1.
Alhalaweh, Amjad, et al.
(författare)
Physical stability of drugs after storage above and below the glass transition temperature : Relationship to glass-forming ability
2015
Ingår i: International Journal of Pharmaceutics. - : Elsevier BV. - 0378-5173 .- 1873-3476. ; 495:1, s. 312-317
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat) abstract
Amorphous materials are inherently unstable and tend to crystallize upon storage. In this study, we investigated the extent to which the physical stability and inherent crystallization tendency of drugs are related to their glass-forming ability (GFA), the glass transition temperature (T-g) and thermodynamic factors. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to produce the amorphous state of 52 drugs [ 18 compounds crystallized upon heating (Class II) and 34 remained in the amorphous state (Class III)] and to perform in situ storage for the amorphous material for 12 h at temperatures 20 degrees C above or below the T-g. A computational model based on the support vector machine (SVM) algorithm was developed to predict the structure-property relationships. All drugs maintained their Class when stored at 20 degrees C below the T-g. Fourteen of the Class II compounds crystallized when stored above the T-g whereas all except one of the Class III compounds remained amorphous. These results were only related to the glass-forming ability and no relationship to e. g. thermodynamic factors was found. The experimental data were used for computational modeling and a classification model was developed that correctly predicted the physical stability above the T-g. The use of a large dataset revealed that molecular features related to aromaticity and pi-pi interactions reduce the inherent physical stability of amorphous drugs.
2.
Berg, Staffan, et al.
(författare)
Evaluation in pig of an intestinal administration device for oral peptide delivery
2023
Ingår i: Journal of Controlled Release. - : Elsevier. - 0168-3659 .- 1873-4995. ; 353, s. 792-801
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat) abstract
The bioavailability of peptides co-delivered with permeation enhancers following oral administration remains low and highly variable. Two factors that may contribute to this are the dilution of the permeation enhancer in the intestinal fluid, as well as spreading of the released permeation enhancer and peptide in the lumen by intestinal motility. In this work we evaluated an Intestinal Administration Device (IAD) designed to reduce the luminal dilution of drug and permeation enhancer, and to minimize movement of the dosage form in the intestinal lumen. To achieve this, the IAD utilizes an expanding design that holds immediate release mini tablets and places these in contact with the intestinal epithelium, where unidirectional drug release can occur. The expanding conformation limits movement of the IAD in the intestinal tract, thereby enabling drug release at a single focal point in the intestine. A pig model was selected to study the ability of the IAD to promote intestinal absorption of the peptide MEDI7219 formulated together with the permeation enhancer sodium caprate. We compared the IAD to intestinally administered enteric coated capsules and an intestinally administered solution. The IAD restricted movement of the immediate release tablets in the small intestine and histological evaluation of the mucosa indicated that high concentrations of sodium caprate were achieved. Despite significant effect of the permeation enhancer on the integrity of the intestinal epithelium, the bioavailability of MEDI7219 was of the same order of magnitude as that achieved with the solution and enteric coated capsule formulations (2.5–3.8%). The variability in plasma concentrations of MEDI7219 were however lower when delivered using the IAD as compared to the solution and enteric coated capsule formulations. This suggests that dosage forms that can limit intestinal dilution and control the position of drug release can be a way to reduce the absorptive variability of peptides delivered with permeation enhancers but do not offer significant benefits in terms of increasing bioavailability.
3.
Emeh, Prosper, et al.
