An LCC delivery system for Fenofibrate (Fen) was developed to improve its poorly oral bioavailability. Fen-LCC preparation methods were screened, and the prepared Fen-LCC was then characterized by a polarizing microscope and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The spray drying technique was selected to dry and solidify particles into powder. The in vitro release of Fen-LCC was measured and in vivo pharmacokinetic experiments were carried out on rats after oral administration. Particles prepared through the high-temperature input method exhibited structural characteristics of LCC, and re-dissolved particles maintained the same features. The LCC delivery system can significantly improve in vitro release outcomes. After oral administration, AUCs of the suspension and LCC systems were measured at 131.6853 µg⋅h/ml and 1435.72893 µg⋅h/ml, respectively. The spray drying process presented here better maintains cubic structures, and the LCC system significantly improves bioavailability levels.
Multilayer-coating technology is the traditional method to achieve pulsatile drug release with the drawbacks of time consuming, more materials demanding and lack of efficiency. The purpose of this study was to design a novel pulsatile drug delivery system based on the physiochemical interaction between acrylic copolymer and organic acid with relatively simpler formulation and manufacturing process. The Enalapril Maleate (EM) pulsatile release pellets were prepared using extruding granulation, spheronization and fluid-bed coating technology. The ion-exchange experiment, hydration study and determination of glass transition temperature were conducted to explore the related drug release mechanism. Bioavailability experiment was carried out by administering the pulsatile release pellets to rats compared with marketed rapid release tablets Yisu ® . An obvious 4 h lag time period and rapid drug release was observed from in vitro dissolution profiles. The release mechanism was a combination of both disassociated and undisassociated forms of succinic acid physiochemically interacting with Eudragit ® RS. The AUC0-τ of the EM pulsatile pellets and the market tablets was 702.384 ± 96.891 h ng/mL and 810.817 ± 67.712 h ng/mL, while the relative bioavailability was 86.62%. These studies demonstrate this novel pulsatile release concept may be a promising strategy for oral pulsatile delivery system.