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Biomedical subjects

Jeong-Sook Park

Publications and source records attributed to Jeong-Sook Park.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Recrystallization of fluconazole using the supercritical antisolvent (SAS) process.

The supercritical antisolvent (SAS) process was used to modify solid state characteristics of fluconazole. Fluconazole was recrystallized at various temperatures (60-80 degrees C) and pressures (8-16MPa) using dichloromethane (DCM) as a solvent. Acetone and ethanol were also employed as solvents. The fluconazole polymorphs prepared by the SAS process were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, the equilibrium solubility of the samples in aqueous solution was determined. Fluconazole anhydrate form I was obtained at low temperature (40 degrees C) and anhydrate form II was obtained at high temperature (80 degrees C). The variation of pressure during the SAS process may influence the preferred orientation. Anhydrate forms I and II were also obtained using various solvents. Therefore, it was shown that solid state characteristics of fluconazole, including the polymorphic form and preferred orientation, can be controlled by changing operating conditions of the SAS process such as temperature, pressure, and solvent.

Antifungal Agents↗

The spermatogenic and ovogenic effects of chronically administered Shilajit to rats.

This study examined the possibility of using Shilajit as a fertility agent. The effects of Shilajit on spermatogenesis and ovogenesis were studied using male and female rats. Shilajit was administered orally to 7-week-old rats over a 6-week period. In the male rats, the number of sperms in the testes and epididymides was significant higher than in the control. A histological examination revealed an apparent increase in the number of seminiferous tubular cell layers in the testes of the treated rats. However, there were no significant differences in the weights of heart, spleen, liver, kidney, brain, testes and epididymides. In the female rats, the effect of Shilajit was estimated by the ovulation inducing activity. Over a 5-day, ovulation was induced in seven out of nine rats in the Shilajit administration group and in three out of nine rats in the control. It was estimated that Shilajit had both a spermiogenic and ovogenic effect in mature rats.

Animals↗

Stabilization of all-trans retinol by loading lipophilic antioxidants in solid lipid nanoparticles.

Loading of drugs into the solid matrix of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) can be one of effective means to protect them against chemical degradation. In this study, the SLNs for all-trans retinol (AR) were formulated to improve the stability of AR, whose chemical instability has been a limiting factor in its clinical use. First of all, the physicochemical properties of AR-loaded SLNs, including mean particle diameter and zeta potential, were modulated by changing the total amount of surfactant mixture and the mixing ratio of eggPC and Tween 80 as surfactant mixture. The AR-loaded SLNs formulation was irradiated with a 60-W bulb to investigate the photostability. The extent of photodegradation was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. The mean particle diameter and zeta potential of the smallest SLNs were 96 nm and -28 mV, respectively. The loading of AR in optimized SLNs formulations rather decelerated the degradation of AR, compared with AR solution dissolved in methanol. Our subsequent study showed that the co-loading of antioxidants greatly enhanced the stability of AR loaded in SLNs, compared with those loaded in SLNs without antioxidant. The photostability at 12 h of AR in SLNs was enhanced folds (43% approximately) higher than that in methanol solution (about 11%). Furthermore, the protecting effect of antioxidants was greatly dependent on the type of antioxidant. Taken together, AR could be effectively stabilized by being loaded in SLNs together with an antioxidant BHT-BHA.

Antioxidants↗

A new self-emulsifying formulation of itraconazole with improved dissolution and oral absorption.

To enhance the dissolution and oral absorption of poorly water-soluble itraconazole, self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) composed of oil, surfactant and cosurfactant for oral administration of itraconazole was formulated, and its physicochemical properties and pharmacokinetic parameters of itraconazole were evaluated. Among the surfactants and oils studied, Transcutol, Pluronic L64 and tocopherol acetate were chosen that showed the maximal solubility to itraconazole. The solubility of itraconazole was further improved by the addition of hydrochloric acid. Droplet size of itraconazole emulsion was kept constant both in simulated gastric fluid without pepsin (pH 1.2) and simulated intestinal fluid (pH 6.8) throughout 120-min incubation period. Itraconazole in the SEDDS rapidly dissolved in every dissolution medium whereas the Sporanox showed different dissolution patterns during the 120-min incubation according to the dissolution media. In fasted and fed normal diet group, AUC(0-->24 h) and the mean maximum plasma level (Cmax) of itraconazole after oral administration of SEDDS in rats were comparable to those of itraconazole after oral dose of Sporanox. However, in fed lipidic diet group, AUC and Cmax after oral administration of SEDDS in rats were 3.7- and 2.8-fold higher, respectively, compared with those of Sporanox. These results demonstrate that the SEDDS of itraconazole composed of Transcutol, Pluronic L64 and tocopherol acetate greatly enhanced the bioavailability of itraconazole after the dose, particularly not influenced by food intake or not. Thus, this system may provide a useful dosage form for oral water-insoluble drug without food effect.

