Keywords
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| Fast dissolving films, Fast disintegration, Oral strips, Sublingual films. |
INTRODUCTION
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| There has been increased demand for the novel dosage form to gain more patient compliance. Fast dissolving films recently have acquired great importance in the pharmaceutical industry due to their unique properties and specific advantages like no need of water for disintegration, accurate dosing, rapid onset of action, ease of transportability, ease of handling, pleasant taste and improved patient compliance [1]. Fast dissolving film is a type of drug delivery system, which when placed in the oral cavity it rapidly disintegrates and dissolves to release the medication for oromucosal and intragastric absorption, without chewing and intake of water [2]. This technology evolved over the past few years from the confection and oral care markets in the form of breath strips and became a novel and widely accepted form by consumers. These films have a potential to deliver the drug systemically through intragastric, sublingual or buccal route of administration and also has been used for local action [3, 4]. This type of technology offer a convenient way of dosing medication, not to special population groups like pediatric, geriatric, bedridden patients, mentally ill patients, but also to the general population. The sublingual mucosa is relatively permeable due to thin membrane and large veins. It gives rapid absorption and instant bioavailability of drugs due to high blood flow [5, 6]. As the fast-dissolving film is taken through the sublingual route, rapid absorption of drug is possible, which finally leads to quick onset of drug action and prevent the first pass-metabolism of the drug. |
| Migraine is one of the ten most disabling disorders worldwide, and despite recent developments in the management of migraine, it remains underdiagnosed and undertreated [7]. Disability due to migraine headache and associated symptoms has been estimated to cost American employers $US 13 billion per year, due to missed work days and impaired work performance. Epidemiological studies in migraine reveal that the vast majority of patients (>90%) have experienced nausea during a migraine attack. Similarly, most (almost 70%) have vomited at some time during an attack so they avoid intake of excess of liquid [8]. Also the migriane sufferers have marked reduction in their functional abilities so they would be benefited from the acute treatment that help them to resume their functional abilities as quick as possible. The new generation anti-migraine drug, Rizatriptan benzoate is an orally active serotonin 5- HT1receptor agonist that potently and selectively binds to 5-HT1B/1D subtypes. Chemically it is N,Ndimethyl- 5-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)-1H-indole- 3-ethanamine monobenzoate. The initial gut absorption of Rizatriptan is high (90%); however, the compound undergoes moderate first-pass metabolism, which limits the bioavailability to 47% [9]. So orally fast dissolving sublingual films of Rizatriptan prevents its first-pass metabolism and eliminates the need of intake of water by the patient during the migraine attack and provide fast onset of action which would be beneficial to migraine sufferers in resuming their functional abilities as soon as possible. |
MATERIALS AND METHODS
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| Rizatriptan benzoate was received as gift samples from SMS pharmaceuticals Ltd., Hyderabad, India. Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (E-15) was procured from The Dow chemicals, China. Maltodextrin, sodium starch glycolate and sodiumlaurylsulphate was obtained from Loba Chemie, Mumbai, India. Glycerine was obtained from Qualikems Fine Chem, Vadodara, India. Mannitol and aspartame was purchased from Central Drug House, New Delhi. |
| Drug polymer compatibility studies |
| Drug polymer compatibility studies were carried out using FTIR. The sample was dispersed in KBr powder and analyzed. Spectra were obtained by powder diffuse reflectance on a FT-IR spectrophotometer type FT-IR Shimadzu 8400S, Shimadzu Ltd, USA. |
| UV Spectrum Analysis of Rizatriptan Benzoate |
| The solution was scanned in the range of 200 to 400 nm to fix the maximum wave length and UV spectrum was obtained. |
| Standard plot of Rizatriptan Benzoate in pH 6.8 Phosphate buffer |
| The standard plot of Rizatriptan Benzoate was prepared in pH 6.8 phosphate buffer. 50 mg of drug was weighed accurately and dissolved in 50 ml of phosphate buffer. Appropriate dilutions were made with buffer to obtain test solutions ranging from 2 μg/ml to 8 μg/ml. The absorbance of the drug in the buffer was then measured on a double beam UVvisible spectrophotometer at λmax of 226 nm against the respective blank. |
| Standard plot of Rizatriptan Benzoate in pH |
| 7.4 Phosphate buffer |
| The standard plot of Rizatriptan Benzoate was prepared in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer. 50 mg of drug was weighed accurately and dissolved in 50 ml of phosphate buffer. Appropriate dilutions were made with buffer to obtain test solutions ranging from 1 μg/ml to 6 μg/ml. The absorbance of the drug in the buffer was measured on a double beam UV-visible spectrophotometer at λmax of 226 nm against the respective blank. |
| Method of preparation of fast dissolving sublingual film of Rizatriptan Benzoate |
