Preformulation design of PLGA particulate system for multi-day drug delivery of the antidepressant mirtazapine.

In this experimental study, the biodegradable polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) microparticles (MP) loaded with the insoluble antidepressant mirtazapine were prepared by the simple o/w solvent evaporation method. The formation involved intrinsic variables, such as the content of polymer (700, 900 or 1200 mg), dichloromethane (5 or 10 ml) and/or drug (200 or 400 or 600 mg), and the volume of the aqueous emulsion phase (400, 600 or 800 ml). The influence of these parameters on the size and morphology of microparticles, encapsulation efficiency, and drug release behavior was observed. All MP were successfully prepared, and their size ranged between 165.34 ± 42.88 and 360.17 ± 121.59 μm. MP exhibited prolonged drug release (days), and some profiles had multiphasic character. It was found that the samples prepared with a  higher initial amount of PLGA were bigger with prolonged lag time up to 34.3 hours. On the other hand, higher drug concentrations reduced the lag time. The external phase volume reduction and multiplication of dichloromethane amount prolonged the mirtazapine release and decreased the encapsulation efficiency. These observations were further confirmed by multivariate data analysis.

Long-term controlled release of PLGA microparticles containing antidepressant mirtazapine.

The aim of the study was to prepare PLGA microparticles for prolonged release of mirtazapine by o/w solvent evaporation method and to evaluate effects of PVA concentration and organic solvent choice on microparticles characteristics (encapsulation efficiency, drug loading, burst effect, microparticle morphology). Also in vitro drug release tests were performed and the results were correlated with kinetic model equations to approximate drug release mechanism. It was found that dichloromethane provided microparticles with better qualities (encapsulation efficiency 64.2%, yield 79.7%). Interaction between organic solvent effect and effect of PVA concentration was revealed. The prepared samples released the drug for 5 days with kinetics very close to that of zero order (R(2 )= 0.9549 - 0.9816). According to the correlations, the drug was probably released by a combination of diffusion and surface erosion, enhanced by polymer swelling and chain relaxation.

Antimicrobial Properties of Microparticles Based on Carmellose Cross-Linked by Cu(2+) Ions.

Carmellose (CMC) is frequently used due to its high biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low immunogenicity for development of site-specific or controlled release drug delivery systems. In this experimental work, CMC dispersions in two different concentrations (1% and 2%) cross-linked by copper (II) ions (0.5, 1, 1.5, or 2.0 M CuCl2) were used to prepare microspheres with antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Candida albicans, both frequently occurring pathogens which cause vaginal infections. The microparticles were prepared by an ionotropic gelation technique which offers the unique possibility to entrap divalent copper ions in a CMC structure and thus ensure their antibacterial activity. Prepared CMC microspheres exhibited sufficient sphericity. Both equivalent diameter and copper content were influenced by CMC concentration, and the molarity of copper (II) solution affected only the copper content results. Selected samples exhibited stable but pH-responsive behaviour in environments which corresponded with natural (pH 4.5) and inflamed (pH 6.0) vaginal conditions. All the tested samples exhibited proven substantial antimicrobial activity against both Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and yeast Candida albicans. Unexpectedly, a crucial parameter for microsphere antimicrobial activity was not found in the copper content but in the swelling capacity of the microparticles and in the degree of CMC surface shrinking.

Quantitative analysis of drug losses administered via nasogastric tube--In vitro study.

