Sonia Pandey

Chitosan–pectin polyelectrolyte complex as a carrier for colon targeted drug delivery

OBJECTIVE The objective of present work was to prepare a polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) between chitosan (polycation) & pectin (polyanion) and to develop enteric coated tablets for colon delivery using the PEC. METHODOLOGY The PECs were prepared using different concentrations of chitosan and pectin. Drug loaded enteric coated tablets were prepared by wet granulation method using PEC to sustain the release at colon and coating was done with Eudragit S 100 to prevent the early release of the drug in stomach and intestine. Two independent variable, % PEC (chitosan/pectin) and % coating were optimized by 3(2) full factorial design. Statistical model were also used to supplement the optimization. DSC was performed to confirm the interaction between the polyions. Developed formulations were evaluated for physical appearance, weight variation, thickness, hardness, friability, % swelling, assay, in-vitro and ex-vivo drug release studies to investigate the PECs ability to deliver the drug to colon. Ex-vivo release study using rat caecal content was also carried out on optimized formulation. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION DSC results confirmed chitosan/pectin interaction and subsequent formation of PEC. The optimized formulation containing 1.1% of PEC and 3% of coating showed highest swelling and release in alkaline pH mechanism of which was found to be microbial enzyme dependent degradation established by ex-vivo study using rat caecal content.

Formulation development of Carvedilol compression coated tablet

Purpose: The aim of present research was to produce carvedilol compression coated tablet to provide biphasic drug release. Method: A compressed coated tablet made of a sustained release core tablet and an immediate release coat tablet. Both the core and the coat contained carvedilol. The sustained release effect was achieved with polymers (HPMC K4M and PEO WSR 205) to modulate the release of the drug. The powder blends for core and coat tablets were evaluated for angle of repose, bulk density, compressibility index, and drug content. Compressed coated tablets were evaluated for thickness, diameter, weight variation test, drug content, hardness, friability, disintegration and in vitro release studies. Result: The powder blends showed satisfactory flow properties, compressibility, drug content and all the tablet formulations showed acceptable pharmaco-technical properties. Carvedilol contained in the fast releasing component was released within 3 min, whereas the drug in the core tablet was released at different times up to 24 h, depending on the composition of the matrix tablet. The mechanism of drug release was fickian diffusion or anomalous behavior. Discussion: Batch F7, containing 10 mg PEO WSR 205 and 5 mg HPMC K4M, showed maximum similarity with theoretical profile and zero order drug release kinetic.

Cell Line and Augument Cellular Uptake Study of statistically optimized sustained release capecitabine loaded Eudragit S100/PLGA(poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)) Nanoparticles for colon targeting

BACKGROUND Capecitabine, an anti cancer drug, has a very short drug elimination half-life (0.49 to 0.89 h). High doses and absence of targeting ability in the colon region may lead to more side effects to the patients with colon cancer. PURPOSE To develop and optimize sustained release nanoparticles for effective treatment of colon cancer. METHODS Eudragit S100-PLGA(poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid)) nanoparticles were prepared by a double emulsification, solvent evaporation method followed by high-pressure homogenisation evaluated and the particles were evaluated for surface morphology, particle size analysis, polydispersity index, drug content, % entrapment efficiency and in vitro drug release. To optimize the batch a 32 full factorial design was applied. The optimized batch was evaluated for cytotoxicity and cellular uptake study. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The optimized formulation exhibited 179.25 nm mean particle size, 71.27% of drug entrapment efficiency and 81.824% drug release up to 72 h. When the concentration of capecitabine was increased from 50-500 μg/ml, the % cytotoxicity of nanoparticles and capecitabine (pure drug) increased from 8.5 to 97.70% and 2.7 to 82.23%, respectively. As per a cellular uptake study, the optimized nanoparticles were completely uptaken by HT 29 adenocarcinoma cells within 2 to 4 h. CONCLUSION Optimized Eudragit S100-PLGA nanoparticles are a promising delivery system for colon targeting.

Quality by Design (QbD) Approach for Development of Co-Processed Excipient Pellets (MOMLETS) By Extrusion-Spheronization Technique

BACKGROUND Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is an excellent excipient for the production of pellets by extrusion spheronization. However, it causes slow release rate of poorly water soluble drugs from pellets. Co-processed excipient prepared by spray drying (US4744987; US5686107; WO2003051338) and coprecipitation technique (WO9517831) are patented. OBJECTIVE The objective of present study was to develop co-processed MCC pellets (MOMLETS) by extrusion-spheronization technique using the principle of Quality by Design (QbD). METHODS Co-processed excipient core pellets (MOMLETS) were developed by extrusion spheronization technique using Quality by Design (QbD) approach. BCS class II drug (telmisartan) was layered onto it in a fluidized bed processor. RESULTS Quality Target Product Profile (QTPP) and Critical Quality Attributes (CQA) for pellets were identified. Risk assessment was reported using Ishikawa diagram. Plackett Burman design was used to check the effect of seven independent variables; superdisintegrant, extruder speed, ethanol: water, spheronizer speed, extruder screen, pore former and MCC: lactose; on percentage drug release at 30 min. Pareto chart and normal probability plot was constructed to identify the significant factors. Box-Behnken design (BBD) using three most significant factors (Extruder screen size, type of superdisintegrant and type of pore former) was used as an optimization design. The control space was identified in which desired quality of the pellets can be obtained. CONCLUSION Co-processed excipient core pellets (MOMLETS) were successfully developed by QbD approach. Versatility, Industrial scalability and simplicity are the main features of the proposed research.