and nanonized form of alaptide formulated to various semisolid pharmaceutical compositions through full-thickness pig ear skin using a Franz cell has been investigated in detail. In general, it can be concluded that the nanonized alaptide permeated through the skin less than the micronized form; different observations were made for permeation through the PAMPA system, where the micronized form showed lower permeation than the nanonized alaptide.

Preparation of candesartan and atorvastatin nanoparticles by solvent evaporation.

The solubility, absorption and distribution of a drug are involved in the basic aspects of oral bioavailability Solubility is an essential characteristic and influences the efficiency of the drug. Over the last ten years, the number of poorly soluble drugs has steadily increased. One of the progressive ways for increasing oral bioavaibility is the technique of nanoparticle preparation, which allows many drugs to thus reach the intended site of action. Candesartan cilexetil and atorvastatin, belonging to class II of the biopharmaceutical classification system, were chosen as model active pharmaceutical ingredients in this study. Forty samples were prepared either by antisolvent precipitation/solvent evaporation method or by the emulsion/solvent evaporation technique with various commonly used surface-active excipients as nanoparticle stabilizers. All samples were analyzed by means of dynamic light scattering. The particle size of the determined 36 nanoparticle samples was to 574 nm, whereas 32 samples contained nanoparticles of less than 200 nm. Relationships between solvents and excipients used and their amount are discussed. Based on the results the investigated solvent evaporation methods can be used as an effective and an affordable technique for the preparation of nanoparticles.

Primary investigation of the preparation of nanoparticles by precipitation.

The absorption, distribution, biotransformation and excretion of a drug involve its transport across cell membranes. This process is essential and influenced by the characteristics of the drug, especially its molecular size and shape, solubility at the site of its absorption, relative lipid solubility, etc. One of the progressive ways for increasing bioavaibility is a nanoparticle preparation technique. Cholesterol, cholestenolone and pregnenolone acetate as model active pharmaceutical ingredients and some of the commonly used excipients as nanoparticle stabilizers were used in the investigated precipitation method that was modified and simplified and can be used as an effective and an affordable technique for the preparation of nanoparticles. All 120 prepared samples were analyzed by means of dynamic light scattering (Nanophox). The range of the particle size of the determined 100 nanoparticle samples was from 1 nm to 773 nm, whereas 82 samples contained nanoparticles of less than 200 nm. Relationships between solvents and used excipients and their amount are discussed.

Crystallization products of risedronate with carbohydrates and their substituted derivatives.

The gastrointestinal absorption of bisphosphonates is in general only about 1%. To address this problem mixtures of risedronate monosodium salt with twelve varied sugar alcohols, furanoses, pyranoses and eight gluco-, manno- and galactopyranoside derivatives as counterions were designed in an effort to prepare co-crystals/new entities with improved intestinal absorption. Crystalline forms were generated by means of kinetically and/or thermodynamically controlled crystallization processes. One hundred and fifty-two prepared samples were screened by means of FT-NIR and FT-Raman spectroscopy. No co-crystal was prepared, but noteworthy results were obtained. A new solid phase of risedronate monosodium salt generated in the presence of phenyl-ß-d-galactopyranoside under thermodynamically controlled crystallization conditions was found and also characterized using solid state NMR spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. This new polymorph was named as form P. Interactions between risedronate monosodium salt and both carbohydrates were confirmed by means of molecular dynamics simulation. In the present study the relationships between the chemical structures of the studied compounds required for crystalline form change are discussed.

Synthesis, antimycobacterial, antifungal and photosynthesis-inhibiting activity of chlorinated N-phenylpyrazine-2-carboxamides.

A series of sixteen pyrazinamide analogues with the -CONH- linker connecting the pyrazine and benzene rings was synthesized by the condensation of chlorides of substituted pyrazinecarboxylic acids with ring-substituted (chlorine) anilines. The prepared compounds were characterized and evaluated for their antimycobacterial and antifungal activity, and for their ability to inhibit photosynthetic electron transport (PET). 6-Chloro-N-(4-chlorophenyl)pyrazine-2-carboxamide manifested the highest activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain H37Rv (65% inhibition at 6.25 µg/mL). The highest antifungal effect against Trichophyton mentagrophytes, the most susceptible fungal strain tested, was found for 6-chloro-5-tert-butyl-N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)pyrazine-2-carboxamide (MIC=62.5 µmol/L). 6-chloro-5-tert-butyl-N-(4-chlorophenyl)pyrazine-2-carboxamide showed the highest PET inhibition in spinach chloroplasts (Spinacia oleracea L.) chloroplasts (IC50=43.0 µmol/L). For all the compounds, the relationships between the lipophilicity and the chemical structure of the studied compounds as well as their structure-activity relationships are discussed.

Preparation and properties of new co-crystals of ibandronate with gluco- or galactopyranoside derivatives.

