東 顕二郎

OBJECTIVES: Solid dispersion using Eudragit E PO (EPO) improves the dissolution of poorly water-soluble drugs in acidic solutions; however, the dissolution extremely decreases in neutral solutions. In this report, ternary solid dispersions containing probucol (PBC), EPO, and saccharin (SAC) were prepared to enable high drug dissolution at neutral pH. METHODS: Cryogenic-grinding was used to obtain ternary solid dispersions. Dissolution tests at neutral pH values were conducted to confirm the usefulness of the cryogenic-ground mixture (cryo-GM). The molecular state of each component and intermolecular interactions in the ternary cryo-GM were evaluated using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and (13) C solid-state NMR including spin-lattice relaxation time evaluation. KEY FINDINGS: PBC dispersed in ternary cryo-GM had an improved dissolution in neutral solutions. PBC and SAC were in amorphous states in EPO polymer matrices. The weak hydrophobic interaction between PBC and EPO and the ionic bond or hydrogen bond between EPO and SAC were demonstrated. These two molecular interactions improved the dissolution of PBC in neutral solutions. CONCLUSION: Preparation of ternary solid dispersion is a potential method of improving drug solubility and absorption.

The formation mechanism of drug nanoparticles was investigated using solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques for the efficient discovery of an optimized nanoparticle formulation. The cogrinding of nifedipine (NIF) with polymers, including hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was performed to prepare the NIF nanoparticle formulations. Then, solid-state NMR relaxometry was used for the nanometer-order characterization of NIF in the polymer matrix. Solid-state NMR measurements revealed that the crystal size of NIF was reduced to several tens of nanometers with amorphization of NIF by cogrinding with HPMC and SDS for 100 min. Similarly, the size of the NIF crystal was reduced to less than 90 nm in the 40 min ground mixture of NIF/PVP/SDS. Furthermore, 100 min grinding of NIF/PVP/SDS induced amorphization of almost all the NIF crystals followed by nanosizing. The hydrogen bond between NIF and PVP led to the efficient amorphization of NIF in the NIF/PVP/SDS system compared with NIF/HPMC/SDS system. The efficient nanosizing of the NIF crystal in the solid state, revealed by the solid-state NMR relaxation time measurements, enabled the formation of large amounts of NIF nanoparticles in water followed by the polymer dissolution. In contrast, excess amorphization of the NIF crystals failed to efficiently prepare the NIF nanoparticles. The solid-state characterization of the crystalline NIF revealed good correlation with the NIF nanoparticles formation during aqueous dispersion. Furthermore, the solid-state NMR measurements including relaxometry successfully elucidated the nanometer-order dispersion state of NIF in polymer matrix, leading to the discovery of optimized conditions for the preparation of suitable drug nanoparticles.

Liposomal formulations of an anticancer drug, doxorubicin (DOX), which are on the market as the trade name of Doxil®, can reduce toxic side effects and improve drug accumulation at tumor tissues. Fibrous DOX bundles are precipitated in the inner water phase of liposomes, resulting in the elongation of the liposomes [1]. In this study, changes of three-dimensional morphology of DOX-loaded liposomes with the size of ca. 100 nm were investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM) in an aqueous environment. The liposomes were sphere when the DOX loading amount was less than 10 mol% against total lipid concentration (Fig. 1A). At the DOX loading amount more than 20 mol%, the prolate liposomes were observed due to linearly expansion of DOX fiber bundles inside liposomes (Fig. 1B). The curved DOX fiber bundles were formed along the rim of lipid bilayer with further enhanced DOX concentration to give the oblate liposomes (Fig. 1C). It was also found that the replacement of outer phase from sucrose solution to H2O induced the water influx inside liposomes and changed the morphology of prolate and oblate liposomes into spherical ones. All spherical liposomes transformed into oblate ones with return to isotonic condition, from H2O to sucrose solution.

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) has been accepted as an ingredient in health foods for the treatment of symptoms related to arthritis and cartilage repair. However, CS is poorly absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract because of its high negative electric charges and molecular weight (MW). In this study, poly-ion complex (PIC) formation was found in aqueous solutions through electrostatic interaction between CS and polyamines-organic molecules having two or more primary amino groups ubiquitously distributed in natural products at high concentrations. Characteristic properties of various PICs generated by mixing CS and natural polyamines, including unusual polyamines, were studied based on the turbidity for PIC formation, the dynamic light scattering for the size of PIC particles, and ζ-potential measurements for the surface charges of PIC particles. The efficiency of PIC formation between CS and spermine increased in a CS MW-dependent manner, with 15 kDa CS being critical for the formation of PIC (particle size: 3.41 µm) having nearly neutral surface charge (ζ-potential: -0.80 mV). Comparatively, mixing tetrakis(3-aminopropyl)ammonium and 15 kDa of CS afforded significant levels of PIC (particle size: 0.42±0.16 µm) despite a strongly negative surface charge (-34.67±1.15 mV). Interestingly, the oral absorption efficiency of CS was greatly improved only when PIC possessing neutral surface charges was administered to mice. High formation efficiency and electrically neutral surface charge of PIC particles are important factors for oral CS bioavailability.

