Process and formulation variables of pregabalin microspheres prepared by w/o/o double emulsion solvent diffusion method and their clinical application by animal modeling studies

Pregabalin is an anticonvulsant drug used for neuropathic pain and as an adjunct therapy for partial seizures with or without secondary generalization in adults. In conventional therapy recommended dose for pregabalin is 75?mg twice daily or 50?mg three times a day, with maximum dosage of 600?mg/d. To achieve maximum therapeutic effect with a low risk of adverse effects and to reduce often drug dosing, modified release preparations; such as microspheres might be helpful. However, most of the microencapsulation techniques have been used for lipophilic drugs, since hydrophilic drugs like pregabalin, showed low-loading efficiency and rapid dissolution of compounds into the aqueous continous phase. The purpose of this study was to improve loading efficiency of a water-soluble drug and modulate release profiles, and to test the efficiency of the prepared microspheres with the help of animal modeling studies. Pregabalin is a water soluble drug, and it was encapsulated within anionic acrylic resin (Eudragit S 100) microspheres by water in oil in oil (w/o/o) double emulsion solvent diffusion method. Dichloromethane and corn oil were chosen primary and secondary oil phases, respectively. The presence of internal water phase was necessary to form stable emulsion droplets and it accelerated the hardening of microspheres. Tween 80 and Span 80 were used as surfactants to stabilize the water and corn oil phases, respectively. The optimum concentration of Tween 80 was 0.25% (v/v) and Span 80 was 0.02% (v/v). The volume of the continous phase was affected the size of the microspheres. As the volume of the continous phase increased, the size of microspheres decreased. All microsphere formulations were evaluated with the help of in vitro characterization parameters. Microsphere formulations (P1–P5) exhibited entrapment efficiency ranged between 57.00?±?0.72 and 69.70?±?0.49%; yield ranged between 80.95?±?1.21 and 93.05?±?1.42%; and mean particle size were between 136.09?±?2.57 and 279.09?±?1.97?µm. Pregabalin microspheres having better results among all formulations (Table 3) were chosen for further studies such as differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared analysis and dissolution studies. In the last step, the best pregabalin microsphere formulation (P3) was chosen for in vivo animal studies. The pregabalin-loaded microspheres (P3) and conventional pregabalin capsules were applied orally in rats for three days, resulted in clinical improvement of cold allodynia, an indicator of peripheral neuropathy. This result when evaluated together with the serum pregabalin levels and in vitro release studies suggests that the pregabalin microspheres prepared with w/o/o double emulsion solvent diffusion method can be an alternative form for neuropathic pain therapy. Conclusively, a drug delivery system successfully developed that showed modified release up to 10?h and could be potentially useful to overcome the frequent dosing problems associated with pregabalin conventional dosage form.     

Preparation and characterization of a submicron lipid emulsion of docetaxel: submicron lipid emulsion of docetaxel

Docetaxel, a widely used anticancer agent, has sparingly low aqueous solubility, thus Tween 80 and ethanol need to be added into its formulation, probably resulting in the toxic effects. In this study, we aimed to utilize submicron lipid emulsions as a carrier of docetaxel to avoid these potential toxic vehicles. Preformulation study was performed for rational emulsions formulation design, including drug solubility, distribution between oil and water, and degradation kinetics. Supersaturated submicron lipid emulsion of docetaxel was prepared by temperature elevation method. Soya oil and Miglyol 812 can incorporate docetaxel up to 1.0% (drug to lipid ratio) and were used as the oil phase of emulsions. The optimal formulation of docetaxel is composed of 10% oil phase, 1.2% soybean lecithin, 0.3% Pluoronic F68, and 0.4 or 0.8 mg/mL docetaxel, with particle size in the nanometer range, entrapment efficiency more than 90%, and is physicochemically stable at 4 and 25 degrees C for 6 months. Animal studies showed that docetaxel emulsion has significantly higher area under the curve (AUC) and C(max) in rats compared to its micellar solution. The results suggested that the submicron lipid emulsion is a promising intravenous carrier for docetaxel in place of its present commercially available docetaxel micellar solution with potential toxic effects.     

