Preparation and evaluation of oral solid heparin using emulsifier and adsorbent for in vitro and in vivo studies

Oral anticoagulant therapy with heparin has been challenged by formulating heparin in oral solid preparation. As heparin, low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) was used. LMWH was dispersed with a surfactant used for the self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS), PEG-8 caprylic/capric glycerides (Labrasol), and the mixture was solidified with three kinds of adsorbents, microporous calcium silicate (Florite™ RE), magnesium alminometa silicate (Neusilin™ US2) and silicon dioxide (Sylysia™ 320). The in vitro release study showed that the T50%s were 3.2 ± 0.1 min for Sylysia 320, 4.6 ± 0.2 min for Florite RE, 13.7 ± 0.1 min for Neusilin US2. The in vivo rat absorption study showed that Florite RE system had the highest Cmax, 0.42 ± 0.01 IU/mL and AUC, 0.59 ± 0.06 IU h/mL, where plasma LMWH levels were measured as anti-Xa activity. Other preparations had the Cmax and AUC, 0.12 ± 0.01 IU/mL and 0.15 ± 0.02 IU h/mL for Neusilin US2 and 0.25 ± 0.02 IU/mL and 0.40 ± 0.03 IU h/mL for Sylysia 320, respectively. The bioavailability (BA) of LMWH from the microporous calcium silicate preparation, Florite RE, was 18.8% in rats by comparing the AUC obtained after i.v. injection of LMWH, 40 IU/kg to another group of rats. Florite RE system was evaluated in dogs after oral administration in an enteric capsule made of Eudragit S100 at the LMWH dose of 200 IU/kg. High plasma anti-Xa activity levels were obtained, i.e., the Cmax was 0.48 ± 0.11 IU/mL and AUC was 1.64 ± 0.32 IU h/mL. These results suggest that adsorbent system is useful as an oral solid delivery system of poorly absorbable drugs such as LMWH.