(författare)
Experiences and Translatability of In Vitro and In Vivo Models to Evaluate Caprate as a Permeation Enhancer
2024
Ingår i: Molecular Pharmaceutics. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1543-8384 .- 1543-8392. ; 21:1, s. 313-324
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat) abstract
Transient permeation enhancers (PEs) have been widely used to improve the oral absorption of macromolecules. During pharmaceutical development, the correct selection of the macromolecule, PE, and the combination needs to be made to maximize oral bioavailability and ensure successful clinical development. Various in vitro and in vivo methods have been investigated to optimize this selection. In vitro methods are generally preferred by the pharmaceutical industry to reduce the use of animals according to the "replacement, reduction, and refinement" principle commonly termed "3Rs," and in vitro methods typically have a higher throughput. This paper compares two in vitro methods that are commonly used within the pharmaceutical industry, being Caco-2 and an Ussing chamber, to two in vivo models, being in situ intestinal instillation to rats and in vivo administration via an endoscope to pigs. All studies use solution formulation of sodium caprate, which has been widely used as a PE, and two macromolecules, being FITC-dextran 4000 Da and MEDI7219, a GLP-1 receptor agonist peptide. The paper shares our experiences of using these models and the challenges with the in vitro models in mimicking the processes occurring in vivo. The paper highlights the need to consider these differences when translating data generated using these in vitro models for evaluating macromolecules, PE, and combinations thereof for enabling oral delivery.
4.
Sou, Tomás, et al.
(författare)
Model-Based Drug Development in Pulmonary Delivery : Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Novel Drug Candidates for Treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Lung Infection
2019
Ingår i: Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. - : Elsevier BV. - 0022-3549 .- 1520-6017. ; 108:1, s. 630-640
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat) abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a major public health threat worldwide. In particular, about 80% of cystic fibrosis patients have chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) lung infection resistant to many current antibiotics. We are therefore developing a novel class of antivirulence agents, quorum sensing inhibitors (QSIs), which inhibit biofilm formation and sensitize PA to antibiotic treatments. For respiratory conditions, targeted delivery to the lung could achieve higher local concentrations with reduced risk of adverse systemic events. In this study, we report the pharmacokinetics of 3 prototype QSIs after pulmonary delivery, and the simultaneous analysis of the drug concentration-time profiles from bronchoalveolar lavage, lung homogenate and plasma samples, using a pharmacometric modeling approach. In addition to facilitating the direct comparison and selection of drug candidates, the developed model was used for dosing simulation studies to predict in vivo exposure following different dosing scenarios. The results show that systemic clearance has limited impact on local drug exposure in the lung after pulmonary delivery. Therefore, we suggest that novel QSIs designed for pulmonary delivery as targeted treatments for respiratory conditions should ideally have a long residence time in the lung for local efficacy with rapid clearance after systemic absorption for reduced risk of systemic adverse events.
5.
Alvebratt, Caroline, et al.
(författare)
A Modified In Situ Method to Determine Release from a Complex Drug Carrier in Particle-Rich Suspensions
2018
Ingår i: AAPS PharmSciTech. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1530-9932. ; 19:7, s. 2859-2865
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat) abstract
Effective and compound-sparing methods to evaluate promising drug delivery systems are a prerequisite for successful selection of formulations in early development stages. The aim of the study was to develop a small-scale in situ method to determine drug release and supersaturation in highly concentrated suspensions of enabling formulations. Mesoporous magnesium carbonate (MMC), which delivers the drug in an amorphous form, was selected as a drug carrier. Five model compounds were loaded into the MMC at a 1:10 ratio using a solvent evaporation technique. The μDiss Profiler was used to study the drug release from MMC in fasted-state simulated intestinal fluid. To avoid extensive light scattering previously seen in particle-rich suspensions in the μDiss Profiler, an in-house-designed protective nylon filter was placed on the in situ UV probes. Three types of release experiments were conducted for each compound: micronized crystalline drug with MMC present, drug-loaded MMC, and drug-loaded MMC with 0.01% w/w hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose. The nylon filters effectively diminished interference with the UV absorption; however, the release profiles obtained were heavily compound dependent. For one of the compounds, changes in the UV spectra were detected during the release from the MMC, and these were consistent with degradation of the compound. To conclude, the addition of protective nylon filters to the probes of the μDiss Profiler is a useful contribution to the method, making evaluations of particle-rich suspensions feasible. The method is a valuable addition to the current ones, allowing for fast and effective evaluation of advanced drug delivery systems.
6.
Alvebratt, Caroline, et al.