A novel type of spectrum, the one-dimensional power spectrum (1D-PS), was designed for the discrimination of adhesive packing tapes, i.e., kraft tapes. The 1D-PS offered complementary information to that provided by the improved two-dimensional PS (2D-PS), which was calculated using our previously established image processes combined with a two-dimensional fast Fourier transform (2D-FFT) to obtain information about the spatial periodicity within kraft tapes. The 1D-PS was calculated using a three-step image process: (i) the 2D-FFT was applied to 50 randomly selected areas in a transmitted light image; (ii) the obtained 2D-PSs were accumulated without applying a logarithmic transform; (iii) the wavenumber and the maximum intensity were plotted on the x-axis and y-axis, respectively. Through an intra-roll comparison, the 1D-PSs collected from single rolls showed similar profiles. In an inter-roll comparison, the 1D-PSs from 50 commercially available brand-name products were classified into 29 groups. The 1D-PSs contained other useful information than that provided by the improved 2D-PSs: they presented more peaks and absolute intensity with a wider range. The 1D-PSs enabled us to compare the spectra quickly and easily, owing to their unchanging profiles regardless of the orientation of the scanned images. A combined use of the 1D-PSs with the improved 2D-PSs-both spectrum types being convenient, rapid, non-destructive, and applicable to dirty and/or damaged samples-could further improve the identification of kraft tapes.

Amorphous solid dispersions of phenytoin (diphenylhydantoin: DPH) and glibenclamide (GBM) with Eudragit(®) S 100 (S100) were prepared by a spray-drying. At low drug loading ratios, DPH dissolved simultaneously with S100. However, at high drug loading ratios the DPH dissolution rates were significantly reduced in comparison with those of S100 because of the rapid crystallization of DPH during the dissolution test. All of the DPH molecules in the low drug loading spray-dried sample (SPD) intimately interacted with the S100 matrix. In the SPDs with high drug loadings, only some of the DPH molecules interacted with the S100 matrix, while the excess DPH formed DPH-rich domains. When these domains contacted the water during the dissolution test, the amorphous DPH were more easily transformed into a crystalline form. In contrast to the solid dispersion of DPH/S100, that of GBM/S100 showed the simultaneous dissolution independent of the drug loading ratio. GBM was retained in an amorphous state during the dissolution test even at high drug loadings, although GBM-rich domains were formed. The miscibility at the molecular level as well as the stability of the amorphous state of drug are crucial factors to enhance the drug dissolution rate by the simultaneous dissolution with the polymer.

Quantitative evaluation of drug supersaturation and nanoparticle formation was conducted using in situ evaluation techniques, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. We prepared a ternary complex of carbamazepine (CBZ) with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) to improve the drug concentration. Different preparation methods, including grinding and spray drying, were performed to prepare the ternary component products, ground mixture (GM) and spray-dried sample (SD), respectively. Although CBZ was completely amorphized in the ternary SD, CBZ was partially amorphized with the remaining CBZ crystals in the ternary GM. Aqueous dispersion of the ternary GM formed nanoparticles of around 150 nm, originating from the CBZ crystals in the ternary GM. In contrast, the ternary SD formed transparent solutions without a precipitate. The molecular-level evaluation using NMR measurements revealed that approximately half a dose of CBZ in the ternary GM dispersion was present as nanoparticles; however, CBZ in the ternary SD was completely dissolved in the aqueous solution. The characteristic difference between the solid states, followed by different preparation methods, induced different solution characteristics in the ternary GM and SD. The permeation study, using a dialysis membrane, showed that the CBZ concentration dissolved in the bulk water phase rapidly reduced in the ternary SD dispersion compared to the ternary GM dispersion; this demonstrated the advantage of ternary GM dispersion in the maintenance of CBZ supersaturation. Long-term maintenance of a supersaturated state of CBZ observed in the ternary GM dispersion rather than in the ternary SD dispersion was achieved by the inhibition of CBZ crystallization owing to the existence of CBZ nanoparticles in the ternary GM dispersion. Nanoparticle formation, combined with drug amorphization, could be a promising approach to improve drug concentrations. The detailed elucidation of solution characteristics using in situ evaluation techniques will lead to the formation of useful solid dispersion and nanoparticle formulations, resulting in improved drug absorption.

The crystallization behavior of a pharmaceutical drug in nanoparticles was directly evaluated by atomic force microscopy (AFM) force curve measurements in aqueous solution. A ternary spray-dried sample (SPD) was prepared by spray drying the organic solvent containing probucol (PBC), hypromellose (HPMC), and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The amorphization of PBC in the ternary SPD was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and solid-state 13C NMR measurements. A nanosuspension containing quite small particles of 25 nm in size was successfully prepared immediately after dispersion of the ternary SPD into water. Furthermore, solution-state 1H NMR measurements revealed that a portion of HPMC coexisted with PBC as a mixed state in the freshly prepared nanosuspension particles. After storing the nanosuspension at 25 °C, a gradual increase in the size of the nanoparticles was observed, and the particle size changed to 93.9 nm after 7 days. AFM enabled the direct observation of the morphology and agglomeration behavior of the nanoparticles in water. Moreover, AFM force-distance curves were changed from (I) to (IV), depending on the storage period, as follows: (I) complete indentation within an applied force of 1 nN, (II) complete indentation with an applied force of 1-5 nN, (III) partial indentation with an applied force of 5 nN, and (IV) nearly no indentation with an applied force of 5 nN. This stiffness increase of the nanoparticles was attributed to gradual changes in the molecular state of PBC from the amorphous to the crystal state. Solid-state 13C NMR measurements of the freeze-dried samples demonstrated the presence of metastable PBC Form II crystals in the stored nanosuspension, strongly supporting the AFM results.

