• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.269-275
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• 2000

Silibinin(silybin) is the active component of silymarin from Silybum marianum and has hepato-protective effect. It is water-insoluble and has low bioavailability. To improve its bioavailability, self-micro-emulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) has been developed by Hanmi Pharmaceutical Company (Silyma $n^{R}$ 140 soft capsule). In this study, the pharmacokinetic profiles of Silyma $n^{R}$ were examined and compared it with a reference preparation, L Caps140 of B Pharmaceutical Company. This study was approved by Yonsei University Severance Hospital IRB(approval No. CR0004) and followed the bioequivalence test guideline of Korean FDA. Eighteen healthy adult volunteers were allocated based on 2$\times$2 Latin square cross-over design. They were given 2 capsules (each contains silymarin 140 mg (60 mg as silibinin)) of either drug at each period and crossed over after a week of drug-free washout period. Blood concentration of silibinin was measured by HPLC. The $C_{max}$ and AUC of the Silyma $n^{R}$ were 1542.0 $\pm$ 402.7 ng/ml and 3323.3 $\pm$ 824.7 ng.h/ml, respectively, and were significantly higher than those of reference preparation. The Tmax was 0.8 $\pm$ 0.3 h and significantly shorter than reference preparation. The $K_{e}$ and $T_{1}$2/ of both drugs were comparable. Percent differences in means against reference preparation were +88.3% for AUC, +222.6% for $C_{max}$, and -61.1% for $T_{max}$./.>././.>./.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.362-369
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• 2010

Despite the fact that the dissolution test can serve as an effective tool for drug quality control and prediction of in vivo drug performance, there are a number of drugs with no established dissolution specifications because they were developed quite a long time ago. Under this circumstances, KFDA started the new project that establishes dissolution method and specifications for drugs with no dissolution specifications listed in the Korea Pharmaceutical Codex (KPC). This project aims for promoting the appropriate management of oral solid dosage forms. Seoul regional KFDA selected 2 items, Nicametate citrate tablet and Norfloxacin capsule, for establishing dissolution specifications. We went through the following procedures to develop the dissolution method and specifications: (1) Validation of dissolution test equipment, (2) Purchase of test drugs, (3) Preliminary test with one of the test products (1 lot), (4) Validation of analysis methods (3 lots), (5) Final tests and cross tests among other laboratory to establish dissolution specifications, (6) Additional test with the other test drugs. The outcome of this study will be reflected in revision of the KPC. It is believed that the quality control and evaluation of oral solid dosage forms listed in KPC will be advanced with the revision which adds additional dissolution test and specifications for the drugs with no established dissolution specifications.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.161-167
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• 2006

The objective of this study was to investigate the dissolution patterns of variety of orally administered drug products available on the market. It aimed to understand their dissolution behaviors on the basis of the biopharmaceutics classification system (BCS) concept. On the tenets of BCS, several active pharmaceutical ingredients were selected: fluoxetine hydrochloride (class I), naproxen sodium (class ll), pyridostigmine bromide (class III), furosemide (class IV) and simvastatin (class IV). Typical dissolution media used in this study were pH 1.2, pH 4 & 6.8 phosphate buffers, and water. In cases, particular dissolution media specified in the KP and/or USP were used. Dissolution patterns of fluoxetine hydrochloride and pyridostigmine bromide products were characterized by their rapid release In addition, their dissolution characteristics were relatively unaffected by the type of a dissolution medium. Similar dissolution patterns were observed with pH 1.2, pH 4 & 6.8 phosphate buffers and water. By sharp contrast, poor dissolution patterns were noticed with naproxen sodium products, when pH 1.2 and pH 4 phosphate buffer were used. Improvements in its dissolution were achieved by switching the dissolution media to pH 6.8 phosphate buffer or water. Unsatisfactory dissolution data also were observed with a simvastatin product, when it was subject to dissolution tests by use of a surfactant-free pH 1.2, pH 4 & 6.8 phosphate buffers and water. All the release patterns reported in this study were best understood when BCS concepts were implemented. Our results demonstrated that a BCS-based drug classification should be considered first to choose a dissolution test/method and set up dissolution specification.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.340-345
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• 1995

A nebumetone tablet in development $(Navuton^R)$ was tested for its bioequivalence to the erference tablet $(Uniton^R)$. Seventeen healthy Korean male subjects participated in this study. Each subject received a 1-g dose of nabumetone (2tables each) in an unbalanced, randomized, two-way crossover investigation. Serum concentrations of 6-methoxy-2-na-phthylacetic acid (6-MNA), a major metabolite of nebumetone, were measured over 120 hr interval by a high-performance liquid chromatography. The maximum serum concentration $(C_{max})$ and time to reach the maximum concentration$(T_{max})$ were read directly, but area under the serum concentration time curve from time 0 to 120 hr (AUC) and mean residence time serum curves showed multiple peaks of 6-MNA in most subjects, and the $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$ were read from the highest serum peaks. calculated bioavailability parameters for test and reference tablets were 148.6 : 1377.9 $\mug \cdot hr/ml$ for AUC; 25.2:23.1 $\mu/ml$ for $C_{max}$; 11.8:16.4 hr for $T_{max}$, and 42.6 : 43.8 hr for MRT, respectively. The paired t-test revealed no significant differences in all the parameters between the two tablets. Analysis ofl variance (ANOVA) revealed no significant differences between groups and formulations in all the parameters ($C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$, AUC and MRT) indicating the crossover design of the experiment was properly performed. But significant differences (p<0.05) between subject/groups and periods were found for all the parameters indicating substantial intersubject and interperiodic variations for these parameters.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.57-71
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• 2004