PURPOSE: Drug administration through nasogastric tube (NGT) is a standard practice but the real amount of the delivered drug is unknown. Therefore, we designed a study to determine the losses of various dosage forms administered by different methods through NGT. METHODS: In vitro model was used. Five different administration methods (A-E) and six dosage forms (simple compressed tablets - T/S; film coated tablets - T/FC; enteric coated tablets - T/EC; capsules with powder filling - C/P; capsules containing extended release pellets - C/ER; capsules containing gastro-resistant pellets - C/GR) were investigated. Measurement was repeated six times for each drug-method combination. The overall losses were determined by gravimetry. In method A partial losses associated with each step of drug administration were also determined. RESULTS: Significant drug losses were measured (4-38%). Only methods A (crushing-beaker-syringe-water-NGT) and B (crushing-water-syringe-NGT) were suitable for administration of all tested dosage forms. Method B proved the most effective for all kinds of tablets and C/GR (p<0.05) and tended to be more effective also for C/ER (p=0.052) compared to method A. C/P showed minimal losses for both tested methods (B and E). Flushing of the drug through NGT causes major losses during drug administration compared to crushing and transfer (p<0.05). All methods for intact pellets (C-E) were found inappropriate for clinical practice due to NGT clogging. CONCLUSIONS: Choosing a suitable administration method can significantly affect the amount of drugs delivered through NGT.

Influence of different formulations and process parameters during the preparation of drug-loaded PLGA microspheres evaluated by multivariate data analysis.

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the formulation and process parameters on PLGA microparticles containing a practically insoluble model drug (ibuprofen) prepared by the o/w solvent evaporation method. Multivariate data analysis was used. The effects of altered stirring speed of a mechanical stirrer (600, 1000 rpm), emulsifier concentrations (PVA concentration 0.1 %, 1 %) and solvent selection (dichloromethane, ethyl acetate) on microparticle characteristics (encapsulation efficiency, drug loading, burst effect) were observed. It was found that with increased stirring speed, the PVA concentration or the use of ethyl acetate had a significantly negative effect on encapsulation efficiency. In addition, ethyl acetate had an adverse effect on the burst effect, while increased stirring speed had the opposite effect. Drug load was not affected by any particular variable, but rather by the interactions of evaluated variables.

[Impact of formulation and process parameters on the properties of chitosan-based microspheres prepared by external ionic gelation]. / Vliv formulacních a procesních promenných na vlastnosti chitosanových mikrosfér pripravených vnejsí iontovou gelací

The aim of this experimental study was to optimize a preparation of microspheres from high viscosity chitosan by external ion gelation and to evaluate selected aspects of their preparation. For drug-free microparticles, the concentration of chitosan dispersions was chosen as a formulation variable; the position of instrument for a dispersion extrusion (horizontal vs. vertical) was evaluated as a process variable. On the basis of sphericity and equivalent diameter results, three different concentrations of chitosan dispersions were used for 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) encapsulation with the extrusion instrument in horizontal position, which was considered as the optimal. In consequent drug-loaded microparticle preparation, the influence of the concentration of chitosan dispersions and composition of hardening solution (10% sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) vs. 10% TPP containing drug) was evaluated. In prepared 5-ASA microspheres it was found that the equivalent diameter increased with increasing chitosan concentration. In the case of sphericity, significant differences were not found. Samples prepared with the drug in both chitosan dispersion and hardening solution had a higher drug content, a smaller equivalent diameter and they showed a faster in vitro drug release in comparison with the samples prepared with the drug in chitosan dispersion only.

[Possibilities of influencing the drug content and encapsulation efficiency of chitosan microspheres prepared by ionic gelation process]. / Moznosti ovlivnení obsahu léciva a enkapsulacní úcinnosti chitosanových mikrosfér pripravených procesem iontové gelace.

UNLABELLED: This study aimed to prepare high molecular weight chitosan blank and drug-loaded microparticles using 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) as the model active substance by an external ionic gelation. Formulation and process variables included the chitosan concentration and presence of drug in the polymer solution, and/or in hardening solution during the microparticles preparation. The effect of different preparation conditions on the properties of the microparticles was observed with a view to increase drug content in microparticles. For both types of microparticles (with and without the drug), it was found that their sphericity and equivalent diameter increased with increasing chitosan concentration. The drug content of drug-loaded microparticles was the highest in the case of the sample prepared from 1.75% chitosan dispersion, when the drug was present both in the chitosan dispersion and the hardening solution. Maximum six times higher drug content was achieved by change of the placement of 5-ASA during preparation (1.25% chitosan concentration). KEYWORDS: microparticles external ionotropic gelation chitosan 5-ASA encapsulation efficiency.

