• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.385-391
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• 2004

The purpose of the present study was to formulate the aqueous solution of $20-O-{\beta}-D-glucopyranosyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol\;(IH-901)$, an intestinal bacterial metabolic derivative from Ginseng protopanaxadiol saponin. For this purpose, the effects of various solubilization agents such as cosolvents [ethanol, propylene glycol (PG), polyethylene glycol 300 (PEG 300), polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400), glycerin], surfactants $(Tween\;80,\;Cremophor^{\circledR}\;RH40,\;Cremophor^{\circledR}\;EL,\;Poloxamer\;407,\;Poloxamer\;188)$ and a complexation agent $[hydroxypropyl-{\beta}-cyclodextrin\;(HPBCD)]$, on the solubility of IH-90l in aqueous solution were evaluated. The solubility of IH-901 in water was under $1\;{\mu}g/ml\;at\;20^{\circ}C$. Cosolvents such as ethanol, PG, PEG 300, PEG 400 and glycerin did not enhance the solubility of IH-901 at the 0 - 40% concentration range. The solubility of IH-901 was significantly elevated by the addition of cosolvents over the 80% concentration range. On the other hand, tween 80, $Cremophor^{\circledR}\;EL,\;Cremophor^{\circledR}\;RH40$ and HPBCD showed enhanced effects on the solubility of IH-901. The enhanced effects of Poloxamer 407 or Poloxamer 188 on the IH-901 solubility were less pronounced compared with $Cremophor^{\circledR}\;EL\;or\;Cremophor^{\circledR}\;RH40$. As a results, $Cremophor^{\circledR}$ aqueous solution was selected as an optimum solvent system. The aqueous solutions containing 10% $Cremophor^{\circledR}\;EL$ and 7% $Cremophor^{\circledR}\;RH40$ were formulated as dosing solutions containing 5.0 mg/ml of IH-901 for its intravenous and oral administration, respectively. The formular showed physical stability after stored for 7 days at $4^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.241-247
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• 2008

Paclitaxel is a taxane diterpene amide, which was first extracted from the stem bark of the western yew, Taxus brevifolia. This natural product has proven to be useful in the treatment of a variety of human neoplastic disorders, including ovarian cancer, breast and lung cancer. Paclitaxel is a highly hydrophobic drug that is poorly soluble in water. It is mainly given by intravenous administration. Therefore, The pharmaceutical formulation of paclitaxel ($Taxol^{(R)}$; Bristol-Myers Squibb) contains 50% $Cremophor^{(R)}$ EL and 50% dehydrated ethanol. However the ethanol/Cremophor EL vehicle required to solubilize paclitaxel in $Taxol^{(R)}$ has a pharmacological and pharmaceutical problems. To overcome these problems, new formulations for paclitaxel that do not require solubilization by $Cremophor^{(R)}$ EL are currently being developed. Therefore this study utilized a supercritical fluid antisolvent (SAS) process for cremophor-free formulation. To select hydrophilic polymers that require solubilization for paclitaxel, we evaluated polymers and the ratio of paclitaxel/polymers. HP-${\beta}$-CD was used as a hydrophilic polymer in the preparation of the paclitaxel solid dispersion. Although solubility of paclitaxel by polymers was increased, physical stability of solution after paclitaxel/polymer powder soluble in saline was unstable. To overcome this problem, we investigated the use of surfactants. At 1/20/40 of paclitaxel/hydrophilic polymer/ surfactant weight ratio, about 10 mg/mL of paclitaxel can be solubilized in this system. Compared with the solubility of paclitaxel in water ($1\;{\mu}g/mL$), the paclitaxel solid dispersion prepared by SAS process increased the solubility of paclitaxel by near 10,000 folds. The physicochemical properties was also evaluated. The particle size distribution, melting point and amophorization and shape of the powder particles were fully characterized by particle size distribution analyzer, DSC, SEM and XRD. In summary, through the SAS process, uniform nano-scale paclitaxel solid dispersion powders were obtained with excellent results compared with $Taxol^{(R)}$ for the physicochemical properties, solubility and pharmacokinetic behavior.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2006

