Development of Suppositories Silicone Molds Using Additive Technologies

Abstract

Introduction. In modern practice, suppositories are prepared by hand rolling method or fusion. 3D printing can overcome the disadvantages of traditional suppository manufacturing methods and solve the problems of personalization. 3D printing makes it possible to manufacture drug-loaded suppositories without the use of molds or other physical support. The current studies have a number of limitations, and the printing of one suppository requires a long time. This report proposes a method of 3D modeling and 3D printing to produce personalized suppositories by fusion.Aim. Various sizes and shapes suppositories silicone molds development by molding method from hydrophilic, lipophilic and amphiphilic bases.Materials and methods. Suppository bases: cocoa butter (Luker, Colombia), polyethylene glycol (PEG) 1500 (Merck KGaA, Germany), PEG-400 (Merck KGaA, Germany), Witepsol H-15 (Chimmed Group, Russia); pharmaceutical substance: paracetamol (Hebei Jiheng (Group) Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, China); filaments for 3D printing: polyethylene terephthalate (PET-G natural, LLC "PrintProdakt", Russia); silicone two-component platinum, hardness Shore 30A (China); solvents: Acetonitrile Grade HPLC (Merck KGaA, Germany). The design of the both casting and master molds of suppositories was carried out using the KOMPAS-3D version 17.1. Master molds were printed by Picaso PRO 250 and Picaso X Pro 3D printers. Mold segments were obtained by filling master molds with a mixture of two-component silicone. Suppositories were obtained by molding method. Their average weight and standard deviation were determined. Paracetamol concentration in suppositories was carried out by UV spectrophotometry on a UV-1240 mini spectrophotometer (Shimadzu, Япония). Silicone molds were soaked and washed in hot water with surfactants. Washouts from the molds were taken by soaking the mold.Results and discussion. The torpedo-shaped form was chosen as the model form of suppositories. For the chosen form, three volumes of suppositories were designed: 3.32 ml; 1.5 ml and 0.25 ml. Silicone molds were designed and manufactured for all volumes. The cast suppositories were examined for compliance with the regulatory documentation for the dosage form, the average weight and mass uniformity were evaluated. Suppositories with paracetamol were made. A procedure for cleaning the obtained silicone molds has been developed.Conclusion. The resulting silicone molds make it possible to obtain suppositories in accordance with the regulatory documentation for the suppositories. Silicone molds have significant advantages compared to analogues of metal or polymeric molds.