Viscoelastic evaluation of topical creams containing microcrystalline cellulose/sodium carboxymethyl cellulose as stabilizer
The purpose of this study was to examine the viscoelastic properties of topical creams containing various concentrations of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (Avicel® CL-611) as a stabilizer. Avicel CL-611 was used at 4 different levels (1%, 2%, 4%, and 6% dispersion) to prepare topical creams, and hydrocortisone acetate was used as a model drug. The viscoelastic properties such as loss modulus (G), storage modulus (G), and loss tangent (tan δ) of these creams were measured using a TA Instruments AR 1000 Rheometer and compared to a commercially available formulation. Continuous flow test to determine the yield stress and thixotropic behavior, and dynamic mechanical tests for determining the linear viscosity time sweep data, were performed. Drug release from the various formulations was studied using an Enhancer TM Cell assembly. Formulations containing 1% and 2% Avicel CL-611 had relative viscosity, yield stress, and thixotropic values that were similar to those of the commercial formulation. The elastic modulus (G) of the 1% and 2% formulation was relatively high and did not cross the loss modulus (G), indicating that the gels were strong. In the commercial formulation,G increased after preshearing and broke down after 600 seconds. The strain sweep tests showed that for all formulations containing Avicel CL-611, theG was aboveG with a good distance between them. The gel strength and the predominance ofG can be ranked 6%>4%>2%. The strain profiles for the 1% and 2% formulations were similar to those of the commercial formulation. The δ values for the 1% and 2% formulations were similar, and the formulations containing 4% Avicel CL-611 had lower δ values, indicating greater elasticity. Drug release from the commercial preparation was fastest compared to the formulations prepared using Avicel CL-611, a correlation with the viscoelastic properties. It was found that viscoelastic data, especially the strain sweep profiles of products containing Avicel CL-611 1% and 2%, correlated with the commercial formulation. Rheological tests that measure the viscosity, yield stress, thixotropic behavior, other oscillatory parameters such asG andG are necessary tools in predicting performance of semisolids.
Viscoelastic properties of poly(ethylene oxide) solution.
The viscoelastic properties of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) solution were investigated using the dynamic oscillatory testing technique. With this technique, the effect of PEO molecular weight (MW), concentration, composition of mixed solvent systems consisting of propylene glycol, glycerol formal, and water, and the effect of NaCl salt on the viscoelastic properties of PEO solution were determined. Dynamic moduli (G1, G2), magnitude of complex viscosity (magnitude of eta*), and loss tangent (tan delta) were examined over a frequency range of 10(-3)-2.5 Hz at 30 degrees C. The results indicated that low MW PEOs show liquidlike behavior while high elasticity is exhibited by high MW PEOs due to entanglement formation. The complex viscosity, magnitude of eta*, exhibits shear thinning (power-law) characteristics under oscillatory measurements. The relationship between steady shear and complex viscosities follows the Cox-Merz rule over the shear rate and frequency region studied. Both the storage (G1) and loss (G2) modulus increase drastically as the proportion of water in the mixed solvent system increases. Similarly, both G1 and G2 are found to increase while the tan delta decreases with increasing concentration of PEOs. The addition of up to 2% w/w NaCl in an aqueous solution of 10% w/w 2 million MW PEO has no observed detrimental effect on the viscoelastic behavior.
Stereoselective disposition of ibuprofen enantiomers in infants.
The pharmacokinetics of the enantiomers of ibuprofen were investigated after oral administration of a single 7.6 +/- 0.3 mg kg-1 dose of the racemate in 11 infants. Mean (+/- s.d.) half-lives were 1.6 +/- 0.5 h for S(+) and 1.5 +/- 0.5 h for R(-) and mean (+/- s.d.) AUC values were 31.5 +/- 14.3 mg l-1 h for S(+) and 36.6 +/- 13.8 mg l-1 h for R(-). Since plasma concentrations of the active S(+)-isomer were lower than those reported in adults, a higher dosage might be required in infants.