Kishan Veerabrahma

Development and evaluation of gastroretentive norfloxacin floating tablets

Development and evaluation of gastroretentive norfloxacin floating tablets Floating matrix tablets of norfloxacin were developed to prolong gastric residence time, leading to an increase in drug bioavailability. Tablets were prepared by the wet granulation technique, using polymers such as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC K4M, HPMC K100M) and xanthan gum. Tablets were evaluated for their physical characteristics, viz., hardness, thickness, friability, and mass variation, drug content and floating properties. Further, tablets were studied for in vitro drug release characteristics for 9 hours. The tablets exhibited controlled and prolonged drug release profiles while floating over the dissolution medium. Non-Fickian diffusion was confirmed as the drug release mechanism from these tablets, indicating that water diffusion and polymer rearrangement played an essential role in drug release. The best formulation (F4) was selected based on in vitro characteristics and was used in vivo radiographic studies by incorporating BaSO4. These studies revealed that the tablets remained in the stomach for 180 ± 30 min in fasting human volunteers and indicated that gastric retention time was increased by the floating principle, which was considered desirable for the absorption window drugs. Razvoj i vrednovanje plutajućih tableta norfloksacina s produljenim zadržavanjem u želucu Razvijene su plutajuće tablete norfloksacina koje se produljeno zadržavaju u želucu i time povećavaju bioraspoloživost. Tablete su pripravljene metodom vlažne granulacije, koristeći hidroksipropil metilcelulozu (HPMC K4M, HPMC K100M) i ksantan gumu. Tabletama su određena fizikalna svojstva (čvrstoća, debljina, lomljivost i varijacija mase) te sadržaj ljekovite tvari i plutajuća svojstva. Nadalje, praćeno je oslobađanje ljekovite tvari in vitro tijekom 9 h. Uočeno je da je oslobađanje kontrolirano i produljeno te da tablete plutaju u ispitivanom mediju. Mehanizam oslobađanja nije slijedio Fickov zakon, što ukazuje da difuzija vode i promjene u strukturi polimera imaju bitnu ulogu u oslobađanju ljekovite tvari. Najbolja formulacija (F4) in vitro uporabljena je za izradu pripravaka barijevog sulfata za radiografska ispitivanja in vivo. Ispitivanja na volonterima koji su apstinirali od hrane pokazala su da primjena plutajućih tableta produljuje vrijeme zadržavanja u želucu na 180 ± 30 min.

Candesartan cilexetil loaded solid lipid nanoparticles for oral delivery: characterization, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluation.

Abstract Candesartan cilexetil (CC) is used in the treatment of hypertension and heart failure. It has poor aqueous solubility and low oral bioavailability. In this work, CC loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (CC-SLNs) were developed to improve the oral bioavailability. Components of the SLNs include either of trimyristin/tripalmitin/tristearin, and surfactants (Poloxamer 188 and egg lecithin E80). The CC loaded nanoparticles were prepared by hot homogenization followed by ultrasonication method. The physicochemical properties, morphology of CC-SLNs were characterized, the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic behaviour of CC-SLNs were evaluated in rats. Stable CC-SLNs having a mean particle size of 180–220 nm with entrapment efficiency varying in between 91–96% were developed. The physical stability of optimized formulation was studied at refrigerated and room temperature for 3 months. Further, freeze drying was tried for improving the physical stability. DSC and XRD analyses indicated that the drug incorporated into SLN was in amorphous form but not in crystalline state. The SLN-morphology was found to be nearly spherical by electron microscopic studies. Pharmacokinetic results indicated that the oral bioavailability of CC was improved over 2.75-fold after incorporation into SLNs. Pharmacodynamic study of SLNs in hypertensive rats showed a decrease in systolic blood pressure for 48 h, while suspension showed a decrease in systolic blood pressure for only 2 h. Taken together, these effects are due to enhanced bioavailability coupled with sustained action of CC in SLN formulation. Thus, the results conclusively demonstrated the role of CC-SLNs for a significant enhancement in oral bioavailability along with improved pharmacodynamic effect.

