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A “simplex-centroid mixture design” was used to study the direct-compression properties of binary and ternary mixtures of chitin and two cellulosic direct-compression diluents. Native milled and fractioned (125–250 μm) crustacean chitin of lobster origin was blended with microcrystalline cellulose, MCC (Avicel® PH 102) and spray-dried lactose–cellulose, SDLC Cellactose® (composed of a spray-dried mixture of alpha-lactose monohydrate 75% and cellulose powder 25%). An instrumented single-punch tablet machine was used for tablet compactions. The flowability of the powder mixtures composed of a high percentage of chitin and SDLC was clearly improved. The fractioned pure chitin powder was easily compressed into tablets by using a magnesium stearate level of 0.1% (w/w) but, as the die lubricant level was 0.5% (w/w), the tablet strength collapsed dramatically. The tablets compressed from the binary mixtures of MCC and SDLC exhibited elevated mechanical strengths (>100 N) independent of the die lubricant level applied. In conclusion, fractioned chitin of crustacean origin can be used as an abundant direct-compression co-diluent with the established cellulosic excipients to modify the mechanical strength and, consequently, the disintegration of the tablets. Chitin of crustacean origin, however, is a lubrication-sensitive material, and this should be taken into account in formulating direct-compression tablets of it.

This study evaluated the use of isothermal microcalorimetry (ITMC) to detect macrophage–nanoparticle interactions. Four different nanoparticle (NP) formulations were prepared: uncoated poly(isobutyl cyanoacrylate) (PIBCA), polysorbate-80-coated PIBCA, gelatin, and mannosylated gelatin NPs. Changes in NP formulations were aimed to either enhance or decrease macrophage–NP interactions via phagocytosis. Alveolar macrophages were cultured on glass slabs and inserted in the ITMC instrument. Thermal activities of the macrophages alone and after titration of 100 μL of NP suspensions were compared. The relative interactive coefficients of macrophage–NP interactions were calculated using the heat exchange observed after NP titration. Control experiments were performed using cytochalasin B (Cyto B), a known phagocytosis inhibitor. The results of NP titration showed that the total thermal activity produced by macrophages changed according to the NP formulation. Mannosylated gelatin NPs were associated with the highest heat exchange, 75.4 ± 7.5 J, and thus the highest relative interactive coefficient, 9,269 ± 630 M-1. Polysorbate-80-coated NPs were associated with the lowest heat exchange, 15.2 ± 3.4 J, and the lowest interactive coefficient, 890 ± 120 M-1. Cyto B inhibited macrophage response to NPs, indicating a connection between the thermal activity recorded and NP phagocytosis. These results are in agreement with flow cytometry results. ITMC is a valuable tool to monitor the biological responses to nano-sized dosage forms such as NPs. Since the thermal activity of macrophage–NP interactions differed according to the type of NPs used, ITMC may provide a method to better understand phagocytosis and further the development of colloidal dosage forms.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1208/s12248-010-9240-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

ABSTRACT

An ultrasound-assisted powder-coating technique was used to produce a homogeneous powder formulation of a low-dose active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). The powdered particles of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC; Avicel® PH-200) were coated with a 4% m/V aqueous solution of riboflavin sodium phosphate, producing a uniform drug layer on the particle surfaces. It was possible to regulate the amount of API in the treated powder. The thickness of the API layer on the surface of the MCC particles increased near linearly as the number of coating cycles increased, allowing a precise control of the drug content. The tablets (n = 950) prepared from the coated powder showed significantly improved weight and content uniformity in comparison with the reference tablets compressed from a physical binary powder mixture. This was due to the coated formulation remaining uniform during the entire tabletting process, whereas the physical mixture of the powders was subject to segregation. In conclusion, the ultrasound-assisted technique presented here is an effective tool for homogeneous drug coating of powders of irregular particle shape and broad particle size distribution, improving content uniformity of low-dose API in tablets, and consequently, ensuring the safe delivery of a potent active substance to patients.

