title: Influence of Polymer Type on the Physical Properties and Release Profile of Papaverine Hydrochloride From Hard Gelatin Capsules.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The capsule is one of the most important solid dosage forms in the pharmaceutical industry. It is easier and faster to produce than a tablet, because it requires fewer excipients. Generally, capsules are easy to swallow and mask any unpleasant taste of the substances used while their release profiles can be easily modified. Papaverine hydrochloride was used as a model substance to show different release profiles using different excipients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The main aim of the study was to analyze the impact of using different polymers on the release profile of papaverine hydrochloride from hard gelatin capsules.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six series of hard gelatin capsules containing papaverine hydrochloride as a model drug and different excipients were made. Then, the angle of repose, flow rate, mass flow rate and volume flow rate of the powders used for capsule production were analyzed. The uniform weight and disintegration time of the capsules were studied. The dissolution study was performed in a basket apparatus, while the amount of papaverine hydrochloride released was determined spectrophotometrically at 251 nm.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only one formula of powder had satisfactory flow properties, while all formulas had good Hausner ratios. The best properties were from powder containing polyvinylpyrrolidone 10k. The disintegration time of capsules varied from 1:30 min to 2:00 min. As required by Polish Pharmacopoeia X, 80% of the active substance in all cases was released within 15 minutes. The capsules with polyvinylpyrrolidone 10k were characterized by the longest release. On the other hand, capsules containing microcrystalline cellulose had the fastest release profile.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using 10% of different polymers, without changing the other excipients, had a significant impact on the physical properties of the powders and papaverine hydrochloride release profile. The two most preferred capsule formulations contained either polyvinylpyrrolidone 10k or microcrystalline cellulose.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Polski
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Karol
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Iwaniak
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Regina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kasperek
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Modrzewska
authors.affiliation: Department of Organic Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Karolina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sobótka-Polska
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Karolina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sławińska
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Poleszak
mesh_terms: D002214:Capsules / Q000737:chemistry*; D002482:Cellulose; D065546:Drug Liberation; D005079:Excipients; D005780:Gelatin; D010208:Papaverine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011205:Povidone
chemical_list: D002214:Capsules; D005079:Excipients; D005780:Gelatin; D002482:Cellulose; D010208:Papaverine; D011205:Povidone; C109691:microcrystalline cellulose