Sang-Chul Shin

Influence of the delivery systems using a microneedle array on the permeation of a hydrophilic molecule, calcein

Despite the advantages of drug delivery through the skin, such as easy accessibility, convenience, prolonged therapy, avoidance of the liver first-pass metabolism and a large surface area, transdermal drug delivery is only used with a small subset of drugs because most compounds cannot cross the skin at therapeutically useful rates. Recently, a new concept was introduced known as microneedles and these could be pierced to effectively deliver drugs using micron-sized needles in a minimally invasive and painless manner. In this study, biocompatible polycarbonate (PC) microneedle arrays with various depths (200 and 500 microm) and densities (45, 99 and 154 ea/cm2) were fabricated using a micro-mechanical process. The skin permeability of a hydrophilic molecule, calcein (622.5D), was examined according to the delivery systems of microneedle, drug loading, depth of the PC microneedle, and density of the PC microneedle. The skin permeability of calcein was the highest when the calcein gel was applied to the skin with the 500 microm-depth PC microneedle, simultaneously. In addition, the skin permeability of calcein was the highest when 0.1g of calcein gel was coupled to the 500 microm-depth PC microneedle (154 ea/cm2) as well as longer microneedles and larger density of microneedles. Taken together, this study suggests that a biocompatible PC microneedle might be a suitable tool for transdermal drug delivery system of hydrophilic molecules with the possible applications to macromolecules such as proteins and peptides.

Physicochemical characterization of solid dispersion of furosemide with TPGS

The D-alpha-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) was used to increase the aqueous solubility and dissolution rate of furosemide. The solid dispersion of furosemide with TPGS was prepared by solvent method using methanol. The aqueous solubility and the dissolution rate of furosemide were rapid and markedly enhanced from the 1:2 furosemide-TPGS solid dispersion. The X-ray diffractometry showed that pure furosemide and furosemide contained within the physical mixture were crystalline in nature, whereas furosemide in the solid dispersion was not in crystalline form. The infrared spectroscopic analysis showed that an interaction, in the solid dispersion, such as an association between the functional groups of furosemide and TPGS might occur in the molecular level. The infrared spectroscopy and differential thermal analysis showed the physicochemical modifications of the furosemide from the solid dispersion. The solid dispersion technique with TPGS provides a promising way to increase the solubility and dissolution rate of poorly soluble drugs.

Enhanced permeation of triamcinolone acetonide through the buccal mucosa

To develop new formulations that have suitable bioadhesive force and provide sustained release in buccal area for an extended period of time, bioadhesive gels containing triamcinolone acetonide were prepared using two polymers, carbopol 934 and poloxamer 407 which were selected for their bioadhesiveness and gelling property, respectively. The drug release profiles from the gels were studied as a function of drug concentration and temperature. Different enhancers such as bile salts, glycols and non-ionic surfactants were used for the enhancement of its permeation through buccal mucosa. Among the enhancers used, sodium deoxycholate showed the best enhancing effects.

Enhanced efficacy by percutaneous absorption of piroxicam from the poloxamer gel in rats.

The pharmacokinetics and anti-inflammatory activity of piroxicam from the poloxamer 407 gel were determined to investigate percutaneous absorption of piroxicam from poloxamer gels in rats. The poloxamer 407 gel containing 1% piroxicam showed significant inhibition of carragenin-induced rat foot swelling when compared to the control group. The extent of inhibition of swelling (%) showed a linear relationship with the logarithm of piroxicam dose within approximately 0.4-3.2 mg/kg. The enhancing effect of polyoxyethylene-2-oleyl ether, non-ionic surfactant on the percutaneous absorption of piroxicam from poloxamer 407 gel was evaluated in rats. The piroxicam gel containing polyoxyethylene-2-oleyl ether increaesd the relative bioavailability approximately 1.8-fold compared with the gel without enhancer. Percutaneous administration of piroxicam gel containing polyoxyethylene-2-oleyl ether to rats showed a relatively constant, sustained blood concentration with minimal fluctuation.

Enhanced bioavailability by buccal administration of triamcinolone acetonide from the bioadhesive gels in rabbits.

The pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of triamcinolone acetonide were determined to investigate buccal absorption from the mucoadhesive gels in rabbits. The enhancing effect of sodium deoxycholate as an enhancer on the buccal absorption of triamcinolone acetonide from the mucoadhesive gels was evaluated in rabbits. Thus, 2 mg/kg of triamcinolone acetonide was administered from the mucoadhesive gels containing an enhancer (enhancer group) or not (control group) via the buccal routes and compared with intravenous routes (1 mg/kg, i.v. group). AUC of the control, enhancer and i.v group were 2374+/-915, 3778+/-1721 and 3945+/-2085 h ng/ml, respectively, and the absolutive bioavailability of enhancer or i.v to control group were 159.14 or 332.35%, respectively. The average C(max) of control and enhancer group were 263+/-159 and 362+/-201 ng/ml, and the mean T(max) of the control group and enhancer group were 5.00+/-1.67 and 4.33+/-0.82 h, respectively, but there was no significant difference. As the triamcinolone acetonide gels containing sodium deoxycholate as an enhancer was administered to rabbits via the buccal routes, the relative bioavailability showed about 1.59-fold compared with the control group. Buccal administration of triamcinolone acetonide gels containing sodium deoxycholate as an enhancer to rabbits showed a relatively constant, sustained blood concentration with minimal fluctuation.

