SNEDDS form nanoemulsions instantaneously when mixed with intestinal fluids and the drug will be presented in the dissolved state. The enhanced drug dissolution and absorption can be attributed to the small droplet size which provides large effective surface area [34]. In order to prepare an efficient SNEDDS formulation of Entrectinib, selection of suitable oil phase, surfactant mixture, proper droplet size is essential. The selection of oil phase primarily based on Solubilization potential, followed by emulsification ability. Whereas, the selection of surfactant mixture primarily based emulsification efficiency and drug solubility would be secondary.
The results of solubility study of Entrectinib are displayed in figure 1. Drug loading capacity is an important parameter to be considered while selecting the components of SNEDDS. The solubilization potential and extensive emulsification region in the phase diagram are the major factors in selecting the components. Among different oils studied, Capmul®MCM have shown maximum solubilization potential. Capmul®MCM is a semisynthetic glyceryl caprylate, obtained by the esterification of glycerine with specific medium/long chain fatty acids. The higher solubility of Entrectinib in Capmul®MCM is due to lipophilic nature of esterified medium chain glycerides [35]. Capmul®MCM was selected as oil of choice on the basis of maximum Solubilization of drug of interest. The selected oil should be able to present the drug in its dissolved state in GIT so as to have better permeation through GIT.
Surfactant is the second major component in the formulation of SNEDDS and its selection is critical. The different characteristics of surfactant like viscosity, HLB value, cloud point and affinity towards oil phase will have a great influence on droplet size emulsification characteristics. The selected surfactant should have sufficient lipophilicity to provide the accurate curvature at the interface. The surfactant should be able to reduce the interfacial tension so as to provide ease of dispersion. In selecting the surfactant, its emulsification ability, HLB value and solubilization potential are the three important features needs to be considered. Among different class of surfactants, non-ionic surfactants are widely used in SNEDDS formulations because of their minimal toxicity and their ability to stabilize the formulation over a wide range of pH and ionic strength. The non-ionic surfactants with HLB values greater than 12 are highly endorsed because of their ability to form spontaneous emulsions with minimum droplet size. Some of the surfactants might cause GI irritation after oral administration. Hence, the orally acceptability and regulatory status (like GRAS – Generally Regarded As Safe) needs to be considered while selecting the surfactant. The amount of surfactant in the final formulation should be maintained as low as possible.
In this study, different surfactants namely Kolliphor® EL, Kolliphor® RH, Kolliphor® HS15, Kolliphor® Kolliphor® ELP, Kolliphor® PS 80, Tween®20, Tween®80, Span®20, Span®80, Lauroglycol, Labrasol, Lutrol E 300, Labrafac, Labrafil M 2125 and Labrafil M 1944 were tested for emulsification of selected oil. The amount of oil emulsified by different surfactants is as shown in figure 2. The percentage transmittance and number of inversions required for emulsification for each combination is noted and is as shown in figure 3. Emulsification study revealed that Kolliphor® EL has good potential for emulsification. Among various surfactants screened, maximum solubility was observed in Kolliphor® EL with 39.872 mg/ml. High solubility in Kolliphor® EL can be ascribed to its amphiphilic character and higher HLB value [36]. Hence, in the present study Kolliphor® EL was the surfactant of choice for the preparation of Entrectinib SNEDDS.
In the formulation of SNEDDS, a single surfactant may not be sufficient to reduce the interfacial tension as required. The addition of another surfactant (co-surfactant) is essential to enhance the solubility and dispersibility of surfactant in the oil phase. The addition of Co-surfactant can promote stability and homogeneity of emulsions. Moreover, use of co-surfactants can reduce the local irritation caused by surfactants and dose variability. The weight ratio of surfactant/co-surfactant also will have a crucial role on droplet size and the extent of emulsification region. Commonly used co-surfactants comprise propylene glycol, ethanol, polyethylene glycols (PEG 600 and PEG 400) and Transcutol®HP. Among co-surfactants Transcutol® HP and PEG 600 exhibited maximum solubility with 33.56 ± 0.762 mg/ ml and 32.67 ± 0.267 mg/ml respectively.