In this study, we examined the stabilization mechanism of drug supersaturation by hypromellose (HPMC) and polyvinylpirrolidone (PVP). The poorly water-soluble drugs, phenytoin (diphenylhydantoin, DPH), and its synthesized derivatives monomethylphenytoin (MDPH) and dimethylphenytoin (DMDPH) were used. DPH supersaturation was efficiently maintained by both HPMC and PVP. HPMC maintained the supersaturation of MDPH and DMDPH in a similar manner to that of DPH, whereas the ability of PVP to maintain drug supersaturation increased as follows: DPH > MDPH > DMDPH. Caco-2 permeation studies and nuclear magnetic resonance measurements revealed that the permeability and molecular state of the drug in a HPMC solution barely changed. In fact, the solubilization of the drug into PVP changed its apparent permeability and molecular state. The drug solubilization efficiency by PVP was higher and followed the order: DPH > MDPH > DMDPH. The different drug solubilization efficiencies most likely result from the different strengths in the intermolecular interaction between the DPH derivatives and PVP. The difference in the stabilization mechanism of drug supersaturation by HPMC and PVP could determine whether the efficient maintenance of the drug supersaturation was dependent on the drug species.

A nanosuspension of piroxicam (PXC) and poloxamer 407 (poloxamer) prepared by the wet milling method was directly evaluated at the molecular level from the viewpoint of both solution and solid phases. (13)C solution-state NMR measurements revealed a reduction in the concentration of dissolved poloxamer in the nanosuspension. Furthermore, the fraction of dissolved poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) chain, which is the hydrophilic part of poloxamer, was higher than that of dissolved poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) chain, the hydrophobic part. (13)C suspended-state NMR and Raman spectroscopies detected both solid-state PXC and poloxamer involved in the nanoparticles. Interestingly, the coexistence of crystalline and amorphous PXC in the nanoparticle was demonstrated. The yellow color of the nanosuspension strongly supported the existence of amorphous PXC. Changes in the peak intensity depending on the contact time in the suspended-state NMR spectrum revealed that the PEO chain of poloxamer in the nanoparticle had higher mobility compared with the PPO chain. The PEO chain should project into the water phase and form the outer layer of the nanoparticles, whereas the PPO chain should face the inner side of the nanoparticles. Amorphous PXC could be stabilized by intermolecular interaction with the PPO chain near the surface of the nanoparticles, whereas crystalline PXC could form the inner core.

The maintenance mechanism of the supersaturated state of poorly water-soluble drugs, glibenclamide (GLB) and chlorthalidone (CLT), in hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMC-AS) solution was investigated at a molecular level. HPMC-AS suppressed drug crystallization from supersaturated drug solution and maintained high supersaturated level of drugs with small amount of HPMC-AS for 24 h. However, the dissolution of crystalline GLB into HPMC-AS solution failed to produce supersaturated concentrations, although supersaturated concentrations were achieved by adding amorphous GLB to HPMC-AS solution. HPMC-AS did not improve drug dissolution and/or solubility but efficiently inhibited drug crystallization from supersaturated drug solutions. Such an inhibiting effect led to the long-term maintenance of the amorphous state of GLB in HPMC-AS solution. NMR measurements showed that HPMC-AS suppressed the molecular mobility of CLT depending on their supersaturation level. Highly supersaturated CLT in HPMC-AS solution formed a gel-like structure with HPMC-AS in which the molecular mobility of the CLT was strongly suppressed. The gel-like structure of HPMC-AS could inhibit the reorganization from drug prenuclear aggregates to the crystal nuclei and delay the formation of drug crystals. The prolongation subsequently led to the redissolution of the aggregated drugs in aqueous solution and formed the equilibrium state at the supersaturated drug concentration in HPMC-AS solution. The equilibrium state formation of supersaturated drugs by HPMC-AS should be an essential mechanism underlying the marked drug concentration improvement.

難溶性薬物のバイオアベイラビリティ改善を目的に、各種ナノ粒子製剤が開発されている。湿式粉砕を利用したナノ結晶化技術は多くの医薬品に応用され、そのうちのいくつかはすでに市販されている。医薬品をナノ結晶化することにより、溶解速度、分散性、製剤安定性の改善が可能となる。新たに開発されている薬物ナノ結晶は、経口製剤に加えて注射剤や経皮投与製剤としての開発も期待される。本稿では、難溶性薬物のナノ結晶化技術、ナノ結晶製剤の特徴、ナノ結晶製剤の物性評価について紹介する。

The purpose of this study was to characterize the non-aqueous nanosuspension of a hydrophilic drug prepared by bead milling for cutaneous application. Riboflavin was used as the model hydrophilic drug. The non-aqueous nanosuspensions were prepared by grinding riboflavin with zirconia beads using eight non-aqueous bases. The mean particle size of riboflavin in the suspensions ranged from 206 to 469 nm, as determined by the dynamic light scattering method. Among the well-dispersed samples, riboflavin nanosuspension prepared in oleic acid was selected for evaluation of the drug permeability through rat skin. The cumulative amount and permeation rate of riboflavin from the nanosuspension were approximately three times higher than those for unprocessed riboflavin in oleic acid. Fluorescence imaging of the riboflavin nanosuspension suggested improved penetration of riboflavin into the stratum corneum. Furthermore, the addition of polysorbate 65 or polyglyceryl-6 polyricinoleate to the nanosuspension prepared in oleic acid markedly improved the riboflavin dispersibility. These results show that the preparation of a nanosuspension in a non-aqueous base by bead milling is one of the simple methods to improve the skin permeability of hydrophilic drugs.

