ABSTRACT:We have successfully synthesized polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers impregnated with Ag nanoparticles by electrospinning method at room temperature. Briefly, the PAN-Ag composite nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning PAN (10% w/v) in dimethyl formamide (DMF) solvent containing silver nitrate (AgNO 3 ) in the amounts of 8% by weight of PAN. The silver ions were reduced into silver particles in three different methods i.e., by refluxing the solution before electrospinning, treating with sodium borohydride (NaBH 4 ), as reducing agent, and heating the prepared composite nanofibers at 160 C. The prepared PAN nanofibers functionalized with Ag nanoparticles were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), SEM elemental detection X-ray analysis (SEM-EDAX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-VIS) analytical techniques. UV-VIS spectra analysis showed distinct absorption band at 410 nm, suggesting the formation of Ag nanoparticles. TEM micrographs confirmed homogeneous dispersion of Ag nanoparticles on the surface of PAN nanofibers, and particle diameter was found to be 5-15 nm. It was found that all the three electrospun PAN-Ag composite nanofibers showed strong antibacterial activity toward both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. However, the antibacterial activity of PAN-Ag composite nanofibers membrane prepared by refluxed method was most prominent against S. aureus bacteria.

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The introduction of high speed tableting machines and the preference of direct compression as a method of tableting have increased the demands on the functionality of excipients mainly in terms of flowability and compressibility. Co-processed excipients, where in, excipients are combined by virtue of sub-particle level interaction have provided an attractive tool for developing high functionality excipients. The multifold advantages offered by co-processed excipients such as production of synergism in functionality of individual components, reduction of company's regulatory concern because of absence of chemical change during co-processing and improvement in physico-chemical properties have expanded their use in the pharmaceutical industry. In the recent years, there has been a spurt in the number of patents filed on co-processed excipients. Hence, the present review focuses on co-processed excipients and their application in pharmaceutical industry. The worldwide databases of European patent office (http://ep.espacenet.com) and United States patent office (www.uspto.gov) were employed to collect the patents and patent applications. The advantages, limitations, basis for the selection of excipients to be co-processed, methods of co-processing and regulatory perspective of co-processed excipients are also briefly discussed.

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Introduction:The objective of the present investigation was to develop a novel multifunctional directly compressible co-processed excipient consisting of dibasic calcium phosphate anhydrous, polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG 4000) and crospovidone using Box-Behnken design.Materials and Methods:The technique of melt granulation was adopted for the preparation of the co-processed excipient. The percentage of crospovidone (5-10% w/w), percentage of PEG 4000 (5-15% w/w) and the heating time (4-12 min) were selected as independent variables. The co-processed granules were evaluated for bulk density, tapped density, Hausner's ratio and Carr's index. Placebo tablets of co-processed granules were prepared and evaluated for hardness, friability and disintegration time. Multiple linear regression was applied to develop mathematical models for hardness, Carr' index and disintegrating time. ANOVA was applied to study the fitting and significance of the model. The optimized batches (BB) were selected for further studies. The selected batches were characterized for particle size distribution, granular friability index, moisture uptake study, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Aceclofenac was selected as model drug for the preparation of tablets.Results:Aceclofenac tablets prepared using co-processed excipients showed better hardness, disintegration time and in vitro drug release as compared to aceclofenac tablets prepared using conventional wet granulation method.Conclusion:The developed co-processed excipient can serve as a novel co-processed excipient for improvement of tableting characteristics.