Preparation and Characterization of a Submicron Lipid Emulsion of Docetaxel: Submicron Lipid Emulsion of Docetaxel

Docetaxel, a widely used anticancer agent, has sparingly low aqueous solubility, thus Tween 80 and ethanol need to be added into its formulation, probably resulting in the toxic effects. In this study, we aimed to utilize submicron lipid emulsions as a carrier of docetaxel to avoid these potential toxic vehicles. Preformulation study was performed for rational emulsions formulation design, including drug solubility, distribution between oil and water, and degradation kinetics. Supersaturated submicron lipid emulsion of docetaxel was prepared by temperature elevation method. Soya oil and Miglyol 812 can incorporate docetaxel up to 1.0% (drug to lipid ratio) and were used as the oil phase of emulsions. The optimal formulation of docetaxel is composed of 10% oil phase, 1.2% soybean lecithin, 0.3% Pluoronic F68, and 0.4 or 0.8 mg/mL docetaxel, with particle size in the nanometer range, entrapment efficiency more than 90%, and is physicochemically stable at 4 and 25°C for 6 months. Animal studies showed that docetaxel emulsion has significantly higher area under the curve (AUC) and C_max in rats compared to its micellar solution. The results suggested that the submicron lipid emulsion is a promising intravenous carrier for docetaxel in place of its present commercially available docetaxel micellar solution with potential toxic effects.     

Si02气凝胶微球的制备及表征

以正硅酸乙酯（TEOS）为先驱体制备硅溶胶,再以硅油为分散介质,在吐温80为乳化剂的油相与SiO2溶胶为水相的乳化体系中,应用雾化法和乳液成球技术制备微米级SiO2凝胶小球,然后,通过超临界CO2干燥技术制备微米级siO2气凝胶小球,用光学显微镜、SEM、红外光谱（FT—IR）及cBET技术对其表征,结果表明,微米及SiO2气凝胶小球表观粒径较为均匀,平均粒径约为30μm,密度为216kg／m2,平均孔径6．72nm,BET比表面积为802．35m2／g,孔体积为1．15cm3／g,是一种具有典型气凝胶结构的微粒状轻质纳米多孔材料。     

Hemoglobin-Liposomes as Blood Replacement Fluid

Human hemoglobin is encapsulated in unilamellar liposomes by French press extrusion in order to form hemoglobin liposomes (HBL). The mean diameter of the HBL is 50 nm by TEM. Therefore the preparation can be passed through microbial retentive filters (200 nm). The encapsulation efficiency is 11.5% and the hemoglobin content 0.52 g/100 ml for a 5.75% (v/v) dispersion. The HBL are able to bind 3.8% (v/v) 0₂ (32% (v/v) dispersion) and show the same oxygen dissociation characteristics as the hemoglobin solution. The lipid mixture consists of hydrogenated soy lecithin, which is inexpensive and stable against oxidation, and cholesterol in a molar ratio 1:l. The French press extrusion process is suitable for a scaling up.     

卵磷脂/果胶锌复合凝胶球的制备及性能

采用滴制法, 以吲哚美辛(IDM)为模型药物, 皂化高甲氧化苹果果胶为骨架材料, 氯化锌为交联剂, 并复合卵磷脂(PC)制成吲哚美辛卵磷脂/果胶锌复合凝胶球。针对工艺参数对复合凝胶球粒径、粒重、载药量与包封率以及体外释药性能的影响进行了讨论。凝胶球均成均匀球形, 粒径1.13~1.42 mm, 粒重1.13~2.32 mg, 包封率范围70.72%~94.76%, 载药量范围5.84%~13.54%。同时实验结果表明, 卵磷脂的加入比例、药胶比(吲哚美辛与果胶的质量比)和皂化用NaOH浓度对复合凝胶球的形态、载药及释药性能均有明显影响。其中, 卵磷脂的加入使复合凝胶球载药性能和在模拟肠液中的缓释性能明显提高, 当卵磷脂与果胶的质量比为5:4, 皂化用NaOH浓度为30 g/L, 药胶质量比1:4时, 复合凝胶球在肠模拟液中8 h累计释药率为8.93%。稳定性实验结果表明, 在高温和光照的条件下放置, 卵磷脂/果胶锌复合凝胶球比原药及果胶锌凝胶球具有更好的稳定性, 显示出卵磷脂对果胶锌复合凝胶球在结肠定位给药系统的明显改善作用。     