Five co-surfactants namely Propylene glycol, Ethanol, Poly ethylene glycols (PEG 400 and PEG 600) and Transcutol® HP were individually added to the surfactant in a fixed ratio of 1:1. The combination of surfactants have shown better emulsification potential compared to surfactant alone. The number of inversions and percent transparency of different co-surfactants is as shown in figure 4. It is evident from the data that Transcutol® HP have shown highest emulsification of oil. In addition, the combination resulted in higher values of % Transparency and ease of emulsification compared to the surfactant alone. This indicated the importance of Co-surfactant for the preparation of SNEDDS. Based on results of emulsification study, Transcutol®HP was chosen as Co-surfactant.
Emulsification region of a three component system can be identified easily from ternary phase diagrams. Each apex of the phase diagram represents the 100 % of respective component. The shaded area determines the composition of a three component system. The phase diagrams were built for the three components namely Oil, Smix and water with different mass ratios of Smix. The emulsification region was broad with Smix ratio of 1:1. It is evident from the diagrams that decrease in Smix ratio resulted in decreased emulsion region as shown in figure 5. Based on ternary phase diagrams, the range of components was selected as follows: 20% ≤ Capmul®MCM ≤ 41%, 18% ≤ Kolliphor® EL ≤ 30%, 30% ≤ Transcutol® HP ≤ 50%. The range of Oil, Surfactant and Co-surfactant was further optimized by simplex lattice design.
A systemic approach for the development of a formulation is essential to reduce the variation in the final characteristics of the product. The amount of Oil (A), Amount of Surfactant (B) and Amount of Co-surfactant (C) were found to have influence on the droplet size, polydispersity index and drug release at 15 min. Among different strategies statistical design of experiments was proven to be an effective approach. Different kind of designs can be adopted based on the nature of factors. Among various designs, simplex-lattice design was found to be more appropriate to optimize the composition of mixture components. Based on Simplex-lattice design, fourteen trial experiments which consists of six simplex points were arbitrarily arranged. The experiments were performed as per the design and the obtained results were presented in table 1. The obtained results were analysed using multiple linear regression analysis and mathematical equations were generated to correlate each dependent variable. The results were evaluated with Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Regression coefficients (R2), 3-dimensional response surface and contour plots.
The range of droplet size (Y1) for all batches was 148.76 – 442.18 nm. Similarly, the range for polydispersity index (Y2) was 0.162 – 0.512 and the % release of drug at 15 min (Y3) was found to be in the range of 12.78-21.26 %. Mathematical equations were generated for each response and are presented in table 2. The mathematical models developed for the responses Y1 and Y3 were based on quadratic model, whereas the model developed for Y2 was based on super cubic model. These equations represent the quantitative effect of amount of Capmul® MCM, Kolliphor® EL and Transcutol® HP and their interactive effect on droplet size (Y1), polydispersity index (Y2) and the percent drug release after 15 min (Y3). The magnitude of coefficients of A, B and C indicates the influence of individual factors on response variables. The coefficients with more than one factor term indicates the interactive effect. The polynomial equations obtained for all the responses were found to be statistically significant, as indicated by ANOVA values of different parameters as shown in table 3. The practical values obtained for all the responses were in good agreement with the theoretically predicted values as indicated in figure 6.
Droplet size plays important role in the absorption and distribution. The droplet size depends on the composition of SNEDDS formulation. Increase in proportion of surfactants usually reduces the interfacial tension and produces smaller droplet size. The quadratic model obtained for Y1 was found to be significant with model F-value of 4054.78. This model revealed that the amount of Capmul® MCM, Kolliphor® EL and Transcutol® HP have significant positive effect on droplet size. it is evident from the equation that the effect of variable A is more significant than B and C on Y1. The resultant model for Y1 have shown good correlation coefficient (0.9991). The influence of individual variables was further elucidated using respective contour and 3-D response surface plots (Figure 7a and 7b).
