Ožbej Zupančič

Development and in vitro characterisation of an oral self-emulsifying delivery system for daptomycin

It was the aim of this study to develop an oral self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) for the peptide drug daptomycin exhibiting an anionic net charge. Drug lipophilicity was increased by hydrophobic ion pairing with cationic surfactant dodecylamine hydrochloride in molar ratio of surfactant to peptide 5:1. Log P (octanol/water) of -5.0 was even raised to +4.8 due to complexation with dodecylamine hydrochloride. Various SEDDS formulations were developed and characterised regarding emulsification properties, droplet size, polydispersity index and zeta potential. When the daptomycin dodecylamine complex (DAP/DOA) was dissolved in a formulation containing 35% Dermofeel MCT, 30% Capmul MCM and 35% Cremophor RH40, a maximum payload of even 8.0% (w/w) corresponding to 5.5% pure daptomycin was achieved. The formulation was degraded by lipase within 90min. Release studies of daptomycin from this formulation emulsified in 50mM phosphate buffer pH6.8 demonstrated a sustained drug release for at least six hours. Moreover, SEDDS exhibited also mucus permeating properties as well as a protective effect towards drug degradation by α-chymotrypsin. According to these results, SEDDS containing 8% DAP/DOA complex may be considered as a new potential oral delivery system for daptomycin.

Impact of lipases on the protective effect of SEDDS for incorporated peptide drugs towards intestinal peptidases

AIM The aim of this study is the development of self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) differing in amounts of ester substructures and to evaluate their stability in presence of pancreatic lipase and protective effect against luminal enzymatic metabolism using leuprorelin as model peptide drug. METHODS Hydrophobic leuprolide oleate was incorporated into three different SEDDS formulations and their stability towards pancreatic lipases was investigated utilizing a dynamic in vitro digestion model. Protective effect of SEDDS in respect to peptide drug stability against proteolytic enzymes, trypsin and α-chymotrypsin, was determined via HPLC. RESULTS Results of in vitro digestion demonstrated that 80% of SEDDS containing the highest amount of ester linkages was degraded within 60min. In comparison to that, SEDDS without ester bonds showed no degradation. With increasing oil droplets hydrolysis the remaining amount of peptide encapsulated into formulation decreased. Furthermore, after 180min incubation with trypsin up to 33.5% and with α-chymotrypsin up to 60.5% of leuprolide oleate was intact while leuprorelin acetate aqueous solution was completely metabolized by trypsin within 120min and by α-chymotrypsin within 5min. Protective effect in environment containing lipases was lower due to oil phase degradation, however, the amount of peptide in ester-free SEDDS was remarkably higher compared to SEDDS susceptible to lipases. CONCLUSION The present study revealed that SEDDS stable towards hydrolysis is able to exhibit a protective effect for oral peptide delivery.

development, in vitro and in vivo evaluation of a self-emulsifying drug delivery system (sedds) for oral enoxaparin administration

AIM The aim of this study was to develop SEDDS for oral enoxaparin administration and evaluate it in vitro and in vivo. METHODS The emulsifying properties of SEDDS composed of long chain lipids (LC-SEDDS), medium chain lipids (MC-SEDDS), short chain lipids (SC-SEDDS) and no lipids (NL-SEDDS) were evaluated. Thereafter, enoxaparin was incorporated via hydrophobic ion pairing in the chosen SEDDS, which were evaluated regarding their mucus permeating properties, stability towards pancreatic lipase, drug release profile and cytotoxicity. Finally, in vivo performance of SEDDS was evaluated. RESULTS The average droplet size of chosen LC-SEDDS, MC-SEDDS and NL-SEDDS ranged between 30 and 40nm. MC-SEEDS containing 30% Captex 8000, 30% Capmul MCM, 30% Cremophor EL and 10% propylene glycol and NL-SEDDS containing 31.5% Labrafil 1944, 22.5% Capmul PG-8, 9% propylene glycol, 27% Cremophor EL and 10% DMSO exhibited 2-fold higher mucus diffusion than LC-SEDDS and were therefore chosen for further studies. The enoxaparin-dodecylamine complex (ENOX/DOA) was incorporated in a payload of 2% (w/w) into MC-SEDDS and NL-SEDDS. After 90min 97% of MC-SEDDS and 5% of NL-SEDDS were degraded by pancreatic lipase. Both MC-SEDDS and NL-SEDDS showed sustained in vitro enoxaparin release. Furthermore, orally administrated MC-SEDDS and NL-SEDDS yielded an absolute enoxaparin bioavailability of 2.02% and 2.25%, respectively. CONCLUSION According to the abovementioned findings, SEDDS could be considered as a potential oral LMWH delivery system.