Hemoglobin-Liposomes as Blood Replacement Fluid

Abstract

Human hemoglobin is encapsulated in unilamellar liposomes by French press extrusion in order to form hemoglobin liposomes (HBL). The mean diameter of the HBL is 50 nm by TEM. Therefore the preparation can be passed through microbial retentive filters (200 nm). The encapsulation efficiency is 11.5% and the hemoglobin content 0.52 g/100 ml for a 5.75% (v/v) dispersion. The HBL are able to bind 3.8% (v/v) 0₂ (32% (v/v) dispersion) and show the same oxygen dissociation characteristics as the hemoglobin solution. The lipid mixture consists of hydrogenated soy lecithin, which is inexpensive and stable against oxidation, and cholesterol in a molar ratio 1:l. The French press extrusion process is suitable for a scaling up.     

淀粉微球的制备及其工艺的优化

以可溶性淀粉为原料,N,N'-亚甲基双丙烯酰胺(MBAA)及环氧氯丙烷(ECH)为交联剂,利用反相悬浮聚合法合成了淀粉微球,通过单因素实验和正交实验对制备工艺进行了优化,利用粒度分析仪、红外光谱仪对产物进行了表征.结果表明:MBAA用量及油水相体积比是影响微球粒径的主要因素;所得微球粒度分布范围较窄,具有多种活性基团,可用作药物载体和吸附剂.     

Physicochemical characterization of rutaecarpine-loaded microemulsion system

To develop an o/w microemulsion system containing poorly water-soluble rutaecarpine, the solubility of rutaecarpine in water, ethanol, various oils, and surfactants were investigated. Among the surfactants and oils tested, Tween 20/PEG 400 and castor oil were chosen as the surfactant system and oil phase of the microemulsion, as rutaecarpine was most soluble in them, respectively. Pseudoternary phase diagrams were constructed to obtain the concentration range of oil, surfactant, and cosurfactant for microemulsion formation, and the stability test of rutaecarpine delivered by microemulsion formation was then evaluated. Pseudoternary phase diagrams show that the areas of microemulsion appeared at those with 0-20% Smix (PEG 400/Tween80 = 60/40), 64-81% water, and 10-20% oil. The rutaecarpine (300 µg/g)-loaded microemulsion composed of 10.8% PEG 400, 7.2% Tween 80, 20% caster oil, and 72% water was physically and chemically stable for at least 6 months. Thus, the microemulsion system composed of castor oil, PEG 400, Tween 80, and water could be a stable dosage form for rutaecarpine.     

Physicochemical Characterization of Rutaecarpine-Loaded Microemulsion System

To develop an o/w microemulsion system containing poorly water-soluble rutaecarpine, the solubility of rutaecarpine in water, ethanol, various oils, and surfactants were investigated. Among the surfactants and oils tested, Tween 20/PEG 400 and castor oil were chosen as the surfactant system and oil phase of the microemulsion, as rutaecarpine was most soluble in them, respectively. Pseudoternary phase diagrams were constructed to obtain the concentration range of oil, surfactant, and cosurfactant for microemulsion formation, and the stability test of rutaecarpine delivered by microemulsion formation was then evaluated. Pseudoternary phase diagrams show that the areas of microemulsion appeared at those with 0–20% Smix (PEG 400/Tween80 = 60/40), 64–81% water, and 10–20% oil. The rutaecarpine (300 µg/g)-loaded microemulsion composed of 10.8% PEG 400, 7.2% Tween 80, 20% caster oil, and 72% water was physically and chemically stable for at least 6 months. Thus, the microemulsion system composed of castor oil, PEG 400, Tween 80, and water could be a stable dosage form for rutaecarpine.     