The objective of this study was to provide a better understanding of SUPAC-IR and its application in handling postapproval changes to immediate release solid oral dosage forms. Originally, SUPAC-IR was aimed at reducing the regulator burdern of the industry when they were making postapproval changes, but still at maintaining the formulation quality and performance of a drug product. The postapproval changes that were covered under SUPAC-IR included variations in the components ad composition of formulation, the site of manufacturing, batch size, manufacturing equipment, and manufacturing process. The guidance defined levels of changes, based on the likelihood of risk ocurrence and potential impact of postapproval changes upon the safety and efficacy of a drug product I suggested what a type of fing report should be submitted to the FDA for each level of change. Chemist, manufacturing, and control tests to be executed were also recommended for each change level The important tests specified in the guidance included batch release, stability, in vitro dissolution, and in vivo bioequivalence tests. However, there have been strong demands on revising the current SUPAC-IR in order to resolve some issues and to improve its usefulness in evaluating postapproval changes to immediate release solid oral dosage forms. In particular, the rigorous requirement of case C dissolution test and the definition of batch size were challenged by both academia and the industry. A revision work was in progress to reflect these inputs and to expand the utility of SUPAC-IR. As a result of these concerted efforts, an updated 2nd version of SPAC-IR would be likely to be issued ver soon to the public.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.108-116
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• 2017

Omeprazole, a benzimidazole derivative, suppresses gastric acid secretion by inhibiting $H^+/K^+$ ATPase in gastric parietals cells, and by reducing $H^+$ concentration. To improve stability of esomeprazole magnesium dihydrate (ESMD), enteric-coated preperation was composed of core tablet, subcoating and enteric coating layer. We were evaluated in vitro dissolution characteristics between test and reference ESMD preparation and stability. We could prepare enteric-coated formulation of ESMD by controlling disintegrating agent and coating ratio which could rapidly dissolved in neutral or alkali medium. The formulation D5 with crospovidone of 1.25% and coating ratio of 16.25% had a similar dissolution behavior compare to reference preparation. Difference factor ($f_1$) and similarity factor ($f_2$) were 0~15 and 50~100 and there was no significant difference in bioequivalence between formulations. The content and dissolution rate of formulation D5 were $96.54{\pm}0.21$ and $78.56{\pm}0.87%$ without change of color in accelerated condition ($40^{\circ}C$, RH 75%, high density polyethylene (HDPE) container) for 6 months. This study concluded that our enteric coated preparation of ESMD could be an useful method to improve stability of unstable drug without direct contact with coating material.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.51-64
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• 2007

Mucus is an aqueous gel complex with a constitution of about 95% water, high molecular weight glycoprotein (mucin), lipid, salts etc. Mucus appears to represent a significant barrier to the absorption of some compounds. Natural mucoadhesive agent was isolated and purified from the aqueous extract of the seeds of prosopis pallida (PP). Formulated tablet with the isolated material by wet granulation method. Some natural edible substances are in consideration for candidates as mucoadhesive agents to claim more effective controlled drug delivery as an alternative to the currently used synthetic mucoadhesive polymers. Subjected the materials obtained from natural source i.e. PP and standard synthetic substance, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose for evaluation of mucoadhesive property by various in vitro and in vivo methods. Through standard dissolution test and a model developed with rabbit, evaluated in vitro controlled release and bioadhesive property of theophylline formulation. Mucoadhesive agent obtained from PP showed good mucoadhesive potential in the demonstrated in vitro and in viνo models. The results suggest that the mucoadhesive agent showed controlled release properties by their application, substantially. In order to assess the gastrointestinal transit time in vivo, a radio opaque X-ray study performed in healthy rabbit testing the same controlled release formulation with and without bioadhesive polymer. Plasma levels of theophylline determined by the HPLC method and those allowed correlations to the in vitro mucoadhesive study results. Better correlation found between the results in different models. PP may acts as a better natural mucoadhesive agent in the extended drug delivery system.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.369-376
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• 2007