The aim of this study was to prepare highly porous carrier particles by emulsion solvent evaporation and compare the loading capacity of these beads with two traditional carriers, sugar beads, and microcrystalline cellulose granules during an interactive mixing process. The porous carrier particles were prepared by an emulsion solvent evaporation process using cellulose propionate as a binder, anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate, and ion exchange resins as a fillers, and polyethylene glycol as a pore inducer. Micronized furosemide or griseofulvin powder was mixed with the same volume of each carrier in an interactive mixing process. The tableting properties, drug loading per unit volume of carrier, content uniformity of the mixtures, and dissolution of the drugs from the mixtures were measured. The results showed that highly porous microcapsules with desirable hardness equivalent to that of sugar beads and MCC granules were successfully prepared. On average the loading capacity of the new carrier was 310% that of sugar beads and 320% that of MCC granules during an interactive mixing process with very good content uniformity. The tableting properties of the microcapsules were equivalent to that of microcrystalline cellulose granules, and the dissolution of the drugs from interactive mixtures prepared with the new carrier was equivalent to that of drug suspensions. This showed that the prepared microcapsule carrier could be used to improve the loading capacity during an interactive mixing and to prepare tablets by direct compression.

Interactions between particles are dependent on the physicochemical characteristics of the interacting particles but it is also important to consider the manufacturing process. Blending active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) with carrier is a critical stage that determines the blend homogeneity and is the first step towards obtaining the final quality of the powder blend. The aim of this work was to study parameters that influence the interactions between API and carrier in adhesive mixtures used in DPI and their effect on API dispersion. The study was done with fluticasone propionate blended with lactose ‘Lactohale 200’. The study was based on the influence of the operating conditions (speed, mixing time, resting steps during mixing), the size of the carrier and the storage conditions on the blend properties and on the API dispersion. The quality of the blends was examined by analysing the API content uniformity. Adhesion characteristics were evaluated by submitting mixtures to a sieving action by air depression with the Alpine air-jet sieve. Aerodynamic evaluation of fine particle fraction (FPF) was obtained using a Twin Stage Impinger; the FPF being defined as the mass percentage of API below 6.4 μm. For good dispersion and therefore good homogeneity of the API in the carrier particles, speed and powder blending time have to be sufficient, but not too long to prevent the appearance of static electricity, which is not favourable to homogeneity and stability. The FPF increases with the decrease in the carrier size. The storage conditions have also to be taken into consideration. Higher humidity favours the adhesion of API on the carrier and decreases the FPF.

The purpose of this research was to evaluate β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) as a vehicle, either singly or in blends with lactose (spray-dried or monohydrate), for preparing a meloxicam tablet. Aqueous solubility of meloxicam in presence of β-CD was investigated. The tablets were prepared by direct compression and wet granulation techniques. The powder blends and the granules were evaluated for angle of repose, bulk density, compressibility index, total porosity, and drug content. The tablets were subjected to thickness, diameter, weight variation test, drug content, hardness, friability, disintegration time, and in vitro dissolution studies. The effect of β-CD on the bioavailability of meloxicam was also investigated in human volunteers using a balanced 2-way crossover study. Phase-solubility studies indicated an AL-type diagram with inclusion complex of 1∶1 molar ratio. The powder blends and granules of all formulations showed satisfactory flow properties, compressibility, and drug content. All tablet formations prepared by direct compression or wet granulation showed acceptable mechanical properties. The dissolution rate of meloxicam was significantly enhanced by inclusion of β-CD in the formulations up to 30%. The mean pharmacokinetic parameters (Cmax, Ke, and area under the curve [AUC]0−∞) were significantly increased in presence of β-CD. These results suggest that β-CD would facilitate the preparation of meloxicam tablets with acceptable mechanical properties using the direct compression technique as there is no important difference between tablets prepared by direct compression and those prepared by wet granulation. Also, β-CD is particularly useful for improving the oral bioavailablity of meloxicam.

The aim of this investigation was to develop fast dissolving tablet of cinnarizine. A combination of super disintegrants, i.e., sodium starch glycolate (SSG) and crosscarmellose sodium (CCS) were used along with camphor as a subliming material. An optimized concentration of camphor was added to aid the porosity of the tablet. A 32 full factorial design was applied to investigate the combined effect of two formulation variables: Amount of SSG and CCS. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy was performed to identify the physicochemical interaction between drug and polymer. IR spectroscopy showed that there is no interaction of drug with polymer. In the present study, direct compression was used to prepare the tablets. The powder mixtures were compressed into tablet using flat face multi punch tablet machine. Camphor was sublimed from the tablet by exposing the tablet to vacuum drier at 60°C for 12 hours. All the formulations were evaluated for their characteristics such as average weight, hardness, wetting time, friability, content uniformity, dispersion time (DT), and dissolution rate. An optimized tablet formulation (F 9) was found to have good hardness of 3.30 ± 0.10 kg/cm2, wetting time of 42.33 ± 4.04 seconds, DT of 34.67 ± 1.53 seconds, and cumulative drug release of not less than 99% in 16 minutes.