Manufacture,Characterization, and Release Profiles of Insulin-Loaded Mesoporous PLGA Microspheres

This paper reports the fabrication of insulin-loaded mesoporous microspheres by a double emulsion-solvent evaporation technique using poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) as carrier materials. PLGA solutions with two different concentrations (4% and 5%) were used as the oil phases to fabricate the mesoporous microspheres. The morphology and the particle size distribution of final microspheres were studied by optical microscope, scanning electronic microscope (SEM), and Malvern 2600 sizer, respectively. The mesoporous microspheres were monodisperse with an average diameter of 7 ± 3.5 µm. Insulin, as a model drug, was encapsulated into the final microspheres. In vitro release studies suggested that insulin was continuously released from the medicated microspheres. Furthermore, the final microspheres obtained from 4% PLGA solution showed a small “burst release” effect for their dense structures, which shortened the lag time to the effective plasma concentration. To summarize, the insulin-loaded PLGA microsphere are very promising for use in pharmaceutical applications.     

An inexpensive route to prepare mesoporous hollow silica microspheres using W/O ethanol/edible soybean oil macroemulsion as the template

Mesoporous hollow silica microspheres were prepared by using W/O emulsion consisting of ethanol droplets as a template in edible soybean oil. Ethanol droplets containing ammonia solution were generated by employing ultrasonication in pure soybean oil. The droplets were colloidally stabilized by means of a cationic surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). Later on, another proportion of soybean oil dissolving tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) was added to the W/O emulsion. The sol-gel reaction of TEOS was achieved only at the interface of the emulsion droplets, resulting in hollow silica microspheres. After washing the resultant with acetone, mesoporous hollow silica microspheres were simply obtained. Throughout this liquid template-based process, mesoporous hollow silica microspheres can be inexpensively synthesized without employing solid templates.     

Solid base catalysis of calcium oxide for a reaction to convert vegetable oil into biodiesel

For the purpose of investigating solid base catalysis of calcium oxide for transesterification of soybean oil with refluxing methanol, the catalyst collected after the reaction was characterized by several instrumental methods: X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, solid state ¹³C-NMR. The collected catalyst consisted of calcium glyceroxide, Ca[O(OH)₂C₃H₅]₂, due to the direct combination of calcium oxide with glycerol by-produced from soybean oil. Also, the collected catalyst was active in the soybean oil transesterification, and we found that the yield of fatty acid methyl esters reached 70% after 1 h. Although the transformation of the catalytically active phase brought about a slight decrease in the reaction efficiency, calcium glyceroxide was catalytically tolerant to air-exposure.     

非均相悬浮法制备多孔羟基磷灰石微球

为了获得具有吸附和生物学功能的多孔羟基磷灰石(HA)微球,以自制的纳米羟基磷灰石(HA)粉体为原料,用非均相悬浮法制备了HA/明胶微球,将微球在1 250℃下焙烧,成功制备了直径100~500μm的多孔HA微球.采用光学显微镜、SEM分析、XRD分析和BET氮吸附法研究了微球形貌、尺寸、物相组成、比表面积和孔径,测定了微球对水中F-离子的吸附性能.结果表明:微球具有良好球形形貌和相互贯通的纳米微孔;尺寸比较均匀,分散性良好;微球的主要结晶相为羟基磷灰石;BET表面积为1.867 0~2.089 5 m~2/g,孔径6.53~6.85 nm;对氟离子的平衡吸附容量为1.909~1.940 mg/g.通过控制m(HA)/m(明胶)比例、油温、搅拌速度和搅拌时间,可以在一定范围内控制微球直径和比表面积.     

