The flow-through diffusion cell (FTDC) method: a novel approach toin vitro drug release studies

A macromolecular prodrug of didanosine (ddI) for oral administration was synthesized and evaluated for in-vitro drug release profile. Didanosine was first coupled to 2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate (HEMA) through a succinic spacer to form HEMA-Suc-ddI monomeric conjugate which was subsequently polymerized to yield Poly(HEMA-Suc-ddI) conjugate. The structures of the synthesized compounds were characterized by FT-IR, Mass and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The prodrug was subjected for in-vitro drug release studies in buffers of pH 1.2 and 7.4 mimicking the upper and lower GIT. The results showed that the drug release from the polymeric backbone takes place in a sustained manner over a period of 24 h and the amount of drug released was comparatively higher at pH 7.4 indicating that the drug release takes place predominantly at the alkaline environment of the lower GIT rather than at the acidic environment of the upper GIT. This pH dependent sustained drug release behavior of the prodrug may be capable of reducing the dose limiting toxicities by maintaining the plasma drug level within the therapeutic range and increasing t1/2 of ddI. Moreover, the bioavailability of the drug should be improved as the prodrug releases ddI predominantly in the alkaline environment which will reduce the degradation of ddI in the stomach acid.

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Synthesis and characterization of Chitosan-Catechol conjugates: Development and in vitro, in silico and in vivo evaluation of mucoadhesive pellets of lafutidine

Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers ◽

10.1177/0883911521997849 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 088391152199784

Author(s):

Loveleen Kaur ◽

Ajay Kumar Thakur ◽

Pradeep Kumar ◽

Inderbir Singh

Keyword(s):

Drug Release ◽

In Silico ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Strong Interactions ◽

Dissolution Time ◽

Sem Images ◽

In Vivo Evaluation ◽

Release Studies

Present study was aimed to synthesize and characterize Chitosan-Catechol conjugates and to design and develop mucoadhesive pellets loaded with lafutidine. SEM images indicated the presence of fibrous structures responsible for enhanced mucoadhesive potential of Chitosan-Catechol conjugates. Thermodynamic stability and amorphous nature of conjugates was confirmed by DSC and XRD studies respectively. Rheological studies were used to evaluate polymer mucin interactions wherein strong interactions between Chitosan-Catechol conjugate and mucin was observed in comparison to pristine chitosan and mucin. The mucoadhesion potential of Chitosan-Catechol (Cht-C) versus Chitosan (Cht) was assessed in silico using molecular mechanics simulations and the results obtained were compared with the in vitro and ex vivo results. Cht-C/mucin demonstrated much higher energy stabilization (∆E ≈ −65 kcal/mol) as compared to Cht/mucin molecular complex. Lafutidine-loaded pellets were prepared from Chitosan (LPC) and Chitosan-Catechol conjugates (LPCC) and were evaluated for various physical properties viz. flow, circularity, roundness, friability, drug content, particle size and percent mucoadhesion. In vitro drug release studies on LPC and LPCC pellets were performed for computing t50%, t90% and mean dissolution time. The values of release exponent from Korsmeyer-Peppas model was reported to be 0.443 and 0.759 for LPC and LPCC pellets suggesting Fickian and non-Fickian mechanism representing drug release, respectively. In vivo results depicted significant controlled release and enhanced residence of the drug after being released from the chitosan-catechol coated pellets. Chitosan-Catechol conjugates were found to be a promising biooadhesive polymer for the development of various mucoadhesive formulations.

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