Dimitrios M. Rekkas

Evaluation and simultaneous optimization of some pellets characteristics using a 33 factorial design and the desirability function

A 3(3) full factorial design study has been employed in order to investigate the effect of three variables on size, size distribution and three shape parameters, namely roundness, elongation and e(R), of pellets prepared in a fluid bed rotor granulator with the wet granulation technique. The first variable was a formulation variable, the % w/w content of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and the other two variables were processing variables, the temperature of inlet air and the spray rate of the granulation liquid. The analysis of variance showed that the three variables had a significant effect (P<0.05) on pellet size and the shape factors, while only the spray rate influenced the particle size distribution. Significant interactions between the factors, for the size and the shape, were also found. The multiple regression analysis of the results led to equations that adequately describe the influence of the independent variables on the selected responses. Furthermore, the desirability function was employed in order to optimize the process under study. It was found that the optimum values of the responses could be obtained at the low levels of the % w/w content of MCC and temperature of inlet air and at the high level of the spray rate.

Floating and swelling characteristics of various excipients used in controlled release technology

AbstractDuring the past few years, great interest was developed in the subject of floating. In the present study, the floating and swelling characteristics of several excipients used controlled release technology were examined. The floating behavior was evaluated with resultant weight measurements, while a gravimetric method was employed for studying their swelling. The experiments were carried out in two different media, i.e. deionized water and simulated meal in order to monitor possible differences. The results indicated that higher molecular weight polymers and slower rates of polymer hydration are usually followed by enhanced floating behavior. The floating characteristics of all evaluated excipients were improved when simulated meal medium was used. Finally, the combination of resultant weight measurements and swelling experiments can be used to determine in vitro the buoyancy, weight and volume changes of orally administered dosage forms and to predict floating behavior.

Spray dried amikacin powder for inhalation in cystic fibrosis patients: A quality by design approach for product construction

An amikacin product for convenient and compliant inhalation in cystic fibrosis patients was constructed by spray-drying in order to produce powders of pure drug having high respirability and flowability. An experimental design was applied as a statistical tool for the characterization of amikacin spray drying process, through the establishment of mathematical relationships between six Critical Quality Attributes (CQAs) of the finished product and five Critical Process Parameters (CPPs). The surface-active excipient, PEG-32 stearate, studied for particle engineering, in general did not benefit the CQAs of the spray dried powders for inhalation. The spray drying feed solution required the inclusion of 10% (v/v) ethanol in order to reach the desired aerodynamic performance of powders. All desirable function solutions indicated that the favourable concentration of amikacin in the feed solution had to be kept at 1% w/v level. It was found that when the feed rate of the sprayed solution was raised, an increase in the drying temperature to the maximum value (160 °C) was required to maintain good powder respirability. Finally, the increase in drying temperature always led to an evident increase in emitted dose (ED) without affecting the desirable fine particle dose (FPD) values. The application of the experimental design enabled us to obtain amikacin powders with both ED and FPD, well above the regulatory and scientific references. The finished product contained only the active ingredient, which keeps low the mass to inhale for dose requirement.

Effect of Several Factors on the Mechanical Properties of Pressure- Sensitive Adhesives Used in Transdermal Therapeutic Systems

1bstractThe effects of coating thickness, type of adhesive and type and concentration of enhancer on the mechanical properties of two acrylic pressuresensitive adhesives (PSAs) were investigated using a 2 factorial design and an optimization technique. Sixteen formulations containing 0% or 10% of either caprylic acid or methyl laurate in two different PSAs. namely Duro-Tak® 87-2196 and Duro-Tak® 87–2097, were prepared. The adhesive properties of these laminates were evaluated by applying the 90° Dynamic Adhesive Strength Peel Test (90° DASPT) and 180° Release Liner Peel Test (180° RLPT). Coating thickness, concentration of enhancer, and type of adhesive did affect the 90° DASPT. For the 180° RLPT, the most significant factors were coating thickness and concentration of enhancer, with a strong interaction observed between the two. Coating thickness and concentration of enhancer were also used to create mathematical models that correlated these factors with the mechanical properties of the PSAs. For this purpose the optimization technique 32 was applied. It was found that the correlation of the above factors can be adequately described with polynomial equations, which can be used for predicting the mechanical properties of the laminates containing the above PSAs and methyl laurate (0%–10%).

Optimization of the pelletization process in a fluid-bed rotor granulator using experimental design.

