Application of pulsed laser ablation (PLA) for the size reduction of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Abstract

We studied the application of pulsed laser ablation (PLA) for particle size reduction in non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Grinding of the poorly water-soluble NSAID crystallites can considerably increase their solubility and bioavailability, thereby the necessary doses can be reduced significantly. We used tablets of ibuprofen, niflumic acid and meloxicam as targets. Nanosecond laser pulses were applied at various wavelengths (KrF excimer laser, λ = 248 nm, FWHM = 18 ns and Nd:YAG laser, λ1 = 532 nm/λ2 = 1064 nm, FWHM = 6 ns) and at various fluences. FTIR and Raman spectra showed that the chemical compositions of the drugs had not changed during ablation at 532 nm and 1064 nm laser wavelengths. The size distribution of the ablated products was established using two types of particle size analyzers (SMPS and OPC) having complementary measuring ranges. The mean size of the drug crystallites decreased from the initial 30–80 µm to the submicron to nanometer range. For a better understanding of the ablation mechanism we made several investigations (SEM, Ellipsometry, Fast photography) and some model calculations. We have established that PLA offers a chemical-free and simple method for the size reduction of poorly water-soluble drugs and a possible new way for pharmaceutical drug preformulation for nasal administration.

Fabrication of Submicrometer-Sized Meloxicam Particles Using Femtosecond Laser Ablation in Gas and Liquid Environments

“…Particle size reduction (and thereby improvement in the surface to volume ratio) is a possible way to enhance the dissolution rate, transport characteristics and bioavailability of these drugs [ 15 , 16 ]. Size reduction can be achieved by different approaches [ 17 , 18 ], such as forming solid dispersions [ 19 ], grinding [ 20 ], wet milling [ 21 ], cavitation [ 22 ], and laser ablation [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. Laser ablation as a simple, rapid, easily adjustable and chemical-free method has received considerable attention in drug preformulation.…”

Pulsed Laser Ablation of Polymer-based Magnetic Nanocomposites for Oil Spill Remediation

“…[33] Considering porous targets the photomechanical phenomenon can dominate the ablation process where signi cantly lower temperatures generated compared to laser ablation on bulk materials. [21] In case of composite targets, these complex and parallel ablation phenomena make possible the formation of nanocomposites. [34], [35] PLA of porous and composite targets can result in nanocomposites even in case of organic or sensitive compounds that have lower degradation temperature values.…”

Production of ibuprofen-magnetite nanocomposites by pulsed laser ablation

“…To elucidate the ablation mechanism, we made approximate calculations-in accordance with our former study [23]-to determine the temperature rise in the composite targets and the penetration depth (d) of the laser beam. For the calculations we used the physical and thermal properties of bulk ibuprofen and magnetite, since the initial size of the particles fell in the 500-1000 nm range for ibuprofen and in the 50-100 nm range for magnetite.…”