• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.111-117
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• 2008

To overcome the solubility of poorly water-soluble drug, the formation of solid dispersion using a spray-dryer with polymeric material, that can potentially enhance the dissolution rate extend of drug absorption was considered in this study. $Eudragit^{(R)}$ E100 as carrier for solid dispersion is acrylate copolymer that soluble in acidic buffer solutions (below pH 5.0). It was used to increase dissolution of atorvastatin calcium as a water-insoluble drug in acidic environments. In this study, a spray-dryer was used to prepare solid dispersion of atorvastatin calcium and $Eudragit^{(R)}$ E100 for purpose of improving the solubility of drug. Atorvastatin calcium and $Eudragit^{(R)}$ E100 were dissolved in ethanol and spray-dryed. DSC and XRD were used to analyze the crystallinity of the sample. It was found that atorvastatin calcium is amorphous in the $Eudragit^{(R)}$ E100 solid dispersion. FT-IR was used to analyze the salt formation by interaction between atorvastatin calcium and $Eudragit^{(R)}$ E100. Comparative dissolution study exhibited better dissolution characteristics than the commercial drug ($Lipitor^{(R)}$) as control. The dissolution rate of atorvastatin calcium was markedly increased in solid dispersion system in simulated gastric juice (pH 1.2). This study proposed that this solid dispersion system improved the bioavailability of poorly water-soluble atorvastatin calcium.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.28-33
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• 2008

Atorvastatin calcium salt (1) was obtained through the preparation of lactone compound (8) from 2-((4R,6R)-6-(2-(2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-isopropyl-3-phenyl-4-(phenylcarbamoyl)-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)-ethyl)-2-phenyl-1,3,2-dioxaborinan-4-yl)acetic acid tert-butyl ester (9) by hydrolysis in basic condition. Efficient hydrolysis of boronate compound 9 aimed at the viable synthesis for commercial production and purification of Atorvastatin calcium is reported. Detail studies of evaluation procedure are also reported.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.339-347
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• 2007

SMEDDS is mixture of oils, surfactants, and cosurfactants, which are emulsified in aqueous media under conditions of gentle agitation and digestive motility that would be encountered in the gastro-intestinal(GI) tract. The main purpose of this work is to prepare self-microemulsifying drug delivery system(SMEDDS) for oral bioavailability enhancement of a poorly water soluble drug, atorvastatin calcium. Solubility of atorvastatin calcium was determined in various vehicles. Pseudo-ternary phase diagrams were constructed to identity the efficient self-emulsification region and particle size distributions of the resultant micro emulsions were determined using a laser diffraction sizer. Optimized formulations for in vitro dissolution and bioavailability assessment were $Capryol^{(R)}$ 90(50%), Tetraglycol(16%), and $Cremophor^{(R)}$ EL(32%). The release rate of atorvastatin from SMEDDS was significantly higher than the conventional tablet ($Lipitor^{(R)}$), 2-fold. Our studies illustrated the potential use of SMEDDS for the delivery of hydrophobic compounds, such as atorvastatin calcium by the oral route.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.103-109
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• 2011

The objective of the study was to prepare self-microeulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) incorporating atorvastatin calcium and evaluate its properties and oral bioavailability. Solubility of atorvastatin in various vehicles was determined. Pseudo-ternary phase diagrams were constructed to identify the good self-emulsification region. The droplet size distributions of the resultant emulsions were determined by dynamic light scattering measurement. The mean droplet size of chosen formulation (20% ethyl oleate, 40% tween-80, 40% Carbitol$^{(R)}$) was $23.4{\pm}1.3$ nm. The SMEDDS incorporating atorvastatin calcium appeared to be associated with better performance in dissolution and pharmacokinetic studies, compared with raw atorvastatin calcium. In dissolution test, the release percentage of atorvastatin from SMEDDS mixture could rapidly reach more than 95% within 3 min. Oral $AUC_{0{\rightarrow}8hr}$ values in SD rats was $1994{\pm}335\;ng{\cdot}hr/mL$, which significantly increased (P<0.05) compared with raw atorvastatin calcium. The SMEDDS formulation was relatively stable when stored at $4^{\circ}C$ during 3 months. Our studies illustrated the potential use of SMEDDS for the delivery of hydrophobic compounds, such as atorvastatin, by the oral route.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.249-254
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• 2008

Solid dispersions of poorly water-soluble drug, atorvastatin, were prepared with Eudragit L100 to improve the solubility by spray dryer. To investigate the correlation between physicochemical properties and dissolution rate of solid dispersions, the samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). SEM and DSC were found that atorvastatin is amorphous in the Eudragit L100 solid dispersion. FT-IR was used to analyze the salt formation by interaction between atorvastatin and Eudragit L100. The dissolution rate of solid dispersed atorvastatin was markedly increased compared to drug powder in stimulated intestinal juice (pH 6.8). Thus, the solid dispersed atorvastatin using the spray drying method with Eudragit L100 may be effective for the bioavailability.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.656-663
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• 2014

Atorvastatin calcium-loaded polyoxalate (POX) microspheres were prepared by an emulsion solvent-evaporation/ extraction method of oil-in-oil-in-water ($O_1/O_2/W$) for sustained release. We investigated the release behavior according to initial drug ratio, molecular weight ($M_w$) and concentration of POX and concentration of emulsifier. The microsphere was characterized on the surface, the cross-section morphology and the behavior of atorvastatin calcium release for 10 days by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The analysis of crystallization was analyzed to use X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). These results showed that the release behaviors can be controlled by preparation conditions.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.164-172
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• 2012

This study was aimed to increase the solubility, dissolution and permeation rates of atorvastatin calcium (ATC) using bile salt and/or 2-hydroxypropyl-${\beta}$-cyclodextrin ($HP{\beta}CD$). From solubility studies, sodium deoxycholate (SDC) among bile salts studied was found to have the highest solubilizing effect on ATC ($4.4{\pm}0.4$ mg/ml), and the order of increasing solubility was SDC>sod. cholate>sod. glycocholate>sod. taurodeoxycholate>sod. taurocholate>conjugated bile acid. ATC solid dispersions were prepared at various ratios of drug to SDC and/or $HP{\beta}CD$, and evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dissolution studies and dissolution-permeation studies. DSC curves showed amorphous state of ATC in the physical mixture and solid dispersion. Dissolution rates of ATC-SDC solid dispersions and physical mixture were markedly increased at pH 6.8, but decreased at pH 1.2 with greater proportions of SDC due to the precipitation of SDC, compared with that of drug alone. On the other hand, dissolution rates of ATC-$HP{\beta}CD$ solid dispersion and physical mixture at pH 1.2 were varied with the ratio of drug to carriers. From duodenal permeation studies, it was found that fluxes of ATC (donor dose: 0.5 mg/3.5 ml) in the presence of 25 mM sodium glycocholate, SDC, sod. cholate and sod. taurocholate $(5.7{\pm}0.9$, $5.6{\pm}0.9$, $4.8{\pm}0.7$ and $4.6{\pm}0.9\;{\mu}g/cm^2/hr$, respectively) were enhanced, compared with drug alone ($3.4{\pm}0.9\;{\mu}g/cm^2/hr$). In the dissolution-permeation studies, 1 : 9 : 10 (w/w) ATC-SDC-$HP{\beta}CD$ solid dispersion increased the flux 2.2 times, compared with 1 : 5 : 4 (w/w) ATC-lactose-corn starch mixture as control. In conclusion, solid dispersions with bile salt and $HP{\beta}CD$ were found to be an effective means for increasing the dissolution and permeation rates of ATC.