Academic literature on the topic 'Gelucire®'

Delivery of poorly water soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) by semi-crystalline solid dispersions prepared by spray congealing in form of microparticles (MPs) is an emerging method to increase their oral bioavailability. In this study, solid dispersions based on hydrophilic Gelucires® (Gelucire® 50/13 and Gelucire® 48/16 in different ratio) of three BCS class II model compounds (carbamazepine, CBZ, tolbutamide, TBM, and cinnarizine, CIN) having different physicochemical properties (logP, pKa, Tm) were produced by spray congealing process. The obtained MPs were investigated in terms of morphology, particles size, drug content, solid state properties, drug-carrier interactions, solubility, and dissolution performances. The solid-state characterization showed that the properties of the incorporated drug had a profound influence on the structure of the obtained solid dispersion: CBZ recrystallized in a different polymorphic form, TBM crystallinity was significantly reduced as a result of specific interactions with the carrier, while smaller crystals were observed in case of CIN. The in vitro tests suggested that the drug solubility was mainly influenced by carrier composition, while the drug dissolution behavior was affected by the API solid state in the MPs after the spray congealing process. Among the tested APIs, TBM-Gelucire dispersions showed the highest enhancement in drug dissolution as a result of the reduced drug crystallinity.

Hot-melt granulation is a technique used to obtain granules by dispersing a drug in polymers at a high temperature. Tenofovir, an antiretroviral drug with proven activity as a vaginal microbicide, was dispersed in melted Gelucire® (or a mixture of different Gelucire®) to obtain drug-loaded granules. Studies performed on the granules proved that the drug is not altered in the hot-melt granulation process. The granules obtained were included in a matrix formed by the hydrophilic polymers hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and chitosan to obtain vaginal tablets that combine different mechanisms of controlled release: The Gelucire® needs to soften to allow the release of the Tenofovir, and the hydrophilic polymers must form a gel so the drug can diffuse through it. The studies performed with the tablets were swelling behavior, Tenofovir release, and ex vivo mucoadhesion. The tablets containing granules obtained with Tenofovir and Gelucire® 43/01 in a ratio of 1:2 in a matrix formed by hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and chitosan in a ratio of 1.9:1 were selected as the optimal formulation, since they release Tenofovir in a sustained manner over 216h and remain attached to the vaginal mucosa throughout. A weekly administration of these tablets would therefore offer women protection against the sexual transmission of HIV.

Caco-2 cells were used as in vitro models to assess the cell viability characteristics of the carriers Soluplus®, Gelucire 50/13 and PVP K25 and the nanoformulations of Naproxen and Piroxicam. The assessment of cell viability was done using the tetrazolium salt based MTT assay. Gelucire 50/13 and its NFs were observed to have slightly higher cytotoxicity than PVP and Soluplus® and their respective NFs. All the NFs were observed to follow the cytotoxicity trend of the polymers. Our results show that no significant decrease in cell viability was seen until 0.01% concentration of Gelucire 50/13 for 12-h exposure. The NFs as well as the polymers alone had no significant effect on the viability of Caco-2 cells below 0.01% concentrations. The intestine has a protective mucous layer, whereas the cell culture monolayers do not. The intestinal tissues also have more capacity to recover from trauma than the cultured cells. Hence the present NFs can be expected to show lesser cytotoxicity when subjected to in vivo studies.

Gelucire® 50/13, a macrogol glyceride, was used as a surfactant for the preparation and stabilization of paliperidone-loaded Capmul® GMS-50K matrix-based solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs). The homogeneously distributed paliperidone did not affect the crystal structure of the lipid matrix in the SLNs.

<p>Metformin is a hydrophilic hypoglycemic agent with permeability and short half-life problems which leads to its low bioavailability. Solid dispersion is one of the unique approaches, to improve bioavailability profiles of drugs. The aim of this study was to prepare and evaluate solid dispersions (SDs) of metformin with polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG 4000) and Gelucire®50/13 in order to increase its permeability and bioavailability. Solid dispersions of Metformin containing various ratios of PEG 4000: Gelucire®50/13 (1:1, 1:2, 2:1, 1:4, 4:1 as Batch A, Batch B, Batch C, Batch D and Batch E) were prepared using solvent evaporation and fusion techniques. The physical mixtures which served as controls were also prepared. The SDs were evaluated using encapsulation efficiency, percentage yield. The formulations were also characterized with FTIR and DSC. The in vitro drug release studies were also evaluated. The results obtained showed that solid dispersion formulations at pH, 1.2 and 7.4 demonstrated higher release rates than the pure drug. The SDs showed high drug release rates and encapsulation efficiency (% EE) although Batch C containing PEG 4000 and Gelucire 50/13 in the ratio of 2:1 appeared as the batch with most % EE, drug release with broad melting peak. The release rate of metformin increased with increasing amount of PEG 4000. Batch C, SDs containing PEG 4000 and Gelucire 50/13 in the ratio of 2:1 were found to be the most optimized batch with enhanced encapsulation efficiency, most drug release and therefore, improved permeability and bioavailability of metformin.</p>