Animals↗

Improved physicochemical characteristics of felodipine solid dispersion particles by supercritical anti-solvent precipitation process.

Solid dispersions of felodipine were formulated with HPMC and surfactants by the conventional solvent evaporation (CSE) and supercritical anti-solvent precipitation (SAS) methods. The solid dispersion particles were characterized by particle size, zeta potential, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), solubility and dissolution studies. The effects of the drug/polymer ratio and surfactants on the solubility of felodipine were also studied. The mean particle size of the solid dispersions was 200-250 nm; these had a relatively regular spherical shape with a narrow size distribution. The particle size of the solid dispersions from the CSE method increased at 1 h after dispersed in distilled water. However, the particle sizes of solid dispersions from the SAS process were maintained for 6 h due to the increased solubility of felodipine. The physical state of felodipine changed from crystalline to amorphous during the CSE and SAS processes, confirmed by DSC/XRD data. The equilibrium solubility of the felodipine solid dispersion prepared by the SAS process was 1.5-20 microg/ml, while the maximum solubility was 35-110 microg/ml. Moreover, the solubility of felodipine increased with decreasing drug/polymer ratio or increasing HCO-60 content. The solid dispersions from the SAS process showed a high dissolution rate of over 90% within 2 h. The SAS process system may be used to enhance solubility or to produce oral dosage forms with high dissolution rate.

Calorimetry, Differential Scanning↗

Simultaneous determination of niflumic acid and its prodrug, talniflumate in human plasma by high performance liquid chromatography.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of niflumic acid and its prodrug, talniflumate, in human plasma. Niflumic acid and talniflumate were eluted isocratically with methanol-water (73:27, v/v, adjusted to pH 3.5 by acetic acid) at a fl ow rate of 1 mL/min. Indomethacin was used as an internal standard. Signals were monitored by an UV detector at 288 nm. Retention times of indomethacin, niflumic acid and talniflumate were 5.9, 7.2 and 13.5 min, respectively. Calibration plots were linear over the range 50-5000 ng/mL for niflumic acid and 100-5000 ng/mL for talniflumate. The limits of quantitation were 50 ng/mL for niflumic acid and 100 ng/mL for talniflumate. The intra- and inter-day relative standard deviations (RSD) of niflumic acid and talniflumate were less than 10% and the accuracies were higher than 90%. This method is rapid, sensitive and reproducible for the determination of niflumic acid and talniflumate in human plasma.

Benzofurans↗

Multivesicular liposomes for oral delivery of recombinant human epidermal growth factor.

The purpose of the present study was to prepare multivesicular liposomes with a high drug loading capacity and to investigate its potential applicability in the oral delivery of a peptide, human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF). The multivesicular liposomes containing rhEGF was prepared by a two-step water-in-oil-in-water double emulsification process. The loading efficiency was increased as rhEGF concentration increased from 1 to 5 mg/mL, reaching approximately 60 % at 5 mg/mL. Approximately 47% and 35% of rhEGF was released from the multivesicular liposomes within 6 h in simulated intra-gastric fluid (pH 1.2) and intra-intestinal fluid (pH 7.4), respectively. rhEGF-loaded multivesicular liposomes markedly suppressed the enzymatic degradation of the peptide in an incubation with the Caco-2 cell homogenate. However, the transport of rhEGF from the multivesicular liposomes to the basolateral side of Caco-2 cells was two times lower than that of the rhEGF in aqueous solution. The gastric ulcer healing effect of rhEGF-loaded multivesicular liposomes was significantly enhanced compared with that of rhEGF in aqueous solution; the healing effect of the liposomes was comparable to that of the cimetidine in rats. Collectively, these results indicate that rhEGF-loaded multivesicular liposomes may be used as a new strategy for the development of an oral delivery system in the treatment of peptic ulcer diseases.