The purpose of the present study was to formulate the aqueous solution of 1-cyclopent-3-enylmethyl-6(3,5-dimethyl-benzoyl)-5-ethyl-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione (CPD), a novel antivirus compound containing pirimidine structure. For this purpose, the effects of various solubilization agents such as cosolvents [ethanol, propylene glycol (PG), polyethylene glycol 300 (PEG 300), polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400), glycerin], surfactants (Tween 80, Cremophor$^{(R)}$ RH40, Cremophor$^{(R)}$ EL, Poloxamer 407, Poloxamer 188) and a complexation agent [hydroxypropyl-${\beta}$-cyclodextrin (HPBCD)] , on the solubility of CPD in aqueous solution were evaluated. The solubility of CPD in water was under $1\;{\mu}g/ml$ at $20^{\circ}C$. Cosolvents such as ethanol, PG, PEG 300, PEG 400 and glycerin did not enhance the solubility of CPD at the $0{\sim}40\%$ concentration range. The solubility of CPD was significantly elevated by the addition of cosolvents over the $80\%$ concentration range. On the other hand, tween 80, Cremophor$^{(R)}$ L, Cremophor$^{(R)}$ RH40, and HPBCD showed enhanced effects on the solubility of CPD. The enhanced effects of Poloxamer 407 or Poloxamer 188 on the CPD solubility were less pronounced compared with tween 80, Cremophor$^{(R)}$ L or Cremophor$^{(R)}$ RH40. As a results, tween 80 aqueous solution was selected as an optimum solvent system. The aqueous solutions containing $20\%$ tween 80 were formulated as a dosing solution containing CPD for its intraperitoneal and intrahypodermic administration, respectively, The formular showed physical stability after stored for 7 days at $4^{\circ}C$.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2001.05a
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• pp.130-130
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• 2001

The commercially available paclitaxel product, Taxol$\circledR$ is currently formulated in a vehicle containing approximately a 1:1 v/v mixture of polyoxyethylated castor oil (Cremophor EL) and ethanol. Cremophor EL, a commonly used surfactant for lipophilic compounds, has been associated with many issues, such as adverse effects particularly following rapid administration, stability with the possibility for drug precipitation upon dilution, and filtering requirements.(omitted)

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.331-334
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• 2008

The objectives of this study were to formulate oral paclitaxel microemulsion and to compare the bioavailability of paclitaxel in the microemulsion formulation from the commercially available $Taxol^{(R)}$ formulation. Paclitaxel microemulsion was formulated with much less amount of Cremophor $EL^{TM}$ as compared with $Taxol^{(R)}$ to reduce severe adverse reactions produced by Cremophor $EL^{TM}$. The area under the plasma concentration-time curve from 0 hr to 24 hr ($AUC_{0-24}$), maximum plasma concentration ($C_{max}$), and relative bioavailability of palcitaxel microemulsion were increased as compared with $Taxol^{(R)}$ after oral administration. The time required to reach $C_{max}\;(T_{max})$ of palcitaxel microemulsion was significantly shorter than $Taxol^{(R)}$ following oral administration. These results suggest the faster intestinal absorption and the enhanced oral bioavailability of paclitaxel in the microemulsion formulation.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.291-295
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• 2007

Prostaglandin $E_1\;(PGE_1)$ was formulated as two self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems (SMEDDS) composed of Cremophor $EL^{(R)}$ or Cremophor $ELP^{(R)}$ as a surfactant, ethanol as a cosurfactant and Labrafac $CC^{(R)}$ as an oil to develop liquid preparation for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. In pseudo-ternary phase diagram, viscous gel area and microemulsion area were defined. In the measurement of viscosity, the viscosity of two formulations increased gradually upon the addition of water and it decreased from the water contents over 40%. With excessive water, the present systems formed a microemulsion spontaneously. From these results, rte could expect that the present liquid $PGE_1$ SMEDDS formulations might stay within the urethra in the viscous state when contacting the moisture of the urethra and can be easily eliminated by urination. In long-term stability study, we could select one formulation more stable at the shelf storage condition of $4^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.171-176
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• 2008

Talniflumate is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which has been used treat of rheumatoid diseases, is insoluble in water, therefore it has low bioavailability after oral administration. The purposes of this study were to prepare O/W or W/O microemulsions for solubilization of poorly water soluble drug, talniflumate and to formulate into other dosage form. For this purpose, we made O/W or W/O microemulsion with oil(soybean oil, IPM), surfactant (Cremophor $EL^{(R)}$, Tween 80) and water or propylene glycol and evaluated solubility of talniflumate. The microemulsion systems were very stable and showed transmittance above 95% without flocculation or aggregation. Especially, the solubility of talniflumate in the formulation B-1 containing 18% of isopropyl myristate and 71% of tween 80 was 10 times higher than that of other O/W microemulsions. The addition of propylene glycol and N-methylglutamine to the fomulation B-1 showed excellent capacity on the solubilization of talniflumate and the percentage was almost 2.0%. These results suggest that the microemulsion system may be promising for the solubility improvement of talniflumate.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.267-275
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• 2002