Preparation and Evaluation of 2-(Allylthio)Pyrazine-Loaded Lipid Emulsion with Enhanced Stability and Liver Targeting

To develop 2-(allylthio)pyrazine (2-AP)-loaded lipid emulsion for parenteral administration, various lipid emulsions were prepared with soybean oil, lecithin, and other carriers using homogenization method, and their physical stabilities were investigated by measuring their droplet sizes. The pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of 2-AP in lipid emulsion after intravenous administration to rats were evaluated compared with 2-AP in solution. 2-AP was lipophilic, sparingly water-soluble, and unstable in aqueous medium. The 2-AP-loaded lipid emulsion composed of 1% of 2-AP, 4% of soybean oil, 4% of lecithin, and 91% of water was physically and chemically stable for at least 8 weeks. It gave significantly faster clearance of 2-AP and higher affinity to the organs, especially the liver, compared with the 2-AP in solution, suggesting that it could selectively deliver 2-AP to the liver. Thus, the lipid emulsion with soybean oil and lecithin could be used as a potential dosage form with the liver-targeting property and enhanced stability of sparingly water-soluble 2-AP.     

Effect of different polysorbates on development of self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems using medium chain lipids

The primary objective of this study was to develop lipid-based self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems (SMEDDS) without using any organic cosolvents that would spontaneously form microemulsions upon dilution with water. Cosolvents were avoided to prevent possible precipitation of drug upon dilution and other stability issues. Different polysorbates, namely, Tween 20, Tween 40, Tween 60, and Tween 80, were used as surfactants, and Captex 355 EP/NF (glycerol tricaprylate/caprate) or its 1:1 mixture with Capmul MCM NF (glycerol monocaprylocaprate) were used as lipids. Captex 355-Tween-water ternary phase diagrams showed that oil-in-water microemulsions were formed only when the surfactant content was high (80–90%) and the lipid content low (10–20%). Thus, mixtures of Tweens with Captex 355 alone were not suitable to prepare SMEDDS with substantial lipid contents. However, when Captex 355 was replaced with the 1:1 mixture of Captex 355 and Capmul MCM, clear isotropic microemulsion regions in phase diagrams with sizes in the increasing order of Tween 20?相似文献   

Soybean Lecithin‐Mediated Nanoporous PLGA Microspheres with Highly Entrapped and Controlled Released BMP‐2 as a Stem Cell Platform

Injectable polymer microsphere‐based stem cell delivery systems have a severe problem that they do not offer a desirable environment for stem cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation because it is difficult to entrap a large number of hydrophilic functional protein molecules into the core of hydrophobic polymer microspheres. In this work, soybean lecithin (SL) is applied to entrap hydrophilic bone morphogenic protein‐2 (BMP‐2) into nanoporous poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA)‐based microspheres by a two‐step method: SL/BMP‐2 complexes preparation and PLGA/SL/BMP‐2 microsphere preparation. The measurements of their physicochemical properties show that PLGA/SL/BMP‐2 microspheres had significantly higher BMP‐2 entrapment efficiency and controlled triphasic BMP‐2 release behavior compared with PLGA/BMP‐2 microspheres. Furthermore, the in vitro and in vivo stem cell behaviors on PLGA/SL/BMP‐2 microspheres are analyzed. Compared with PLGA/BMP‐2 microspheres, PLGA/SL/BMP‐2 microspheres have significantly higher in vitro and in vivo stem cell attachment, proliferation, differentiation, and matrix mineralization abilities. Therefore, injectable nanoporous PLGA/SL/BMP‐2 microspheres can be potentially used as a stem cell platform for bone tissue regeneration. In addition, SL can be potentially used to prepare hydrophilic protein‐loaded hydrophobic polymer microspheres with highly entrapped and controlled release of proteins.     

