Patent 6,428,813

In order to provide a composition having a long gastroduodenal residence time and exhibiting an improved efficacy, is provided a gastrointestinal mucosa-adherent composition comprising an active ingredient and a material which swells a viscogenic agent capable of being viscous with water a (e.g. curdlan and/or a low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose etc.).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The gastrointestinal mucosa-adhesive composition according to the present invention is, for instance, a composition comprising an active ingredient having such as anti-HP activity (for example, an antimicrobial substance or an urease inhibitor) and a material which swells a viscogenic agent (e.g. either a curdlan or a low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose or both). The composition is at least adapted to attach itself to the gastrointestinal mucosa (at least gastric mucosa) and/or otherwise stay in the gastrointestine (at least stomach) and release the active ingredient such as anti-HP substance contained therein at a suitable rate and thereby display a potentiated pharmaceutical effect (e.g. anti-HP action).

An example of the above-mentioned composition would be a composition comprising (a) an anti-HP substance as a typical active ingredient and (d) a viscogenic agent capable of being viscous with water (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a viscogenic agent) and also (b) a curdlan and/or a low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose as a swelling material and preferably be a composition further comprising (c) a polyglycerol fatty acid ester and/or a lipid. Though there is no particular limitation on its dosage form, the composition is preferably a solid composition and particularly a composition containing a matrix. The matrix may, for example, be a gastrointestinal mucosa-adhesive matrix comprising (c) a polyglycerol fatty acid ester and (d) a viscogenic agent in addition to (a) and (b) or a gastrointestinal mucosa-adhesive matrix comprising (c) a lipid and (d) a viscogenic agent in addition to (a) and (b). The preferred matrix is a gastrointestinal mucosa-adhesive matrix comprising (c) a polyglycerol fatty acid ester and (d) a viscogenic agent.

The gastrointestinal mucosa-adhesive matrix comprising said four components (a), (b), (c), and (d) is preferably a matrix such that the viscogenic agent is dispersed in the matrix which comprises the polyglycerol fatty acid ester or lipid or a matrix which is covered with the viscogenic agent. The melting point of the gastrointestinal mucosa-adhesive matrix may, for example, be about 30^o to about 120^oC. and preferably about 40^o to about 120^oC.

The polyglycerol fatty acid ester for use in the present invention is esters of polyglycerols with fatty acids and may be a mono- to polyester (diester, triester, etc.). The polyglycerol fatty acid ester is characterized in that it does not undergo polymorphic transition or any material interaction with the active ingredient, allowing those coexisting ingredients to remain undeactivated and stable for an extended period of time.

Polyglycerol by definition is "a polyhydric alcohol containing n (cyclic form,) to (n+2) (straight-chain form or branched form) hydroxyl groups and (n-1) (straight-chain form or branched form) to n (cyclic) ether bonds per molecule" [Polyglycerin Esters, (ed.) Sakamoto Yakuhin Kogyo Co., Ltd., published Oct. 4, 1994), and any straight-chain ester or branched-chain ester can be used in the present invention.

The polyglycerol includes but is not limited to diglycerol, triglycerol, tetraglycerol, pentaglycerol, hexaglycerol, heptaglycerol, octaglycerol, nonaglycerol, decaglycerol, pentadecaglycerol, eicosaglycerol, and triacontaglycerol. Among those polyglycerols, tetraglycerol, hexaglycerol or decaglycerol is used in many cases.

The fatty acid includes but is not limited to saturated or unsaturated fatty acids each containing about 8 to about 40, preferably about 12 to about 25, and more preferably about 15 to about 22 carbon atoms. The preferred fatty acid is stearic acid, oleic acid, lauric acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, ricinoleic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, or behenic acid.