Development and in vitro evaluation of an oral SEDDS for desmopressin

Abstract Context: Self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) are among most promising tools for improving oral peptide bioavailability. Objective: In this study, in vitro protective effect of SEDDS containing desmopressin against presystemic inactivation by glutathione and α-chymotrypsin was evaluated. Materials and methods: The partitioning coefficient (log P) of desmopressin was increased via hydrophobic ion pairing using anionic surfactants. Solubility studies were performed to select the appropriate solvents for SEDDS preparation. Subsequently, droplet size and emulsification properties of 22 SEDDS formulations were evaluated. Moreover, the peptide-surfactant complex was dissolved in two chosen SEDDS formulations. Finally, SEDDS containing desmopressin were characterized regarding lipase stability, toxicity, and in vitro protective effect toward glutathione and α-chymotrypsin. Results: Desmopressin log P was increased from initial −6.13 to 0.33 using sodium docusate. The resulting desmopressin docusate complex (DES/AOT) was incorporated in two different SEDDS formulations, containing Capmul 907 P as main solvent. DES/AOT-SEDDS-F4 (containing 0.07% w/w DES/AOT) was composed of 50% Capmul 907P, 40% Cremophor RH40, and 10% Transcutol. The comparatively more hydrophilic formulation DES/AOT-SEDDS-F15 (containing 0.25% w/w DES/AOT) consisted of 20% Capmul 907P, 40% Acconon MC8-2, and 40% Tween 20. Both formulations were stable toward digestion by lipase and protected desmopressin toward α-chymotrypsin degradation. Moreover, DES/AOT-SEDDS-F4 also protected the peptide from thiol/disulfide exchange reactions with glutathione and was not cytotoxic at a concentration of 0.375% (w/w). Conclusion: DES/AOT-SEDDS-F4 protected desmopressin from in vitro glutathione and α-chymotrypsin degradation. DES/AOT-SEDDS-F4 was metabolically stable and nontoxic. Therefore, it could be considered as a potential delivery system for oral desmopressin administration.

Lipophilic peptide character - What oral barriers fear the most.

Peptide therapeutics is currently one of the fastest growing markets worldwide and consequently convenient ways of administration for these drugs are highly on demand. In particular, oral dosage forms would be preferred. A relative large molecular weight and high hydrophilicity, however, result in comparatively very low oral bioavailability being in most cases below 1%. Lipid based formulations (LBF), in particular self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) and solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) as well as liposomes are among the most promising tools for oral peptide delivery. Key to success in orally delivering peptides via LBF seems to be a sufficiently high lipophilic character of those therapeutic agents. Hence, different non-covalent and covalent peptide lipidization methods from drug delivery point of view are presented. On the one hand, among non-covalent lipidization methods hydrophobic ion pairing seems to be a promising way to sufficiently increase peptide lipophilicity providing high drug payloads in the lipid phase, a protective effect against presystemic metabolism via thiol-disulphide exchange reactions and proteolysis as well as an improved intestinal membrane permeability. On the other hand, covalent methods like conjugating fatty acids via amidation, esterification, reversible aqueous lipidization (REAL) and cyclization also show potential. The present review therefore describes those lipidization methods in detail and critically evaluates their contribution in successfully overcoming the oral barriers.

Development of oral self nano-emulsifying delivery system(s) of lanreotide with improved stability against presystemic thiol-disulfide exchange reactions

ABSTRACT Objectives: To develop a self nano-emulsifying delivery system (SNEDS) for model peptide lanreotide providing a protective effect towards thiol-disulfide exchange reactions. Methods: Ion-paired complexes of lanreotide with surfactants were prepared. In the following, Log P (octanol/water) of these complexes was determined. Lanreotide-loaded SNEDS (Lan/Deo-SN2 and Lan/Deo-SN3) were characterized for payload, droplet size and zeta potential. Lan/Deo-SN2 and Lan/Deo-SN3 were incubated with reduced glutathione (GSH) and thiol-enriched casein peptones for the assessment of thiol-disulfide exchange reactions. Ultra-centrifugation was used for separation of lanreotide released from SNEDS. Results: A maximum payload of 6.4% was achieved for Lan/Deo-SN2. Mean droplet size of Lan/Deo-SN2 and Lan/Deo-SN3 was 45 ± 0.20 nm and 37 ± 0.02 nm, respectively. Both formulations showed significant protection towards thiol-disulfide exchange reactions. After 3 h of incubation with GSH, 48% and 80% of lanreotide remained intact when incorporated in Lan/Deo-SN2 and Lan/Deo-SN3, respectively. Furthermore, Lan/Deo-SN2 and Lan/Deo-SN3 showed 47% and 51% protection against thiol enriched casein peptones, respectively. Both formulations showed sustained lanreotide release over a period of 3 h. Conclusion: Owing to the results, the above-mentioned approach might be a useful tool to overcome the sulfhydryl barrier of the GI-tract.