Controlled drug delivery systems based on thiolated chitosan microspheres

The aim of the present study was to verify the potential of chitosan-thio-butyl-amidine (TBA) microspheres as carrier systems for controlled drug delivery. In this study microspheres were prepared utilizing water in oil (w/o) emulsification solvent evaporation technique. A concentration of 0.5% of chitosan-TBA conjugate displaying 100 µM thiol groups per gram polymer was used in the aqueous phase of the emulsion in order to prepare microspheres. The obtained non-aggregated free-flowing microspheres were examined with conventional light microscope as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The microscopic images indicated that the prepared chitosan-TBA microspheres were of spherical shape and smooth surface while microparticles obtained from the unmodified chitosan were of porous structure and non-spherical shape. Particle size distribution was determined to be in the range from 1 to 59 µm. The free thiol group content of chitosan-TBA microspheres prepared with an aqueous phase of pH 2, 5, and 6.5 were determined to be 71.4, 49.4, and 8.2 µM/g polymer, respectively. Furthermore, results attained from in vitro release studies with fluorescein isothiocyanate labelled dextran (FITC-dextran) loaded chitosan-TBA microspheres showed a controlled release rate for more than three hours while the control reached the maximum peak level of release already within an hour. According to these results, chitosan-TBA microspheres seem to be a promising tool in transmucosal drug delivery for poorly absorbed therapeutic agents.     

Controlled Drug Delivery Systems Based on Thiolated Chitosan Microspheres

The aim of the present study was to verify the potential of chitosan-thio-butyl-amidine (TBA) microspheres as carrier systems for controlled drug delivery. In this study microspheres were prepared utilizing water in oil (w/o) emulsification solvent evaporation technique. A concentration of 0.5% of chitosan-TBA conjugate displaying 100 µM thiol groups per gram polymer was used in the aqueous phase of the emulsion in order to prepare microspheres. The obtained non-aggregated free-flowing microspheres were examined with conventional light microscope as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The microscopic images indicated that the prepared chitosan-TBA microspheres were of spherical shape and smooth surface while microparticles obtained from the unmodified chitosan were of porous structure and non-spherical shape. Particle size distribution was determined to be in the range from 1 to 59 µm. The free thiol group content of chitosan-TBA microspheres prepared with an aqueous phase of pH 2, 5, and 6.5 were determined to be 71.4, 49.4, and 8.2 µM/g polymer, respectively. Furthermore, results attained from in vitro release studies with fluorescein isothiocyanate labelled dextran (FITC-dextran) loaded chitosan-TBA microspheres showed a controlled release rate for more than three hours while the control reached the maximum peak level of release already within an hour. According to these results, chitosan-TBA microspheres seem to be a promising tool in transmucosal drug delivery for poorly absorbed therapeutic agents.     

提高采收率用聚(N-羟甲基丙烯酰胺-丙烯酰胺)微球的反相微乳液聚合及其性能

以煤油为连续相,50.0wt%N-羟甲基丙烯酰胺(N-MAM)、丙烯酰胺(AM)单体水溶液为分散相,Span80/OP-10为乳化剂,依据拟三元相图配制了含50.6wt%油相、42.0wt%水相、7.4wt%Span80/OP-10(质量比6∶1)乳化剂相的W/O微乳液(质量分数)。以N,N-亚甲基双丙烯酰胺(MBAA)为交联剂,在65℃过硫酸铵(APS)引发下进行反相微乳液聚合制备了纳米级交联P(AM/NMAM)微球。以微球粒径及溶胀性为考察指标,从单体配比、交联剂用量、引发剂用量及搅拌速率等方面对合成条件进行了优化。结果表明,在单体配比m(AM)∶m(N-MAM)为4∶1,交联剂MBAA用量0.60wt%、引发剂APS用量0.50wt%(以单体总质量计)、搅拌速率1000r/min的条件下合成的微球耐盐性好、吸水倍率高,在1.0×10~5 mg/L模拟地层水中可达18.40g/g。扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)对微球形态的表征结果显示,其具有较好的球形度及单分散性,粒径分布均一,约为100nm左右。流变及岩心封堵实验表明微球胶乳具有良好的注入性,封堵效果显著,可实现逐级深部调剖。