(författare)
In Vitro Performance and Chemical Stability of Lipid-Based Formulations Encapsulated in a Mesoporous Magnesium Carbonate Carrier
2020
Ingår i: Pharmaceutics. - : MDPI AG. - 1999-4923 .- 1999-4923. ; 12:5
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat) abstract
Lipid-based formulations can circumvent the low aqueous solubility of problematic drug compounds and increase their oral absorption. As these formulations are often physically unstable and costly to manufacture, solidification has been suggested as a way to minimize these issues. This study evaluated the physicochemical stability and in vitro performance of lipid-loaded mesoporous magnesium carbonate (MMC) particles with an average pore size of 20 nm. A medium chain lipid was loaded onto the MMC carrier via physical adsorption. A modified in vitro lipolysis setup was then used to study lipid release and digestion with 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The lipid loading efficiency with different solidification techniques was also evaluated. The MMC, unlike more commonly used porous silicate carriers, dissolved during the lipolysis assay, providing a rapid release of encapsulated lipids into solution. The digestion of the dispersed lipid-loaded MMC therefore resembled that of a coarse dispersion of the lipid. The stability data demonstrated minor degradation of the lipid within the pores of the MMC particles, but storage for three months did not reveal extensive degradation. To conclude, lipids can be adsorbed onto MMC, creating a solid powder from which the lipid is readily released into the solution during in vitro digestion. The chemical stability of the formulation does however merit further attention.
7.
Wright, Leah, et al.
(författare)
A comparison of chitosan, mesoporous silica and poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid nanocarriers for optimising intestinal uptake of oral protein therapeutics
2021
Ingår i: Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. - : Elsevier. - 0022-3549 .- 1520-6017. ; 110:1, s. 217-227
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat) abstract
Efficacious oral delivery of therapeutic proteins remains challenging and nanoparticulate approaches are gaining interest for enhancing their permeability. In this study, we explore the ability for three comparably sized nanocarriers, with diverse physicochemical properties (i.e., chitosan (CSNP), mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNP) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA-NP)), to successfully facilitate epithelial uptake of a model protein, ovalbumin (OVA). We report the effect of nanoparticle surface chemistry and nanostructure on protein release, cell toxicity and the uptake mechanism in a Madin Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cell model of the intestinal epithelium. All nanocarriers exhibited bi-phasic OVA release kinetics with sustained and incomplete release after 4 days, and more pronounced release from MSNP than either polymeric nanocarriers. CSNP and MSNP displayed the highest cellular uptake, however CSNP was prone to significant dose-dependent toxicity attributed to the cationic surface charge. Approximately 25% of MSNP uptake was governed by a clathrin-independent endocytic mechanism, while CSNP and PLGA-NP uptake was not controlled via any endocytic mechanisms investigated herein. Furthermore, endosomal localisation was observed for CSNP and MSNP, but not for PLGA-NP's. These findings may assist in the optimal choice and engineering of nanocarriers for specific intestinal permeation enhancement for oral protein delivery.
8.
Alhalaweh, Amjad, et al.
(författare)
Computational predictions of glass-forming ability and crystallization tendency of drug molecules
2014
Ingår i: Molecular Pharmaceutics. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1543-8384 .- 1543-8392. ; 11:9, s. 3123-3132
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat) abstract
Amorphization is an attractive formulation technique for drugs suffering from poor aqueous solubility as a result of their high lattice energy. Computational models that can predict the material properties associated with amorphization, such as glass-forming ability (GFA) and crystallization behavior in the dry state, would be a time-saving, cost-effective, and material-sparing approach compared to traditional experimental procedures. This article presents predictive models of these properties developed using support vector machine (SVM) algorithm. The GFA and crystallization tendency were investigated by melt-quenching 131 drug molecules in situ using differential scanning calorimetry. The SVM algorithm was used to develop computational models based on calculated molecular descriptors. The analyses confirmed the previously suggested cutoff molecular weight (MW) of 300 for glass-formers, and also clarified the extent to which MW can be used to predict the GFA of compounds with MW < 300. The topological equivalent of Grav3_3D, which is related to molecular size and shape, was a better descriptor than MW for GFA; it was able to accurately predict 86% of the data set regardless of MW. The potential for crystallization was predicted using molecular descriptors reflecting Hückel pi atomic charges and the number of hydrogen bond acceptors. The models developed could be used in the early drug development stage to indicate whether amorphization would be a suitable formulation strategy for improving the dissolution and/or apparent solubility of poorly soluble compounds.