Mixtures of ibandronate monosodium salt with eleven gluco- and/or galacto-pyranoside derivatives as counterions were designed to prepare co-crystals with improved intestinal absorption. In general, gastrointestinal absorption of bisphosphonates after oral administration is approximately 1%. Co-crystals were generated by means of thermodynamically and/or kinetically controlled crystallization processes. Seventy-seven prepared samples were analyzed by means of FT-NIR, FT-Raman spectrometry and solid state NMR spectroscopy. New entities of ibandronate monosodium salt with phenyl-ß-D-galactopyranoside were found and characterized. The absorption of these potential new co-crystals was investigated by means of PAMPA experiments. In the present study the relationships between the chemical structures of the studied compounds required for co-crystal generation are discussed.

Rhodanineacetic acid derivatives as potential drugs: preparation, hydrophobic properties and antifungal activity of (5-arylalkylidene-4-oxo-2-thioxo-1,3-thiazolidin-3-yl)acetic acids.

Some [(5Z)-(5-arylalkylidene-4-oxo-2-thioxo-1,3-thiazolidin-3-yl)]acetic acids were prepared as potential antifungal compounds. The general synthetic approach to all synthesized compounds is presented. Lipophilicity of all the discussed rhodanine-3-acetic acid derivatives was analyzed using a reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method. The procedure was performed under isocratic conditions with methanol as an organic modifier in the mobile phase using an end-capped non-polar C(18) stationary RP column. The RP-HPLC retention parameter log k (the logarithm of the capacity factor k) is compared with log P values calculated in silico. All compounds were evaluated for antifungal effects against selected fungal species. Most compounds exhibited no interesting activity, and only {(5Z)-[4-oxo-5-(pyridin-2- ylmethylidene)-2-thioxo-1,3-thiazolidin-3-yl]}acetic acid strongly inhibited the growth of Candida tropicalis 156, Candida krusei E 28, Candida glabrata 20/I and Trichosporon asahii 1188.

Investigating biological activity spectrum for novel styrylquinazoline analogues.

In this study, series of ring-substituted 2-styrylquinazolin-4(3H)-one and 4-chloro-2-styrylquinazoline derivatives were prepared. The syntheses of the discussed compounds are presented. The compounds were analyzed by RP-HPLC to determine lipophilicity. They were tested for their inhibitory activity on photosynthetic electron transport (PET) in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) chloroplasts. Primary in vitro screening of the synthesized compounds was also performed against four mycobacterial strains and against eight fungal strains. Several compounds showed biological activity comparable with or higher than that of the standard isoniazid. It was found that the electronic properties of the R substituent, and not the total lipophilicity of the compound, were decisive for the photosynthesis-inhibiting activity of tested compounds.

Ring-substituted 4-hydroxy-1H-quinolin-2-ones: preparation and biological activity.

In the study, a series of twelve ring-substituted 4-hydroxy-1H-quinolin-2-one derivatives were prepared. The procedures for synthesis of the compounds are presented. The compounds were analyzed using RP-HPLC to determine lipophilicity and tested for their photosynthesis-inhibiting activity using spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) chloroplasts. All the synthesized compounds were also evaluated for antifungal activity using in vitro screening with eight fungal strains. For all the compounds, the relationships between the lipophilicity and the chemical structure of the studied compounds are discussed, as well as their structure-activity relationships (SAR).

Titania-based stationary phase in separation of ondansetron and its related compounds.

Improvements in stationary phase stability have been and remain a great task for research of new stationary phases. Metal oxide-based stationary phases appear as one of perspective alternatives to classical silica based stationary phases regarding to their similar effectiveness, different selectivity, different retention mechanism and mainly better chemical and thermal stability. In this study, the retention behaviour of ondansetron and its five pharmacopoeial impurities on TiO(2)-based reversed phase was investigated. The influence of buffer type, pH and concentration on retention was studied. Different types and amount of organic solvent in mobile phase were tested. The effect of temperature and flow rate on separation was investigated. The separation conditions were optimized and developed method validated. The retention parameters - retention time (t(R)), retention factor (k'), theoretical plate number (N), resolution between peaks due to nearby peaks (R(s)) and symmetry factor (A(s)) have been compared to parameters achieved on polybutadiene-coated zirconia column. The thermodynamic parameters of retention of analysed compounds - enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs free energy - were calculated and compared to those achieved on polybutadiene-coated zirconia column. This work proves similarity of retention behaviour of ondansetron and its five related compounds on zirconia-based and titania-based stationary phases and potential utilisation of polyethylene covered TiO(2)-based reversed stationary phase as an alternative to polybutadiene-coated ZrO(2) stationary phase in pharmaceutical analysis of ondansetron.

Investigating biological activity spectrum for novel quinoline analogues 2: hydroxyquinolinecarboxamides with photosynthesis-inhibiting activity.