| Fast-dissolving film of rizatriptan benzoate was prepared by the solvent-casting method [11]. Aqueous solution I was prepared by dissolving the polymer and glycerine in specific proportion-in distilled water and was allowed to stir for 4 hours and kept for 1 hour to remove all the air bubbles entrapped. Aqueous solution II was prepared by dissolving the rizatriptan benzoate, mannitol, and strawberry flavor in specific proportion, in distilled water. Both aqueous solutions I and II were mixed and stirred for 1 hour. Then the mixture solution was casted onto a plastic petri dish and it was dried in the oven at 500C for 24 hour. The film was carefully removed from the petri dish, checked for any imperfections, and cut according to the size required for testing (square film: 2 cm length, 2 cm width). The samples were stored in a glass container maintained at a temperature of 300±10C and relative humidity 60±5% until further analysis. |
EVALUATION
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| Thickness |
| The thickness of the patch was measured using digital Vernier Calliper with a least count of 0.01 mm at different spots of the film. The thickness was measured at three different spots of the patch and average was taken and SD was calculated. |
| Weight variation |
| Four centimeter square of the film was cut at three different places from the casted film. The weight of each film was taken and weight variation was calculated. |
| Folding endurance |
| Folding endurance was determined by repeated folding of the film at the same place till the strip breaks [10]. The number of times the film is folded without breaking was computed as the folding endurance value. |
| Tensile strength |
| Tensile testing was conducted using a texture analyzer AG/MC1 (Acquati, Italy), equipped with a 5 N load cell. The film was cut into 30 × 20 mm strips. Tensile tests were performed according to ASTM International Test Method for Thin Plastic Sheeting (D 882-02). Each test strip was placed in tensile grips on the texture analyzer. Initial grip separation was 20 mm and crosshead speed was 1 inch/min. The test was considered concluded when the film breaks. Tensile strength, was computed with help of load require to break the film and cross sectional area to evaluate tensile properties of the films. Tensile strength (TS) Tensile strength is the maximum stress applied to a point at which the film specimen breaks and can be calculated by dividing the maximum load by the original cross-sectional area of the specimen and it was expressed in force per unit area (MPa) [12]. |
| Tensile Strength = Force at break (N)/ Cross sectional area (mm2) |
| Percentage elongation |
| For the determination of percentage elongation of the film formulations, the distance between the tensile grips of the tensile strength testing machine was measured before and after the fracture of the film. Then the percentage elongation of the films was computed with the help of the formula given below:- |
| %E = Df – D0/D0 × 100 |
| Where:- |
| %E = Percentage elongation |
| D0 = Distance between the tensile grips before the fracture of the film. |
| Df = Distance between the tensile grips after the fracture of the film |
| Surface pH |
| The surface pH of fast dissolving film was determined in order to investigate the possibility of any side effect in vivo. As an acidic or alkaline pH may cause irritation of the oral mucosa, it was determined to keep the surface pH as close to neutral as possible. A combined pH electrode was used for this purpose. Oral film was slightly wet with the help of water. The pH was measured by bringing the electrode in contact with the surface of the oral film [13]. The procedure was performed in triplicate and average with standard deviation was reported. |
| Disintegration |
| In vitro disintegration time was determined visually in a petri dish containing 25 ml of pH 6.8 phosphate buffer with swirling every 10 sec. The disintegration time is the time when the film starts to break or disintegrates. |
| Drug Content |
| Drug content determination of the film was carried out by dissolving the film of 4 cm2 in 100 ml of pH 6.8 phosphate buffer using magnetic stirrer for 1 hour. The drug concentration was then evaluated spectrophotometrically at λmax of 226 nm. The determination was carried out in triplicate for all the formulations and average with standard deviation was recorded. |
| In-vitro dissolution |
| The dissolution study was carried out using USP Type I (Basket type) dissolution apparatus. The dissolution was carried out in 900 ml of pH 6.8 phosphate buffer maintained at 37 ± 0.50C at 50 rpm. 10 ml aliquots of samples were taken at various time intervals which were replaced with same volume of fresh pH 6.8 phosphate buffer maintained at 37 ± 0.50C. Rizatriptan Benzoate in the samples was then determined spectrophotometrically at λmax of 226 nm. The results were expressed as mean of three determinations. |
| Ex-vivo permeation studies |
| Ex vivo permeation studies through porcine oral mucosa (ventral surface of tongue) was carried out using the Franz diffusion cell of internal diameter of 2.5 cm. The buccal mucosa was excised and trimmed evenly from the sides, washed in isotonic phosphate buffer of pH 6.8 and used immediately. The membrane was stabilized before mounting to remove the soluble components. The mucosa was mounted between the donor and receptor compartments. The receptor compartment was filled with 15 ml of isotonic phosphate buffer of pH 7.4 which was maintained at 37± 0.2oC and hydrodynamics were maintained using magnetic stirrer. One film of dimension 2 cm × 2 cm was previously moistened with a few drops of pH 6.8 phosphate buffer and placed in donor compartment. The donor compartment was filled with 1 ml of pH 6.8 phosphate buffer. 1 ml samples from receptor compartment were withdrawn at suitable time interval which was then replaced with 1 ml of pH 7.4 phosphate buffer [14]. The percentage of Rizatriptan Benzoate permeated was determined by measuring the absorbance in UV?Visible spectrophotometer at λmax of 226 nm. |