The effects of drug-crystallization inhibitor in bile acid/lipid micelles solution on drug permeation was evaluated during the drug crystallization process. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMC-AS) was used as a drug-crystallization inhibitor, which efficiently suppressed dexamethasone (DEX) crystallization in a gastrointestinal fluid model containing sodium taurocholate (NaTC) and egg-phosphatidylcholine (egg-PC). Changes of molecular state of supersaturated DEX during the DEX crystallization process was monitored in real time using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR). It revealed that DEX distribution to bulk water and micellar phases formed by NaTC and egg-PC was not changed during the DEX crystallization process even in the presence of HPMC-AS. DEX permeation during DEX crystallization was evaluated using dissolution/permeability system. The combination of crystallization inhibition by HPMC-AS and micellar encapsulation by NaTC and egg-PC led to considerably higher DEX concentrations and improvement of DEX permeation at the beginning of the DEX crystallization process. Crystallization inhibition by HPMC-AS can efficiently work even in the micellar solution, where NaTC/egg-PC micelles encapsulates some DEX. It was concluded that a crystallization inhibitor contributed to improvement of permeation of a poorly water-soluble drug in gastrointestinal fluid.

Two polymorphic forms of a sulfathiazole (STZ):oxalic acid (OXA) 1:1 complex were successfully prepared by different cogrinding methods and characterized by multiple analytical techniques. Rod-milled and ball-milled ground mixtures had different powder X-ray diffraction patterns, showing polymorph formation of the STZ-OXA complex (complex A and complex B). The heat of fusion from differential scanning calorimetry curves and terahertz time-domain spectra helped differentiating the polymorphs. According to infrared spectra, 13C NMR chemical shifts, and the relative intensities of 15N NMR peaks, both polymorphs were salts where the proton of a -COOH group in OXA was transferred to a -NH2 group in STZ. High-resolution 1H NMR and 1H-13C heteronuclear correlation NMR spectra indicated that complex B in powder form had a cocrystal type structure compared to complex A having a clathrate-type structure. Complex B structure suggested by solid-state NMR coincided well with the experimentally determined one, which was formed from three layers of thiazole rings, benzene rings, and OXAs, by using single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD) measurement. Advanced solid-state NMR spectroscopy measurements was useful to elucidate the structure of a polymorph, for which SC-XRD data are not available, by referring to the SC-XRD data of another polymorph. © 2014 American Chemical Society.

Hydrocortisone (HC), a poorly water-soluble drug, was encapsulated within organic nanotubes (ONTs), which were formed via the self-assembly of N-{12-[(2-α,β-d-glucopyranosyl) carbamoyl]dodecanyl}-glycylglycylglycine acid. The stability of the ONTs was evaluated in ten organic solvents, of differing polarities, by field emission transmission electron microscopy. The ONTs maintained their stable tubular structure in the highly polar solvents, such as ethanol and acetone. Furthermore, solution-state (1)H-NMR spectroscopy confirmed that they were practically insoluble in acetone at 25°C (0.015 mg/mL). HC-loaded ONTs were prepared by solvent evaporation using acetone. A sample with a 3/7 weight ratio of HC/ONT was analyzed by powder X-ray diffraction, which confirmed the presence of a halo pattern and the absence of any crystalline HC peak. HC peak broadening, observed by solid-state (13)C-NMR measurements of the evaporated sample, indicated the absence of HC crystals. These results indicated that HC was successfully encapsulated in ONT as an amorphous state. Improvements of the HC dissolution rate were clearly observed in aqueous media at both pH 1.2 and 6.8, probably due to HC amorphization in the ONTs. Phenytoin, another poorly water-soluble drug, also showed significant dissolution improvement upon ONT encapsulation. Therefore, ONTs can serve as an alternative pharmaceutical excipient to enhance the bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs.

Eleven guest drugs with planar structures were incorporated into the intermolecular spaces between polyethylene glycol/γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD)-polypseudorotaxanes by a sealed-heating method. Drug incorporation changed the crystal packing of γ-CD from hexagonal- to monoclinic-columnar forms, without dependence on the guest species. The incorporation of guest drugs was size dependent and stoichiometric. Guest drugs with one benzene ring and maximum cross sectional areas of ca. 40-55 Å2 exhibited a drug to γ-CD stoichiometry of 2:1. Meanwhile, the stoichiometry was 1:1 for drugs with 2-3 benzene rings and maximum cross sectional areas of ca. 60-75 Å2. More sterically bulky drugs (four and five benzene rings) did form complexes, though the complexation efficiency was insufficient to form stoichiometric complexes, due to steric hindrance. The volume of intermolecular space of the host was estimated to be larger than that of a β-CD cavity and as large as that of a γ-CD cavity. Hydrophobic and van der Waals interactions worked as driving forces for the complexation because polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with high log P values formed the complex. The dissolution property of the hydrophobic pharmaceutical drug naproxen was clearly improved by the complexation because naproxen existed in a monomolecular state in the complex. © 2014 American Chemical Society.