The polyglycerol fatty acid ester includes but is not limited to behenic acid hexa(tetra)glyceride, caprylic acid mono(deca)glyceride, caprylic acid di(tri)glyceride, capric acid di(tri)glyceride, lauric acid mono(tetra)glyceride, lauric acid mono (hexa)glyceride, lauric acid mono(deca)glyceride, oleic acid mono(tetra)glyceride, oleic acid mono(hexa)glyceride, oleic acid mono(deca)glyceride, oleic acid di(tri)glyceride, oleic acid di(tetra)glyceride, oleic acid sesqui(deca)glyceride, oleic acid penta(tetra)glyceride, oleic acid penta(hexa)glyceride, oleic acid deca(deca)glyceride, linoleic acid mono(hepta)glyceride, linoleic acid di(tri)glyceride, linoleic acid di(tetra) glyceride, linoleic acid di(hexa)glyceride, stearic acid mono(di)glyceride, stearic acid mono(tetra)glyceride, stearic acid penta(tetra)glyceride, stearic acid mono(deca)glyceride, stearic acid tri(tetra)glyceride, stearic acid penta(hexa) glyceride, stearic acid tri(hexa)glyceride, stearic acid deca(deca) glyceride, palmitic acid mono(tetra)glyceride, palmitic acid mono(hexa)glyceride, palmitic acid mono(deca)glyceride, palmitic acid tri(tetra)glyceride, palmitic acid tri(hexa)glyceride, palmitic acid sesqui(hexa)glyceride, palmitic acid penta(tetra)glyceride, palmitic acid penta(hexa)glyceride, palmitic acid deca(deca)glyceride, and polyglycerol polyricinolate (e.g. tetraglycerol polyricinolate, etc.).

The preferred polyglycerol fatty acid ester includes, for instance, behenic acid hexa(tetra)glyceride (e.g. HB-310.TM., Sakamoto Yakuhin Kogyo Co., Ltd.,; Poem J-46B.TM., Riken Vitamin Co.), stearic acid penta(tetra)glyceride (e.g. PS-310.TM., Sakamoto Yakuhin Kogyo Co., Ltd.), stearic acid mono(tetra)glyceride (e.g. MS-310.TM., Sakamoto Yakuhin Kogyo Co., Ltd.), stearic acid penta(hexa)glyceride (e.g. PS-500.TM., Sakamoto Yakuhin Kogyo Co., Ltd.), stearic acid mono(deca)glyceride, polyglycerol polyricinolate (e.g. tetraglycerol polyricinolate, etc.) (e.g. CRS-75.TM., Sakamoto Yakuhin Co., Ltd.) and mixtures of such glycerides.

Those polyglycerol fatty acid esters can be used each alone or as a mixture of two or more species, preferably about 2 or about 3 species.

The molecular weight of the polyglycerol fatty acid ester is generally about 200 to about 5000, preferably about 300 to about 3000, preferably about 2000 to about 3000. The hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) number of the polyglycerol fatty acid ester is generally about 1 to about 22, preferably about 1 to about 15, more preferably about 1 to about 9, for still better results, about 1 to about 4. Two or more polyglycerol fatty acid esters differing in HLB number from each other may be used in combination to provide for the designed HLB number. By adjusting the HLB of the polyglycerol fatty acid ester judiciously, the release and dissolution kinetics of the active drug substance can be controlled as desired.

The proper polyglycerol fatty acid ester can be selected with reference to the particular active ingredient (e.g. anti-HP agent, etc.), viscogenic agent, swelling material (e.g. curdlan, and/or low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose, etc.), the particular combination thereof, and the objective form of the composition. Preferably, however, compounds which are solid at atmospheric temperature (ca 15^oC.) are employed. The melting point of the polyglycerol fatty acid ester may, for example, be about 15 to about 80^oC., preferably about 30 to about 75^o C., and for still better results, about 45 to about 75^oC.

A suitable polyglycerol fatty acid ester is selected according to the species of active ingredient used and the intended dosage form. Generally, polyglycerols with degrees of polymerization in the range of about 2 to about 16 are preferred. The particularly preferred range is about 2 to about 10. Preferred are esters such that the fatty acid has formed an ester bond with at least one of the (degree of polymerization +2) hydroxyl groups, preferably such that the fatty acid or acids have formed ester bonds with not less than about 60%, more preferably not less than about 80%, of the total number of hydroxyl groups in the polyglycerol. The fatty acid or acids are preferably saturated acids each containing about 6 to about 22, more preferably about 15 to about 25, and for still better result, about 18 to about 22 carbon, atoms. The fatty acid involved in the formation of the ester bonds may be of the same kind or different kinds.