Administration, Oral↗

Preparation and characterization of solid dispersions of itraconazole by using aerosol solvent extraction system for improvement in drug solubility and bioavailability.

The objective of this study was to elucidate the feasibility to improve the solubility and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble itraconazole via solid dispersions by using supercritical fluid (SCF). Solid dispersions of itraconazole with hydrophilic polymer, HPMC 2910, were prepared by the aerosol solvent extraction system (ASES) under different process conditions of temperature/pressure. The particle size of solid dispersions ranged from 100 to 500 nm. The equilibrium solubility increased with decrease (15 to 10 MPa) in pressure and increase (40 to 60 degrees C) in temperature. The solid dispersions prepared at 45 degrees C/15 MPa showed a slight increase in equilibrium solubility (approximately 27-fold increase) when compared to pure itraconazole, while those prepared at 60 degrees C/10 MPa showed approximately 610-fold increase and no endothermic peaks corresponding to pure itraconazole were observed, indicating that itraconazole might be molecularly dispersed in HPMC 2910 in the amorphous form. The amorphous state of itraconazole was confirmed by DSC/XRD data. The pharmacokinetic parameters of the ASES-processed solid dispersions, such as Tmax, Cmax, and AUC(o-24 h) were almost similar to Sporanox capsule which shows high bioavailability. Hence, it was concluded that the ASES process could be a promising technique to reduce particle size and/or prepare amorphous solid dispersion of drugs in order to improve the solubility and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs.

Administration, Oral↗

Reparation of controlled release spheronized beads by simple extrusion and modified spheronization process.

Beads loaded with the water-soluble drug, phenylpropanolamine HCl (PPA), were prepared using an extruder and double arm counter-rotating roller modified from a traditional pill machine. The mean diameter of the cylindrical rod-like extrudate from the ram extruder was 3 mm; that of the uncoated bead after cutting and spheronization by the modified double arm counter-rotating roller was 3.26-3.28 mm. Although the surface of the beads was moderately rough and irregular, some exhibited hump-shaped protrusions, the sphericity was acceptable (roundness 1.15) and adequate for the subsequent coating process. An increase in mean diameter of the coated beads and improvements in friability and sphericity were observed in proportion to the amount of coating material applied (ethylcellulose or Eudragit RS 100). It was also found that the release rate of PPA from the coated beads could be controlled by the amount and type of coating materials applied or with the incorporation of Eudragit RS 100 into the core matrix. Further modifications to the double arm counter-rotating roller, including adjustment of the rotation speed and distance between the rollers, would yield smaller uncoated beads with improved roundness and surface roughness. In conclusion, the present method could be potentially applied to prepare controlled release drug delivery beads or pellet dosage forms.

Delayed-Action Preparations↗

The use of chitosan as a condensing agent to enhance emulsion-mediated gene transfer.

Previously we have formulated a new cationic emulsion, composed of 3beta [N-(N',N'-dimethylaminoethane) carbamoyl] cholesterol and dioleoylphosphatidyl ethanolamine, castor oil and Tween 80, and it efficiently delivered plasmid DNA into various cancer cells with low toxicity. Chitosan is a natural cationic polysaccharide and is able to form polyelectrolyte complexes with DNA, in which the DNA is condensed and protected against nuclease degradation. Based on these facts, chitosan was used as a condensing agent to enhance the transfection efficiency of cationic emulsion-mediated gene delivery vehicle. The particle size, zeta potential and transmission electron micrographs of DNA/emulsion complexes were observed before and after condensation by chitosan. In vitro transfection efficiency of naked or precondensed DNA/emulsion (pcDNA/E) complexes was investigated in human hepatoma cells (HepG2) using flow cytometer, confocal microscope and western blot. In addition, in vivo gene transfer was also evaluated as GFP mRNA expression by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The size of transfection complexes was reduced after the condensation of DNA by chitosan. Moreover, when the pcDNA/E complexes were administered into the mice, the GFP mRNA expression was prolonged in liver and lung until day 6. These results suggest that the use of chitosan enhance the in vitro transfection efficiency and extend in vivo gene transfer.

Animals↗

Use of CP/MAS solid-state NMR for the characterization of solvate molecules within estradiol crystal forms.