We investigated the drug solubilization mechanism of α-glucosyl stevia (Stevia-G) which was synthesized from stevia (rebaudioside-A) by transglycosylation. (1)H and (13)C NMR peaks of Stevia-G in water were assigned by two-dimensional (2D) NMR experiments including (1)H-(1)H correlation, (1)H-(13)C heteronuclear multiple bond correlation, and (1)H-(13)C heteronuclear multiple quantum coherence spectroscopies. The (1)H and (13)C peaks clearly showed the incorporation of two glucose units into rebaudioside-A to produce Stevia-G, supported by steviol glycoside and glucosyl residue assays. The concentration-dependent chemical shifts of Stevia-G protons correlated well with a mass-action law model, indicating the self-association of Stevia-G molecules in water. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) was 12.0 mg/mL at 37°C. The aggregation number was 2 below the CMC and 12 above the CMC. Dynamic light scattering and 2D (1)H-(1)H nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY) NMR experiments demonstrated that Stevia-G self-associated into micelles of a few nanometers in size with a core-shell structure, containing a kaurane diterpenoid-based hydrophobic core and a glucose-based shell. 2D (1)H-(1)H NOESY NMR measurements also revealed that a poorly water-soluble drug, naringenin, was incorporated into the hydrophobic core of the Stevia-G micelle. The Stevia-G self-assembly behavior and micellar drug inclusion capacity can achieve significant enhancement in drug solubility.

The inhibitory effect on drug crystallization in aqueous solution was evaluated using various forms of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS). HPMCAS suppressed crystallization of carbamazepine (CBZ), nifedipine (NIF), mefenamic acid, and dexamethasone. The inhibition of drug crystallization mainly derived from molecular level hydrophobic interactions between the drug and HPMCAS. HPMCAS with a lower succinoyl substituent ratio strongly suppressed drug crystallization. The inhibition of crystallization was affected by pH, with the CBZ crystallization being inhibited at a higher pH due to the hydrophilization of HPMCAS derived from succinoyl ionization. The molecular mobility of CBZ in an HPMCAS solution was evaluated by 1D-(1)H NMR and relaxation time measurements. CBZ mobility was strongly suppressed in the HPMCAS solutions where strong inhibitory effects on CBZ crystallization were observed. The mobility suppression of CBZ in the HPMCAS solution was derived from intermolecular interactions between CBZ and HPMCAS leading to an inhibition of crystallization. The effect of HPMCAS on the drug dissolution rate was evaluated using an NIF/HPMCAS solid dispersion. The dissolution rate of NIF was increased when HPMCAS with a higher succinoyl substituent ratio was used.

The intermolecular interaction between mefenamic acid (MFA), a poorly water-soluble nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and Eudragit EPO (EPO), a water-soluble polymer, is investigated in their supersaturated solution using high-resolution magic-angle spinning (HRMAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The stable supersaturated solution with a high MFA concentration of 3.0 mg/mL is prepared by dispersing the amorphous solid dispersion into a d-acetate buffer at pH 5.5 and 37 °C. By virtue of MAS at 2.7 kHz, the extremely broad and unresolved (1)H resonances of MFA in one-dimensional (1)H NMR spectrum of the supersaturated solution are well-resolved, thus enabling the complete assignment of MFA (1)H resonances in the aqueous solution. Two-dimensional (2D) (1)H/(1)H nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY) and radio frequency-driven recoupling (RFDR) under MAS conditions reveal the interaction of MFA with EPO in the supersaturated solution at an atomic level. The strong cross-correlations observed in the 2D (1)H/(1)H NMR spectra indicate a hydrophobic interaction between the aromatic group of MFA and the backbone of EPO. Furthermore, the aminoalkyl group in the side chain of EPO forms a hydrophilic interaction, which can be either electrostatic or hydrogen bonding, with the carboxyl group of MFA. We believe these hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions between MFA and EPO molecules play a key role in the formation of this extremely stable supersaturated solution. In addition, 2D (1)H/(1)H RFDR demonstrates that the molecular MFA-EPO interaction is quite flexible and dynamic.

In this study, as-synthesized mesoporous silica preloaded with pyrene was synthesized, and then its physical properties and molecular state of pyrene were evaluated. The product had mesoporous structure from small-angle X-ray scattering and scanning electron microscopy measurements. Nitrogen gas adsorption and solid-state NMR measurements confirmed that the pore spaces were filled with Pluronic P123 (P123) and pyrene. Mobility of P123 inside the pore was investigated by solid-state NMR measurement. Mobility of hydrophilic PEO chain decreased in the pore. Solid-state fluorescence measurement was used to examine the encapsulation state of pyrene. Molecular state of pyrene was compared before and after the calcination process. At a low loading amount, pyrene-loaded calcined mesoporous silica showed the superior excimer emission, whereas pyrene-loaded as-synthesized mesoporous silica gave the predominant monomer emission. The results revealed that the presence of P123 could contribute to the dispersion improvement of pyrene at the molecular level.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the applicability of solid dispersions prepared with hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC). Solid dispersions were prepared with sulindac, a poorly water-soluble drug, and HPC of three different molecular weights using a hot melt extrusion method. Physicochemical properties of the solid dispersions were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and solubility studies. Permeability of sulindac was evaluated using the Caco-2 cell monolayer model. The results obtained by PXRD, DSC, and solubility studies showed that sulindac in the extrudate of sulindac/HPC (20/80 w/w) was completely amorphized and demonstrated better solubility than the drug alone. Permeability of sulindac across Caco-2 cell monolayers remarkably increased when the drug was solid-dispersed with the lowest molecular weight form of HPC (HPC-SSL). It has been concluded that HPC-SSL can be the most effective excipient in order to improve solubility and membrane permeability.