The objective of this study was to evaluate near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopic imaging as a tool to assess a pharmaceutical quality assurance problem—blend uniformity in the final dosage product. A system based on array detector technology was used to rapidly collect high-contrast NIR images of furosemide tablets. By varying the mixing, 5 grades of experimental tablets containing the same amount of furosemide and microcrystalline cellulose were produced, ranging from well blended to unblended. For comparison, these tablets were also analyzed by traditional NIR spectroscopy, and both approaches were used to evaluate drug product homogeneity. NIR spectral imaging was capable of clearly differentiating between each grade of blending, both qualitatively and quantitatively. The spatial distribution of the components was based on the variation or contrast in pixel intensity, which is due to the NIR spectral contribution to each pixel. The chemical nature of each pixel could be identified by the localized spectrum associated with each pixel. Both univariate and partial least squares (PLS) images were evaluated. In the suboptimal blends, the regions of heterogeneity were obvious by visual inspection of the images. A quantitative measure of blending was determined by calculating the standard deviation of the distribution of pixel intensities in the PLS score images. The percent standard deviation increased progressively from 11% to 240% from well blended to unblended tablets. The NIR spectral imaging system provides a rapid approach for acquiring spatial and spectral information on pharmaceuticals. The technique has potential for a variety of applications in product quality assurance and could affect the control of manufacturing processes.

The dry-coated tablet with optimal lag time was designed to simulate the dosing time of drug administration according to the physiological needs. Different compositions of ethylcellulose (EC) powder with a coarse particle (167.5 μm) and several fine particles (<6 μm), respectively, were mixed to formulate the whole layer of the outer shell of dry-coated tablets. The formulations containing different weight ratios of coarse/fine particles of EC powders or 167.5 μm EC powder/excipient in the upper layer of the outer shell to influence the release behavior of sodium diclofenac from dry-coated tablet were also explored. The results indicate that sodium diclofenac released from all the dry-coated tablets exhibited an initial lag period, followed by a stage of rapid drug release. When the mixture of the coarse/fine particles of EC powders was incorporated into the whole layer, the lag time was almost the same. The outer shell broke into 2 halves to make a rapid drug release after the lag time, which belonged to the time-controlled disruption of release mechanism. When the lower layer in the outer shell was composed of 167.5 μm EC powder and the upper layer was formulated by mixing different weight ratios of 167.5 μm and 6 μm of EC powders, the drug release also exhibited a time-controlled disruption behavior. Its lag time might be freely modulated, depending on the amount of 6 μm EC powder added. Once different excipients were respectively incorporated into the upper layer of the outer shell, different release mechanisms were observed as follows: time-controlled explosion for Explotab, disruption for Avicel and spray-dried lactose, erosion for dibasic calcium phosphate anhydrate, and sigmoidal profile for hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nature of film formation on tablets with different compositions, using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and to measure film adhesion via the application of a novel “magnet probe test”. Three excipients, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), spray-dried lactose monohydrate, and dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate, were individually blended with 0.5% magnesium stearate, as a lubricant, and 2.5% tetracycline HCl, as a fluorescent marker, and were compressed using a Carver press. Tablets were coated with a solution consisting of 7% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) phthalate (HP-55), and 0.5% cetyl alcohl in acetone and isopropanol (11:9). The nature of polymer interaction with the tablets and coating was evaluated using CLSM and a designed magnet probe test. CLSM images clearly showed coating efficiency, thickness, and uniformity of film formation, and the extent of drug migration into the film at the coating interfaces of tablets. Among the excipients, MCC demonstrated the best interface for both film formation and uniformity in thickness relative to lactose monohydrate and dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate. The detachment force of the coating layers from the tablet surfaces, as measured with the developed magnet probe test, was in the order of MCC>lactose monohydrate>dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate. It was also shown that the designed magnet probe test provides reliable and reproducible results when used for measurement of film adhesion and bonding strength.

