Bassam M. Tashtoush

Effect of microenvironment pH of swellable and erodable buffered matrices on the release characteristics of diclofenac sodium

The aim of this work is to design pH-dependent swellable and erodable-buffered matrices and to study the effect of the microenvironment pH on the release pattern of diclofenac sodium. Buffered matrix tablets containing diclofenac sodium, physically mixed with hydrophilic polymer (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose [HPMC]) and pH-dependent solubility polymer (Eudragit L100-55) were prepared with different microenvironment pHs. The release of diclofenac sodium from the buffer matrices was studied in phosphate buffer solutions of pH 5.9 and 7.4. The swelling and erosion matrices containing only HPMC and Eudragit L100-55 were studied in phosphate buffer solution of pH similar to the microenvironment pHs of the matrices. Drug release from matrices was found to be linear as a function of time. Amount of drug released was found to be higher in the medium of pH 7.4 than that of pH 5.9. The rate of drug release increased with the increase of the microenvironment pH of the matrices as determined from the slope. The pattern of drug release did not change with the change of microenvironment pH. The swelling and erosion occurred simultaneously from matrices made up of HPMC and Eudragit L100-55. Both extent of swelling and erosion increased with increase of the medium pH. It was concluded from this study that changing the pH within the matrix influenced the rate of release of the drug without affecting the release pattern.

In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of Glibenclamide in Solid Dispersion Systems

The purpose of this work is to improve the dissolution and bioavailability characteristics of glibenclamide as compared to Daonil® tablets (Hoechst). Solid dispersions of glibenclamide in Gelucire 44/14 (Formula 1) and in polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000) (Formula 2) were prepared by fusion method. In vitro dissolution studies showed that the dispersing systems containing glibenclamide and Gelucire 44/14 or PEG 6000 gave faster dissolution rates than the reference product Daonil. The in vivo bioavailability study was assessed in six healthy male volunteers in crossover design with a 1‐week washout period. Both formulas were found to be significantly different from Daonil with regard to the extent of absorption as indicated by the area under serum concentration‐time curve. Both formulas are not significantly different from Daonil with respect to time of peak plasma concentration (Tmax). It is concluded from this pilot study that the ranking of the in vitro dissolution is similar to the ranking of in vivo availability. The ranking of the three preparations in term of dissolution rate and extent of absorption is as follows: Formula 2 > Formula 1 > Daonil.

A novel approach for the preparation of highly loaded polymeric controlled release dosage forms of diltiazem HCl and diclofenac sodium

In this investigation, modified-release dosage forms of diltiazem HCl (DT) and diclofenac sodium (DS) were prepared. The development work comprised two main parts: (a) loading the drug into ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) polymer, and (b) generation of a non-uniform concentration distribution of the drug within the polymer matrix. Phase separation technique was successfully used to load DT and DS into the polymer at significantly high levels, up to 81 and 76%, respectively. Size diameter of the resultant microspheres was between 1.6 and 2.0mm. Controlled-extraction of loaded microspheres and high vacuum freeze-drying were used to generate the non-uniform concentration distribution and to immobilize the new drug distribution within the matrix. Parameters controlling the different processes were investigated, and hence optimal processing conditions were used to prepare the dosage forms. Rates of drug release from the two dosage forms in water and in media having different pH were found to be constant for an appreciable length of time (>8h) followed by a slow decline; a characteristic of a non-Fickian diffusion process. Scanning electron microscopy studies suggested that the resultant release behavior was the outcome of the combined effects of the non-uniform distribution of the drug in the matrix and the apparent changes in the pores and surface characteristics of the microspheres. Comparison of release rate-time plots of dissolution data of marketed products with the newly developed dosage forms indicated the ability of the latter to sustain more zero order release.

Iron(II) and Iron(III) Perchlorate Complexes of Ciprofloxacin and Norfloxacin

The reactions of ciprofloxacin (CIP) and norfloxacin (NOR) with iron(II) and iron(III) perchlorate have been investigated. The optical spectra support the formation of four complexes for each oxidation state with 1 : 1, 1 : 2, 1 : 3 and 1 : 4 metal to ligand molar ratios. The electrical conductivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements show that the isolated complexes are high spin and the Fe(ClO 4 ) 2 and Fe(ClO 4 ) 3 complexes behave as 1 : 2 and 1 : 3 electrolytes, respectively. The IR spectra indicate that CIP and NOR bind to the iron ion as bidentate ligands through the carbonyl oxygen atom and one of the oxygen atoms of the carboxylate group.