We examined the inhibitory effect of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMC-AS) on drug recrystallization from a supersaturated solution using carbamazepine (CBZ) and phenytoin (PHT) as model drugs. HPMC-AS HF grade (HF) inhibited the recrystallization of CBZ more strongly than that by HPMC-AS LF grade (LF). 1D-1H NMR measurements showed that the molecular mobility of CBZ was clearly suppressed in the HF solution compared to that in the LF solution. Interaction between CBZ and HF in a supersaturated solution was directly detected using nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY). The cross-peak intensity obtained using NOESY of HF protons with CBZ aromatic protons was greater than that with the amide proton, which indicated that CBZ had hydrophobic interactions with HF in a supersaturated solution. In contrast, no interaction was observed between CBZ and LF in the LF solution. Saturation transfer difference NMR measurement was used to determine the interaction sites between CBZ and HF. Strong interaction with CBZ was observed with the acetyl substituent of HPMC-AS although the interaction with the succinoyl substituent was quite small. The acetyl groups played an important role in the hydrophobic interaction between HF and CBZ. In addition, HF appeared to be more hydrophobic than LF because of the smaller ratio of the succinoyl substituent. This might be responsible for the strong hydrophobic interaction between HF and CBZ. The intermolecular interactions between CBZ and HPMC-AS shown by using NMR spectroscopy clearly explained the strength of inhibition of HPMC-AS on drug recrystallization.

We characterized cromolyn sodium (CS) hydrates and evaluated their molecular states in low-dose formulations using Na-multiquantum magic-angle spinning (MQMAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis. Two CS hydrates, low-water-content hydrated form and high-water-content hydrated form containing 2-3 and 5-6 hydrates, respectively, were prepared by humidification. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction and powder X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that these CS hydrates contained sodium channel structures and that water molecules were adsorbed on the sodium nucleus. (13) C-cross-polarization/MAS NMR spectra of these hydrates revealed similar results, confirming that the water molecules were adsorbed not on the cromolyn skeletons but mainly on the sodium nucleus. In contrast, (23) Na-MQMAS NMR analysis allowed us to clearly distinguish these hydrates without discernible effects from quadrupolar interaction. Thus, MQMAS NMR analysis is a valuable tool for evaluating salt drugs and their formulations.

Nano-formulation of poorly water-soluble drugs has been developed to enhance drug dissolution. In this review, we introduce nano-milling technology described in recently published papers. Factors affecting the size of drug crystals are compared based on the preparation methods and drug and excipient types. A top-down approach using the comminution process is a method conventionally used to prepare crystalline drug nanoparticles. Wet milling using media is well studied and several wet-milled drug formulations are now on the market. Several trials on drug nanosuspension preparation using different apparatuses, materials, and conditions have been reported. Wet milling using a high-pressure homogenizer is another alternative to preparing production-scale drug nanosuspensions. Dry milling is a simple method of preparing a solid-state drug nano-formulation. The effect of size on the dissolution of a drug from nanoparticles is an area of fundamental research, but it is sometimes incorrectly evaluated. Here, we discuss evaluation procedures and the associated problems. Lastly, the importance of quality control, process optimization, and physicochemical characterization are briefly discussed.

A solid dispersion (SPD) of carbamazepine (CBZ) with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMC-AS) was prepared by the spray drying method. The apparent solubility (37 °C, pH 7.4) of CBZ observed with the SPD was over 3 times higher than the solubility of unprocessed CBZ. The supersaturated solution was stable for 7 days. A higher concentration of CBZ in aqueous medium was also achieved by mixing with Poloxamer 407 (P407), a solubilizing agent. From permeation studies of CBZ using Caco-2 monolayers and dialysis membranes, we observed improved CBZ permeation across the membrane in the supersaturated solution of CBZ/HPMC-AS SPD. On the contrary, the CBZ-solubilized P407 solution exhibited poor permeation by CBZ. The chemical shifts of CBZ on the (1)H NMR spectrum from CBZ/HPMC-AS SPD solution were not altered significantly by coexistence with HPMC-AS. In contrast, an upfield shift of CBZ was observed in the CBZ/P407 solution. The spin-lattice relaxation time (T(1)) over spin-spin relaxation time (T(2)) indicated that the mobility of CBZ in the HPMC-AS solution was much lower than that in water. Meanwhile, the mobility of CBZ in P407 solution was significantly higher than that in water. NMR data indicate that CBZ does not strongly interact with HPMC-AS. CBZ mobility was suppressed due to self-association and microviscosity around CBZ, which do not affect permeation behavior. Most of the CBZ molecules in the CBZ/P407 solution were solubilized in the hydrophobic core of P407, and a few were free to permeate the membrane. The molecular state of CBZ, as evaluated by NMR measurements, directly correlated with permeation behavior.

PURPOSE: The stabilization mechanism of a supersaturated solution of mefenamic acid (MFA) from a solid dispersion with EUDRAGIT(®) EPO (EPO) was investigated. METHODS: The solid dispersions were prepared by cryogenic grinding method. Powder X-ray diffractometry, in vitro dissolution test, in vivo oral absorption study, infrared spectroscopy, and solid- and solution-state NMR spectroscopies were used to characterize the solid dispersions. RESULTS: Dissolution tests in acetate buffer (pH 5.5) revealed that solid dispersion showed > 200-fold higher concentration of MFA. Supersaturated solution was stable over 1 month and exhibited improved oral bioavailability of MFA in rats, with a 7.8-fold higher area under the plasma concentration-versus-time curve. Solid-state (1)H spin-lattice relaxation time (T(1)) measurement showed that MFA was almost monomolecularly dispersed in the EPO polymer matrix. Intermolecular interaction between MFA and EPO was indicated by solid-state infrared and (13)C-T(1) measurements. Solution-state (1)H-NMR measurement demonstrated that MFA existed in monomolecular state in supersaturated solution. (1)H-T(1) and difference nuclear Overhauser effect measurements indicated that cross relaxation occurred between MFA and EPO due to the small distance between them. CONCLUSIONS: The formation and high stability of the supersaturated solution were attributable to the specifically formed intermolecular interactions between MFA and EPO.