In the production of a solid composition according to the present invention by using two or more different polyglycerol fatty acid esters as a mixture, a liquid polyglycerin fatty acid ester may be included in the mixture as long as the final composition is solid at atmospheric temperature.

When the polyglycerol fatty acid ester is used as a gastrointestinal mucosa-adhesive matrix, the amount of the polyglycerol fatty acid ester relative to the total weight of the composition is generally about 5 to about 98 weight %, preferably about 20 to about 95%, more preferably about 40 to about 95% and to the active ingredient in the composition may, for example, be about 0.01 to about 15000 times by weight, preferably about 0.1 to about 1000 times by weight, and for still better result, about 0.1 to about 100 times by weight.

The lipid for use in the present invention is one having a melting point of about 40 to about 120^oC., preferably about 40 to about 90^oC.

The lipid includes but is not limited to saturated fatty acids of about 14 to about 22 carbon atoms (e.g. myristic acid, stearic acid, palmitic acid, behenic acid, etc.) or salts (sodium salt, potassium salt, etc.) thereof; higher alcohols of about 16 to about 22 carbon atoms (e.g. cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, etc.); fatty acid glycerol esters such as the monoglycerides, diglycerides, triglycerides, etc. of the above-mentioned fatty acids (e.g. 1-monostearate, 1-monopalmitin, etc.); oils (e.g. castor oil, cottonseed oil, beef tallow, etc., inclusive of the corresponding hydrogenated oils); waxes (e.g. beeswax, carnauba wax, sperm wax, etc.); hydrocarbons (e.g. paraffin, microcrystalline wax, etc.); and phospholipids (e.g. hydrogenated lecithin etc.). Among those lipids, oils, waxes, C_14-22 saturated fatty acids, C_16-22 higher alcohols, and hydrocarbons are preferred. The more preferred are hydrogenated cottonseed oil, hydrogenated castor oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, carnauba wax, stearic acid, stearyl alcohol, and microcrystalline wax. The most preferred is hydrogenated castor oil or carnauba wax.

When a lipid is used as the gastrointestinal mucosa-adhesive matrix, the amount of the lipid relative to the total weight of the composition is generally about 5 to about 98 weight %, preferably about 20 to about 95 weight %, more preferably about 40 to about 95 weight %, and to the active ingredient in the composition is about 0.01 to about 15000 times by weight, preferably about 0.1 to about 1000 times by weight, and for still better result, about 0.1 to about 100 times by weight.

The above-mentioned polyglycerol fatty acid ester and lipid may be used as a mixture. For example, the combination of a polyglycerol fatty acid ester with a wax or the combination of a polyglycerol fatty acid ester with a hydrogenated oil can be mentioned. Specifically, a mixture of 2, 3 or more members selected from among behenic acid hexa(tetra)glyceride, stearic acid penta(tetra)glyceride, stearic acid penta(hexa)glyceride, polyglycerol polyricinolate (e.g. tetraglycerol polyricinolate, etc.), carnauba wax, hydrogenated castor oil, and microcrystalline wax, can be mentioned.

When the gastrointestinal mucosa-adhesive matrix comprising a viscogenic agent in addition to said polyglycerol fatty acid ester and/or lipid is used for the composition of the invention, the total amount of the polyglycerol fatty acid ester and lipid relative to the total weight of the composition is generally about 5 to about 98 weight %, preferably about 20 to about 95 weight %, more preferably about 40 to about 95 weight %, and to the active ingredient in the composition is about 0.01 to about 15000 times by weight, preferably about 0.1 to about 1000 times by weight, and for still better result, about 0.1 to about 100 times by weight.

A lipid may be incorporated in a matrix comprising the polyglycerol fatty acid ester. The lipid is a pharmaceutically acceptable water-insoluble substance capable of regulating the dissolution kinetics of the active ingredient. The lipid includes those species mentioned hereinbefore.