Cyclosporine (CsA) and tacrolimus (FK506) have a narrow therapeutic range, and their pharmacokinetic (PK) characteristic varies among individual. They are also substrates for cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4, 3A5 genes, and P-glycoprotein, the product of the multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1). The aims were to investigate the relationship between CYP3A and MDR1 genotypes and their PK parameters among healthy subjects. We investigated the genotype for CYP3A and MDR1 gene in human using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. After oral administration of CsA and FK506 (100 mg and 1 mg, respectively), whole blood samples were taken up to 24 hours. Blood CsA and FK506 concentrations were measured by LC/MS/MS. Each PK parameters were compared using Kruskal-Wallis test according to the CYP3A and MDR1 genotype. We found that the values of AVC for CsA were significantly different among CYP3A5 and MDR1 exon 26 (C3435T) genotypes (P=0.037 and P=0.049). On the other hand, the AUC for FK506 was significantly different only among CYP3A5 genotypes (P=0.013). The results clearly demonstrate the effects of CYP3A5 and MDR1 exon 26 on Cys and FK506 disposition.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 2004

To develop a aceclofenac soft capsule, four preparations with various solubilizers were prepared and their dissolution test was carried out. Among four preparations tested, a preparation with ethanolamine was selected as a formula of aceclofenac soft capsule (Clanza $S^{TM}$), since it showed the fastεst dissolution rate. Bioequivalence of aceclofenac tablet, $Airtal^{TM}$ (Dae-Woong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) and aceclofenac soft capsule, Clanza $S^{TM}$ (Korea United Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) was evaluated according to the guideline of KA Fourteen normal male volunteers (age 20 - 25 years old) were divided into two groups and a randomized $2{\times}2$ cross-over study was employed. After oral administration of one tablet or capsule containing 100 mg of aceclofenac, blood was taken at predetermined time intervals and the concentration of aceclofenac in plasma was determined with an HPLC method under UV detector The pharmacokinetic parameters ($C_{max}$ and $AUC_t$) were calculated and ANOVA was utilized for the statistical analysis of parameters using logarithmetically transformed $AUC_t$, $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$. The results showed that the differences in $AUC_t$, $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$ between Aral tablet and Clanza soft capsule were 2.89%, 0.18% and 43.0%, respectively. There were no sequence effects between two formulations in these parameters. The 90% confidence intervals using logarithmically transformed data were within the acceptance range of log(0.8) to log(15) (e.g. log(0.81) -log(1.23) ad log(0.89) -log(1.4)) fo $AUC_t$ and $C_{max}$, respectively. Thus, the criteria of the KFDA guidelines for the equivalence was satisfied, indicating that Clanza $S^{TM}$ soft capsule is bioequivalent to$Airtal^{TM}$ tablet.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.191-199
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• 2000

Genomics is providing targets faster than we can validate them and combinatorial chemistry is providing new chemical entities faster than we can screen them. Historically, the drug discovery cascade has been established as a sequential process initiated with a potency screening against a selected biological target. In this sequential process, pharmacokinetics was often regarded as a low-throughput activity. Typically, limited pharmacokinetics studies would be conducted prior to acceptance of a compound for safety evaluation and, as a result, compounds often failed to reach a clinical testing due to unfavorable pharmacokinetic characteristics. A new paradigm in drug discovery has emerged in which the entire sample collection is rapidly screened using robotized high-throughput assays at the outset of the program. Higher-throughput pharmacokinetics (HTPK) is being achieved through introduction of new techniques, including automation for sample preparation and new experimental approaches. A number of in vitro and in vivo methods are being developed for the HTPK. In vitro studies, in which many cell lines are used to screen absorption and metabolism, are generally faster than in vivo screening, and, in this sense, in vitro screening is often considered as a real HTPK. Despite the elegance of the in vitro models, however, in vivo screenings are always essential for the final confirmation. Among these in vivo methods, cassette dosing technique, is believed the methods that is applicable in the screening of pharmacokinetics of many compounds at a time. The widespread use of liquid chromatography (LC) interfaced to mass spectrometry (MS) or tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) allowed the feasibility of the cassette dosing technique. Another approach to increase the throughput of in vivo screening of pharmacokinetics is to reduce the number of sample analysis. Two common approaches are used for this purpose. First, samples from identical study designs but that contain different drug candidate can be pooled to produce single set of samples, thus, reducing sample to be analyzed. Second, for a single test compound, serial plasma samples can be pooled to produce a single composite sample for analysis. In this review, we validated the issue whether the second method can be applied to practical screening of in vivo pharmacokinetics using data from seven of our previous bioequivalence studies. For a given drug, equally spaced serial plasma samples were pooled to achieve a 'Pooled Concentration' for the drug. An area under the plasma drug concentration-time curve (AUC) was then calculated theoretically using the pooled concentration and the predicted AUC value was statistically compared with the traditionally calculated AUC value. The comparison revealed that the sample pooling method generated reasonably accurate AUC values when compared with those obtained by the traditional approach. It is especially noteworthy that the accuracy was obtained by the analysis of only one sample instead of analyses of a number of samples that necessitates a significant man-power and time. Thus, we propose the sample pooling method as an alternative to in vivo pharmacokinetic approach in the selection potential lead(s) from combinatorial libraries.