Seham A. Elkheshen

Inclusion complexes of tadalafil with natural and chemically modified β-cyclodextrins. I: Preparation and in-vitro evaluation

The aim of this work was to investigate the inclusion complexation between tadalafil, a practically insoluble selective phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor (PDE5), and two chemically modified beta-cyclodextrins: hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-beta-CD) and heptakis-[2,6-di-O-methyl]-beta-cyclodextrin (DM-beta-CD), in comparison with the natural beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) in order to improve the solubility and the dissolution rate of the drug in an attempt to enhance its bioavailability. Inclusion complexation was investigated in both the solution and the solid state. The UV spectral shift method indicated guest-host complex formation between tadalafil and the three cyclodextrins (CDs). The phase solubility profiles with all the used CDs were classified as A(p)-type, indicating the formation of higher order complexes. The complexation efficiency values (CE), which reflect the solubilizing power of the CDs towards the drug, could be arranged in the following order: DM-beta-CD>HP-beta-CD>beta-CD. Solid binary systems of tadalafil with CDs were prepared by kneading and freeze-drying techniques at molar ratios of 1:1, 1:3 and 1:5 (drug to CD). Physical mixtures were prepared in the same molar ratios for comparison. Physicochemical characterization of the prepared systems at molar ratio of 1:5 was studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results showed the formation of true inclusion complexes between the drug and both HP-beta-CD and DM-beta-CD using the freeze-drying method at molar ratio of 1:5. In contrast, crystalline drug was detectable in all other products. The dissolution of tadalafil from all the prepared binary systems was carried out to determine the most appropriate CD type, molar ratio, and preparation technique to prepare inclusion complexes to be used in the development of tablet formulation for oral delivery of tadalafil. The dissolution enhancement was increased on increasing the CD proportion in all the prepared systems. Both the CD type and the preparation technique played an important role in the performance of the system. Irrespective of the preparation technique, the systems prepared using HP-beta-CD and DM-beta-CD yielded better performance than the corresponding ones prepared using beta-CD. In addition, the freeze-drying technique showed superior dissolution enhancement than other methods especially when combined with the beta-CD derivatives.

Optimization of a Reconstitutable Suspension of Rifampicin Using 24 Factorial Design

In this study 24 factorial design associated with surface response methodology was used to develop and optimize a reconstitutable suspension of rifampicin. The study illustrated the effect of the percentage of each of sucrose, avicel RC-591, hydrophilic aerosil, and aerosol-OT on the flowability and the bulk density of the dry mixture as well as the viscosity, the sedimentation volume, and the redispersibility of the suspension. An empirical equation developed for each of the above responses was used with the aid of computer software to plot a contour map of the most significant effects and interactions. Five replicates at the center of the design were used to independently calculate the experimental error and to detect any curvature in the response surface. Three formulas which are not included in the design were prepared to check the validity of the model equation.

Interaction of verapamil hydrochloride with Carbopol 934P and its effect on the release rate of the drug and the water uptake of the polymer matrix

In the present study, investigation of the possibility of interaction of verapamil hydrochloride with Carbopol 934P using differential scanning calorimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared analysis was performed. The effect of the drug-to-polymer ratio, the electrolyte concentration, and the pH of the medium on the extent of interaction of the drug with the polymer using 23 factorial design was investigated. The study also investigated the effect of this interaction on the rate of water uptake of the matrix or the rate of release of verapamil hydrochloride from the swelling polymer matrix. Results revealed that the drug-to-polymer ratio had the most influential effect on both the extent of interaction between the drug and the polymer and the rate of water uptake of the polymer matrix. On the other hand, the pH of the medium had the most significant effect on the rate of drug release. Interaction of the tertiary amine nitrogen of the drug with the anionic carboxyl group on the polymer, forming an insoluble complex, reduced the rate of drug release. This interaction also led to neutralization of the carboxyl group and suppression of the electrostatic repulsion between the anionic groups, which reduced the uncoiling and chain relaxation of the polymer and consequently decreased the swelling of the matrix. The application of the designed experiment allowed the quantification of the effect of each of the studied variables on the investigated responses through the calculation of their coefficient in the response surface equation and checking of their significance.