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The article discusses the results of a study on the characterization of thermosensitive hydrogels made of graft copolymers of guar gum and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide). The increase in the amount of guar gum transformed hydrogel into pseudoplastic fluid from dilatant fluid. The hydrogel with water content of over 98.4 percent contained both the freezing bound water and free water. The behavior of the hydrogel at temperature below lower critical solution temperature is described.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of formulation on the swelling behavior of choline fenofibrate hydrogel matrix tablets and reveal the relation between swelling property and release profile using dynamic image analysis. The volume swelling ratio (SR) and height/width (k) could evaluate the swelling behavior of matrix tablets well. The mount of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and the ratio between K15M and K4M affected the volume swelling ratio, while PVP didn’t. The three factors all impacted k, which was an indicator of the strength of the gel formed by HPMC. The accumulative release ratio and SR, the rate of swelling and the rate of release were compared. The proper model equations were established for the results with an excellent correlation. The results prove that there is a strong relevance between the swelling behavior and release property. This study provides a guideline in the study design for hydrogel matrix tablets.

The study was designed to generate an ophthalmic thermosensitive in situ gel with improved mechanical and mucoadhesive properties that may prolong the retention time to enhance the bioavalability of pearl hydrolyzate. The gene was comprised of poloxamer 407, poloxamer188 and Carbopol 934, which were optimized by central composite design and response surface methodology. The rheological properties, transcorneal permeability, retention time and in vitro release behaviors of the optimal gel formulation were investigated. The gel was Newtonian liquid at 25 ℃ and performed as a semisolid gel with non-Newtonian liquid property with a gelation time of 13 s at 35 ℃. Compared with a conventional eye drops, the ophthalmic in situ gel exhibited a sevenfold increase in retention with a sustained release behavior, which was observed with suitable permeability coefficient at 5.58 cm·s-1. In conclusion, the new gel of pearl hydrolyzate prolonged the release duration of drug, which may decrease the frequency of administration of pearl hydrolyzate.

To study the effects of surfactants on wettability of excipients, the contact angles of six types of surfactants on the surface of two common excipients and mixture of three surfactants with excipients were measured using hypsometry method. The results demonstrated that contact angle of water on the surface of excipients was associated with hydrophilcity of excipients. Contact angle was lowered with increase in hydrophilic groups of excipient molecules. The sequence of contact angle from small to large was starch < sodium benzoate < polyvinylpyrrolidone < sodium carboxymethylcellulose < sodium alginate < chitosan < hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose

To investigate theological properties of common hydrophilic gel excipients such as Carbopol based on viscosity, the viscosity was determined by rotation method and falling-ball method. Linear regression was made between ln(eta) and concentration, the slope of which was used to explore the relation between viscosity and concentration of different excipients. The viscosity flow active energy (E(eta)) was calculated according to Arrhenius equation and was used to investigate the relation between viscosity and temperature of different excipients. The results showed that viscosities measured by two methods were consistent. Concentration of guargum (GG) and hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) solution had a great influence on the viscosity, k > 5; while concentration of polyvinylpyrrolidone-K30 (PVP-K30) and polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG6000) exerted a less effect on viscosity, k < 0.2; viscosity flow active energy of different excipients were close, which ranged from 30 to 40 kJ x mol(-1). Therefore, theological properties study could provide the basis for application of excipients and establish a foundation for the research of relation between excipients structure, property and function.

The purpose of the present study is to develop a novel method to improve the dissolution of water-insoluble drug ibuprofen and the gastric tolerance of this non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug which has potentially serious gastrointestinal side effects. This method is based on ion exchange of ion-exchange fibers. Water-insoluble drug ibuprofen was dispersed in deionized water, and then the ion-exchange fibers in OH(-) type was immersed in it. Ibuprofen and the active groups of the ion-exchange fibers combined into ion pairs based on the acid-base reaction. This drug carrier did not release drugs in deionized water, but in water solution containing other ions it would release the drugs into the solution by ion exchange. Confirmed by the X-ray diffraction and the scanning electron microscopy, the ibuprofen combined onto the ion-exchange fibers was in a highly molecular level dispersed state. The improved dissolution of ibuprofen ion-exchange fiber complexes is likely to originate from this ibuprofen's highly dispersed state. Due to this, ibuprofen's highly dispersed state, ibuprofen ion-exchange fiber complexes significantly decreases the gastrointestinal side effects of ibuprofen by avoiding the solid ibuprofen's educing. The present study showed that ibuprofen ion-exchange fiber complexes have the two-fold advantages. One is to improve the dissolution of ibuprofen. The other is to decrease the ibuprofen's gastrointestinal toxicity.