A near infrared (NIR) method able to directly quantify the active content in pharmaceutical powder blends used for manufacturing meloxicam tablets, without any sample preparation, was developed and fully validated. To develop calibration models for the assay of meloxicam in powder blends for tableting, the NIR reflectance spectra of different meloxicam powder blends prepared according to a calibration protocol was analysed using different preprocessing methods by partial last-square regression (PLS) and principal component regression (PCR).

The best calibration model was found when partial last-square regression (PLS) was used as regression algorithm in association with Smoothing-Savitsky as pre-processing spectrum method. The trueness, precision (repeatability and intermediate precision), accuracy, linearity and range of application of the developed NIR method were validated according to the International Conference of Harmonization (ICH) and Medicine European Agency (EMA) guidelines and found to be fit for its intended purpose.

The purpose of this study was to prepare sublingual tablets, containing the antiasthmatic drug ketotifen fumarate which suffers an extensive first-pass effect, using the fast-melt granulation technique. The powder mixtures containing the drug were agglomerated using a blend of polyethylene glycol 400 and 6000 as meltable hydrophilic binders. Granular mannitol or granular mannitol/sucrose mixture were used as fillers. A mechanical mixer was used to prepare the granules at 40°C. The method involved no water or organic solvents, which are used in conventional granulation, and hence no drying step was included, which saved time. Twelve formulations were prepared and characterized using official and non official tests. Three formulations showed the best results and were subjected to an ex vivo permeation study using excised chicken cheek pouches. The formulation F4I possessed the highest permeation coefficient due to the presence of the permeation enhancer (polyethylene glycol) in an amount which allowed maximum drug permeation, and was subjected to a pharmacokinetic study using rabbits as an animal model. The bioavailability of F4I was significantly higher than that of a commercially available dosage form (Zaditen® solution-Novartis Pharma-Egypt) (p > 0.05). Thus, fast-melt granulation allowed for rapid tablet disintegration and an enhanced permeation of the drug through the sublingual mucosa, resulting in increased bioavailabililty.

This study investigated the effect of phase transformations of amorphous and deliquescent ingredients on catechin stability in green tea powder formulations. Blends of amorphous green tea and crystalline sucrose, citric acid, and/or ascorbic acid were analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic water vapor sorption, water activity measurements, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after storage for up to 12 weeks at 0–75% relative humidity (RH) and 22 °C. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of green tea was reduced to below room temperature (<22 °C) at 68% RH. Dissolution of deliquescent ingredients commenced at RH values below deliquescence points in blends with amorphous green tea, and these blends had greater water uptake than predicted by an additive model of individual ingredient moisture sorption. Catechin degradation was affected by Tg of green tea powder and both dissolution and deliquescence of citric and ascorbic acids.

Objective(s)

The purpose of the present study was to use the solid dispersion (SD) technique to improve the dissolution rates of indomethacin (IMC).

Materials and Methods

IMC solid dispersions in PVP K30 and isomalt (GALEN IQ 990) were prepared using the solvent evaporation technique and a hot melt method in weight ratios of 2, 10 and 30% (IMC:PVP). Solid dispersions and physical mixtures were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dissolution test. Physical stability tests were also performed at different temperatures and humidity conditions.

Results

The dissolution rates of all solid dispersions were faster than those of their physical mixtures. In samples containing 2% or 10% of IMC, there were no significant differences between the dissolution rates of IMC in PVP and isomalt solid dispersions, but in samples containing 30% of IMC, the dissolution rates were higher in isomalt dispersions. The XRPD analysis showed no crystalline peaks in solid dispersions, indicating that IMC was amorphous within the carrier. The DSC results showed that an interaction occurred between the drug and the carrier in PVP and isomalt dispersions. Physical stability tests at severe storage conditions showed that the dissolution rate of IMC in PVP solid dispersions decreased, while the dissolution profile of IMC in isomalt solid dispersions did not change significantly.

Conclusion

It was shown that the dissolution rates of IMC in PVP and isomalt solid dispersions were substantially increased compared with their physical mixtures and pure IMC.