| Stability study |
| Stability study was carried out at two different storage conditions, one was normal room conditions and other was 400C/75% RH for 4 weeks. Each piece of the films of formulation F1 and F2 was packed in butter paper followed by aluminum foil and plastic tape. After 4 weeks, the films were evaluated for the physical appearance, surface pH, drug content and in vitro drug release. |
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
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| UV Spectrum Analysis of Rizatriptan Benzoate |
DISCUSSION
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| Physical evaluation |
| 1) Film thickness |
| As all the formulations contain different amount of polymers, hence the thickness was gradually increases with the amount of polymers. All the film formulations were found to have thickness in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.15 mm. The results are given in the table 4 shows gradual increase in the thickness. |
| 2) Weight variations |
| Three films each of 4 cm2 were cut at three different places from the casted film and weight variation was determined. Weight variation varies from 49.00 ± 1.000 to 68.66 ± 0.577 mg. The result of weight variation is shown in table 4. |
| Evaluation of mechanical properties |
| A suitable FDF requires moderate tensile strength, acceptable percentage elongation and folding endurance. Study of mechanical properties was undertaken for all the selected formulations. Table 4 shows the comparative mechanical properties of various formulations prepared during the study. The tensile strength was found to increase with increase with concentration of HPMC E-15 whereas the increase in the concentration of glycerine leads in the decrease in the tensile strength. The tensile strength of formulation F7 was found maximum 4.01. The percentage elongation of all the batches ranges from 5-20. It increased upon increasing the amount of plasticizer and polymer as shown by the formulations. Formulation F8 had highest percentage elongation. Folding endurance increases with increase in the concentration of glycerine. The number of time the film fold until it broke is reported in the table 4. |
| Surface pH |
| The surface pH of the films was ranging from 6.67 ± 0.050 to 6.93 ± 0.015 as shown in table 5. Since the surface pH of the films was found to be around the neutral pH, there will not be any kind of irritation to the mucosal lining of the oral cavity. |
| In vitro disintegration |
| It was observed that in vitro disintegration time varies from 25 to 50 sec for all the formulations. In vitro disintegration time of OFDFs containing HPMC E-15 and maltodextin as polymer was affected by the thickness of the film. In vitro disintegration time of the films was found to increased with increase in the amount of the polymer. |
| Determination of drug content of the films |
| The prepared film formulations were assayed for drug content. It was observed that all the formulations were satisfactory in uniformity of drug as given in table 5. |
| In-Vitro drug release tests |
| The in vitro drug release profiles of the formulations in pH 6.8 phosphate buffer show differences depending on their composition as given in table 6. A rapid dissolution of all the film preparations was observed by the dissolution test, in which approximately 90% of Rizatriptan Benzoate dissolved within 15 min. The formulations F1 and F2 showed approximately 90% drug release within 6 minutes. It was also observed that HPMC E-15 was able to modulate the Rizatriptan release as higher amount of HPMC E-15 resulted in release of drug at slower rate. |
| Ex-vivo drug permeation |
| Drug ex-vivo drug permeation it was found that the formulation F1 and F2 showed better drug permeation of 71.0% and 72.9% in 20 min respectively, when compared to other formulation as shown in table 7. The percentage amount of drug permeated was plotted against time to obtain permeation profile as shown in figure 19-20. It was observed that other film formulation took longer time probably due to higher content of HPMC E-15. |
| Stability study |
| The stability study of the formulation F1 and F2 was carried out at normal room conditions and 400C/75% RH for a period of one month. The films does not show any change in appearance and flexibility. The drug content and surface pH was found almost constant for upto one month. The in vitro dissolution time of the films after the stability study was also not found to be affected. |
CONCLUSION
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| The results of the present study indicated that HPMC E15 could be used as a film forming polymer for formulation of fast dissolving film containing rizatriptan benzoate. Acceptable mechanical properties were obtained for all the batches with invitro disintegration time of 30 s. On the basis of data obtained from in-vitro dissolution and ex-vivo permeation studies that F1 and F2 are promising formulation suitable for the immediate release of rizatriptan benzoate for the systemic use since they exhibited maximum drug release and permeation respectively. The formulation batch F1 and F2 was found to be stable for a period of one month at 40°C/75%RH. |
Tables at a glance
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Figures at a glance
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