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Shobha N Bhattachar

Publications and source records attributed to Shobha N Bhattachar.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Solubility: it's not just for physical chemists.

Solubility data are used to make crucial decisions from the earliest stages of drug discovery throughout the development process, but often the decision-maker is far removed, in terms of both organization and scientific background, from the scientist who generates the data. Here we provide a reference point for consumers of solubility who are presented with increasingly sophisticated strategies to measure sooner, faster or more accurately. We discuss the fundamental forces that govern solubility, the role of physical-chemical parameters such as pH and pK(a), and the principles involved in different solubility measurements. Our ultimate goal is to enable a decision-maker, when presented with solubility data, to have in hand the tools to evaluate not just the magnitude but also the context and appropriateness of those measurements to the drug in question.

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical↗

Solubility measurement of polymorphic compounds via the pH-metric titration technique.

In drug development, the thermodynamically most stable form of a compound is preferred because metastable forms are prone to transform to the stable form during processing, formulation, or storage [Guillory, J.K., 1999. Generation of polymorphs, hydrates, solvates, and amorphous solids. In: Brittain, H.G. (Ed.), Polymorphism in Pharmaceutical Solids. Marcel Dekker, New York, pp. 183-226]. It is therefore important to discover and characterize the stable form as early as possible. One of the most important properties to determine is thermodynamic solubility. However, due to compound and time constraints this solubility value is usually not determined until late in discovery. This report explores the ability of the pH-metric titration method to measure intrinsic solubility of the stable form of compounds that exist in one or more polymorphic forms. One metastable form and the stable form of eight compounds were examined. Intrinsic solubility was measured via pH-metric titration. The technique was performed on a larger scale in order to monitor polymorphic form changes by powder X-ray diffraction. Shake-flask solubility and corresponding X-ray diffraction data of each form was also determined. The results of this study indicate that, in general, when starting with a metastable polymorph, the pH-metric titration method is able to achieve the solubility of the stable form by the third titration, while the traditional shake-flask solubility method is unable to consistently determine the stable form solubility.

Acetaminophen↗

Evaluation of the chemiluminescent nitrogen detector for solubility determinations to support drug discovery.

Solubility measurements using chemiluminescent nitrogen detection (CLND) has advantages of reduced compound requirement and increased throughput compared to UV-spectrophotometric and HPLC-based measurements. CLND with direct flow injection was evaluated for the measurement of thermodynamic solubility to support drug discovery. The limit of quantitation (LOQ), accuracy, and day-to-day reproducibility of the detector were measured. Measurements made on CLND were compared to those obtained from UV spectrophotometry and HPLC. Based on the results obtained, it was concluded that the CLND performs satisfactorily for discovery stage thermodynamic solubility measurements.

Calibration↗

Increased dissolution rate and bioavailability through comicronization with microcrystalline cellulose.

Micronization is a commonly used enabling technology to improve the bioavailability of compounds where absorption is dissolution rate limited. However, decreasing particle size often results in increased Van der Waals' interactions and electrostatic attraction between particles. This causes agglomeration of particles, thereby compromising the increase in surface area gained by micronization. Comicronization with excipients has been reported to offer significant advantages over neat micronization. The present work describes the comicronization of a model compound CI-1040 at a high drug load that shows an increase in the dissolution rate and bioavailability in male Wistar rats. Physicochemical characterization of the comicronized and neat micronized material is presented to help explain the in-vitro and in-vivo data.

Animals↗

Evaluation of the vibratory feeder method for assessment of powder flow properties.

The flow properties of pharmaceutical powders and blends used in solid oral dosage forms are an important consideration during dosage form development. The vibratory feeder method, a flow measurement technique that quantifies avalanche flow, has been adapted for measurement of the flow properties of common pharmaceutical powders used in solid oral dosage forms. The flow properties of 17 different powders were measured with the instrument, and the results are reported as a powder flow index (PFI). The PFI trends of the powders correlate well with flow properties reported in the literature. The flow properties of the powders were also measured with a commercially available avalanche instrument, the Aero-Flow, and the results were reported as the mean time to avalanche (MTA). Since the two instruments analyze the avalanche by different algorithms, the results were compared with nonparametric statistical evaluation of ranked data, and they were found to be in excellent agreement. A recommended procedure for measurement of powder flow with the vibratory feeder is presented.

Powders↗

Dissolution testing of a poorly soluble compound using the flow-through cell dissolution apparatus.

Dissolution of Pfizer Compound PD198306, a poorly soluble compound, was studied in 25 mM pH 9 sodium phosphate solution with 0.5% SLS using the flow-through cell dissolution apparatus. Unmicronized and micronized drug powders were tested. Several methods of loading the drug powder into the flow-through dissolution cells and their impact on dissolution were investigated. The influence of flow rate of the dissolution medium on the rate and extent of dissolution were studied. PD198306 has poor wettability even in the presence of 0.5% SLS. It was found that loading the drug powder into the dissolution cell in the form of a suspension provided the best dissolution profile in terms of the rate and extent of dissolution. The flow rate of 4 ml/min resulted in good particle size discrimination.

Flow Cytometry↗