Brain specific delivery of pegylated indinavir submicron lipid emulsions

The aim of this study was to develop stable parenteral pegylated indinavir submicron lipid emulsions (SLEs) for improving brain specific delivery. The O/W SLEs were prepared by homogenization and ultra sonication process. The sizes of oil globules varied from 241.5 to 296.4nm and zeta potential from -26.6 to -42.4mV. During in vitro drug release studies the cumulative amount of drug released within 12h from SLE-5, DSP2-3 and DPP5-3 was 71.8±0.76, 66.09±1.45 and 68.33±1.29, respectively. The total drug content and entrapment efficiencies were determined. The optimized formulations were stable for the effect of centrifugal stress, thermal stress, dilution stress and storage. In vivo pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies were performed in Swiss albino mice, the therapeutic availability (TA) of DSP2-3 was 3.59 times and 2.36 times in comparison to drug solution and SLE-5 respectively, where as DPP5-3 showed TA 2.8 and 1.84 times the drug solution and SLE-5, respectively. The brain to serum ratio of indinavir from DSP2-3 and DPP5-3 varied between 0.4 and 0.7 at all time points indicated the preferential accumulation of drug in brain. In conclusion, pegylated SLEs improved brain specific delivery of indinavir and will be useful in treating chronic HIV infection.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies of nisoldipine-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles developed by central composite design

Abstract Objective: Nisoldipine (ND) is a potential antihypertensive drug with low oral bioavailability. The aim was to develop an optimal formulation of ND-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (ND-SLNs) for improved oral bioavailability and pharmacodynamic effect by using a two-factor, three-level central composite design. Glyceryl trimyristate (Dynasan 114) and egg lecithin were selected as independent variables. Particle size (Y1), PDI (Y2) and entrapment efficiency (EE) (Y3) of SLNs were selected as dependent response variables. Methods: The ND-SLNs were prepared by hot homogenization followed by ultrasonication. The size, PDI, zeta potential, EE, assay, in vitro release and morphology of ND-SLNs were characterized. Further, the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic behavior of ND-SLNs was evaluated in male Wistar rats. Results: The optimal ND-SLN formulation had particle size of 104.4 ± 2.13 nm, PDI of 0.241 ± 0.02 and EE of 89.84 ± 0.52%. The differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction analyses indicated that the drug incorporated into ND-SLNs was in amorphous form. The morphology of ND-SLNs was found to be nearly spherical by scanning electron microscopy. The optimized formulation was stable at refrigerated and room temperature for 3 months. PK studies showed that 2.17-fold increase in oral bioavailability when compared with a drug suspension. In pharmacodynamic studies, a significant reduction in the systolic blood pressure was observed, which sustained for a period of 36 h when compared with a controlled suspension. Conclusion: Taken together, the results conclusively demonstrated that the developed optimal ND-SLNs caused significant enhancement in oral bioavailability along with pharmacodynamic effect.

Preparation, Characterization and Evaluation of Quetiapine Fumarate Solid Lipid Nanoparticles to Improve the Oral Bioavailability

Quetiapine fumarate is an antipsychotic drug with poor oral bioavailability (9%) due to first-pass metabolism. Present work is an attempt to improve oral bioavailability of quetiapine fumarate by incorporating in solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN). Six quetiapine fumarate SLN formulations were developed using three different lipids by hot homogenisation followed by ultrasonication. The drug excipient compatibility was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Stable quetiapine fumarate SLNs having a mean particle size of 200–250 nm with entrapment efficiency varying in between 80% and 92% were developed. The physical stability of optimized formulation F3 was checked at room temperature for 2 months. Comparative bioavailability studies were conducted in male Wistar rats after oral administration of quetiapine fumarate suspension and SLN formulation. The relative bioavailability of quetiapine fumarate from optimized SLN preparation was increased by 3.71 times when compared with the reference quetiapine fumarate suspension. The obtained results are indicative of SLNs as potential lipid carriers for improving the bioavailability of quetiapine fumarate by minimizing first-pass metabolism.