Polydispersity (PDI) is an important parameter used to describe the size distribution of nanocarriers systems. Usually the PDI values falls between 0 to 1. PDI values less than 0.05 indicates a highly monodisperse system. PDI values grated than 0.7 can be observed with highly heterogeneous sample. PDI values of less than 0.2 usually considered acceptable for polymer based nanocarriers. Whereas for the lipid based systems, PDI values of less than 0.3 is acceptable. For effective drug delivery, we need to have carrier systems having uniform size so that we can predict their behaviour in vivo. The polydispersity index of the prepared SNEDDS was found to be in the range of 0.162-0.512 (Table 1). The super cubic model developed for polydispersity index (Y2) was found to be significant with model F-value of 225.32. This model revealed that the amount of Capmul® MCM, Kolliphor® EL and Transcutol® HP have significant positive effect on polydispersity index. it is evident from the equation that the effect of variable A is more significant than B and C on Y2. The resultant model for Y2 have shown good correlation coefficient (0.9948). The influence of individual variables was further elucidated using respective contour and 3-D response surface plots (Figure 7c and 7d).
The percent drug release at 15 min (Y3) from the developed formulations ranged between 12.78 to 21.26. The quadratic model obtained for Y3 was found to be significant with model F-value of 61.61. This model revealed that the amount of Capmul® MCM, Kolliphor® EL and Transcutol® HP have significant positive effect on Y3. it is evident from the equation that the effect of variable B is more significant than C and A on Y3. The resultant model for Y3 have shown good correlation coefficient (0.9647). The influence of individual variables was further elucidated using respective contour and 3-D response surface plots (Figure 7e and 7f).
Table 2 Polynomial equations for the responses
Response
|
Polynomial equation
|
Y1 - Droplet size
|
441.81A+162.82B+151.39C+317.33AB
|
Y2 - Polydispersity index
|
0.51A+0.25B+0.18C-0.29AB-0.52AC-0.22BC+5.19ABC
|
Y3 - Percent drug release at 15 min
|
12.83A+ 19.01B+14.46C+9.68AC+17.27BC
|
Table 3 ANOVA table of all the three polynomial models
Source of variations
|
Sum of squares
|
Degrees of freedom
|
Mean square values
|
F-Value
|
P-value
Prob >F
|
|
Y1- Droplet size
|
Model
|
164685.8
|
3
|
54895.27
|
4054.784
|
< 0.0001
|
Significant
|
Linear Mixture
|
155346
|
2
|
77672.98
|
5737.236
|
< 0.0001
|
|
AB
|
9339.857
|
1
|
9339.857
|
689.8791
|
< 0.0001
|
|
Residual
|
135.384
|
10
|
13.5384
|
|
|
|
Lack of Fit
|
68.73627
|
6
|
11.45604
|
0.687558
|
0.6758
|
Not significant
|
Pure Error
|
66.6477
|
4
|
16.66193
|
|
|
|
Cot Total
|
164821.2
|
13
|
|
|
|
|
Y2 – Polydispersity index
|
Model
|
0.169341
|
6
|
0.028223
|
225.3174
|
< 0.0001
|
Significant
|
Linear Mixture
|
0.136159
|
2
|
0.068079
|
543.5017
|
< 0.0001
|
|
AB
|
0.007022
|
1
|
0.007022
|
56.06213
|
0.0001
|
|
AC
|
0.014293
|
1
|
0.014293
|
114.1049
|
< 0.0001
|
|
BC
|
0.002553
|
1
|
0.002553
|
20.38008
|
0.0028
|
|
ABC
|
0.029177
|
1
|
0.029177
|
232.927
|
< 0.0001
|
|
Residual
|
0.000877
|
7
|
0.000125
|
|
|
|
Lack of Fit
|
0.000558
|
3
|
0.000186
|
2.337313
|
0.215
|
Not significant
|
Pure Error
|
0.000319
|
4
|
7.96E-05
|
|
|
|
Cot Total
|
0.170218
|
13
|
|
|
|
|
Y3 – Drug release at 15 min
|
Model
|
84.17748
|
4
|
21.04437
|
61.61247
|
< 0.0001
|
Significant
|
Linear Mixture
|
56.24926
|
2
|
28.12463
|
82.34165
|
< 0.0001
|
|
AC
|
6.047102
|
1
|
6.047102
|
17.70435
|
0.0023
|
|
BC
|
19.26025
|
1
|
19.26025
|
56.38904
|
< 0.0001
|
|
Residual
|
3.074042
|
9
|
0.34156
|
|
|
|
Lack of Fit
|
1.644792
|
5
|
0.328958
|
0.920646
|
0.5472
|
Not significant
|
Pure Error
|
1.42925
|
4
|
0.357313
|
|
|
|
Cot Total
|
87.25152
|
13
|
|
|
|
|
Derringer’s desirability approach used for factor optimization. It is based on the conversion of all the responses from different scales to a scale free value. The values of the responses were transformed inti the desirability scale. The criteria selected for the approach was based on minimization of droplet size and PDI, while maximizing the percent drug release at 15 min. The maximum desirability function was obtained with the response values at A: 0 (20%), B:0.555(24.6 %) and C:0.445 (55.4%) with the resultant D value of 0.986. Three batches confirmation experiments were performed to validate the selected model. The obtained results are as shown in table 4. The obtained results were in fine agreement with the predicted result, indicating the success of Simplex-lattice design for the optimization of composition of SNEDDS.