This study examined the effect of rotor speed, amount of water sprayed, and atomizing air pressure on the geometric mean diameter and geometric standard deviation of pellets produced in a fluid-bed rotor granulator using a 23 factorial design and an optimization technique.Pellets were prepared by wet granulation. Equal amounts of microcrystalline cellulose, α-lactose monohydrate, and distilled water were used as the granulation liquid. The size and the size distribution of the pellets were determined by sieve analysis.The size of the pellets was found to be dependent on the amount of water added, while an increase in rotor speed decreased their size. Both factors were found to be statistically significant (P<.05). The effect of atomizing air pressure on pellet size was not statistically significant. None of the 3 factors significantly affected the geometric standard deviation of the pellets.The rotor speed and the amount of water sprayed were further selected in order to construct a mathematical model that correlates these factors with the geometric mean diameter of the pellets. For this purpose, the optimization technique 32 was used. The derived equation described the relationship between the the experimental design techniques applied were found to be suitable in optimizing the pelletization process carried out in a fluid-bed rotor granulator.

Statistical Thinking and Knowledge Management for Quality-Driven Design and Manufacturing in Pharmaceuticals

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this article is to present the evolution of quality principles and how they have been implemented in the pharmaceutical industry. The article discusses the challenges that the FDA PAT Guidance and the ICH Q8, Q9 and Q10 Guidelines present to industry and provides a comprehensive overview of the basic tools that can be used to effectively build quality into products. The principles of the design of experiments, the main tools for statistical process analysis and control, and the requisite culture change necessary to facilitate statistical, knowledge-based management are also addressed.

Spray-dried amikacin sulphate powder for inhalation in cystic fibrosis patients: The role of ethanol in particle formation.

A Central Composite Design (CCD) was applied in order to identify positive combinations of the production parameters of amikacin sulphate spray-dried powders for inhalation, with the intent to expand the experimental space defined in a previous half-fractional factorial design. Three factors, namely drying temperature, feed rate and ethanol proportion, have been selected out of the initial five. In addition, the levels of these factors were increased from two to three and their effect on amikacin respirability was evaluated. In particular, focus was given on the role of ethanol presence on the formation of the microparticles for inhalation. The overall outcome of the CCD was that amikacin respirability was not substantially improved, as the optimum region coincided with areas already explored with the fractional factorial design. However, expanding the design space towards smaller ethanol levels, including its complete absence, revealed the crucial role of this solvent on the morphology of the produced particles. Peclet number and drug solubility in the spraying solution helped to understand the formation mechanism of these amikacin sulphate spray-dried particles.

Development and in vitro evaluation of griseofulvin gels using Franz diffusion cells

Abstract The strong antidermatophytic action of griseofulvin, following oral administration, results from its concentration in the stratum corneum. However, this route of administration is often associated with various side effects. The purpose of this work was the preparation and in vitro evaluation of several gel formulations of griseofulvin, in which the drug was dissolved, for further clinical studies as an alternative topical dosage form. The in vitro release profiles of these formulations through artificial membranes and excised human skin, determined using Franz diffusion cells, showed that griseofulvin is released from the topical gel formulations employed and diffuses through skin. Additionally, stability studies conducted under room conditions for 16 months indicated that these formulations were adequately stable. Finally, preliminary clinical studies in humans showed that griseofulvin gels were effective and also well tolerated.

In vitro evaluation of nimodipine permeation through human epidermis using response surface methodology.

Abstract An optimization technique (response surface method) was used in order to investigate the effect of the combination of two enhancers, namely caprylic acid and cineol on nimodipines permeation through human cadaver epidermis. Using this quadratic model it was found that at 24 h the increase of the permeation of nimodipine it was mainly due to the effect of caprylic acid. On the contrary, it was shown that at 48 and 72 h the combination of the two enhancers contributed to the increase of the permeation. The greater Q gel / Q control values, at all time intervals (24, 48 and 72 h), were obtained when the concentration of cineol and caprylic acid range from 3.0 to 5.0% (v/v) and 8.0 to 9.5% (v/v), respectively.

Ion pair formation as a possible mechanism for the enhancement effect of lauric acid on the transdermal permeation of ondansetron.

Transdermal application can be an alternative drug delivery route for ondansetron, an antiemetic drug. Previous studies found that fatty acids, namely oleic and lauric, were the most effective penetration enhancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the formation of an ion pair between ondansetron and lauric acid as a possible mechanism of its enhancing action. Several techniques were used to reveal the formation of an ion pair complex. Partitioning experiments, where the n‐octanol/water coefficient was measured, showed an increase in the distribution coefficient in the presence of the acid, possibly as a result of the formation of more lipophilic ion pairs between the charged molecules of ondansetron and lauric acid. Further evidence of complex formation between ondansetron and lauric acid, was gained from the 13C‐nuclear magnetic resonance (13C‐NMR) spectra of ondansetron, lauric acid, and their mixture (molar ratio 1:1). The NMR spectra revealed alterations to the magnetic environment of the carbon atoms adjacent to the ionized group, which are the carbonyl group of the acid and the nitrogen of the imidazole ring of ondansetron. This evidence substantiates the theory of ion pair formation. Finally, thermal analysis of the binary mixtures of ondansetron and lauric acid revealed the formation of an additional compound, with different melting point from pure ondansetron and lauric acid, which is thermodynamically favored.