Alginate Solid Dispersion for Poorly Soluble Drug Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Poorly soluble pharmaceutical and nutraceutical active ingredients face challenges in bioavailability due to limited absorption in the upper small intestine, as they are not effectively released in the gastrointestinal area, leading to low bioavailability.

Innovation Solution

A solid dispersion comprising a low solubility active ingredient combined with sodium or potassium alginate, with specific weight ratios and viscosity-dependent formulations to enhance drug release, using methods like solvent evaporation or supercritical fluid methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional carriers like PVP and HPMCAS are used to produce solid dispersions, then acceptable release profiles can be achieved, but exposure to heat, light and high humidity adversely affects the release profile

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelease profile stabilityVSAvoidsensitivity to heat, light and humidity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameter by substituting traditional carriers (PVP, HPMCAS) with alginate-based carriers. This parameter change results in a solid dispersion system that maintains release profile stability while exhibiting superior resistance to degradation by heat, light and humidity, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and sensitivity to harmful factors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material formulation by combining alginate with other excipients to create a synergistic carrier system. This composite approach enhances the protective properties against environmental stressors while maintaining the desired release characteristics, thus improving both reliability and resistance to harmful factors simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If 1:1 weight ratio of drug:alginate is used, then uniform dispersion is achieved, but drug release rate is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniform dispersionVSAvoiddrug release rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by using alginate amounts slightly exceeding the 1:1 weight ratio (ranging from 1:1.1 to 1:10). This excessive action provides additional alginate that forms a protective matrix and enhances dissolution, thereby increasing drug release rate while maintaining uniform dispersion stability, thus resolving the contradiction between composition stability and productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If additional alginate is added to increase drug release, then release rate improves, but formulation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrug release rateVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent systematically varies the alginate amount parameter within a defined range (1:1.1 to 1:10 weight ratio) and specifies viscosity parameters (less than 200 mPa·s or 200 mPa·s or more in 1% aqueous solution at 20°C). These parameter changes enable optimization of release rate while maintaining manageable formulation complexity through clear specification criteria

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The enhanced weight ratios of active ingredient to alginate result in increased drug release rates and improved bioavailability, demonstrating superior stability under stress conditions compared to traditional carriers like PVP and HPMCAS.

Implementation Method 1

Solid dispersions, which can be defined as molecular mixtures of poorly water soluble drugs in hydrophilic carriers, are one strategy that can be employed to enhance the drug release of such poorly soluble drugs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolid dispersion formation:

Implementation Method 2

Among the carriers currently employed to produce solid dispersions are polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and hypromellose acetate succinate (HPMCAS)... sodium alginate is a suitable carrier in solid dispersions to improve the solubility and dissolution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophilic interaction: Hydrophile

Data Source

PatentUS20230059619A1Solid dispersions
Publication Date: 2023.02.23 INT N&H USA INC

AI summary

A solid dispersion comprising: (a) a pharmaceutical active ingredient or a nutraceutical active ingredient having a low solubility; and (b) sodium or potassium alginate. In addition, a drug dosage form prepared from such a solid dispersion.