To investigate the solvate molecules within estradiol crystal forms, four crystal forms of estradiol (EM, ET, EP and EC) were obtained by recrystallization from various organic solvents such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol and acetone, and their physicochemical properties were characterized using XRD, TGA, DSC and solid-state NMR. The XRD patterns showed that the estradiol crystal forms were composed of high crystallinity and their degrees of crystallinity were nearly identical. The solvent phases and solvate molecules within the estradiol crystal forms were detected by thermal analysis and the solvate molecular structures were identified by further observation using solid-state NMR. Estradiol typically tends to crystallize in form of its hemihydrate by the solvate molecules from the mother solvents used for recrystallization. The residual solvent might be incorporated into the estradiol molecules to change the local chemical environment and cause the observed 13C CP/MAS NMR spectral changes. These results suggest that the thermal analysis and CP/MAS solid-state NMR spectroscopy could be useful at the dried solid state to characterize the solvate molecule within the recrystallized estradiols.

Crystallization↗

The influence of Surelease and sodium alginate on the in-vitro release of tamsulosin hydrochloride in pellet dosage form.

The objective of this study was to prepare controlled-release pellets containing 0.2 mg tamsulosin hydrochloride using a pelletizer-equipped piston extruder and double-arm counter-rotating rollers with Surelease and sodium alginate. The release of tamsulosin HCl from pellets coated with the commercial aqueous ethylcellulose dispersion (Surelease) was investigated at different coating loads. In addition, the effect of sodium alginate on drug release was investigated by varying the ratio of sodium alginate to microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). Dissolution studies were first performed in 500 mL simulated gastric fluid (pH 1.2) containing 0.003% (w/w) polysorbate 80 and then in simulated intestinal fluids (pH 7.2). The morphology of pellet surfaces and cross sections were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Apparently, the spherical pellets were prepared using a pelletizer-equipped piston extruder and double-arm counter-rotating rollers. The release profiles of tamsulosin HCl from Surelease-coated pellets were significantly affected by changing the content of Surelease, the pH of the dissolution medium and the ratio of sodium alginate to MCC. The drug release rates not only decreased with increase in the coating load, but also increased when the pH of the dissolution medium was increased from 1.2 to 7.2 regardless of the sodium alginate-to-MCC ratio. Moreover, the drug release rate at pH 7.2 was gradually increased by increasing the ratio of sodium alginate to MCC. SEM showed smooth surfaces of Surelease-coated pellets. These results suggest that Surelease and sodium alginate would be useful excipients in the preparation of controlled-release pellets with the desired release profiles.

Alginates↗

Controlled release tamsulosin hydrochloride from alginate beads with waxy materials.

The objective of this study was to develop oral controlled release delivery systems for tamsulosin hydrochloride (TSH) using alginate beads with various waxy materials, such as Compritol 888 ATO, Precirol ATO 5 and Gelucires. The beads were prepared from sodium alginate-waxy material-TSH slurry dropped onto calcium chloride to form spherical beads. The effects of the addition of various waxy materials to alginate beads on the drug encapsulation efficiency, bead size and morphology were investigated. The drug encapsulation efficiency significantly increased with the addition of waxy materials. The TSH-loaded alginate beads with and without waxy materials were almost spherical particles with an average diameter of 1.44 and 1.22 mm, respectively. In dissolution study, the TSH-loaded alginate beads with waxy materials exhibited controlled release behaviour over a 6-h period, while beads without waxy materials showed release of 100% TSH within 2 h. These results may be attributed to the formation of a more rigid alginate matrix structure due to incorporated waxy materials. From the Dunnett's t-test and the f2 factor, the release of TSH from alginate beads, a similar dissolution pattern to that of the marketed product (Harunal capsules) could be achieved by adding Gelucire 50/13 into TSH-loaded alginate beads. From these results, oral controlled release of TSH could be achieved with loading in alginate beads with waxy materials, such as Compritol 888 ATO, Precirol ATO 5 and Gelucires.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

Cefuroxime axetil solid dispersions prepared using solution enhanced dispersion by supercritical fluids.

Cefuroxime axetil (CA) solid dispersions with HPMC 2910/PVP K-30 were prepared using solution enhanced dispersion by supercritical fluids (SEDS) in an effort to increase the dissolution rate of poorly water-soluble drugs. Their physicochemical properties in solid state were characterized by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy. No endothermic and characteristic diffraction peaks corresponding to CA were observed for the solid dispersions in DSC and PXRD. FTIR analysis demonstrated the presence of intermolecular hydrogen bonds between CA and HPMC 2910/PVP K-30 in solid dispersions, resulting in the formation of amorphous or non-crystalline CA. Dissolution studies indicated that the dissolution rates were remarkably increased in solid dispersions compared with those in the physical mixture and drug alone. In conclusion, an amorphous or non-crystalline CA solid dispersion prepared using SEDS could be very useful for the formulation of solid dosage forms.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Narrow-bore high performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of cetirizine in human plasma using column switching.

