Geriatric-Oriented High Dose Nutraceutical ODTs: Formulation and Physicomechanical Characterization.
BACKGROUND
Oral disintegrating tablets (ODTs) represent a better option than conventional tablets for geriatric population, owing to their fast onset of action and their better patient compliance.


OBJECTIVE
Two principal therapeutic high-dose nutraceuticals; chondroitin sulphate and glucosamine were formulated into an oral disintegration tablet (ODT) intended for sublingual administration, and optimized to improve compliance and achieve rapid onset of action in osteoarthritis treatment.


METHODS
Different formulations were prepared either by melt granulation or direct compression techniques. Excipients at different ratios such as superdisintegrants, pharmaburst™ C1, spray-dried mannitol, and polyethylene glycols were used to enhance the disintegration time for the ODT systems.


RESULTS
Although the ODT systems weighed around 1.3 gm with 60% drug load, some systems disintegrated within 2-3 min with 100% drug release. Pharmaburst™ C1 turned out to be the key excipient responsible for the superdisintegration properties of the ODTs. Dissolution enhancement of the two nutraceuticals could be achieved compared to the marketed conventional tablets.


CONCLUSIONS
The improved disintegration and dissolution properties of our prepared ODTs are expected to enhance the bioavailability of the high dose glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate in comparison with conventional tablets, which delineates them as a promising dosage form for the aforementioned nutraceuticals.
R&D Department, SIGMA Pharmaceutical Industries, 6th October, Giza, Egypt.
Ahmed M
AM
Agiba
Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Monazamet El Wehda El Afrikia St., El Abbassia, 11566, Cairo, Egypt.
Sameh
S
Abdel-Hamid
Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Monazamet El Wehda El Afrikia St., El Abbassia, 11566, Cairo, Egypt.
Maha
M
Nasr
Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Monazamet El Wehda El Afrikia St., El Abbassia, 11566, Cairo, Egypt.
Ahmed S
AS
Geneidi
D000284:Administration, Oral; D001682:Biological Availability; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D065546:Drug Liberation / Q000187:drug effects; D005079:Excipients / Q000737:chemistry; D005944:Glucosamine / Q000737:chemistry; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D012995:Solubility / Q000187:drug effects; D013607:Tablets / Q000737:chemistry*
D005079:Excipients; D013607:Tablets; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D005944:Glucosamine
Chondroitin sulphate; direct compression; geriatric; glucosamine sulphate; melt granulation; oral disintegrating
tablets.