When a lipid and a polyglycerol fatty acid ester are used in combination, the amounts of the lipid and polyglycerol fatty acid need only be within the range not detracting from the adhesion to the gastrointestinal mucosa and can be selected from said range of total amount, and the amount of the lipid relative to the polyglycerol fatty acid ester may be about 0.01 to about 1000 times by weight, preferably about 0.1 to about 200 times by weight, and for still better results, about 0.1 to about 100 times by weight.

The active ingredient for use in the present invention may be absorbed from gastrointestinal mucosa or express its efficacy directly or indirectly in the gastrointestine, such as any anti-HP substance showing activity against strains of microorganism belonging to the genus Helicobacter (particularly Helicobacter pylori) whether directly or indirectly, thus including antimicrobial substance and inhibitors of urease which is known to be indispensable for survival of bacteria of the genus Helicobacter.

The antimicrobial substance includes but is not limited to antibiotics in the penicillin series (e.g. amoxicillin, benzylpenicillin, piperacillin, mecillinam, etc.), antibiotics in the cephalosporin series, macrolide antibiotics (e.g. erythromycin, clarithromycin, roxithromycin, azithromycin, etc.), tetracyclines (e.g. tetracycline, minocycline, etc.), aminoglycosides (e.g. gentamicin, amikacin, streptomycin, etc.), bismuth salts (e.g. bismuth acetate, bismuth citrate, bismuth salicylate, etc.), imidazoles (e.g. metronidazole, tinidazole, miconazole, etc.), quinolones (e.g. ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, etc.), and tryptophanyl-t-RNA synthesis inhibitors (e.g. oxazolone derivatives (Preferably indolmycin) etc.). Particularly preferred are penicillins, macrolides, imidazoles, and tryptophanyl-t-RNA synthesis inhibitors. In particular a substance, such as amoxicillin, clarithromycin or indolmycin is preferred.

The urease inhibitor includes but is not limited to hydroxamic acid derivatives (e.g. acetohydroxamic acid and the compounds described or referred to in the above-mentioned Synopsis of Lectures at the 4th Annual Meeting of Medical Chemistry Group), phosphoramide derivatives [e.g. flurofamide (Micro. Ecol. Health Dis. referred to hereinbefore) and phenylphosphorodiamidate compound A (compound of Reference Example 2)], phosphates, thiols (e.g. 2-mercaptoethanol etc.), boric acid, halogen compounds (e.g. fluorides etc.), and cassia bark extract (the above-mentioned Synopsis of Lectures at the 117th Congress of Pharmaceutical Society of Japan).

The swelling material used in the present invention is a material which swells a viscogenic agent or accelerates the swell of a viscogenic agent caused by water.

Any type of swelling material can be used in the present invention as long as it has the characteristics described above and is pharmaceutically acceptable. For instance, preferably a curdlan and/or a low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose can be used.

The amount of the swelling material in the gastrointestinal mucosa-adhesive composition of the present invention is about 0.5 to about 50 weight %, preferably about 1 to about 40 weight %, and for still better results, about 1 to about 30 weight %, relative to the total weight of the composition.

The curdlan for use in the present invention is a linear water-insoluble polysaccharide (.beta.-1,3-glucan) produced by microorganisms (such as Alcaligenes faecalis var. myxogenes etc.), which includes such species as curdlan 10C3K, 13140, 12607, 12665, 13127, 13256, 13259, and 13660 [New Food Industry, 20, No. 10, p. 49 (1978)]. Among those and other species of curdlan, those which are acceptable as pharmaceutical bases or excipients can be employed. A preferred example is curdlan N (a food additive).

The amount of the curdlan in the gastrointestinal mucosa-adhesive composition of the invention relative to the total weight of the composition is about 0.5 to about 50 weight %, preferably about 1 to about 40 weight %, and more preferably about 1 to about 30 weight %.