An improved column switching high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was developed for determination of cetirizine in human plasma. Plasma samples were prepared by liquid-liquid extraction using methylene chloride. The samples extracted were initially injected into a clean-up Capcell Pak MF C8 column and the peaks of cetirizine and internal standard were separated to an analytical C18 micro-column via column switching device. This analysis showed highly sensitive and selective results. Also, it was successfully applied to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of cetirizine in human volunteers after single oral administration.

Cetirizine↗

Enhanced mucosal and systemic immunogenicity of human papillomavirus-like particles encapsidating interleukin-2 gene adjuvant.

Here, we report the enhanced mucosal and systemic immunogenicity of human papillomavirus type (HPV) 16 L1 virus-like particles (VLP) encapsidating a cytokine genetic adjuvant. Plasmid DNA expressing interleukin-2 (pIL2) was encapsidated in VLP using the reassembly property of VLP from disassembled L1 capsomeres. pIL2 in reassembled VLP showed stability against DNase I, indicating encapsidation. After intramuscular immunization into mice, the highest vaginal and salivary HPV16 L1-specific IgA titers were observed in pIL2-encapsidated VLP, followed by VLP plus pIL2 in separate plasmid, and VLP alone. Similar to mucosal responses, serum IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a antibody titers were the highest in the group treated with pIL2-encapsidated VLP. Moreover, the adjuvanticity of pIL2 encapsidated in VLP was stronger in IgG2a antibody relative to IgG1 antibody. Our results indicate that the encapsidation of a genetic cytokine adjuvant pIL2 would be beneficial for more effective induction of mucosal and systemic immune responses to VLP vaccines.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Determination of glimepiride in human plasma using semi-microbore high performance liquid chromatography with column-switching.

A fully automated semi-microbore high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with column-switching using UV detection was developed for the determination of glimepiride from human plasma samples. Plasma sample (900 microl) was deproteinated and extracted with ethanol and acetonitrile. The extract (70 microl) was directly injected into a Capcell Pak MF Ph-1 pre-column where the primary separation occurred to remove proteins and retain drugs using a mixture of acetonitrile and 10mM phosphate buffer (pH 2.18) (20:80, v/v). The analytes were transferred from the pre-column to an intermediate column using a switching valve and then subsequently separated on an analytical column and monitored with UV detection at 228 nm. Glimepiride was eluted with retention time 34.9 min without interference of endogenous substance from plasma. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was 10 ng/ml for glimepiride. The calibration curves were linear over the concentration range of 10-400 ng/ml (r(2) = 0.9997). Moreover, inter- and intra-day precisions of the method were less than 15% and accuracies were higher than 99%. The developed method was successfully applied for the quantification of glimepiride in human plasma and was used to support a human pharmacokinetic study following a single oral administration of 2 mg glimepiride.

Adult↗

HPLC method for simultaneous determination of cefprozil diastereomers in human plasma.

A high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed for the determination of cefprozil diastereomers in human plasma. Cefprozil exists as cis and trans isomer at the ratio of 90:10. Plasma samples were prepared by protein precipitation using acetonitrile, trichloroacetic acid and methylene chloride. After the mixtures were vortexed and centrifuged, the aqueous supernatant was injected into a reversed-phase C8 column. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile, glacial acetic acid and distilled water at the volume ratio of 5.5:1.75:92.75 (pH 2.7). The signals were monitored with UV detection at 280 nm. The calibration curves of cis and trans isomer were linear in concentration ranges of 0.1-25 and 0.02-2.5 microg/mL with the correlation coefficient of 0.9999 and 0.9989, respectively. After oral administration of cefprozil in humans, Cmax and Tmax of total cefprozil were 18.80 +/- 2.14 microg/mL and 2.06 +/- 0.62 h. This method was sensitive with excellent selectivity and reproducibility, and successfully applied to a bioavailability study of cefprozil in healthy subjects.

Biological Availability↗