The inclusion complex of isotretinoin was prepared by sealed-control temperature method and amylose was used as carrier. The formation of inclusion complex was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction and DSC. The equation of enzymatically-controlled drug release was established by kinetic theory, and the release characteristic of drug was confirmed by using the kinetic equation. The results show that the drug release was attributed to first order reaction without alpha-amylase. However, with alpha-amylase, the drug release was an acceleration process by the effect of both dissociation and enzymatic hydrolysis simultaneously. The research indicates that drug release from the inclusion complex was modulated by the addition of alpha-amylase.

The purpose of the present study is to use beta-cyclodextrin polymers (beta-CDP) with different cross-linked degree (CLD) to form inclusion complexes with ibuprofen and examine the effects of structural and compositional factors of beta-CDP on its drug loading and release behaviors. A series of beta-CDP with different CLD were synthesized and characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and 13C NMR spectrum. The beta-CDP was systemically characterized for the relation between the CLD of beta-CDP and the drug loading and release as well. The results of FT-IR and 13C NMR showed that similar peak-shaped vibration of beta-CDP and beta-CD implies that the polymer keeps the original characteristic structure of beta-CD. The CLD of the beta-CDP played a critical role in the drug loading and release, increasing the CLD resulted in reduction of drug loading, but increase in drug release.

The inclusion compound of amylose and salicylic acid (SA) was prepared by a sealed temperature control method, and the formation of the inclusion compound was confirmed by IR spectrum and powder X-ray diffraction. The kinetic parameters of dissociation of amylose/SA compound were studied by the nonisothermal method which was defined as a relationship between the dissociation ratio and time. The values of activation energy (Ea) and frequency factors (InA) were calculated by a nonlinear least-square method. In this study, the formation of the inclusion compound of amylose/SA was confirmed by IR spectrum powder X-ray diffraction. SA existed in a molecule form in the spiral stouction of amylose. The dissociation of amylose/SA compound was attributed to first order reaction. The values of Ea calculated by the nor-isothermal method were 21.71 and 22.41 kJ x mol(-1) at heating rate 5 and 10 degrees C x h(-1), respectively. The corresponding isothermal method value of Ea was 22.17 kJ x mol(-1); the calculated InA values were 9.32 and 10.08 at heating rate 5 and 10 degrees C x h(-1), respectively. The corresponding isothermal method lnA value was 9.26. The results were in good agreement with Ea values and lnA values by isothermal method. These results indicated that the non-isothermal method described in this study could be adequately used for the stability study of inclusion compound and was a rapid and accurate method for the determination of kinetic parameters.

Purpose: The potential for electroporation-facilitated topical transport of cyclosporin A (CysA) was investigated using rat skin., Methods: Studies of various electrical factors acting on the deposition of CysA into the stratum corneum and deeper skin of in vitro electroporation were performed. We also tested the synergistic effect of electroporation and other approaches such as chemical enhancers and low-frequency ultrasound on topical drug delivery of CysA., Results: Electroporation increased the amount of CysA retained in the skin by only 3 times that of passive diffusion. We found that the efficacy of electroporation in enhancing topical delivery can be further increased by pretreatment of skin with chemical enhancers, such as Azone and menthol. Meanwhile, only a small amount was seen to transport across the full skin into the receiver compartment. Trimodality treatment comprised of pretreatment with Azone and ultrasound in combination followed by electroporation was not effective in enhancing the topical delivery of CysA. However, this combination strategy increased the penetration of CysA through rat skin by an order of 15., Conclusion: In general, the enhanced skin accumulation of CysA by the combination of electroporation and chemical enhancers could help significantly to optimize the targeting of the drug without a concomitant increase in systemic side effects.

To investigate the pharmacokinetics of clarithromycin citrate salt and the effect of food on the absorption of free base and citrate salt, clarithromycin citrate was prepared and the in vitro intrinsic dissolution profiles of the free base and the salt were examined at pH 5.0 and pH 6.8. The pharmacokinetic profiles of clarithromycin following a single oral administration as the free base and its citrate salt (equivalent to 75 mg clarithromycin) were evaluated in eight beagle dogs. The plasma concentrations of clarithromycin were determined by reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass with positive ion electrospray ionization using the multiple reaction monitoring method. The dissolution rates of clarithromycin and its citrate salt were similar at pH 5.0; however, at pH 6.8 citrate salt significantly enhanced the dissolution rate of clarithromycin. Clarithromycin's relative bioavailability value as expressed by the ratio of total mean area under the curve for clarithromycin citrate to that of clarithromycin was 104.2% and 110.1% under fast and fed conditions, respectively. The clarithromycin plasma area under the curve ratio was 33.4% and 25.7%, respectively, following oral clarithromycin or clarithromycin citrate salt drug coadministration with breakfast compared to fast-state controls (P < 0.05). There was no difference in pharmacokinetic parameters between clarithromycin and clarithromycin citrate salt under fast and fed conditions, but under the fed condition, T(max) was delayed and the C(max) of clarithromycin citrate salt and clarithromycin was decreased relative to the fasted condition, indicating that the consumption of this meal substantially reduced the drug's bioavailability.

A liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method was developed for the determination of budesonide in dog plasma. Budesonide and the internal standard triamcinolone acetonide were separated from plasma by alkalinized liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Capcell Pak C18 MG column with the mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile -5 mmol x L(-1) ammonium acetate (60:40, v/v) at a flow-rate of 0.50 mL x min(-1). A tandem mass spectrometer equipped with electrospray ionization source was used as detector and operated in the negative ion mode. Quantification was performed using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) of the transitions m/z 489 --> m/z 357 and m/z 493 --> m/z 413 for budesonide and the internal standard, respectively. The linear calibration curves were obtained in the concentration range of 25.0-2000 pg x mL(-1). The lower limit of quantification was 25.0 pg x mL(-1). The intra- and inter-day relative standard deviation over the entire concentration range was less than 15%. The accuracy was in the range of -8.1% to -1.7% in terms of relative error. The method was applied to a pharmacokinetic study of budesonide controlled-release capsules in Beagle dogs. Maximal budesonide plasma level was observed after (3.5 +/- 3.3) h and the Cmax was (786 +/- 498) pg x mL(-1) after a single oral administration of 9 mg budesonide capsules, Cmax was increased to (2142 +/- 1515) pg x mL(-1) after multiple oral administration (9 mg x 5 d) of budesonide capsules. This method was selective and rapid, and the sensitivity was sufficient for the purpose of the pharmacokinetic study of budesonide controlled-release formulation.

To investigate the delivery mechanism of micro-porous osmotic pump tablets ( MPOP), taking tramadol hydrochloride ( TR) as the model drug, tramadol hydrochloride micro-porous osmotic pump tablets (TR MPOP) were prepared with compressible starch as diluent, cellulose acetate as coating material, polyethylene glycol 400 as pore-forming agents. The equilibrium solubility and osmolality of TR were determined. The effects of fillers in tablet cores, coating levels, and osmotic pressures of release media on expansion behavior of preparations were described. The influences of the category, osmolality, and pH value of release media, release methods, and release conditions on release curves of tablets were evaluated. Based on several models, the delivery pattern of TR MPOP was fitted. The equilibrium solubility in water and osmolality of TR were (775.8 +/- 17.7) g x L(-1) and 4.036 Osmol x kg(-1), respectively. During the drug-release period, it was observed that the tablets expanded markedly in response to the expansion characteristics of compressible starch and the osmotic pressure difference across the membrane. When osmotic pressure of release media increased, the significant change of the equilibrium solubility of TR was not found, but the release rates of TR MPOP decreased significantly. The delivery rate was not influenced by the pH of release mediums, dissolution methods and paddle stirring rates. The drug release profile conformed to the model of zero order in 8 h. The pore-forming agents were dissolved in release medium, which caused micro-pores. The expansion of tablets made the size of micropores bigger, and then the drug-releasing pores were obtained. It was proved that the drivers of drug delivering from TR MPOP were mainly the difference of osmotic pressure, and secondly the difference of solubility. TR MPOP were the controlled-release preparation.

Objective: To assay salidroside and p-tyrosol in Hongjingtian for injection (freezing-dry)., Method: Samples were purified by Sep-Pak C18 column and salidroside and p-tyrosol were determined by HPLC with Irregular-H C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm), and eluted with a mobile phase of methanol-acenitonitrile -0.06% phosphate (10: 10:80). The flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1), the detection wavelength was set at 275 nm and the column temperature was maintained at 30 degrees C., Result: The calibration curves were linear in the range of 2.24-22.4 microg for salidroside (0.999 7) and 0.856-8.56 microg for p-tyrosol (0.999 6), the average recovery was 101.3%, 99.8% respectively., Conclusion: The method is convenient, rapid, accurate and reliable.

Aim: To evaluate how solution viscosity affects the precorneal residence of five water-soluble polymers with different properties., Methods: Captive bubble technique was used, with the consecutive change of contact angle interpreted as an indication of desorption process, to study the residence of those polymers in vitro on freshly enucleated rabbit eyes under physiological conditions., Results: Carbopol and sodium hyaluronate (HA), which adsorbed to isolated ocular surface more than 15 min, showed the optimum precorneal retentive capabilities. When the solution viscosity increased from 12 mPa.s to 50 mPa.s, the residence time of carbopol and HA were prolonged 10 min and 7 min, respectively, but that of sodium carboxymethylcellulose was not affected., Conclusion: The result suggested that higher viscosity is beneficial to improve the ocular residence time of bio-adhesive polymers.