The low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose for use in the present invention is a cellulose derivative available upon substitution of hydroxypropoxy for some of the hydroxy groups of cellulose, which has a hydroxypropoxy content of 5.0 to 16.0% (as specified in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia Twelfth Edition). The low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose mentioned above is useful, in particular, one which has a hydroxypropoxy content of 7.0 to 13.0% (e.g. L-HPC.TM., Shin-Etsu Chemicals., Co., Ltd. is preferred. Thus, those derivatives with a degree of substitution within the above range and varying in particle diameter, such as LH-11.TM. (Shin-Etsu Chemicals., Co., Ltd.) hydroxypropoxy content 10.0 to 12.9%, particle size distribution .gtoreq.98% under 150 .mu.m sieve and .ltoreq.0.5% on 180 .mu.m sieve), LH-20.TM. (hydroxypropoxy content 13.0-16.0%, particle size distribution >90% under 75 .mu.m sieve and .ltoreq.1.0% on 106 .mu.m sieve), LH-21 (Shin-Etsu Chemicals., Co., Ltd., hydroxypropoxy content 10.0 to 12.9%, particle size distribution .gtoreq.90% under 75 .mu.m sieve and .ltoreq.1.0% on 106 .mu.m sieve), LH-22 (Shin-Etsu Chemicals., Co., Ltd., hydroxypropoxy content 7.0 to 9.9%, particle size distribution .gtoreq.90% under 75 .mu.m sieve and .ltoreq.1.0% on 106 .mu.m sieve), and LH-31 (Shin-Etsu Chemicals., Co., Ltd., hydroxypropoxy content 10.0 to 12.9%, mean particle diameter not greater than 30 .mu.m, particle size distribution .gtoreq.50% under 45 .mu.m sieve and .ltoreq.5.0% on 75 .mu.m sieve), among others, can be utilized.

Preferably, LH-22 or LH-31 are utilized.

The amount of the low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose in the gastrointestinal mucosa-adherent composition of the present invention is about 0.5 to about 50 weight %, preferably about 1 to about 40 weight %, and for still better results, about 1 to about 30 weight %, relative to the total weight of the composition.

Any type of viscogenic agent can be used in the present invention as long as it becomes sufficiently viscous with water to attach itself to the gastrointestinal mucosa and is pharmaceutically acceptable. Preferred, however, are those substances which are markedly swollen by water and develop high degrees of viscosity. The viscogenic agent, thus, includes synthetic polymers and naturally-occurring viscogenic materials.

The preferred synthetic polymer is a polymer such that the viscosity of a 2% aqueous solution thereof at 20^oC. is about 3 to about 50000 cps., preferably about 10 to about 30000 cps., and for still better results, about 15 to about 30000 cps. However, when a basic or an acidic polymer which gains in viscosity on neutralization is used, the preferred polymer is such that the viscosity of a 0.2% solution thereof after neutralization at 20^oC. is about 100 to about 500000 cps, preferably about 100 to about 200000 cps, and for still better results, about 1500 to about 100000 cps.

The value of the viscosity is measured with a Brookfield viscometer.

Preferably the above-mentioned polymer is an acidic polymer which includes but is not limited to carboxyl- or sulfo-containing polymers and the corresponding salt-containing polymers. Particularly preferred are carboxyl-containing polymers and carboxylate salt-containing polymers.

The carboxyl (inclusive of its salt)-containing polymer is preferably an acrylic homopolymer or copolymer containing acrylic acid as a monomer unit or a salt thereof. The salt includes monovalent metal salts such as the sodium salt, potassium salt, etc. and divalent metal salts such as the magnesium salt, calcium salt, ammonium salt, etc.

The acrylic polymer, inclusive of its salt, includes polymers containing carboxyl groups in a proportion of about 58 to about 63 weight % and having a molecular weight of about 20.times.10⁴ to about 600.times.10⁴, preferably about 100.times.10⁴ to about 600.times.10⁴, and more preferably about 100.times.10⁴ to about 500.times.10⁴. The preferred acrylic polymer, inclusive of its salt, includes acrylic acid homopolymers and their salts. Such polymers are listed under the heading of carboxyvinyl polymer in Japanese Standards of Pharmaceutical Ingredients (October 1986).

