The objective of the present study was to develop rectal mucoadhesive hydrogels loaded with Tolmetin Sodium, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, for prolonged duration of action and increased bioavailability. Fourteen formulae were prepared with different types and concentrations of polymers as hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, hydroxylethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose and sodium alginate. Each formulation contain Tolmetin Sodium equivalent to 5% w/w active drug. The effect of the employed gel bases on pH, gel strength, mucoadhesion, viscosity and the in vitro release profile of drug was examined. In addition, hydrogel formulations were subjected to rheological and stability studies. The physicochemical characterization revealed that all hydrogels had a suitable pH (6.64-7.75) and gel strength (15.5-65.29 s) for rectal application. The in-vitro drug release from the formulations showed a controlled drug release pattern, reaching 72-92.6% after 8 h. The kinetic analysis of the release data revealed that the drug release from all tested hydrogel bases obeyed the diffusion mechanism. The degradation of Tolmetin Sodium from its rectal hydrogel formulations was found to be a zero-order reaction. All formulations except sodium alginate hydrogel were quite stable. Considering the in-vitro release, rheological properties and shelf life, (CMC; 2%w/w) hydrogel formula was the best among the studied formulations. Therefore, further histopathological and bioavailability studies were carried out to detect different pharmacokinetic parameters of the established formulations compared with commercially available capsules. Formula containing 2% CMC showed relative bioavailability 357.93%. Finally, good correlation was observed between in-vitro and in-vivo profile.

Abstract. The objective of the present study was to develop fast dissolving oral film of the antipsychotic drug, flupentixol dihydrochloride, to enhance its bioavailability, optimize its therapeutic effect when used to treat depression with anxiety, and increase the convenience and compliance by the mentally ill, developmentally disable, elderly, and pediatric patients. Six formulae were prepared with different concentrations of water-soluble polymers vis. hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC E5) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) by solvent casting technique. The prepared films were subjected to characterization for folding endurance, weight variations, thickness, disintegration time, drug release pattern, and drug content. Physical compatibility between the drug and excipients was guaranteed in the selected formulation (2% HPMC) by means of differential scanning calorimetry analysis and Fouriertransform infrared spectroscopy. This formulation revealed high stability after testing according to the International Conference on Harmonisation guidelines. In vivo studies based on single phase parallel design were carried out for the optimized formulation in healthy human volunteers. The concentration of flupentixol dihydrochloride in plasma samples was analyzed by a developed validated LC-MS/MS assay method and the pharmacokinetic parameters of the established formulation were compared with the commercially available oral tablets. Faster rate of absorption of flupentixol could be obtained from the oral film formulation and the relative bioavailability was found to be 151.06% compared to the marketed product.

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Objective: The aim of the present study was to obtain an optimized formula of itraconazole (ITC) proniosomes using Box Behnken design.Methods: Itraconazole proniosomes were prepared using span 60 and/or brij 35 as surfactants, cholesterol and lecithin as a penetration enhancer by slurry method. Various trials have been carried out for investigation of proniosomes. Parameters such as entrapment efficiency (EE%), in vitro drug release, zeta potential, vesicle size and Transmission Electron Microscope were assessed for evaluation of proniosomes.Results: Entrapment efficiency (EE%) was found to be between 78.56% and 95.46%. The release profile of itraconazole proniosomes occurred in two distinct phases, an initial phase for about 8 h, followed by a slow phase for 16 h. The release pattern shown by these formulations was Higuchi diffusion controlled mechanism. The zeta potential values for all itraconazole proniosomes were in the range of-21.71 to-34.53 mV which confirms their stability. All itraconazoleproniosomes formula was found to be nano-sized and were appeared to be spherical in shape with sharp boundaries. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) study showed that HLB (X1) had the main effects on most responses (Y). Conclusion:Box behnken design facilitates optimization of the formulation ingredients on entrapment efficiency, in vitro release of itraconazole proniosomes, zeta potential and vesicle size. Finally, an optimum level of factors was provided by the optimization process.

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