Rita Cortesi

Publications (77) View all

• Article: Influence of formulation and process parameters on pellet production by powder layering technique

  Claudio Nastruzzi, Rita Cortesi, Elisabetta Esposito, Alberto Genovesi, Alessandro Spadoni, Carlo Vecchio, Enea Menegatti
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  ABSTRACT: The goal of the present study was to evaluate the influence of the formulation and operating conditions on pellet preparation by pan technique. To this end, a new pelletization process, typified by the application of powdered drug on sugar-based cores using the GS coating system was studied. Inert cores were intermittently treated with micronized drug powder and adhesive solution. This treatment led to the formation of multiple layers of drug particles around an inert core resulting in the production of pellets that can further be coated by different polymers to obtain modified release formulations. Different procedures have been used to evaluate a series of important parameters such as initial core weight; speed of powder application; speed, type, and position of the atomizers; atomization degree: temperature; and air cap. Good yield of drug layering was obtained by adjusting the quantity of both the drug powder to apply and the binder solution. Pellets obtained following the optimal operating conditions (defined in a pre-formulation study) were film coated with the acrylic polymer Eudragit L30D in order to produce a model formulation consisting of enteric polymer-coated pellets containing ibuprofen. During its preparation, the formulation showed no degradation of the drug, moreover, a low percentage of residual humidity was obtained, indicating that this system is very efficient for the production of highly stable formulations. This study showed the good performance of the GS automated pan-coating system in obtaining enteric coated pellets prepared by powder layering technique using aqueous solutions.
  AAPS PharmSciTech 04/2012; 1(2):14-25. · 1.43 Impact Factor
• Article: Nanoparticulate lipid dispersions for bromocriptine delivery: characterization and in vivo study.

  Elisabetta Esposito, Paolo Mariani, Laura Ravani, Catia Contado, Mattia Volta, Simone Bido, Markus Drechsler, Serena Mazzoni, Enea Menegatti, Michele Morari, Rita Cortesi
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  ABSTRACT: The physico-chemical properties and in vivo efficacies of two nanoparticulate systems delivering the antiparkinsonian drug bromocriptine (BC) were compared in the present study. Monoolein Aqueous Dispersions (MADs) and Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLCs) were produced and characterized. Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) and X-ray diffraction revealed the morphology of MAD and NLC. Dimensional distribution was determined by Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (PCS) and Sedimentation Field Flow Fractionation (SdFFF). In particular, BC was shown to be encapsulated with high entrapment efficiency both in MAD and in NLC, according to SdFFF combined with HPLC. Two behavioral tests specific for akinesia (bar test) or akinesia/bradykinesia (drag test) were used to compare the effects of the different BC formulations on motor disabilities in 6-hydroxydopamine hemilesioned rats in vivo, a model of Parkinson's disease. Both free BC and BC-NLC reduced the immobility time in the bar test and enhanced the number of steps in the drag test, although the effects of encapsulated BC were longer lasting (5h). Conversely, BC-MAD was ineffective in the bar test and improved stepping activity in the drag test to a much lower degree than those achieved with the other preparations. We conclude that MAD and NLC can encapsulate BC, although only NLC provide long-lasting therapeutic effects possibly extending BC half-life in vivo.
  European journal of pharmaceutics and biopharmaceutics: official journal of Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Pharmazeutische Verfahrenstechnik e.V 10/2011; 80(2):306-14. · 3.15 Impact Factor
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  Article: Formulation and bioequivalence of two valsartan tablets after a single oral administration.

  Abdel Naser Zaid, Rita Cortesi, Aiman Qaddomi, Saed Khammash
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  ABSTRACT: The aim of this study is to assess the quality of Valzan(®) tablet (160 mg, valsartan immediate release test formulation) by comparing its pharmacokinetic parameters with Diovan(®) tablet (160 mg, valsartan reference formulation). Valzan(®) tablets were prepared according to a dry granulation method (roll compaction). To assess the bioequivalence of Valzan(®) tablets a randomized, two-way, crossover, bioequivalence study was performed in 24 healthy male volunteers. The selected volunteers were divided into two groups of 12 subjects. One group was treated with the reference formulation (Diovan(®)) and the other one with the generic Valzan(®), with a cross-over after the drug washout period of 14 days. Blood samples were collected at fixed time intervals and valsartan concentrations were determined by a validated HPLC assay method. The pharmacokinetic parameters AUC(0-48), AUC(0-∞), C(max), T(max), K(e) and T(1/2) were determined for both the tablets and were compared statistically to evaluate the bioequivalence between the two brands of valsartan, using the statistical model recommended by the FDA. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) did not show any significant difference between the two formulations and 90% confidence intervals (CI) fell within the acceptable range for bioequivalence. Based on this statistical evaluation it was concluded that the test tablets (Valzan(®)) is well formulated, since it exhibits pharmacokinetic profile comparable to the reference brand Diovan(®).
  Scientia Pharmaceutica 03/2011; 79(1):123-35.
• Article: Evaluation of percutaneous absorption of naproxen from different liposomal formulations.

  Carmelo Puglia, Francesco Bonina, Luisa Rizza, Rita Cortesi, Elena Merlotti, Markus Drechsler, Paolo Mariani, Catia Contado, Laura Ravani, Elisabetta Esposito
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  ABSTRACT: The present study concerns the percutaneous absorption of naproxen (NPX), as model anti-inflammatory drug, included in liposome formulations constituted of different lipids: stratum corneum lipids (SCL) and phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol (PC/CHOL). Liposome dispersions were produced using two different methods: reverse-phase evaporation (REV) and thin layer evaporation (TLE). Morphology and dimensions of the disperse phase were characterized by cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) and photon correlation spectroscopy, respectively. X-ray diffraction was employed to determine the structural organization of the vesicles. In vitro diffusion was studied by Franz cell on liposome dispersions viscosized by carbomer. Tape stripping was performed to investigate in vivo the performance of differently composed liposomes as NPX delivery system. Cryo-TEM showed spherical vesicles and bigger irregular elongated nanoparticles for TLE SCL liposomes. REV resulted in spherical and elongated multilamellar vesicles. Also X-ray diffraction evidenced L alpha or L beta multilamellar vesicles for PC/CHOL and SCL liposome respectively. The in vitro study showed a lower NPX flux for SCL with respect to PC/CHOL liposome. Tape stripping corroborate the in vitro findings regarding SCL, suggesting that liposomes create a drug reservoir mixing with SC lipids, whilst PC/CHOL liposome promoted NPX permeation through the skin. Liposome lipid composition seems to affect NPX permeation through the skin.
  Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 06/2010; 99(6):2819-29. · 3.06 Impact Factor
• Article: Distamycins: strategies for possible enhancement of activity and specificity.

  Rita Cortesi, Elisabetta Esposito
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  ABSTRACT: The present review focused on the strategies aimed to possibly solve toxicity problems of distamycins. Distamycins are compounds characterized by an oligopeptidic pyrrolocarbamoyl frame ending with an amidino moiety. This class of compounds displays antiviral and antibiotic activity and shows interesting antiprotozoal activity related to the ability to reversibly bind to the minor groove of DNA with a high selectivity for TA-rich sequences. In consideration of their potential therapeutic properties, the synthesis of new distamycin derivatives and especially the development of controlled delivery strategies, could lead to important advantages in the clinical use of these molecules, possibly overcoming or mitigating the low solubility, specificity and toxicity problems associated with their use. To these aims an ensemble of the main synthetic distamycin derived compounds and of the potential drug delivery systems for distamycins described in literature is reviewed.
  Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry 03/2010; 10(3):217-30. · 2.53 Impact Factor