Table 4 Optimum conditions obtained by derringer’s desirability approach
Independent variable
|
Coded values
|
Estimated values
|
Results obtained
|
Droplet size (Y1)
|
PDI (Y2)
|
Percent drug release at 15 min (Y3)
|
Trial
|
Droplet size (Y1)
|
PDI (Y2)
|
Percent drug release at 15 min (Y3)
|
A – Amount of oil
|
0.000
|
158.18
|
0.164
|
21.253
|
S1
|
150.53
|
0.171
|
22.34
|
B – Amount of Surfactant
|
0.555
|
S2
|
154.86
|
0.212
|
21.76
|
C – Amount of Co-surfactant
|
0.445
|
S3
|
152.32
|
0.152
|
20.65
|
Supersaturable self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (sSNEDDS) consists of a polymeric precipitation inhibitor which generates and maintains the drug in a meta stable supersaturated state by preventing the precipitation. sSNEDDS formulations can have added benefit over the conventional SNEDDS in improving the bioavailability of weekly soluble drugs. The precipitation inhibition mechanisms of various polymers like HPMC, PVP, Eudragits and poloxamers to maintain the super-saturation state of the drug comprise the inhibition of crystal growth and nucleation. These polymers are also known to increase the solubility of drugs. At higher concentrations, these polymers increase the viscosity and results in kinetic stabilization of the supersaturated state by restricting the movement of drug particles. Inhibitory effects of these polymers remains highly dependent on the combination of drug and polymer. Hence it is important to screen for a suitable polymer.
Four different polymers namely PVP K30, HPMC K4M, Poloxamer 407 and Eudragit L100 were tested as precipitation inhibitors to determine the degree of super saturation under non-sink conditions. Individual polymers (equivalent to 5 % w/w of formulation) were added to different samples of SNEDDS formulation. The formulations were then suspended in 100 ml of selected medium. The drug is expected to exist in any of the three states, namely, as (a) free drug, (b) solubilized form and (c) precipitated form in selected medium. The drug can be dynamically changes from one form to another. The drug concentration-time profiles are with or without polymers are as shown in figure 8. Significant higher concentration of drug with the addition of polymers indicating the inhibition of precipitation. The concentration of Entrectinib in the test medium was calculated to be 1000 μg/ml (10mg Entrectinib in 100 ml medium). In case of plain SNEDDS formulation, the concentration of Entrectinib rapidly declined to about 312 μg/ml and 241μg/ml at 15 and 30 min, respectively. When the polymers are included in the formulation higher concentration was observed than that of SNEDDS formulation. It is evident from the results that HPMC K4M was more effective to maintain the drug in the supersaturated state than other inhibitors.