The roots of yellow gentian, Gentiana lutea L. (Gentianaceae) are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, with the literature data indicates a local gastric effect of gentian root extract (GRE) and support the use of the solid pharmaceutical forms. Gentiopicroside, as a dominant secoiridoid in the GRE, has a short elimination half-life and low bioavailability and, consequently, its bioactivity is limited. The aim of the study was to develop gastroretentive floating delivery system with GRE, and to provide prolonged release of gentiopicroside. Floating granules with dry GRE (DGRE) were prepared by the hot-melt granulation technique, while formulations included effervescent components (citric acid and sodium bicarbonate), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and meltable binders (Compritol® 888 ATO and Gelucire® 50/13). The flowability of the DGRE and prepared formulations was determined by calculating the Carr index and Hausner ratio. Floating properties and in vitro dissolution rate of gentiopicroside from investigated formulations were examined. Floating granules were characterized with improved flowability (Carr index 14-22 %; Hausner ratio 1.16-1.28) in comparison to the DGRE (Carr index 28.99 %; Hausner ratio of 1.41). Furthermore, the floating granules exhibited immediate and long-lasting buoyancy and prolonged-release of gentiopicroside (over 8 h). Compritol® 888 ATO has provided sustained release of gentiopicroside from floating granules, while HPMC has decreased release rate additionally. On the other hand, Gelucire® 50/13 has increased gentiopicroside release rate. The results have shown that hot-melt granulation technique, as a green granulation method was successfully employed for obtaining gastroretentive floating granules with DGRE.

A talidomida (TLD) é um fármaco usado no tratamento de lesões associadas ao eritema nodoso leprótico, úlceras aftóides em pacientes HIV+/AIDS, algumas doenças crônico-degenerativas e mieloma múltiplo refratário à quimioterapia. Porém, apresenta problemas relacionados à sua farmacocinética, é pouco hidrossolúvel, e, por conseguinte, apresenta lenta e variável absorção no trato gastrintestinal. Uma proposta inédita que pode ser de interesse clínico é a formulação de uma dispersão sólida para a via oral, que permita a modulação da dissolução e biodisponibilidade da talidomida. O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver e caracterizar dispersões sólidas (DS) contendo carreadores autoemulsionáveis e TLD, veiculado em cápsulas duras, a fim de melhorar as propriedades biofarmacêuticas do fármaco. Foram desenvolvidas formulações de TLD dispersa em Gelucire® (GEL) ou Kolliphor® (TPGS), associadas ou não a um adjuvante que em geral, diminui a recristalização de fármacos, a polivilpirrolidona (PVP K30). A técnica utilizada para preparar as DS foi o método de evaporação de solvente. A caracterização físico-química foi realizada por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), difração de raios-X (DRX), calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC) acoplada a células de aquecimento (Hot Stage), sugeriu formação de DS semicristalinas. A espectroscopia Infravermelha (IV), juntamente com DRX, demonstrou que a porção cristalina remanescente corresponde ao polimorfo α. A dissolução in vitro do fármaco a partir das DS foi significativamente melhor quando comparada ao fármaco isolado ou ao controle com amido. No tempo limite de 120 minutos, as DS tiveram percentual de dissolução em torno de 90%, enquanto o fármaco isolado de 50%, e o controle com amido de 70%. O estudo de solubilidade aquosa com diferentes excessos de fármaco foi realizado com o intuito de verificar se as DS eram capazes de manter o aumento da solubilidade aparente (estado de supersaturação) por um longo período de tempo. Foram obtidos incrementos da solubilidade aparente de até 3x superiores a do fármaco isolado, mas a capacidade solubilizante das DS mostrou-se saturável. Como conclusão, os resultados das análises físico-químicas, perfil de dissolução e solubilidade sugerem que a associação da talidomida com os carreadores autoemulsionáveis proporcionou melhora nas propriedades biofarmacêuticas da TLD, e criam perspectivas de investigação futuras, tais como a avaliação da permeabilidade intestinal in vitro.
Thalidomide (TLD) is a drug used for the treatment of lesions associated to the erythema nodosum leprosum, aphthous ulcers in HIV + / AIDS patients, some chronic diseases, and multiple myeloma refractory to chemotherapy. However, the drug is poorly aqueous soluble, and therefore presents slow and variable absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. An innovative proposal, which could be of clinical interest, is the formulation of oral solid dispersions, which allow modulation of dissolution, solubility, and, therefore, bioavailability of thalidomide. The objective of this study was to develop and characterize solid dispersions (DS) containing self-emulsifying carriers and TLD, filled in hard capsules, aiming to improve the biopharmaceutical properties of the drug. TLD has been dispersed in Gelucire® (GEL) or Kolliphor® (TPGS), associated or not to an excipient that usually decreases the drug recrystallization, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP K30). The technique used for preparing the DS was the solvent evaporation method. The physicochemical characterization by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) coupled to heating cells (Hot Stage), indicated the formation of semi crystalline DS. Infrared spectroscopy (IR), together with XRD, showed that the remaining crystalline portion corresponds to the polymorph α. The in vitro dissolution of the drug from the DS was significantly higher when compared to the drug alone, or the control with starch. At 120 min, the percentage of TLD dissolved from DS was around 90%, while drug alone showed 50% and drug+starch showed 70% dissolution. The aqueous solubility study performed with different drug excess assessed whether the DS were able to maintain the increase in apparent solubility (supersaturation state) for a long period of time. Increments around 3x were obtained in the apparent solubility, but the solubilizing ability of DS was found to be saturable. In conclusion, the results of physicochemical analysis, dissolution profile and aqueous solubility suggest that the association of thalidomide with self-emulsifying carriers provided improvement on the biopharmaceutical properties of TLD, and opened future research perspectives, such as the assessment of intestinal permeability in vitro.