Harsh Chauhan

Correlating the behavior of polymers in solution as precipitation inhibitor to its amorphous stabilization ability in solid dispersions

Our major goals were to understand the mechanism of dipyridamole (DPD) precipitation inhibition in the presence of polymers and to correlate the polymers-mediated precipitation inhibition in solution to the amorphous stabilization in the solid state. A continuous UV spectrophotometer was used to monitor the DPD concentration with time in the absence and presence of different polymers. Six polymers: PVP K90, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), Eudragit E100, Eudragit S100, Eudragit L100, and PEG 8000 were screened at different drug-to-monomer ratios. Solid dispersions were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction and modulated differential scanning calorimetry, whereas infrared (IR) and Raman were used to investigate the possible drug-polymer interactions. Eudragit E100 and HPMC were found to delay both DPD precipitation initiation time and precipitation rates. Eudragit S100 delayed only the precipitation initiation time and PVP K90 decreased only the precipitation rates. In solid state, Eudragit S100, PVP K90, HPMC, and Eudragit L100 were effective stabilizers of the DPD solid dispersion. Eudragit S100 was found to be most effective DPD-stabilizing polymer. The IR and Raman spectra of the solid dispersion of Eudragit S100 and HPMC showed peak shift, indicating drug-polymer molecular interactions. It is concluded that the drug-polymer interaction plays a significant role in precipitation inhibition and amorphous stabilization.

Investigation and correlation of drug polymer miscibility and molecular interactions by various approaches for the preparation of amorphous solid dispersions

Curcumin (CUR) was used as a poorly soluble drug whereas polyvinyl pyrrolidone K90 (PVP), Eudragit EPO (EPO), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose E5 (HPMC) and polyethylene glycol 8000 (PEG) were used as hydrophilic polymers. CUR polymer miscibility was evaluated by solubility parameter, melting point depression and glass transition temperature (Tg) measurements. Molecular interactions between CUR and polymers were determined by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman. Amorphous solid dispersions were prepared with CUR-polymer ratio of 70:30 (w/w) by solvent evaporation technique and were evaluated for dissolution enhancement using USP II method. Physical states of solid dispersions were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) whereas thermal behaviors were investigated using modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC). CUR-EPO system showed good miscibility through all the approaches, whereas immiscibility was found in other CUR-polymer systems. CUR-EPO and CUR-HPMC systems showed significant molecular interactions whereas CUR-PVP and CUR-PEG showed no molecular interactions. All solid dispersions showed significant dissolution enhancement with CUR-EPO showing highest dissolution rate during first 1h whereas CUR-HPMC was effective in maintaining high CUR concentrations for 6h. The study highlights the importance of investigating and correlating drug polymer miscibility and molecular interactions by various approaches for successful formulation of amorphous solid dispersions.

Correlation of Inhibitory Effects of Polymers on Indomethacin Precipitation in Solution and Amorphous Solid Crystallization Based on Molecular Interaction

PurposeTo correlate the polymer’s degree of precipitation inhibition of indomethacin in solution to the amorphous stabilization in solid state.MethodsPrecipitation of indomethacin (IMC) in presence of polymers was continuously monitored by a UV spectrophotometer. Precipitates were characterized by PXRD, IR and SEM. Solid dispersions with different polymer to drug ratios were prepared using solvent evaporation. Crystallization of the solid dispersion was monitored using PXRD. Modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC), IR, Raman and solid state NMR were used to explore the possible interactions between IMC and polymers.ResultsPVP K90, HPMC and Eudragit E100 showed precipitation inhibitory effects in solution whereas Eudragit L100, Eudragit S100 and PEG 8000 showed no effect on IMC precipitation. The rank order of precipitation inhibitory effect on IMC was found to be PVP K90 > Eudragit E100 > HPMC. In the solid state, polymers showing precipitation inhibitory effect also exhibited amorphous stabilization of IMC with the same rank order of effectiveness. IR, Raman and solid state NMR studies showed that rank order of crystallization inhibition correlates with strength of molecular interaction between IMC and polymers.ConclusionsCorrelation is observed in the polymers ability to inhibit precipitation in solution and amorphous stabilization in the solid state for IMC and can be explained by the strength of drug polymer interactions.

Amorphous stabilization and dissolution enhancement of amorphous ternary solid dispersions: combination of polymers showing drug-polymer interaction for synergistic effects.

The purpose of this study was to understand the combined effect of two polymers showing drug-polymer interactions on amorphous stabilization and dissolution enhancement of indomethacin (IND) in amorphous ternary solid dispersions. The mechanism responsible for the enhanced stability and dissolution of IND in amorphous ternary systems was studied by exploring the miscibility and intermolecular interactions between IND and polymers through thermal and spectroscopic analysis. Eudragit E100 and PVP K90 at low concentrations (2.5%-40%, w/w) were used to prepare amorphous binary and ternary solid dispersions by solvent evaporation. Stability results showed that amorphous ternary solid dispersions have better stability compared with amorphous binary solid dispersions. The dissolution of IND from the ternary dispersion was substantially higher than the binary dispersions as well as amorphous drug. Melting point depression of physical mixtures reveals that the drug was miscible in both the polymers; however, greater miscibility was observed in ternary physical mixtures. The IR analysis confirmed intermolecular interactions between IND and individual polymers. These interactions were found to be intact in ternary systems. These results suggest that the combination of two polymers showing drug-polymer interaction offers synergistic enhancement in amorphous stability and dissolution in ternary solid dispersions.