Two series of amides based on quinoline scaffold were designed and synthesized in search of photosynthesis inhibitors. The compounds were tested for their photosynthesis-inhibiting activity against Spinacia oleracea L. and Chlorella vulgaris Beij. The compounds lipophilicity was determined by the RP-HPLC method. Several compounds showed biological activity similar or even higher than that of the standard (DCMU). The structure-activity relationships are discussed.

RP-HPLC determination of the lipophilicity of bispyridinium reactivators of acetylcholinesterase bearing a but-2-ene connecting linker.

New acetylcholinesterase reactivators with either a (E) or (Z)-but-2-ene connecting linker were recently prepared. The purity of the compounds was checked by HPLC and was found to be sufficient for in-vitro screening. All the discussed bispyridinium reactivators were analyzed by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) to measure lipophilicity. The procedure was performed under isocratic conditions with methanol as organic modifier in the mobile phase using an end-capped non-polar C(18) stationary phase RP column. Relationships between the lipophilicity (logarithm of the RP-HPLC capacity factor, log k) and chemical structures of the studied compounds are discussed. Lipophilicity was different for the (E) and (Z) compounds and varied among the compounds in each of these groups. The lipophilicity differences also indicated an apparent influence of intramolecular interactions. Lipophilicity calculations (log P/Clog P) by means of commonly used software were not successful due to the presence of quaternary nitrogen atoms in the molecules of the reactivators.

Dissolution and disintegration kinetics of high-active pharmaceutical granules produced at laboratory and manufacturing scale.

The effect of process scale-up from 4 to 400-L high-shear granulator on the release kinetics of the active ingredient from pharmaceutical granules has been investigated. The dissolution and disintegration rates of the granules were measured simultaneously by the combination of UV/vis spectroscopy and static light scattering. The granule batches were found to consist of sub-populations with qualitatively different dissolution behavior: "weaker" granules that disintegrated during dissolution, and "stronger" granules that retained their size and from which the active ingredient was gradually leached. The existence of these sub-populations was attributed to non-uniform distribution of normal and shear forces that prevail in granulators of different size. This hypothesis was confirmed by preparing granules at increasing values of the Froude number at the 4-L scale, and observing a transition from the break-up dissolution mode to the leaching dissolution mode with increasing granule densification. The simultaneous observation of solute concentration and particle size distribution during granules dissolution proved to be a useful tool for the understanding of dissolution mechanisms and for identifying non-uniformities of process conditions that can occur during scale-up.

Development of In Vitro-In Vivo Correlation/Relationship Modeling Approaches for Immediate Release Formulations Using Compartmental Dynamic Dissolution Data from "Golem": A Novel Apparatus.

Different batches of atorvastatin, represented by two immediate release formulation designs, were studied using a novel dynamic dissolution apparatus, simulating stomach and small intestine. A universal dissolution method was employed which simulated the physiology of human gastrointestinal tract, including the precise chyme transit behavior and biorelevant conditions. The multicompartmental dissolution data allowed direct observation and qualitative discrimination of the differences resulting from highly pH dependent dissolution behavior of the tested batches. Further evaluation of results was performed using IVIVC/IVIVR development. While satisfactory correlation could not be achieved using a conventional deconvolution based-model, promising results were obtained through the use of a nonconventional approach exploiting the complex compartmental dissolution data.

HPLC study of glimepiride under hydrolytic stress conditions.

Glimepiride is a modern hypoglycaemic agent, which belongs to the group of sulfonylurea derivates. In this paper, simple, specific and accurate RP-HPLC method was developed in order to study decomposition of glimepiride under the hydrolytic stress conditions (acid, neutral, alkaline and oxidative). The best separation of glimepiride and its degradation products was achieved on reverse phase C18 column. The mobile phase was composed of acetonitrile-phosphate buffer (pH 3.5, 0.03 M) (48:52, v/v). Employing RP-HPLC method, five main degradation products were detected in the exposed samples. It was found that the susceptibility of glimepiride to hydrolytic decomposition increased in following manner: neutral condition < alkaline condition < acid condition < oxidative condition.

Designing a dynamic dissolution method: a review of instrumental options and corresponding physiology of stomach and small intestine.

Development of new pharmaceutical compounds and dosage forms often requires in vitro dissolution testing with the closest similarity to the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract. To create such conditions, one needs a suitable dissolution apparatus and the appropriate data on the human GI physiology. This review discusses technological approaches applicable in biorelevant dissolutions as well as the physiology of stomach and small intestine in both fasted and fed state, that is, volumes of contents, transit times for water/food and various solid oral dosage forms, pH, osmolality, surface tension, buffer capacity, and concentrations of bile salts, phospholipids, enzymes, and Ca(2+) ions. The information is aimed to provide clear suggestions on how these conditions should be set in a dynamic biorelevant dissolution test.