The mechanism of drug nanoparticle formation of phenytoin (DPH) and its derivatives monomethylphenytoin (MDPH) and dimethylphenytoin (DMDPH) was investigated. The drug, polyvinylpyrrolidone K17 (PVP), and sodium dodecyl sulfate were coground to obtain the ground mixture (GM). The DPH GM was amorphous; however, MDPH and DMDPH GMs contained drug crystals. Spectral changes in infrared and (13)C solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance were observed in the DPH GM, partially observed in the MDPH GM, and hardly observed in the DMDPH GM. Mean particle sizes of the DPH, MDPH, and DMDPH GM nanosuspension were almost the same; however, stability after storage differed in the order of DPH > MDPH > DMDPH. The intermolecular interaction between the drug and PVP reflected not only the crystallinity of the drug in the GM but also the stability of the GM suspension. The size and stiffness of drug nanoparticles were evaluated using atomic force microscopy. Crystallization of the amorphous GM and agglomeration of the primary nanocrystals were observed in the DPH GM suspension. In contrast, primary nanocrystals were observed in the DMDPH GM suspension. The size of the drug nanocrystals formed from the different molecular states of the drug in the GM reflects the agglomerated states in water and stability.

Physicochemical characterization and structural evaluation of a 2:1 naproxen-nicotinamide cocrystal were performed. The 2:1 cocrystal showed rapid naproxen dissolution and less water vapor adsorption, indicating better pharmaceutical properties of naproxen. The unique 2:1 cocrystal formation was evaluated by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The assignments of all H and (13) C peaks for naproxen and the cocrystal were performed using dipolar-insensitive nuclei enhanced by polarization transfer and (1) H-(13) C cross-polarization (CP)-heteronuclear correlation (HETCOR) NMR measurements. The (13) C chemical shift revealed that two naproxen molecules and one nicotinamide molecule existed in the asymmetric unit of the cocrystal. The (1) H chemical shifts indicated that the carboxylic group of the naproxen in the cocrystal was nonionized, and the CH-π interaction between naproxens was very strong. From the (1) H-(13) C CP-HETCOR NMR spectrum with contact time of 5 ms, two different synthons, carboxylic acid-amide and carboxylic acid-pyridine ring, were found between naproxen and nicotinamide. Single-crystal X-ray analysis, which supported the solid-state NMR results, clarified the geometry and intermolecular interactions in more detail. The structure is unique among pharmaceutical cocrystals because each carboxyl group of the two naproxens formed different intermolecular synthons.

Transglycosylated rutin (Rutin-G), a newly developed transglycosylated food additive, was used as a novel excipient for improving the dissolution and absorption properties of flurbiprofen. No surface activity was found up to 100mg/mL of Rutin-G concentration. No cytotoxicity to Caco-2 cells was observed even at a high level of 100mg/mL Rutin-G solution. (1)H NMR study with concentration variation revealed that Rutin-G formed small aggregates in water, with the aggregation number of Rutin-G above the critical aggregation concentration of about 5.0mg/mL being 4. Structural analyses by small-angle X-ray scattering determined the aggregate to be several nanometers in maximum length. A solubility test of flurbiprofen in the presence of Rutin-G showed that the amount of dissolved flurbiprofen increased in proportion to the amount of Rutin-G loaded. This finding indicated a stoichiometric relationship between flurbiprofen and Rutin-G. The spray-dried particles of flurbiprofen/Rutin-G showed a significantly higher dissolution rate and greater absorption profile compared with the commercial flurbiprofen powder. Taken together, the results indicate the potential application of Rutin-G in the formation of a novel nanostructure of drug/transglycosylated material.

A new 2/1 carbamazepine (CBZ)/malonic acid (MA) cocrystal polymorph form C was formed using a vibrational rod mill, whereas the known cocrystal polymorph form A was prepared using a ball mill. IR measurements showed that the interaction between CBZ and MA in cocrystal form C was formed by amide-carboxylic acid heterosynthons, similar to that in cocrystal form A. However, NMR results showed that the molecular states of CBZ at the dibenzazepine ring appeared to be different, which could be due to variation in either the conjugation of the aromatic rings or the π-π interaction of CBZ. Factors affecting the formation of cocrystal polymorphs, such as heat and force, were investigated to clarify the formation mechanism.

This study focused on two-dimensional fast Fourier transform (2D-FFT) as a new technique for the discrimination of kraft tapes, which is a kind of adhesive packing tape. The 2D power spectrum (2D-PS) obtained by applying 2D-FFT to an image enables us to obtain information about the spatial periodicity, even if the periodicity is invisible within the image. However, in the case of kraft tape, peaks in the 2D-PS are too unclear to determine its periodicity. We developed novel analytical image processes combined with 2D-FFT. 2D-FFT was applied to 50 randomly selected areas in a transmitted light image of kraft tape. The 2D-PSs were calculated from each area without applying a logarithmic transformation, accumulated, and processed by the removal of the area surrounding the center, and finally normalized for visualization. These processes enhanced the peaks and eliminated local variations. Through an intra-roll comparison, the 2D-PSs collected from a roll were similar in the location of the peaks and in their patterns at low frequency area. Using an inter-roll comparison, the 2D-PSs from 50 commercially available brand-name products were classified into 26 groups based on these peaks and patterns. All results demonstrate that this method, which is convenient, rapid, and non-destructive, could be a valuable tool for the identification of kraft tapes.