Development of Sustained Release Floating Drug Delivery System for Norfloxacin: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation

Norfloxacin is a drug with an absorption window. Its oral bioavailability is 30–40% and is a case for improvement by appropriate formulation design. In our previous study, gastroretentive floating tablets for norfloxacin were developed employing three different polymers such as HPMC K4M, HPMC K100M, and xanthan gum. The purpose of this investigation is to further improve and evaluate the in vitro and in vivo performance of the prepared floating tablets by inclusion of citric acid as an acidifier, which is also useful in a fed state. The prepared tablets were characterized and found to exhibit satisfactory physico-chemical characteristics. The effects of citric acid at different concentrations on drug release and floating properties were studied. All the prepared batches showed good in vitro buoyancy. It was observed that the tablets remained buoyant for 24 h. The best formulation (F4c), consisting of 1.5% citric acid and 18% HPMC K4M, was selected based on in vitro characteristics and used in vivo radiographic studies by incorporating barium sulphate. These studies revealed that the tablets remained in the stomach for 205 ± 8.4 min in fasting human volunteers. In vivo studies were carried out for the best formulation in eight healthy male human volunteers, and the pharmacokinetic parameters of the developed formulation were compared with marketed conventional (Norbid) tablets. Based on the in vivo performance in a two-way, crossover study design in healthy subjects, the developed floating tablets showed superior bioavailability than the Norbid tablets. The increased bioavailability of developed formulation was found to be 16.27%. LAY ABSTRACT: Norfloxacin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections such as respiratory and urinary tract infections. Conventional norfloxacin tablets show incomplete drug absorption resulting in lower bioavailabilty. Norfloxacin is better absorbed in the stomach. The dosage forms that remain in the stomach are referred to as gastroretentive drug delivery systems. Gastroretentive floating tablets of norfloxcin were developed by employing three different polymers, which prolonged the drug release from the dosage forms. Tablet floatation was achieved by an effervescent mechanism. Citric acid at different concentrations was used in formulations to provide an acidic microenvironment. The prepared tablets were characterized for hardness, weight variation, thickness, friability, floating lag time, and dissolution. Around 12 tablet formulations were prepared as a continuation of the previous work. The best formulation (F4c) was selected based on in vitro characteristics and used in vivo radiographic studies by incorporating barium sulphate as a radio-opaque agent. The tablets remained in the stomach for about 205 ± 8.4 min. Bioavailability studies were conducted in healthy male human volunteers, and the pharmacokinetic parameters of the best formulation were compared with that of the marketed conventional (Norbid) tablet. The increased bioavailability of the developed formulation was found to be 16.27%.

Albumin coupled lipid nanoemulsions of diclofenac for targeted delivery to inflammation

UNLABELLED Diclofenac lipid nanoemulsions (DLNEs) were prepared with different compositions. Based on size, PDI, zeta potential, and in vitro drug release, the optimized DLNEs (DLNE-4 and DLNE-7) were developed and evaluated for drug content, entrapment efficiencies, and stability in comparison to the control formulation (DLNE-1). The albumin was coupled to DLNE-7 globules (DLNE-8) by water soluble carbodiimide (EDC) method, purified, and quantified by modified Bradford method. The pharmacokinetic study was conducted in inflammation (granuloma air pouch model) induced rats. The maximum peak concentration of DLNE-8 was almost fourfold to fivefold in comparison to drug solution in granuloma air pouch fluid (GAPF). The therapeutic availability (TA) of DLNE-8 was 2.89, 2.34, and 1.66 times that of drug solution, DLNE-4 and DLNE-7, respectively. The GAPF/serum ratio of diclofenac from DLNE-8 was above one at all time points indicating the targeting potential of albumin ligated LNEs to inflammatory sites. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR This study demonstrates targeted delivery of diclofenac to an inflammatory environment using the granuloma air pouch model and diclofenac nanoemulsions with different compositions.