Totally S-protected hyaluronic acid: Evaluation of stability and mucoadhesive properties as liquid dosage form

AIM It is the aim of this study to synthesize hyaluronic acid (HA) derivatives bearing mucoadhesive properties and showing prolonged stability at pH 7.4 and under oxidative condition as liquid dosage form. METHODS HA was modified by thiolation with l-cysteine (HA-SH) and by conjugation with 2-mercaptonicotinic acid-l-cysteine ligand to obtain an S-protected derivative (HA-MNA). The polymers were characterized by determination of thiol group content and mercaptonicotinic acid content. Cytotoxicity, stability and mucoadhesive properties (rheological evaluation and tensile test) of the polymers were evaluated. RESULTS HA-SH and HA-MNA could be successfully synthesized with a degree of modification of 5% and 9% of the total moles of carboxylic acid groups, respectively. MTT assay revealed no toxicity for the polymers. HA-SH resulted to be unstable both at pH 7.4 and under oxidative conditions, whereas HA-MNA was stable under both conditions. Rheological assessment showed a 52-fold and a 3-fold increase in viscosity for HA-MNA incubated with mucus compared to unmodified HA and HA-SH, respectively. Tensile evaluation carried out with intestinal and conjunctival mucosa confirmed the higher mucoadhesive properties of HA-MNA compared to HA-SH. CONCLUSIONS According to the presented results, HA-MNA appears to be a potent excipient for the formulation of stable liquid dosage forms showing comparatively high mucodhesive properties.

Thiolated silicone oils as adhesive skin protectants for improved barrier function.

The purpose of this study was the evaluation of thiolated silicone oil as novel skin protectant exhibiting prolonged residence time, enhanced barrier function and reinforced occlusivity.

Improved mucoadhesive properties of self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) by introducing acyl chitosan

This study was aimed to improve the mucoadhesive properties of SNEDDS by the incorporation of acyl chitosan including octanoyl chitosan (OC), lauroyl chitosan (LC) and palmitoyl chitosan (PC). SNEDDS and acyl chitosan SNEDDS were characterized regarding droplet size and zeta potential. Their mucoadhesivity on porcine intestinal mucosa was evaluated by falling liquid film technique using Sudan Red G as marker. Degree of substitution of chitosan was determined to be 52.8%, 64.8 and 48.5% for OC, LC and PC, respectively. SNEDDS and acyl chitosan SNEDDS displayed a droplet size less than 50nm and 80-300nm as well as a zeta potential of -0.2 to -1.6 and 0.05 to 0.99mV, respectively. Introducing 2% acyl chitosan into SNEDDS increased the residence time of SNEDDS on intestinal mucosa 2-fold. It is concluded that due to the incorporation of acyl chitosan into SNEDDS, their mucoadhesive properties can be increased.

Development and in vitro characterization of self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) for oral opioid peptide delivery

Abstract Aim: In this study, self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) for oral delivery of opioid peptide dalargin were developed and characterized in vitro. Methods: Dalargin lipophilicity was increased by O-esterification of tyrosine OH group, hydrophobic ion pairing, or a combination thereof. Distribution coefficients (log D) of lipidized dalargin derivatives were determined. Then, dalargin was incorporated in chosen SEDDS, namely SEDDS-1, composed of 50% Capmul 907, 40% Cremophor EL, and 10% propylene glycol and comparatively more lipophilic SEDDS-2 composed of 30% Captex 8000, 30% Capmul MCM, 30% Cremophor EL, and 10% propylene glycol. Additionally, SEDDS were characterized regarding droplet size, polydispersity index (PDI), cloudy point, physical stability and stability against pancreatic lipase. Furthermore, mucus permeating properties of SEDDS and their ability to protect the incorporated dalargin against proteolysis by trypsin, α-chymotrypsin, elastase, simulated gastric fluid (SGF), and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) were evaluated. Results: The highest dalargin drug payload of 4.57% in SEDDS-2 was achieved when dalargin palmitate (pDAL) was ion paired with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in molar ratio 1:1. Moreover, SEDDS-1 and SEDDS-2 had a narrow droplet size distribution with average droplet sizes of 42.1 and 33.1 nm with PDI of 0.042 and 0.034, respectively. Lipolysis study showed that within 30 min 78.5% of SEDDS-1 and 92.1% of SEDDS-2 were digested. In addition, both SEDDS exhibited mucus permeating properties as well as a protective effect against enzymatic degradation by trypsin, α-chymotrypsin, elastase, SGF and SIF. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the developed SEDDS could be considered for oral opioid peptide delivery.