A self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) was developed to increase the dissolution rate, solubility, and ultimately bioavailability of a poorly water soluble drug, lovastatin. SMEDDS was thε mixtures of oils, surfactants, and cosurfactants, which emulsify under conditions of gentle agitation, similar to those which would be encountered in the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract. Various types of self-emulsifying formulations were prepared using four types of oil (Capryol 90, Lauroglycol 90, Labrafil M 1944 CS and Labrafil M 2125), two surfactants (Cremophor EL and Tween 80), and three cosurfactants (Carbitol, PEG 400 and propylene glycol). Thε efficiency of emulsification was studied using a laser diffraction size analyzer to determine particle size distributions of the resultant emulsions. Optimized formulations selected for bioavailability assessment were Carpryol 90 (40%), Cremophor EL (30%) and Carbitol (30%). SMEDDS containing lovastatin (20 mg and 5 mg) were compared to a conventional lovastatin tablet $(Mevacor^{\circledR},\;20\;mg/tab)$ by the oral administration as prefilled hard gelatin capsules to fasted beagle dogs for in vivo study. The arεa under the serum concentration-time curve from time zero to the last measured time in serum, $AUC_{0{\rightarrow}24h}$, was significantly greater in SMEDDS, suggesting that bioavailability increase 130% and 192% by the SMEDDS, respectively. The self-emulsifying formulations of lovastatin afforded the improvement in absolute oral bioavailability relative to previous data of lovastatin tablet formulation. These data indicate the utility of dispersed self-emulsifying formulations for the oral delivery of lovastatin and potentially other poorly absorbed drugs.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.268-274
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• 2005

Paclitaxel is an effective antineoplastic agent against ovarian, colon and breast tumors. But there have been many difficulties to formulate this drug due to the extremely low aqueous solubility. Paclitaxel is currently formulated in a vehicle composed of Cremophor EL and absolute ethanol mixture which is $5\~20$ fold diluted in normal saline or $5\%$ dextrose solution before I.V. injection. However, this formulation has many problems such as allergic reactions and drug precipitation on aqueous dilution. To overcome these problems, we prepared the micelle and microemulsion systems for parenteral administration of paclitaxel by using glycofurol, $Soluto^{(R)}lHS$ 15 and oleic acid. Phase diagram, pH-rate stability, particle size distributions and pharmacokinetics of the systems were studied. Micelles and microemulsions formulated as nano-particle delivery system were physically and chemically stable. Therefore, these formulations might be the promising alternative candidate for the parenteral delivery of paclitaxel.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.319-322
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• 2003

Many studies have been attempted to overcome the problems of paclitaxel related to the extremely low aqueous solubility of paclitaxel and the unexpected side-effects caused by $Cremophor^{\circledR}$ EL in a commercial paclitaxel formulation, $Taxol^{\circledR}$. In order to formulate a new delivery system suitable for intravenous administration without toxic excipients, in this study, paclitaxel was incorporated into solid lipid nanoparticles (Px-SLN) by hot homogenization technique using a microfluidizer. Particle size and zeta potential were measured by a Zetasizer. In vitro drug release experiment was performed by a dialysis diffusion method. Each Px-SLN or $Taxol^{\circledR}$ was intravenously administered to the male Sprague-Dawley rats at a dose of 5 mg/kg as paclitaxel. Blood samples were deproteinated with acetonitrile and assayed for paclitaxel by the validated HPLC/MS/MS method. Mean particle size and zeta potential were measured as 72.1 nm (< Polydispersity 0.3) and -41.5 mV, respectively. The content of paclitaxel in SLN was 1.42 mg/ml and the drug loading efficiency was $71.2{\pm}4.3%$. The $AUC_t$ of Px-SLN was 3.4-fold greater than that of $Taxol^{\circledR}$. The Px-SLN might be a promising candidate for an alternative formulation for the parenteral delivery of paclitaxel.