Development of gastroretentive drug delivery system for cefuroxime axetil: In vitro and in vivo evaluation in human volunteers

The objective of this investigation was to develop the cefuroxime axetil sustained-release floating tablets to prolong the gastric residence time and compare their pharmacokinetic behavior with marketed conventional tablets (Zocef). The floating tablets were developed using polymers like HPMC K4M and HPMC K100M alone, and polymer combination of HPMC K4M and Polyox WSR 303 by effervescent technique. Tablets were prepared by slugging method and evaluated for their physical characteristics, in vitro drug release, and buoyancy lag time. The best formulation (F10) was selected based on in vitro characteristics and used in vivo radiographic and bioavailability studies in healthy human volunteers. All the formulations could sustain drug release for 12 h. The dissolution profiles were subjected to various kinetic release models and it was found that the mechanism of drug release followed Peppas model. The in vivo radiographic studies revealed that the tablets remained in stomach for 225±30 min. Based on in vivo performance, the developed floating tablets showed superior bioavailability than Zocef tablet. Based on in vivo performance significant difference was observed between Cmax, tmax, t1/2, AUC0–∞, and mean residence time of test and reference (p<0.05). The increase in relative bioavailability of test was 1.61 fold when compared to reference.

Development of a self-microemulsifying drug delivery system of domperidone: In vitro and in vivo characterization.

The main objective of this work was to prepare a self-micro emulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) for enhancement of oral bioavailability of domperidone, a poorly water soluble drug. The solubility of the drug was determined in various vehicles. A pseudo ternary phase diagram was constructed to identify the self-micro emulsification region. The in vitro self-micro emulsification properties and droplet size analysis of SMEDDS were studied following their addition to water under mild agitation. Further, the resultant formulations were investigated for clarity, phase separation, globule size, effect of pH and dilutions (1:100, 1:500, 1:1000) and freeze-thaw stability. The optimized formulation, SMEDDS-B used for in vitro dissolution and bioavailability assessment, contained oil (Labrafac CC, 25 %, m/m), surfactant (Tween 80, 55 %, m/m), and co-surfactant (Transcutol®, 20 %, m/m). The preliminary oral bioavailability of domperidone from SMEDDS was 1.92-fold higher compared to that of domperidone suspension in rats. The AUC0-24 and cmax values were 3.38 ± 0.81 μg h mL-1 and 0.44 ± 0.03 μg mL-1 for SMEDDS-B formulation in comparison with 1.74 ± 0.18 μg h mL-1 and 0.24 ± 0.02 μg mL-1 for domperidone suspension, suggesting a significant increase (p < 0.05) in oral bioavailability of domperidone from SMEDDSS.

Formulation and Pharmacokinetics of Diclofenac Lipid Nanoemulsions for Parenteral Application

The objective of the present study was to formulate and determine the pharmacokinetics of stable o/w parenteral lipid nanoemulsions (LNEs) of diclofenac acid used to treat arthritic conditions. The LNEs of diclofenac acid with a mean size ranging from 200 to 240 nm and a zeta potential of −29.4 ± 1.04 mV (negatively charged LNEs) and 62.1 ± 3.5 (positively charged LNEs) emulsions were prepared by hot homogenization and ultrasonication process. The influence of formulation variables, such as the change in proportion of cholesterol, was studied, and optimized formulations were developed. The optimized formulations were relatively stable during centrifugal stress, dilution stress, and storage. The drug content and entrapment efficiency were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. The in vitro drug release was carried out in phosphate-buffered saline pH 7.4 and cumulative amount of drug released was estimated using a UV-visible spectro-photometer. During in vivo pharmacokinetic studies in male Wistar rats, diclofenac serum concentration from LNEs was higher than that of Voveran injection and was detectable up to 12 h. Diclofenac in LNEs showed improved pharmacokinetic profile with increase in area under the curve, elimination half-life and mean residence time in comparison to Voveran. LAY ABSTRACT: Our aim was to prepare and determine the pharmacokinetics of injectable lipid nanoemulsions of diclofenac acid for treating arthritic conditions by reducing the frequency of dosing and pain at site of injection. The nanoemulsions of diclofenac acid were prepared by homogenization and ultrasonication process. The sizes and charges of oil globules were determined. The effect of cholesterol on stability of emulsion was studied, and an optimized preparation was developed. The optimized formulations were stable during centrifugation, dilution, and storage. The total amount of drug in emulsion and percentage amount of drug present in emulsion globules were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. The drug release from preparation was carried out in phosphate-buffered saline pH 7.4. The cumulative amount of drug released was estimated using a spectrophotometer. The time course of the released drug in rat serum was determined. Diclofenac concentrations from lipid nanoemulsions were higher than that of Voveran injection (solution form) in serum.