Release of adriamycin from poly(γ-benzyl-l-glutamate)/poly(ethylene oxide) nanoparticles

Abstract Prolonged circulation of anticancer agent in blood is expected to decrease the host toxicity and enhance the anticancer activity. The purpose of this study is to develop and characterize the prolonged and sustained release formulation of anticancer agent using biodegradable poly(γ-benzyl- l -glutamate)/poly(ethylene oxide) (PBLG/PEO) polymer nanoparticles. PBLG/PEO polymer is a hydrophilic/hydrophobic block copolymer and forms a micelle-like structure in solution. Spherical nanoparticles incorporating adriamycin were prepared by a dialysis method. The fluorescence intensity of adriamycin in the nanoparticles was increased when sodium dodecylsulfate was added. It is one of the evidences of entrapment of adriamycin in the polymer nanoparticles. Only 20% of entrapped drug was released in 24 h at 37°C a and the release was dependent on the molecular weight of hydrophobic polymer. The endothermic peak of adriamycin at 197°C disappeared in the nanoparticles system, suggesting the inhibition of a crystallization of adriamycin by polymer adsorption during the precipitation process. The mean residence time of adriamycin from the nanoparticles was more than threefold that from a free adriamycin. These results suggest usefulness of PBLG/PEO nanoparticles as a sustained and prolonged release carrier for adriamycin.

Mucoadhesive and physicochemical characterization of carbopol-Poloxamer gels containing triamcinolone acetonide

The viscosity and bioadhesive property of Carbopol-Poloxamer gels containing triamcinolone acetonide to mucosa were tested according to various concentrations of Carbopol gels of various pH. The increase in Carbopol concentration caused increased viscosity and bioadhesiveness. The neutralization of pH in various concentrations of Carbopol gels showed the increased viscosity, showing the highest viscosity and highest bioadhesiveness when neutralized to pH 6. A relationship between the viscosity and bioadhesive strength was shown from the neutralized Carbopol gels. The physicochemical interactions between triamcinolone acetonide and polymers were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometry. According to FTIR and XRD studies, the drug did not show any evidence of an interaction with the polymers used and was present in an unchanged state.

Enhanced dissolution of furosemide by coprecipitating or cogrinding with crospovidone

Abstract To increase the dissolution rate of furosemide, cogrinding or coprecipitating of furosemide with crospovidone was carried out. The 1:2 (w/w) ground mixture of furosemide with crospovidone was prepared by cogrinding in a ceramic ball mill and the coprecipitate was prepared by the solvent method using methanol. The dissolution test was carried at 37±0.5°C and 150 rpm in simulated gastric fluids (pH 1.2). The dissolution rate of furosemide was rapid and markedly enhanced by cogrinding or coprecipitating with crospovidone. The X-ray diffraction, IR, DTA and TGA studies showed the physicochemical modifications of the furosemide from the ground mixture or the coprecipitate. Furosemide alone or furosemide contained within a physical mixture was crystalline in nature, whereas furosemide in the ground mixture or the coprecipitate was not crystalline even when preserved at room temperature for 1 year. An interaction, in the ground mixture or in the coprecipitate, such as an association between the functional groups of furosemide and crospovidone may have occurred at the molecular level, changed the thermal property and increased the dissolution of furosemide. The cogrinding or coprecipitating techniques with crospovidone provide a promising way to increase the dissolution rate of poorly soluble drugs.

Physicochemical Characterizations of Piroxicam-Poloxamer Solid Dispersion

To develop an efficient topical delivery system for piroxicam using poloxamer gel formulation, physicochemical behavior of piroxicam in poloxamer was studied. The gelling property of poloxamer and the solubility of piroxicam in the poloxamer were investigated. The interaction between piroxicam and poloxamer was studied by x-ray diffractometry (XRD), infrared (IR) spectroscopy and differential thermal analysis (DTA) with a solid dispersion, coprecipitate, or physical mixture. Poloxamer 407 solutions showed the property of a gel when the concentration was higher than 15% (w/w) and poloxamer 407 increased the aqueous solubility of piroxicam by about 11-fold at the concentration of 22.5% (w/w). The results of XRD did not show the crystalline from of piroxicam in the solid dispersion and results of IR spectroscopic analysis showed an association between functional groups of piroxicam and poloxamer.

Practical preparation procedures for docetaxel-loaded nanoparticles using polylactic acid-co-glycolic acid

Background Nanoparticles fabricated from the biodegradable and biocompatible polymer, polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA), are the most intensively investigated polymers for drug delivery systems. The objective of this study was to explore fully the development of a PLGA nanoparticle drug delivery system for alternative preparation of a commercial formulation. In our nanoparticle fabrication, our purpose was to compare various preparation parameters. Methods Docetaxel-loaded PLGA nanoparticles were prepared by a single emulsion technique and solvent evaporation. The nanoparticles were characterized by various techniques, including scanning electron microscopy for surface morphology, dynamic light scattering for size and zeta potential, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy for surface chemistry, and high-performance liquid chromatography for in vitro drug release kinetics. To obtain a smaller particle, 0.2% polyvinyl alcohol, 0.03% D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS), 2% Poloxamer 188, a five-minute sonication time, 130 W sonication power, evaporation with magnetic stirring, and centrifugation at 8000 rpm were selected. To increase encapsulation efficiency in the nanoparticles, certain factors were varied, ie, 2–5 minutes of sonication time, 70–130 W sonication power, and 5–25 mg drug loading. Results A five-minute sonication time, 130 W sonication power, and a 10 mg drug loading amount were selected. Under these conditions, the nanoparticles reached over 90% encapsulation efficiency. Release kinetics showed that 20.83%, 40.07%, and 51.5% of the docetaxel was released in 28 days from nanoparticles containing Poloxamer 188, TPGS, or polyvinyl alcohol, respectively. TPGS and Poloxamer 188 had slower release kinetics than polyvinyl alcohol. It was predicted that there was residual drug remaining on the surface from x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Conclusion Our research shows that the choice of surfactant is important for controlled release of docetaxel.