Solid Self-microemulsifying Drug Delivery Research Articles

Characterization and evaluation of solid self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems with porous carriers as systems for improved carbamazepine release

The purpose of this study was to investigate solid self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SSMEDDS), as potential delivery system for poorly water soluble drug carbamazepine (CBZ). Self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) was formulated using the surfactant polyoxyethylene 20 sorbitan monooleate [Polysorbate 80] (S), the cosurfactant PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil [Cremophor(®) RH40] (C) and the oil caprylic/capric triglycerides [Mygliol(®) 812] (O). Four different adsorbents with high specific surface area were used: Neusilin(®) UFL2, Neusilin(®) FL2 (magnesium aluminometasilicate), Sylysia(®) 320 and Sylysia(®) 350 (porous silica). Microemulsion area at the surfactant to cosurfactant ratio (K(m)) 1:1 was evaluated and for further investigation SMEDDS with SC/O ratio 8:2 was selected. Solubilization capacity of selected SMEDDS for CBZ was 33.771±0.041 mg/ml. Rheological measurements of unloaded and CBZ-loaded SMEDDS at water content varied from 10 to 60% (w/w) were conducted. It has been found that CBZ has great influence on rheological behaviour of investigated system upon water dilution. Photon correlation spectroscopy has shown the ability of CBZ-loaded SMEDDS to produce microemulsion droplet size. SSMEDDS improved release rate of CBZ, but the type of adsorbent significantly affects release rate of CBZ. For SSMEDDS with different magnesium aluminometasilicate adsorbents, release rate of CBZ decreased with increasing specific surface area due to entrapment of liquid SMEDDS inside the pores and its gradual exposure to dissolution medium. With porous silica adsorbents no difference in release rate was found in comparison to physical mixtures. In physical mixtures at 12.5% (w/w) CBZ content, presence of amorphous CBZ led to high dissolution rate.

Development of novel flurbiprofen-loaded solid self-microemulsifying drug delivery system using gelatin as solid carrier

To develop a novel flurbiprofen-loaded solid self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (solid SMEDDS) with improved oral bioavailability using gelatin as a solid carrier, the solid SMEDDS formulation was prepared by spray-drying the solutions containing liquid SMEDDS and gelatin. The liquid SMEDDS, composed of Labrafil M 1944 CS/Labrasol/Transcutol HP (12.5/80/7.5%) with 2% w/v flurbiprofen, gave a z-average diameter of about 100 nm. The flurbiprofen-loaded solid SMEDDS formulation gave a larger emulsion droplet size compared to liquid SMEDDS. Unlike conventional solid SMEDDS, it produced a kind of microcapsule in which liquid SMEDDS was not absorbed onto the surfaces of carrier but formed together with carrier in it. However, the drug was in an amorphous state in it like conventional solid SMEDDS. It greatly improved the oral bioavailability of flurbiprofen in rats. Thus, gelatin could be used as a carrier in the development of solid SMEDDS with improved oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drug.

Development and characterization of liquid and solid self-microemulsifying drug delivery system of Tacrolimus

Tacrolimus is an immunosuppressant agent for the prevention and treatment of graft rejection in solid organ transplantation patients. Tacrolimus is a poorly water-soluble drug. Its absorption is further limited due to the involvement of an efflux transporter P-glycoprotein and metabolism via cytochrome P450. The objective of presentinvestigation was to develop and characterize a liquid self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) and a solid SMEDDS by using bioenhancer excipients like Tween 20 and Tween 80, which are known for their inhibiting action on CYP 450 and P-glycoprotein efflux pump. Solubility of Tacrolimus was determined in various vehicles, including oils, surfactants and cosolvents. Pseudoternary phase diagrams were constructed to identify the most efficient self-emulsification region. The optimized formulations were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and globule size analysis. The optimized liquid SMEDDS formulation contained 20% Phosal 53 MCT as oil, 60% Tween 20 as surfactant and 20% ethanol as cosolvent. Liquid SMEDDS was converted to solid SMEDDS by using Aerosil-200 and Florite-RE as inert solid adsorbents. The optimized liquid and solid SMEDDS showed higher drug release than the marketed capsule and pure API powder. For optimized liquid SMEDDS and solid SMEDDS, the globule sizes were found to be 140.9 nm and 304.6 nm, respectively. DSC and XRD results of solid SMEDDS confirmed that the drug present in the formulation was in an amorphous state. Shelf-lives for liquid SMEDDS and solid SMEDDS were found to be 1.76 and 2.27 years, respectively. The prepared liquid SMEDDS and solid SMEDDS containing bioenhancer excipients increase the in vitro dissolution rate of lipophilic Tacrolimus.

Development and characterization of liquid and solid self-microemulsifying drug delivery system of Tacrolimus

Development and characterization of liquid and solid self-microemulsifying drug delivery system of Tacrolimus

Comparison of solid self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (solid SMEDDS) prepared with hydrophilic and hydrophobic solid carrier

In order to compare the effects of hydrophilic and hydrophobic solid carrier on the formation of solid self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS), two solid SMEDDS formulations were prepared by spray-drying the solutions containing liquid SMEDDS and solid carriers. Colloidal silica and dextran were used as a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic carrier, respectively. The liquid SMEDDS, composed of Labrafil M 1944 CS/Labrasol/Trasncutol HP (12.5/80/7.5%) with 2% w/v flurbiprofen, gave a z-average diameter of about 100 nm. Colloidal silica produced an excellent conventional solid SMEDDS in which the liquid SMEDDS was absorbed onto its surfaces. It gave a microemulsion droplet size similar to that of the liquid SMEDDS (about 100 nm) which was smaller than the other solid SMEDDS formulation. In the solid SMEDDS prepared with dextran, liquid SMEDDS was not absorbed onto the surfaces of carrier but formed a kind of nano-sized microcapsule with carrier. However, the drug was in an amorphous state in two solid SMEDDS formulations. Similarly, they greatly improved the dissolution rate and oral bioavailability of flurbiprofen in rats due to the fast spontaneous emulsion formation and the decreased droplet size. Thus, except appearance, hydrophilic carrier (dextran) and hydrophobic carrier (colloidal silica) hardly affected the formation of solid SMEDDS such as crystalline properties, dissolution and oral bioavailability.

A new solid self-microemulsifying formulation prepared by spray-drying to improve the oral bioavailability of poorly water soluble drugs

The objectives of the present work were, first, to develop a new solid self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) for oral poorly water-soluble drugs such as nimodipine; and second, to evaluate its oral bioavailability in healthy rabbits. The liquid SMEDDS consisted of ethyl oleate, Labrasol ®, Cremophor ® RH 40 and nimodipine. The solid SMEDDS was prepared by spray-drying the liquid SMEDDS in a laboratory spray dryer, using dextran as solid carrier. The imaging of TEM and photo correlation spectroscopy revealed no difference in the droplet size of reconstituted microemulsion between both SMEDDS. Solid state characterization of the solid SMEDDS was performed by SEM, DSC, and X-ray powder diffraction. The same dose of nimodipine in the solid SMEDDS and in the liquid SMEDDS resulted in similar AUC and C max values, but the maximum absorption was retarded by the solid SMEDDS. AUC and C max after oral administration of the solid SMEDDS were 2.6- and 6.6-fold higher, respectively, compared with those of the conventional tablet. These results demonstrate that the solid SMEDDS may preserve an improved bioavailability with releasing microemulsion lipid droplets from the formulation in vivo. Thus, this solid self-microemulsifying system may provide a useful solid dosage form for oral poorly water-soluble drugs.