Sex-dependent antiallodynic effect of α2 adrenergic receptor agonist tizanidine in rats with experimental neuropathic pain.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of antiallodynic effect of tizanidine in neuropathic rats. Spinal nerve ligation reduced withdrawal threshold which was interpreted as tactile allodynia. Increasing doses of tizanidine induced a dose-dependent antiallodynic effect in nerve injured rats. Tizanidine was more effective in female than male neuropathic rats. This drug induced a lower antiallodynic effect in ovariectomized, compared with non-ovariectomized, neuropathic rats, while systemic reconstitution of estradiol (E2) levels in ovariectomized neuropathic females fully restored the antiallodynic effect of tizanidine. Naloxone reduced the antiallodynic effect of tizanidine in male but not in female neuropathic rats. Ovariectomy restored the antagonizing effect of naloxone in the antiallodynic effect of tizanidine, whereas treatment with E2 abolished the effect of naloxone on tizanidine activity. Rauwolscine (α2 antagonist) and imiloxan (α2B antagonist) completely abated tizanidine-induced antiallodynic effect in female neuropathic rats. In contrast, BRL-44408 (α2A antagonist) partially decreased the effect of tizanidine while JP-1302 (α2C antagonist) was ineffective. Rauwolscine, imiloxan and BRL-44408 decreased withdrawal threshold in naïve female rats. Rauwolscine did not modify withdrawal threshold in naïve male rats. AGN192403 (I1 antagonist), BU224 (I2 antagonist), prazosin (α1 antagonist) and methiothepin (5-HT antagonist) did not modify tizanidine-induced antiallodynia in neuropathic females and males. These data indicate that tizanidine exhibits a sex-dependent antiallodynic effect in neuropathy. Data also suggest that activation of adrenergic α2B and α2A and opioid receptors participate in the antiallodynic effect of tizanidine in female and male, respectively, neuropathic rats.

Evaluation of physicochemical and microbiological stability of liquid preparation from tizanidine hydrochloride tablets - a Hospital concern

Tizanidine hydrochloride is a centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant, used in the management of spasticity. This drug is commercially available only as tablets, which highlights the need to develop oral liquid formulations. In the hospital environment, this aspect is circumvented by the preparation of suspensions, to allow administration to children and adults with impaired swallowing, but there are no data regarding their stability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical andmicrobiological stability of liquid dosage forms prepared in the hospital environment from tizanidine hydrochloride tablets, applying high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and microbiological analysis. A simple and stability-indicating HPLC method was developed and validated for specificity, linearity, limits of detection and quantification, precision, accuracy and robustness. The liquid formulations were placed in amber PET and glass bottles, which were stored under three different conditions: at room temperature, under refrigeration and at 40 ºC. The liquid formulations were analyzed and demonstrated chemical stability for 56 days, allowing their use for long periods. However, the determination of microbiological stability showed that these formulations are prone to microbial contamination, which has dramatically reduced its stability to 7 days, in both bottles and at all evaluated temperatures

Development and Stability Control of Pediatric Oral Tizanidine Hydrochloride Formulations for Hospital Use.

Tizanidine hydrochloride is a centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant used in the treatment of spasticity. This drug is sold only as tablets or capsules, which highlights the need to develop oral liquid formulations that allow administration to children and adults with impaired swallowing. This study aim was to develop and improve tizanidine hydrochloride liquid formulations from raw material and to evaluate their stability. A stability-indicating high performance liquid chromatography method was validated for two formulations developed. Fifteen formulations were developed containing syrup and fifteen containing sodium carboxymethyl cellulose as vehicles, to select the two most suitable for stability testing. The formulations were prepared in triplicate and placed in amber polyethylene terephthalate and glass bottles, which were stored under three different conditions: at room temperature (15-30°C), under refrigeration (2-8°C), and at 40°C. The physicochemical and microbiological stability of formulations were evaluated, applying high performance liquid chromatography and microbiological count. The studied formulations at 15-30°C, 2-8°C, and 40°C can be used for a period of 70 days, and all parameters are inside of recommended specifications, enough to allow its use in the context for which it was developed, the application in hospital. The formulations developed in this work have simple components to avoid adverse reactions in vulnerable populations. Results of this study could be applied as a reference for hospital use; once it demonstrated the reliability of storage time interval and proper conditions for use.

Low doses of tizanidine synergize the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of ketorolac or naproxen while reducing of side effects.