A series of sSNEDDS formulations with different concentrations of HPMC K4M (0.5%, 1 %, 2% and 5%) were prepared to study the influence of amount of polymer on the degree of supersaturate state. As the concentration of polymer increases the precipitation inhibition effect was increased. No significant difference was noted when the amount of the polymer increases from 2 % to 5 %. As the concentration of HPMC K4M increases the mean self-emulsification time was increased. The self-emulsification time was less than 1 min demonstrating the high emulsification efficiency. Considering the influence of concentration of polymer, 2% HPMC K4M as precipitation inhibitor was used for the further studies.
The droplet size and PDI for plain SNEDDS (S1-S3) was found to be in the range of 159.53 ± 0.76 to 164.84 ± 1.87 nm and 0.151 to 0.212, respectively. Whereas, the droplet size of sSNEDDS (F1-F4) ranges from 118.42 ± 1.26 to 128.34 ± 0.63 nm with PDI values ranges from 0.112 to 0.204. Significant difference in droplet size of both the formulations was observed. Addition of HPMC K4M might have resulted in smaller droplet size by forming a physical barrier around the oil droplets to prevent aggregation. The zeta potential values of sSNEDSS were noted to be higher compared to plain SNEDDS, indicating the more stability of sSNEDDS. The droplet size, PDI and zeta potential values of both the formulations were presented in table 5.
TEM images (figure 9) revealed the spherical shape of the Nano droplets of both the formulations (SNEDDS and sSNEDDS) and the particle size observed was similar to the results obtained by dynamic light scattering method. The final optimized formulation formed spontaneous nanoemulsion within 15 secs when added to physiological fluid. The percent transmittance of the diluted sSNEDDS formulation was found to be 98.78 ± 0.74. The viscosity of the final sSNEDDS formulation was noted to be 528 ± 32 centipoises at 25 °C, indicating the free flowing property of the final formulation.
Table 5 Results of droplet size, PDI and zeta potential
Formulation
|
Average droplet size (nm)
|
PDI
|
Zeta potential (mV)
|
SNEDDS
|
S1
|
150.53 ± 2.28
|
0.171 ± 0.005
|
-20.92 ± 1.18
|
S2
|
154.86 ± 2.64
|
0.212 ± 0.005
|
-21.14 ± 2.36
|
S3
|
152.32 ± 1.92
|
0.152 ± 0.005
|
-20.36 ± 0.86
|
sSNEDDS
|
F1
|
122.34 ± 1.12
|
0.212 ±0.005
|
-20.83 ±2.1
|
F2
|
134.23 ± 3.24
|
0.186 ±0.005
|
-21.23 ±1.6
|
F3
|
128.46 ± 2.56
|
0.173±0.005
|
-22.34 ±1.2
|
F4
|
131.24 ± 3.13
|
0.234±0.005
|
-21.65 ±1.7
|
(All the results presented in the table are average of three experiments and values are presented as mean± SD., n=3)
FTIR spectra of Entrectinib, Capmul® MCM, Kolliphor® EL, Transcutol®HP, HPMC K4M, Physical mixture, SNEDDS and sSNEDDS were recorded to identify any kind of interaction between excipients and drug. IR spectra of drug and excipients indicated the main individual distinct peaks as shown in figure 10. The prominent characteristic peaks of Entrectinib corresponding to the structural groups in the FTIR spectrum at 3430, 3313, 2945, 2865, 1606 and 1573 cm-1 revealing the identity of the drug. The characteristic peaks of drug were observed at same wave numbers in the FTIR spectra of physical mixture demonstrating the absence of any specific interactions between the drug and excipients. Whereas in both the formulations the distinctive peaks of the drug were disappeared, indicating the complete encapsulation of drug in the matrix.
DSC thermogram of Entrectinib, Capmul® MCM, Kolliphor® EL, Transcutol®HP, HPMC K4M, Physical mixture, SNEDDS and sSNEDDS are as shown in figure 11. Entrectinib have shown a distinct endothermic peak at 200.32 °C corresponds to its melting point. The characteristic peak of the drug has not been altered in the thermogram of physical mixture demonstrating the absence of any specific interactions between the drug and excipients. However, the characteristic endothermic of drug was not observed in the thermogram of both the formulations. This confirms the amorphization of drug in both the formulations.