9.
Alhalaweh, Amjad, et al.
(författare)
Compromised in vitro dissolution and membrane transport of multidrug amorphous formulations.
2016
Ingår i: Journal of Controlled Release. - : Elsevier BV. - 0168-3659 .- 1873-4995. ; 229, s. 172-182
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat) abstract
Herein, the thermodynamic properties of solutions evolving from the non-sink dissolution of amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) containing two or more drugs have been evaluated, focusing on the maximum achievable supersaturation and tendency of the system to undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). Ritonavir (RTV) and atazanavir (ATV) were co-formulated with polyvinylpyrrolidone to produce ASDs with different molar ratios of each drug, and the dissolution profile of each drug was studied under non-sink conditions. The phase behavior of the supersaturated solutions generated by ASD dissolution was compared to that of supersaturated solutions generated by antisolvent addition. Dissolution of an ASD containing RTV, ATV and lopinavir (LPV) was also investigated. A thermodynamic model was used to predict the maximum achievable supersaturation for ASDs containing two and three drugs. In addition, a transport study with Caco-2 cells was conducted to evaluate the impact of co-addition of drugs on membrane transport. It was found that the formulation containing a 1:1 molar ratio of RTV and ATV achieved only 50% of the supersaturation attained by dissolution of the single drug systems. The maximum achievable concentration of ATV decreased linearly as the mole fraction of ATV in the formulation decreased and a similar trend was observed for RTV. For the dispersion containing a 1:1:1 molar ratio of RTV, ATV and LPV, the maximum concentration of each drug was only one third of that achieved for the single drug formulations. The decrease in the achievable supersaturation was well-predicted by the thermodynamic model for both the binary and ternary drug combinations. These observations can be explained by a decrease in the concentration at which the drugs undergo LLPS in the presence of other miscible drugs, thereby reducing the maximum achievable supersaturation of each drug. The reduced free drug concentration was reflected by a decreased flux across Caco-2 cells for the drug combinations compared to drug alone. This study sheds light on the complex dissolution and solution phase behavior of multicomponent amorphous dosage forms, in particular those containing poorly water soluble drugs, which may undergo supersaturation in vivo.
10.
Alhalaweh, Amjad, et al.
(författare)
Molecular Drivers of Crystallization Kinetics for Drugs in Supersaturated Aqueous Solutions
2019
Ingår i: Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. - : ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC. - 0022-3549 .- 1520-6017. ; 108:1, s. 252-259
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat) abstract
In this study, we explore molecular properties of importance in solution-mediated crystallization occurring in supersaturated aqueous drug solutions. Furthermore, we contrast the identified molecular properties with those of importance for crystallization occurring in the solid state. A literature data set of 54 structurally diverse compounds, for which crystallization kinetics from supersaturated aqueous solutions and in melt-quenched solids were reported, was used to identify molecular drivers for crystallization kinetics observed in solution and contrast these to those observed for solids. The compounds were divided into fast, moderate, and slow crystallizers, and in silico classification was developed using a molecular K-nearest neighbor model. The topological equivalent of Grav3 (related to molecular size and shape) was identified as the most important molecular descriptor for solution crystallization kinetics; the larger this descriptor, the slower the crystallization. Two electrotopological descriptors (the atom-type E-state index for -Caa groups and the sum of absolute values of pi Fukui(+) indices on C) were found to separate the moderate and slow crystallizers in the solution. The larger these descriptors, the slower the crystallization. With these 3 descriptors, the computational model correctly sorted the crystallization tendencies from solutions with an overall classification accuracy of 77% (test set).