The aim of the present study was to determine whether tizanidine, an alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist, is able to increase the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of naproxen and ketorolac with a low incidence of gastric injury and spontaneous activity in rats. The anti-inflammatory effect was assayed in a carrageenan test, and oral administration of tizanidine (ED40 =0.94±0.2mg/kg), naproxen (ED40=3.18±0.4mg/kg), and ketorolac (ED40=16.4±1.9mg/kg) showed a dose-dependent effect on inflammation. The anti-nociceptive effect was assayed in the formalin test, and administration of tizanidine (ED40=0.39±0.06mg/kg, p.o.), naproxen (ED40=33.9±3.9mg/kg, p.o.) or ketorolac (ED40=6.49±1mg/kg, p.o.) each showed a dose-dependent anti-nociceptive effect. The effects of combinations of tizanidine/naproxen and tizanidine/ketorolac were determined considering their ED40 at a rate of 1:1. Additionally, the tizanidine/naproxen and tizanidine/ketorolac combinations showed anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects. The tizanidine/ketorolac combination was more potent than tizanidine/naproxen, in both inflammatory (interaction index=0.03 tizanidine/ketorolac and 0.07 tizanidine/naproxen) and nociceptive (interaction index=0.005 tizanidine/ketorolac and 0.01 tizanidine/naproxen) processes. In both cases, tizanidine improved naproxen and ketorolac gastrointestinal tolerability by 50%. Furthermore, co-administration of tizanidine with naproxen or ketorolac did not modify the spontaneous activity in the same way as individual tizanidine administration. Considering that tizanidine increases the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of naproxen or ketorolac, with an increase in gastric tolerability, tizanidine could provide therapeutic advantages in the clinical treatment of inflammation and pain.

Use of hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers for the development of controlled release tizanidine matrix tablets

The aim of the present study was to develop tizanidine controlled release matrix. Formulations were designed using central composite method with the help of design expert version 7.0 software. Avicel pH 101 in the range of 14-50% was used as a filler, while HPMC K4M and K100M in the range of 25-55%, Ethylcellulose 10 ST and 10FP in the range of 15 - 45% and Kollidon SR in the range of 25-60% were used as controlled release agents in designing different formulations. Various physical parameters including powder flow for blends and weight variation, thickness, hardness, friability, disintegration time and in-vitro release were tested for tablets. Assay of tablets were also performed as specified in USP 35 NF 32. Physical parameters of both powder blend and compressed tablets such as compressibility index, angle of repose, weight variation, thickness, hardness, friability, disintegration time and assay were evaluated and found to be satisfactory for formulations K4M2, K4M3, K4M9, K100M2, K100M3, K100M9, E10FP2, E10FP9, KSR2, KSR3 & KSR9. In vitro dissolution study was conducted in 900 ml of 0.1N HCl, phosphate buffer pH 4.5 and 6.8 medium using USP Apparatus II. In vitro release profiles indicated that formulations prepared with Ethocel 10 standard were unable to control the release of drug while formulations K4M2, K100M9, E10FP2 & KSR2 having polymer content ranging from 40-55% showed a controlled drug release pattern in the above mentioned medium. Zero-order drug release kinetics was observed for formulations K4M2, K100M9, E10FP2 & KSR2. Similarity test (f 2) results for K4M2, E10FP2 & KSR2 were found to be comparable with reference formulation K100M9. Response Surface plots were also prepared for evaluating the effect of independent variable on the responses. Stability study was performed as per ICH guidelines and the calculated shelf life was 24-30 months for formulation K4M2, K100M9 and E10FP2.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi desenvolver matriz de de tizanidina de liberação controlada. As formulações foram projetadas usando o método do componente, central com a ajuda de software Design expert(r), versão 7.0. Utilizou-se Avicel pH 101, no intervalo de 14-50%, como material de preenchimento, enquanto HPMC K4M e K100M, no intervalo de 25-55%, Etilcelulose 10 ST e 10FP, no intervalo de 15-45% e Kollidon SR, na faixa de 25-60% foram utilizados como agentes de liberação controlada, no planejamento de formulações diferentes. Vários parâmetros físicos, incluindo o fluxo de pó para as misturas e variação de peso, espessura, dureza, friabilidade, tempo de desintegração e liberação in vitro, foram testados para comprimidos. Ensaios dos comprimidos foram, também, realizados, tal como especificado em USP 35 NF 32. Avaliaram-se os parâmetros físicos de ambos, mistura em pó e comprimidos, como índice de compressibilidade, ângulo de repouso, variação de peso, espessura, dureza, friabilidade, tempo de desintegração e de ensaio, considerando-os satisfatórios para as formulações K4M2, K4M3, K4M9, K100M2, K100M3, K100M9, E10FP2, E10FP9, KSR2, KSR3 e KSR9. O estudo de dissolução in vitro foi realizado em 900 mL de HCl 0,1 N, tampão de fosfato pH 4,5 e meio 6,8, usando aparelho USP II. Os perfis de liberação in vitro indicaram que as formulações preparadas com Ethocel 10 padrão não foram capazes de controlar a liberação do fármaco, enquanto as formulações K4M2, K100M9, E10FP2e KSR2, com teor de polímero variando entre 40 e 55% apresentaram padrão de liberação controlada de fármaco no meio anteriormente mencionado. Observou-se cinética de liberação de fármaco de ordem zero para as formulações K4M2 , K100M9, E10FP2 e KSR2. Resultados do teste de similaridade (f 2) para K4M2, E10FP2 e KSR2 foram comparáveis com a formulação de referência K100M9. Gráficos de superfície de resposta também avaliaram o efeito da variável independente sobre as respostas. Estudo de estabilidade foi realizado conforme as diretrizes do ICH e a vida de prateleira calculada foi de 24-30 meses para as formulações K4M2, K100M9 e E10FP2.