Solid-state (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy that included relaxation time measurement was utilized to evaluate the yellow coloration of evaporated samples (EVPs) of indomethacin (IMC) with commercially available folded sheet mesoporous materials (TMPS). Colorimetric analysis by visible light reflection spectroscopy clarified the color differences in each sample: deep yellow-colored melt-quenched amorphous IMC, a slightly yellow-colored EVP of TMPS-1.5 (pore size: 1.8nm), and a yellow-colored EVP of TMPS-7 (pore size: 7.3nm). The color of EVPs changed from yellow to white after washing with ethanol, indicating the reversible coloration without a chemical reaction. Powder X-ray diffractometry and differential scanning calorimetry demonstrated that the EVPs of TMPS-7 entrapped greater amounts of amorphous IMC into the mesopore than TMPS-1.5. The amount of amorphous IMC in the mesopores could affect the strength of yellow coloration. Solid-state (13)C NMR spectroscopy that included spin-lattice relaxation time (T(1)) measurement revealed that the mobility of the aromatic rings of amorphous IMC in TMPS mesopores was higher than that in melt-quenched amorphous IMC. The difference in color between amorphous IMC in TMPS mesopores and melt-quenched amorphous IMC can be explained by their distinct intramolecular π-conjugation systems.

Structural evaluation of probucol nanoparticles coground with polyvinylpyrrolidone K17 and sodium dodecyl sulfate for 90 min was performed by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) with force-distance curve analysis. The results of solid-state NMR indicated that the cogrinding changed crystalline probucol to amorphous form. The number-averaged mean heights of probucol particles in the ground mixture (GM) suspension were determined by AFM to be 6 and 15 nm for freshly prepared and 24h-stored samples, respectively. Nucleation and the subsequent crystal growth might have occurred after the GM was dispersed in water. The presence of probucol nanocrystals and agglomeration of the primary probucol nanoparticles were recognized by AFM force-distance curve analysis. AFM could be a promising tool to evaluate the structure of nanoparticles as well as their agglomeration behavior in aqueous media.

Indomethacin (IMC) nanoparticles were formed by cogrinding with dextrin under defined moisture conditions. We investigated the mechanism by which IMC nanoparticles are formed and the factors affecting their formation. Cogrinding of IMC and dextrin with optimal water content yielded more than 60% nanoparticles with an average size of 100-200. nm in aqueous solution. Mixtures ground in dry or higher moisture conditions yielded a lower proportion of IMC nanoparticles. The water content producing maximum yields of nanoparticles varied depending on the weight ratio of dextrin to IMC, and the molecular weight of dextrin. Powder X-ray diffraction and solid-state NMR measurements demonstrated that the molecular state of IMC in ground mixture (GM) of IMC and dextrin at suitable moisture condition was mostly crystalline, while that of GM at dry condition was a mixture of amorphous and crystalline forms. The morphology of nanoparticles observed by atomic force microscopy in aqueous solution was soft at the outer surface, suggesting dextrin may adsorb on the IMC nanocrystal surface. Water during grinding could facilitate the dispersion of nanocrystalline IMC into the dextrin matrix. The effective adsorption and interaction of dextrin on the IMC nanocrystal surface could inhibit the aggregation after dispersing in water. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

The effects of water-soluble polymers on nanoparticle formation of piroxicam and pranoprofen were investigated. We also studied the effects of propylene,glycol (PG) concentration in PG aqueous solution on skin permeation of the drugs from nanoparticles. Physical mixtures (PMs) of the drug, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) (weight ratio, 1:3:1) were ground for 90 min in a vibrational rod mill to prepare ground mixtures (GMs). The particle sizes of the GM suspensions in distilled water were 76 nm for piroxicam and 146 nm for pranoprofen, respectively. It was found that the permeation of piroxicam and pranoprofen through hairless mouse skin was significantly increased when the ternary GMs were suspended in PG aqueous solution; however, no enhanced permeation was observed with drug/HPMC binary GMs. Because the piroxicam/SDS binary GM caused skin damage, a ternary GM was critical for increasing the skin permeation of poorly water-soluble drugs. The skin permeation of piroxicam and pranoprofen could be attributed to their supersaturation in suspension due to nanoparticle formation. The skin permeation of piroxicam from the GM suspension was independent of PG concentration in PG aqueous solution, but that of pranoprofen increased with PG concentration in PG aqueous solution. This difference can be attributed to the different solubilities of piroxicam and pranoprofen in PG aqueous solution.

The molecular state of colloidal probucol nanoparticles with additives was evaluated by (13)C in situ solid-state NMR spectroscopy. The nanoparticles were obtained by dispersing a ternary co-ground mixture of probucol/polyvinylpyrrolidon (PVP)/sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in water. Their mean particle size was found to be approximately 150 nm by dynamic light scattering and cryogenic-scanning electron microscopy measurements. The results of the (13)C in situ solid-state NMR spectroscopy showed that probucol existed in the crystalline state (form I) in water. (13)C liquid-state NMR results indicated that PVP and SDS interacted with probucol in water. Their broad signals suggested that the surface interaction of the probucol nanocrystal with PVP and SDS stabilized the suspension. In addition, a freeze-dried sample of the suspension was studied by (13)C solid-state NMR and powder X-ray diffraction experiments, which confirmed the presence of the probucol nanocrystals. The combination of the in situ solid-state, solid-state, and liquid-state NMR measurement results provided molecular-level insights about the role of intermolecular interactions in the design of nanoformulations.