The aim of this research was to describe the thermal behavior of β-sitosterol crystals in oil-suspensions with a focus on the role of water during heating. The suspensions were prepared by recrystallization in order to achieve a microcrystalline particle size. The structural changes together with the mechanical properties of the suspensions during heating were studied by using variable temperature X-ray powder diffractometry (VT-XRPD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Hydrated β-sitosterol crystals in an oil-suspension, dehydrated, despite the composition of the suspensions, at low temperatures. At high β-sitosterol concentration, the monohydrate crystal form changed partially to a hemihydrated form, and when only a small amount of water was initially incorporated, the hemihydrate crystal form dehydrated to a mostly anhydrate crystal form. The released water, which was immiscible in the surrounding oil, caused the recrystallization of hydrated β-sitosterol during cooling. This procedure indicated a reversible dehydration process. Structural and thermal analysis of β-sitosterol crystals in suspensions, together with mechanical analysis made it possible to understand various physical changes during heating.

The aim of this work was the design of sustained-release mucoadhesive bilayered tablets, using mixtures of mucoadhesive polymers and an inorganic matrix (hydrotalcite), for the topical administration of flurbiprofen in the oral cavity. The first layer, responsible for the tablet retention on the mucosa, was prepared by compression of a cellulose derivative and polyacrylic derivative blend. The second layer, responsible for buccal drug delivery, was obtained by compression of a mixture of the same (first layer) mucoadhesive polymers and hydrotalcite containing flurbiprofen. Nonmedicated tablets were evaluated in terms of swelling, mucosal adhesion, and organoleptic characteristics; in vitro and in vivo release studies of flurbiprofen-loaded tablets were performed as well.

The best results were obtained from the tablets containing 20 mg of flurbiprofen, which allowed a good anti-inflammatory sustained release in the buccal cavity for 12 hours, ensuring efficacious salivary concentrations, and led to no irritation. This mucoadhesive formulation offers many advantages over buccal lozenges because it allows for reduction in daily administrations and daily drug dosage and is suitable for the treatment of irritation, pain, and discomfort associated with gingivitis, sore throats, laryngopharyngitis, cold, and periodontal surgery. Moreover, it adheres well to the gum and is simple to apply, which means that patient compliance is improved.

The aim of the study was to analyze hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) in pure form and in excipient mixtures and to relate its physical and chemical properties to tablet binder functionality. The materials used were Klucel hydroxypropylcellulose grades ranging from low to high molecular weight (80–1000 kDa) of regular particle size (250 µm mean size) and fine particle size (80 µm mean size). These were compared with microcrystalline cellulose, spray-dried lactose, and dicalcium phosphate dihydrate. Thermal behavior of HPC was analyzed by modulated temperature differential scanning calorimetry (MTDSC). Tablets of the pure materials and of dry blends with 4% low viscosity, fine particle HPC and 30% high viscosity, fine particle HPC were produced on an instrumented eccentric tableting machine at 3 relative humidities. The 3-dimensional (3-D) model with the parameters time plasticity d, pressure plasticity e, and the twisting angle ω, the inverse of fast elastic decompression was compared with the Heckel method for characterization of compaction. Elastic recovery and compactibility were also studied. The results show that HPC tablet formation is characterized by high plastic deformation. The d, e, and ω values were markedly higher as compared with the reference materials. Plasticity was highest for the fine particle size HPC types. Maximum compactibility was observed for low molecular weight, fine particle size HPC. Tableting of the mixtures showed deformation, which was strongly influenced by HPC. Plasticity and crushing force of formed tablets was increased. In conclusion, HPC is characterized by strong plastic deformation properties, which are molecular weight and particle size dependent.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of cellulose nanofibers (also referred as microfibrillated cellulose, nanocellulose, nanofibrillated, or nanofibrillar cellulose) as novel tabletting material. For this purpose, physical and mechanical properties of spray-dried cellulose nanofibers (CNF) were examined, and results were compared to those of two commercial grades of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), Avicel PH101 and Avicel PH102, which are the most commonly and widely used direct compression excipients. Chemically, MCC and CNF are almost identical, but their physical characteristics, like mechanical properties and surface-to-volume ratio, differ remarkably. The novel material was characterized with respect to bulk and tapped as well as true density, moisture content, and flow properties. Tablets made of CNF powder and its mixtures with MCC with or without paracetamol as model compound were produced by direct compression and after wet granulation. The tensile strength of the tablets made in a series of applied pressures was determined, and yield pressure values were calculated from the measurements. With CNF, both wet granulation and direct compression were successful. During tablet compression, CNF particles were less prone to permanent deformation and had less pronounced ductile characteristics. Disintegration and dissolution studies showed slightly faster drug release from direct compression tablets with CNF, while wet granulated systems did not have any significant difference.