Validation of a Simple and Rapid HPLC Method for Determination of Metronidazole in Dermatological Formulations

A rapid and simple method using an isocratic high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and UV detection for the determination of metronidazole in dermatological formulations is presented. Metronidazole samples were extracted with a solution composed of 60% methanol and 40% mobile phase by a procedure that can be completed in less than 10 min. Subsequent separation and quantification was accomplished in less than 20 min using reversed-phase HPLC with isocratic elution with 0.01% trifluoroacetic acid/acetonitrile (85:15%, vol/vol). Validation experiments confirmed the precision and accuracy of the method. When applied to a commercial metronidazole cream and gel formulation, recoveries of 100.4% for cream formulations and 102.3% for gel formulations were obtained. The method should facilitate studies of the formulation compatibility of metronidazole topical formulations with agents that may improve its clinical tolerability for treatment of rosacea.

Preparation and characterization of microemulsion formulations of nicotinic acid and its prodrugs for transdermal delivery

At pharmacological doses, nicotinic acid has a lipid-regulating effect and is in use clinically for that purpose. However, despite of all features, its utility is strongly limited by several disadvantages such as, extensive hepatic metabolism and flushing. Transdermal delivery of nicotinic acid may, therefore, be the solution to reducing side effects associated with oral administration, and to maintaining constant therapeutic blood levels for longer duration. The aim of this investigation was to develop a suitable formulation or select a suitable vehicle for the transdermal delivery of highly lipophilic prodrugs of nicotinic acid (dodecyl and myristyl nicotinate) designed to deliver nicotinic acid through skin without causing vasodilatation and flushing and optimizing its delivery to the blood stream. A microemulsion system and penetration enhancers have been attempted in this study. The microemulsion system was composed of isopropyl myristate (IPM), water and a 4:1 (w/w) mixture of Labrasol and Peceol where a pseudoternary phase diagram was constructed. Furthermore, the microemulsion formulations with different component ratios were characterized by determination of conductivity, pH, particle size, viscosity and refractive index. According to the particle size analysis, conductivity and viscosity measurements, the microemulsion formulations that formed were of oil-in-water type. The transdermal permeability of nicotinic acid and its prodrugs was evaluated in vitro using Franz diffusion cells fitted with mice skin and nicotinic acid concentration was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. A theoretical design of percutaneous penetration optimization in which prodrugs derivation and enhancer application are combined based on the skin diffusion model was experimentally verified. The selected formulations seemed promising for developing a transdermal drug delivery system of nicotinic acid from dodecyl nicotinate that would offer advantages like possible controlled drug release, reduced flushing, increased drug stability and ease of large-scale production.

Chemical and in vitro enzymatic stability of newly synthesized celecoxib lipophilic and hydrophilic amides.

Five celecoxib (CXB) acylamide sodium salts, MP-CXB, Cy-CXB, Bz-CXB, CBz-CXB and FBz-CXB were synthesized and characterized. Two simple, fast and validated RP-HPLC methods were developed for simultaneous quantitative determination of the amides and celecoxib in aqueous and biological samples and LOD and LOQ were ≤13.6 and ≤40ng/mL, respectively. The solubility and logP(app) of the amides, in relevant media, were determined. The chemical hydrolysis, at 60, 70 and 80°C, of MP-CXB was studied at GIT-relevant pH (1.2, 6.8 and 7.4) and of CY-CXB was studied at skin relative pH (5.4 and 7.4). Significant hydrolysis was observed for MP-CXB at pH 1.2 only with half-lives 28.28, 11.64 and 3.53h at 60, 70 and 80°C, respectively, with extrapolated half-lives of 2060 and 443h at 25 and 37°C, respectively. The hydrolysis of all amides was studied in rat live homogenate and only Cy-CXB was hydrolyzed with half-life of 3.79h. The hydrolysis of MP-CXB and Cy-CXB was studied in human plasma and neither was hydrolyzed. It is finally suggested that hydrophobic interactions plays a role in the binding of susceptible acylamides to the hepatic hydrolyzing enzyme since only amides with saturated hydrocarbon chains underwent hydrolysis.

Synthesis, characterization and in vitro hydrolysis of a gemfibrozil-nicotinic acid codrug for improvement of lipid profile.