As specific examples of said acrylic polymer, there can be mentioned carbomer [Carbopol.TM. (hereinafter referred to as Carbopol), The B. F. Goodrich Company] 940, 934, 934P, 941, 1342, 974P, 971P (NF XVIII), EX214 etc., HIVISWAKO.TM. 103, 104, 105, and 204 (Wako Pure Chemical Industries), NOVEON AA1.TM. (The B. F. Goodrich Company), and calcium polycarbophil (USP XXIII)).

The naturally-occurring viscogenic agent includes but is not limited to mucin, agar, gelatin, pectin, carrageenin, sodium alginate, locust bean gum, xanthan gum, tragacanth gum, chitosan, pullulan, waxy starch, sucralfate, curdlan, and cellulose and its derivatives (cellulose sulfate and preferably hydroxypropylcellulose or hydroxypropylmethylcellulose).

The most preferred viscogenic agent is an acrylic polymer or its salt.

Those viscogenic agents can be used alone or in combination.

Referring to the amount of the viscogenic agent for use in the composition of the invention, its amount in the gastrointestinal mucosa-adherent matrix may for example be about 0.005 to about 99 weight %, preferably about 0.5 to about 45 weight %, more preferably about 1 to about 30 weight %, furthermore preferably about 1 to about 25 weight %, and for still better result, about 1 to about 20 weight %. When, for example, the viscogenic agent is dispersed in a matrix comprising the polyglycerol fatty acid ester and/or lipid, the amount of the viscogenic agent is about 0.005 to about 95 weight %, preferably about 0.5 to about 30 weight %, and more preferably about 1 to about 25 weight %, and for still better result, about 1 to about 20 weight % based on the total weight. When the matrix is coated with the viscogenic agent, the proportion of the viscogenic agent is also about 0.005 to about 95 weight %, preferably about 0.5 to about 30 weight %, and more preferably about 1 to about 25 weight %, and for still better result, about 1 to about 20 weight % based on the total weight.

When the composition of the present invention contains a curdlan as a swelling material, the composition is capable of attaching itself to the gastrointestinal mucosa even without addition of said viscogenic agent, for the curdlan acts as a viscogenic agent by itself. In this case, the curdlan may be formulated in an amount beyond the range defined hereinbefore for imparting the necessary adherent effect.

The gastrointestinal mucosa-adherent composition comprising the viscogenic agent dispersed in a matrix comprising a polyglycerol fatty acid ester and/or lipid may be any dispersion of the polyglycerol fatty acid ester and/or lipid, viscogenic agent, curdlan and/or low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose, and active ingredient. Dispersion can be effected by the analogue to the per se known technology.

The technology for production of a gastrointestinal mucosa-adherent composition is now described.

1) The gastrointestinal mucosa-adherent composition, which is solid at atomospheric temperature, can be produced in a similar manner to the per se known technology. A typical process comprises melting the polyglycerol fatty acid ester and/or lipid at a temperature beyond its melting points adding said viscogenic agent, anti-HP agent, and curdlan and/or low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose either at one time or serially to the melt to thereby disperse them in the melt, and cooling the dispersion. The heating temperature may for example be about 40 to about 150^o C., preferably about 50 to about 110^oC., and more preferably about 50 to about 100^oC. This process can be carried out with a conventional granulating machine and the composition is preferably molded into solid beads (e.g. granules, finegranules, etc.) by spray cooling, for example spray chilling.

The spray chilling method may typically comprise dripping a mixed dispersion of the viscogenic agent, curdlan and/or low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose, and active ingredient in a molten polyglycerol fatty acid ester and/or lipid at a constant flow rate onto a rotary disk revolving at a high speed of, for example, about 10 to about 6000 rpm, preferably about 900 to about 6000 rpm, and more preferably about 1000 to about 5000 rpm. The rotary disk may for example be a flat, smooth disk, typically made of aluminum and measuring about 5 to about 100 cm in diameter, preferably about 10 to about 20 cm in diameter. The dripping rate of said molten dispersion can be selected according to the designed particle diameter and is generally about 1 to about 1000 g/min., preferably about 2 to about 200 g/min., more preferably about 5 to about 100 g/min. The granules thus obtained are true to spheres so that a uniform film can be formed on their surface with good efficiency in the subsequent coating step.