Dry powder inhaler formulations comprising commercial lactose–drug blends can show restricted detachment of drug from lactose during aerosolisation, which can lead to poor fine particle fractions (FPFs) which are suboptimal. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the crystallisation of lactose from different ethanol/butanol co-solvent mixtures could be employed as a method of altering the FPF of salbutamol sulphate from powder blends. Lactose particles were prepared by an anti-solvent recrystallisation process using various ratios of the two solvents. Crystallised lactose or commercial lactose was mixed with salbutamol sulphate and in vitro deposition studies were performed using a multistage liquid impinger. Solid-state characterisation results showed that commercial lactose was primarily composed of the α-anomer whilst the crystallised lactose samples comprised a α/β mixture containing a lower number of moles of water per mole of lactose compared to the commercial lactose. The crystallised lactose particles were also less elongated and more irregular in shape with rougher surfaces. Formulation blends containing crystallised lactose showed better aerosolisation performance and dose uniformity when compared to commercial lactose. The highest FPF of salbutamol sulphate (38.0 ± 2.5%) was obtained for the lactose samples that were crystallised from a mixture of ethanol/butanol (20:60) compared to a FPF of 19.7 ± 1.9% obtained for commercial lactose. Engineered lactose carriers with modified anomer content and physicochemical properties, when compared to the commercial grade, produced formulations which generated a high FPF.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1208/s12248-010-9241-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The aim of this work was to assess the effect of 2 formulation variables, the pectin type (with different degrees of esterification [DEs]) and the amount of calcium, on drug release from pectin-based matrix tablets. Pectin matrix tablets were prepared by blending indomethacin (a model drug), pectin powder, and various amounts of calcium acetate and then tableting by automatic hydraulic press machine. Differential scanning calorimetry, powder x-ray diffraction, and Fourier transformed-infrared spectroscopy studies of the compressed tablets revealed no drug-polymer interaction and the existence of drug with low crystallinity. The in-vitro release studies in phosphate buffer (United States Pharmacopeia) and tris buffer indicated that the lower the DE, the greater the time for 50% of drug release (T50). This finding is probably because of the increased binding capacity of pectin to calcium. However, when the calcium was excluded, the pectins with different DEs showed similar release pattern with insignificant difference of T50. When the amount of calcium acetate was increased from 0 to 12 mg/tablet, the drug release was significantly slower. However, a large amount of added calcium (ie, 24 mg/tablet) produced greater drug release because of the partial disintegration of tablets. The results were more pronounced in phosphate buffer, where the phosphate ions induced the precipitation of calcium phosphate. In conclusion, both pectin type and added calcium affect the drug release from the pectin-based matrix tablets.

The objective of the present work was to carry out a systematic evaluation of flow of pharmaceutical powders and granules using compendial and non-compendial methods. Angle of repose, bulk density, tapped density, Carr’s compressibility index, and Hausner ratios were evaluated. Additionally, flow was characterized using a powder rheometer in which a sensitive force transducer monitors the forces generated as a result of the sample displacement. The critical attributes such as cohesivity index, caking strength, and flow stability were determined for samples. The samples consisted of different grades of magnesium stearate powder including bovine, vegetable, and food grade, physical mixture powder blend consisting of a model formulation, granules prepared by various methods including slugging, high shear granulator, and fluid bed dryer. Lubricant efficiency was also determined for granules lubricated with various concentrations of magnesium stearate. It was observed that the compendial methods were often non-discriminating for minor variations in powder flow. The additional characterization such as cohesivity, and caking strength were helpful in understanding the flow characteristics of pharmaceutical systems. The flow stability test determined that the powders were not affected by the test conditions on the rheometer. The non-compendial tests were discriminating to even minor variations in powder flow.