Qualitative and quantitative methods to determine miscibility in amorphous drug–polymer systems

Amorphous drug-polymer systems or amorphous solid dispersions are commonly used in pharmaceutical industry to enhance the solubility of compounds with poor aqueous solubility. The degree of miscibility between drug and polymer is important both for solubility enhancement as well as for the formation of a physically stable amorphous system. Calculation of solubility parameters, Computational data mining, Tg measurements by DSC and Raman mapping are established traditional methods used to qualitatively detect the drug-polymer miscibility. Calculation of Flory-Huggins interaction parameter, computational analysis of X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) data, solid state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and Atomic Forced Microscopy (AFM) have been recently developed to quantitatively determine the miscibility in amorphous drug-polymer systems. This brief review introduces and compiles these qualitative and quantitative methods employed in the evaluation of drug-polymer miscibility. Combination of these techniques can provide deeper insights into the true miscibility of the drug-polymer systems.

Physicochemical characterization techniques for solid lipid nanoparticles: principles and limitations

Abstract Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) are gaining importance due to numerous advantages they offer as a drug delivery system. SLN incorporate poorly soluble drugs, proteins, biologicals, etc. SLN are prepared by techniques like high-pressure homogenization, sonication and employs a wide range of lipids and surfactants. Physicochemical characterization techniques include particle size analysis, zeta potential and determination of crystallinity/polymorphism. Furthermore, drug loading and drug entrapment efficiency are common parameters used to test the efficiency of SLN. Most importantly, the functionality assay of SLN is essential to predict the activity and performance in vivo. The review presented discusses the importance of SLN in drug delivery with emphasis on principles and limitations associated with their physicochemical characterization.

Role of Molecular Interactions for Synergistic Precipitation Inhibition of Poorly Soluble Drug in Supersaturated Drug–Polymer–Polymer Ternary Solution

We are reporting a synergistic effect of combined Eudragit E100 and PVP K90 in precipitation inhibition of indomethacin (IND) in solutions at low polymer concentration, a phenomenon that has significant implications on the usefulness of developing novel ternary solid dispersion of poorly soluble drugs. The IND supersaturation was created by cosolvent technique, and the precipitation studies were performed in the absence and the presence of individual and combined PVP K90 and Eudragit E100. The studies were also done with PEG 8000 as a noninteracting control polymer. A continuous UV recording of the IND absorption was used to observe changes in the drug concentration over time. The polymorphic form and morphology of precipitated IND were characterized by Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The change in the chemical shift in solution (1)H NMR was used as novel approach to probe IND-polymer interactions. Molecular modeling was used for calculating binding energy between IND-polymer as another indication of IND-polymer interaction. Spontaneous IND precipitation was observed in the absence of polymers. Eudragit E100 showed significant inhibitory effect on nuclei formation due to stronger interaction as reflected in higher binding energy and greater change in chemical shift by NMR. PVP K90 led to significant crystal growth inhibition due to adsorption on growing IND crystals as confirmed by modified crystal habit of precipitate in the presence of PVP K90. Combination of polymers resulted in a synergistic precipitation inhibition and extended supersaturation. The NMR confirmed interaction between IND-Eudragit E100 and IND-PVP K90 in solution. The combination of polymers showed similar peak shift albeit using lower polymer concentration indicating stronger interactions. The results established the significant synergistic precipitation inhibition effect upon combining Eudragit E100 and PVP K90 due to drug-polymer interaction.

Classification of solid dispersions: correlation to (i) stability and solubility (ii) preparation and characterization techniques

Abstract Solid dispersion has been a topic of interest in recent years for its potential in improving oral bioavailability, especially for poorly water soluble drugs where dissolution could be the rate-limiting step of oral absorption. Understanding the physical state of the drug and polymers in solid dispersions is essential as it influences both the stability and solubility of these systems. This review emphasizes on the classification of solid dispersions based on the physical states of drug and polymer. Based on this classification, stability aspects such as crystallization tendency, glass transition temperature (Tg), drug polymer miscibility, molecular mobility, etc. and solubility aspects have been discussed. In addition, preparation and characterization methods for binary solid dispersions based on the classification have also been discussed.

Principles and applications of Raman spectroscopy in pharmaceutical drug discovery and development

Introduction: In recent years, Raman spectroscopy has become increasingly important as an analytical technique in various scientific areas of research and development. This is partly due to the technological advancements in Raman instrumentation and partly due to detailed fingerprinting that can be derived from Raman spectra. Its versatility of applications, rapidness of collection and easy analysis have made Raman spectroscopy an attractive analytical tool. Areas covered: The following review describes Raman spectroscopy and its application within the pharmaceutical industry. The authors explain the theory of Raman scattering and its variations in Raman spectroscopy. The authors also highlight how Raman spectra are interpreted, providing examples. Expert opinion: Raman spectroscopy has a number of potential applications within drug discovery and development. It can be used to estimate the molecular activity of drugs and to establish a drug’s physicochemical properties such as its partition coefficient. It can also be used in compatibility studies during the drug formulation process. Raman spectroscopy’s immense potential should be further investigated in future.

Studying the effect of lipid chain length on the precipitation of a poorly water soluble drug from self-emulsifying drug delivery system on dispersion into aqueous medium

The lipid excipients of the self‐emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) could play a role in interfering with the drug precipitation to maintain its supersaturation, a step with possible major significance on the SEDDS. Thus, the effect of lipid chain length on indomethacin precipitation rate from SEDDS upon dilution was studied.