The dissolution profiles of pure drug suspension, SNEDDS formulation and sSNEDDS formulation are as shown in figure 12. The dissolution profile of sSNEDDS indicated the faster release of drug (7.34 ± 1.8% within 5 minutes) in comparison with pure drug suspension and SNEDDS formulation. Significant increase in dissolution was observed with both the formulations. The rapid initial release of the drug from sSNEDDS formulation can be attributed to the low surface free energy of the system which results in quick emulsification by forming an interface between the oil droplets and dissolution medium. The enhanced dissolution form both the formulations can be ascribed to the greater surface area of the nanosized droplets and to the physical transformation of drug from low water soluble crystalline state to the freely soluble amorphous state.
The dissolution data of the sSNEDDS formulation was fitted into different kinetic equations to understand the drug release pattern and mechanism. The drug release kinetics curves of different models are as shown in figure 13. The regression coefficient and slope of the curves are as shown in table 6. It is obvious from the obtained results that the regression coefficient value of first order kinetics is close to unity. Hence, the rate of drug release from the sSNEDDS follows dose dependent kinetics (i.e. the drug release rate is directly proportional to the concentration). To further comprehend the mechanism of drug release, the data was transformed to other kinetic models such as Korsemeyer-Peppas and Higuchi models. The regression coefficient value is closer to unity in case of Higuchi model (0.98492), which indicates the Fickian diffusion process.
Table 6 Drug release kinetics data of Entrectinib SSNEDDS
Model
|
R2
|
N
|
Zero-order
|
0.87787
|
0.16415
|
First-order
|
0.9682
|
-0.0032
|
Higuchi
|
0.98492
|
4.3742
|
Korsmeyer-Peppas
|
0.90799
|
46.583
|
The sSNEDDS formulation was diluted 100, 500 and 1000 folds with distilled water, pH 6.8 Phosphate buffer and pH 1.2 0.1 N HCl to study the influence of dilution medium and robustness to dilution. in all the cases, the formulation was found to be stable and transparent at all pH values and the percent transmittance was more than 95 %. Any sort of precipitation was not observed even after dilution, indicating the dilution stability of sSNEDDS formulation. Thermodynamic stability of the sSNEDDS formulation was assessed by exposing the diluted sample at different heating cycles. Any kind of separation or precipitation was not observed when stored at different conditions. Stability studies were performed to assess the influence of stress conditions on the quality of drug product. The samples of drug product were exposed to different temperature conditions and monitored the critical parameters at different time intervals. The influence of different storage conditions on important characteristics of the optimized formulation was monitored for 6 months. Significant difference was not observed when exposed at different storage conditions as presented in table 7.
Table 7 Stability data of Entrectinib sSNEDDS
Parameter
|
Temperature (°C)
|
0 days
|
90 days
|
180 days
|
Average droplet size (nm)
|
4 ± 1 °C
|
128.46 ± 2.56
|
133.56 ± 2.12
|
135.64 ± 4.12
|
25 ± 2 °C
|
128.46 ± 2.56
|
137.34 ± 3.14
|
138.78 ± 3.78
|
40 ± 2 °C
|
128.46 ± 2.56
|
138.56 ± 2.86
|
139.12 ± 3.12
|
Zeta potential (mV)
|
4 ± 1 °C
|
-22.34 ± 1.2
|
-24.36 ± 1.9
|
-24.76 ± 2.1
|
25 ± 2 °C
|
-22.34 ± 1.2
|
-23.12 ± 2.8
|
-24.12 ± 2.5
|
40 ± 2 °C
|
--22.34 ± 1.2
|
-24.56 ± 3.1
|
-24.98 ± 2.9
|
Polydispersity index
|
4 ± 1 °C
|
0.173 ± 0.005
|
0.198 ± 0.005
|
0.208 ± 0.005
|
25 ± 2 °C
|
0.173 ± 0.005
|
0.206 ± 0.005
|
0.214 ± 0.005
|
40 ± 2 °C
|
0.173 ± 0.005
|
0.212 ± 0.005
|
0.218 ± 0.005
|
n = 3 (p < 0.05).