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of second-order nonlinear imaging of chiral crystals (SONICC) to quantify crystallinity in drug–polymer blends, including solid dispersions. Second harmonic generation (SHG) can potentially exhibit scaling with crystallinity between linear and quadratic depending on the nature of the source, and thus, it is important to determine the response of pharmaceutical powders. Physical mixtures containing different proportions of crystalline naproxen and hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS) were prepared by blending and a dispersion was produced by solvent evaporation. A custom-built SONICC instrument was used to characterize the SHG intensity as a function of the crystalline drug fraction in the various samples. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and Raman spectroscopy were used as complementary methods known to exhibit linear scaling. SONICC was able to detect crystalline drug even in the presence of 99.9 wt % HPMCAS in the binary mixtures. The calibration curve revealed a linear dynamic range with a R2 value of 0.99 spanning the range from 0.1 to 100 wt % naproxen with a root mean square error of prediction of 2.7%. Using the calibration curve, the errors in the validation samples were in the range of 5%–10%. Analysis of a 75 wt % HPMCAS–naproxen solid dispersion with SONICC revealed the presence of crystallites at an earlier time point than could be detected with PXRD and Raman spectroscopy. In addition, results from the crystallization kinetics experiment using SONICC were in good agreement with Raman spectroscopy and PXRD. In conclusion, SONICC has been found to be a sensitive technique for detecting low levels (0.1% or lower) of crystallinity, even in the presence of large quantities of a polymer.

The basic objectives of this study were to prepare and characterize solid dispersions of poorly water-soluble drug etoricoxib using lipid carriers by spray drying technique. The properties of solid dispersions were studied by diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), hotstage microscopy (HSM), radiograph powder diffraction (XRPD), and dissolution studies. The absence of etoricoxib peaks in XRPD profiles of solid dispersions suggests the transformation of crystalline etoricoxib into an amorphous form. In the HSM examination of solid dispersions, the dissolution of drug in the lipid carriers was observed, which was also confirmed by the absence of etoricoxib peak in DSC curves of solid dispersions. The DRIFTS spectra revealed the presence of hydrogen bonding in solid dispersions. The in vitro dissolution rate of solid dispersions as compared with pure etoricoxib, spray-dried etoricoxib, and physical mixtures of drug with lipid carriers. Therefore, the dissolution rate of poorly water-soluble drug etoricoxib can be significantly enhanced by the preparation of solid dispersions using lipid carriers by spray drying technique.

The objective of this study is to test the hypothesis that time plasticity (parameterd from 3-D modeling) is influenced by tableting speed. Tablets were produced at different maximum relative densities (ϱrel,max) on an instrumented eccentric tableting machine and on a linear rotary tableting machine replicator. Some 3-D data plots were prepared using pressure, normalized time, and porosity according to Heckel. After fitting of a twisted plane, the resulting parameters were analyzed in a 3-D parameter plot. The materials used were dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD), spray-dried lactose, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), κ-carrageenan (CAR), and theophylline monohydrate (TheoM). The results show that tableting speed especially influences the parameterd (time plasticity) of the 3-D model for plastically and viscoelastically deforming materials such as MCC, HPMC, CAR, and TheoM. For more plastically deforming materials such as MCC, HPMC, and TheoM, a subtle influence on ω is also visible. The stages of higher densification are affected more than the stages of lower densification. Brittle materials such as DCPD exhibit no influence of tableting speed. The influence of speed on spray-dried lactose is minor. The results are valid for data obtained from an eccentric tableting machine and also for data from a linear rotary tableting machine replicator. Thus, the empirically derived parameter time plasticityd really represents the influence of time.

The aim of this study is to apply 3-D modeling to data obtained from different tableting machines and for different compression wheels on a linear rotary tableting machine replicator. A new analysis technique to interpret these data by 3-D parameter plots is presented. Tablets were produced on an instrumented eccentric tableting machine and on a linear rotary tableting machine replicator. The materials used were dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD), spray-dried lactose, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), and theophylline monohydrate. Tableting was performed to different maximum relative densities (ρ rel, max). Force, time and displacement were recorded during compaction. The 3-D data plots were prepared using pressure, normalized time, and porosity according to Heckel. A twisted plane was fitted to these data according to the 3-D modeling technique. The resulting parameters were analyzed in a 3-D parameter plot. The results show that the 3-D modeling technique can be applied to compaction cycles from different tableting machines as different as eccentric and rotary tableting machines (simulated). The relation of the data to each other is the same even when the absolute values are different. This is also true for different compression wheels used on the linear rotary tableting machine replicator. By using compression wheels of different sizes on this simulator, mainly time plasticity changes. By using bigger compression wheels for simulation, the materials deform slower at lower densification and they deform faster at higher densification. For brittle materials, the stages of higher densification are influenced; for plastically deforming materials, the stages of lower and higher densification can be influenced.