Combination therapy of fibrates and nicotinic acid has been reported to be synergistic. Herein, we describe a covalent codrug of gemfibrozil (GEM) and nicotinic acid (NA) that was synthesized and characterized by (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, FT-IR, MS analysis and elemental analysis. A validated HPLC method was developed that allows for the accurate quantitative determination of the codrug and its hydrolytic products that are formed during the in vitro chemical and enzymatic hydrolysis. The physico-chemical properties of codrug were improved compared to its parent drugs in term of water solubility and partition coefficient. The kinetics of hydrolysis of the codrug was studied using accelerated hydrolysis experiments at high temperatures in aqueous phosphate buffer solution in pH 1.2, 6.8 and 7.4. Using the Arrhenius equation, the extrapolated half-life at 37°C were 289 days at pH 1.2 for the codrug and 130 and 20,315 days at pH 6.8 for the codrug and gemfibrozil 2-hydroxyethyl ester (GHEE), respectively. The shortest half-lives were at pH 7.4; 42 days for the codrug and 5837 days for GHEE, respectively. The hydrolysis of the latter was studied, alone, at 80°C and pH 1.2 and compared to its hydrolysis when it is produced from the codrug using similar conditions. The k(obs) was found in both cases to be 1.60×10(-3)h(-1). The half-lives in plasma were 35.24 min and 26.75 h for the codrug and GHEE, respectively. With regard to liver homogenate, the hydrolysis half-lives were 1.96 min and 48.13 min for the codrug and GHEE, respectively. It can be expected that in vivo, the codrug will liberate NA immediately in plasma then GEM will be liberated from its 2-hydroxyethyl ester in the liver.

A new controlled-release liquid delivery system based on diclofenac potassium and low molecular weight chitosan complex solubilized in polysorbates

A complex of low molecular weight chitosan (LMWC) with oleic acid and diclofenac potassium (DP) was prepared and dispersed in high concentrations of polysorbate 20, 60 and 80 in water to form a solution which releases its components slowly. The formed complex was characterized using different analytical methods. The size of the resulted nanoparticles and the effect of tweens on size were followed using dynamic light scattering (DLS). The release of DP from this delivery system was monitored by altering the molecular weight of chitosan and the type and concentration of the polysorbates used. The most suitable preparation consisted of DP, LMWC 13 kDa, and oleic acid. This was dispersed in 5% Tween 80 and the release was followed by the adaptation of USP II apparatus using a cellophane bag. This preparation offers a release of up to 24 h.

A promising codrug of nicotinic acid and ibuprofen for managing dyslipidemia. I: Synthesis and in vitro evaluation

Nicotinic acid is therapeutically the optimum antihyperlipidemic agent, yet its intolerable cutaneous flushing hinders its wide clinical implication. The codrug of nicotinic acid and ibuprofen (IBP) was synthesized in the aim of overcoming the troublesome side effect of nicotinic acid by blockade of prostaglandin synthesis through released IBP, thus enhance patient’s compliance. The physico-chemical properties of codrug namely solubility, partition coefficient, and pKa were determined. Its solubility in aqueous and organic solvents was highest in 0.1 M HCl and isopropanol, respectively. The kinetics of hydrolysis of the codrug and IBP 2-hydroxyethyl ester was studied in aqueous phosphate buffer solution in pH 1.2, 6.8, and 7.4 at 70°C, 80°C, and 90°C. The hydrolysis was found to be pH dependent and followed Arrhenius equation. The half-life of codrug and IBP 2-hydroxyethyl ester at 25°C in pH 7.4 was 218 days and 3 years, respectively. In vitro enzymatic hydrolysis of codrug and IBP 2-hydroxyethyl ester was studied in human plasma and rat liver homogenate. Codrug and IBP 2-hydroxyethyl ester exhibited faster in vitro enzymatic hydrolysis than in vitro chemical hydrolysis. The pseudo-first-order rate constants were 0.0113, 0.177 min−1 for codrug and 0.0006, 0.0569 min−1 for IBP 2-hydroxyethyl ester in human plasma and rat liver homogenate, respectively. Thus, nicotinic acid will be rapidly released from codrug to manage dyslipidemia, followed by the later release of IBP from IBP 2-hydroxyethyl ester to alleviate nicotinic acid cutaneous flushing.