Influence of formulation and process parameters on the characteristics of PLGA-based microparticles with controlled drug release.

PLGA microparticles for sustained release of ibuprofen as the model drug were prepared by the O/W solvent evaporation method under altering stirring speed (600, 1000 rpm), emulsifier concentration (PVA concentration 0.1%, 1%) and organic solvent selection (dichloromethane, ethyl acetate). The obtained results confirmed the effect of selected formulation and process parameters on the properties of prepared PLGA-based microparticles. An influence on encapsulation efficiency, yield, morphological properties, mean size and drug release was observed. Increased stirring speed within the solvent evaporation process resulted in a decrease of encapsulation efficiency, yield and mean size but the incorporated drug was released faster. Increased PVA concentration in the external emulsion phase brought the same results except the ibuprofen release rate. Microparticles prepared with dichloromethane as the organic solvent exhibited higher sphericity, a more regular shape with a smooth surface, and thus dichloromethane was considered to be a more suitable organic solvent in comparison with ethyl acetate for this purpose.

The effect of acid pH modifiers on the release characteristics of weakly basic drug from hydrophlilic-lipophilic matrices.

The solubility of weakly basic drugs within passage though GI tract leads to pH-dependent or even incomplete release of these drugs from extended release formulations and consequently to lower drug absorption and bioavailability. The aim of the study was to prepare and evaluate hydrophilic-lipophilic (hypromellose-montanglycol wax) matrix tablets ensuring the pH-independent delivery of the weakly basic drug verapamil-hydrochloride by an incorporation of three organic acidifiers (citric, fumaric, and itaconic acids) differing in their concentrations, pK a, and solubility. The dissolution studies were performed by the method of changing pH values, which better corresponded to the real conditions in the GI tract (2 h at pH 1.2 and then 10 h at pH 6.8). Within the same conditions, pH of matrix microenvironment was measured. To determine relationships between the above mentioned properties of acidifiers and the monitored effects (the amount of released drug and surface pH of gel layer in selected time intervals-360 and 480 min), the full factorial design method and partial least squares PLS-2 regression were used. The incorporation of the tested pH modifiers significantly increased the drug release rate from matrices. PLS-components explained 75% and 73% variation in the X- and Y-data, respectively. The obtained results indicated that the main crucial points (p < 0.01) were the concentration and strength of acidifier incorporated into the matrix. Contrary, the acid solubility surprisingly did not influence the selected effects except for the surface pH of gel layer in time 480 min.

Physiological factors with impact on the drug behaviour in the gastrointestinal tract.

Orally administered drugs are passed through the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), which influences their next metabolism in the body. In the case of systemic administration, the drug is released from the dosage form, is dissolved and eventually absorbed. The residual amount is excreted in the faeces. The main factors influencing administered drugs are particularly pH, passage time, solubilizers or the oxido-reductive potential in different parts of the GIT. These factors are directly related to the release, absorption and stability of drugs. They can be used for simulation of the GIT environment in vitro and for the overall design of the dosage form in vivo. Because some literature data are not given in context and sometimes they are contradictory, this paper summarizes elementary values of the above-mentioned physiological parameters in the form of a review.

Cationic Eudragit® polymers as excipients for microparticles prepared by solvent evaporation method.

Three cationic acrylic polymers, i. e. Eudragit® RL, Eudragit® RS and Eudragit® E 100, were evaluated for the purpose of microparticles preparation by the solvent evaporation method. The practically insoluble drug mirtazapine and the freely soluble drug tramadol hydrochloride were selected for encapsulation as extreme limits of drug solubility. The prepared microspheres were analyzed by optical microscopy, drug content analysis and dissolution test. It was observed that Eudragit® RL did not provide microparticles while Eudragit® RS and Eudragit® E 100 yielded spherical microparticles. Samples prepared with mirtazapine showed sustained drug release whereas tramadol hydrochloride samples released the drug in a pattern similar to the immediate release profile. Eudragit® RS was found to be superior to Eudragit® E 100 in its encapsulation efficiency, drug loading and smaller mean size of microparticles.