An alternative production process comprises kneading the viscogenic agent, curdlan and/or low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose, and active ingredient into the polyglycerol fatty acid ester and/or lipid and granulating the resulting dispersion. The solvent for use in this process may be a solvent of the common variety (e.g. methanol, acetonitrile, chloroform, etc.).

A further alternative process for producing the solid composition comprises the use of the melt granulation technology. A typical melt granulation process comprises heating the polyglycerol fatty acid-ester and/or lipid at a temperature near its melting point, for example, a temperature from its melting point to a temperature about 5^oC. below the melting point, subjecting the resulting melt to granulation, such as the above-mentioned spray chilling, and suspending the resulting fine particles together with the viscogenic agent, anti-HP agent, and curdlan and/or low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose under heating at a suitable temperature to provide an adherent matrix-drug system., In this case, the influence of heat on the active ingredient can be avoided. Therefore, even when the active ingredient is a peptide or a protein, a solid composition can be manufactured without deactivating of the active substance.

The solid composition comprising a matrix made up of a polyglycerol fatty acid ester and/or a lipid and coated with a viscogenic agent may be a preparation coated with such a viscogenic agent alone or a mixture of a viscogenic agent and a swelling material (e.g. curdlan and/or a low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose etc), preferably with a coating material containing either a viscogenic agent alone or a viscogenic agent plus a curdlan and/or a low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose. The coating material may be a composition containing at least one member selected from among said polyglycerol fatty acid ester, said lipid, and said water-insoluble polymer. When a viscogenic agent which is sparingly compatible or incompatible with the components of the solid composition is employed for coating, the solid composition can be provided with a film in which the viscogenic agent has been dispersed. The coating material may further contain the additives mentioned hereinbefore.

The water-insoluble (hydrophobic) polymer includes but is not limited to hydroxypropylmethylcellulose phthalate (The Japanese Pharmacopoeia Twelfth Edition), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose acetate succinate (Shin-Etsu Chemicals Co., Ltd.), carboxymethylethylcellulose (Freund Industries Co., Ltd., CMEC, Japanese Standards of Pharmaceutical Ingredients, 1986), cellulose acetate trimellitate (Eastman), cellulose acetate phthalate (The Japanese Pharmacopoeia Twelfth Edition), ethylcellulose (Asahi Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), aminoalkyl methacrylate copolymer (Rohm-Pharma, Eudragit.TM. RS-100, RL-100, RL-PO, RS-PO, RS-30D, RL-30D), methacrylic acid-ethyl acrylate copolymer (Rohm-Pharma, Eudragit.TM. L100-55), methacrylic acid-methyl methacrylate copolymer (Rohm-Pharma, Eudragit.TM. L-100, S-100), Eudragit.TM. 30D-55, Eudragit.TM. NE-30D (Rohm-Pharma), and polyvinyl acetate (Colorcon). Those hydrophobic polymers can be used independently or as a mixture of two or more different polymers.

The proportion of the viscogenic agent in the coating material is about 0.005 to about 100 weight %, preferably about 0.05 to about 95 weight %, more preferably about 0.05 to about 30 weight %, and for still better result, about 1 to about 10 weight % based on the whole solid fraction of the coating material.

When at least one of the polyglycerol fatty acid ester, lipid, and hydrophobic polymer is used in combination with the viscogenic agent for the coating material, the proportion of the viscogenic agent based on the total weight of the solid fraction of the coating material is about 0.05 to about 95 weight %, preferably about 0.5 to about 95 weight %, more preferably about 0.5 to about 30 weight %, futhermore preferably about 5 to about 30 weight %, and for still better result, about 5 to about 25 weight %.

Referring further to the coating material, two or more members selected from the class consisting of the polyglycerol fatty acid ester, lipid, and hydrophobic polymer can be used in combination. In this case, based on each part by weight of the whole polyglycerol fatty acid ester and/or lipid, the remaining component is used in a proportion of about 0.0001 to about 1000 part by weight, preferably about 0.01 to about 100 part by weight, and more preferably about 0.01 to about 10 part by weight.

The coating amount can be selected according to the type of solid composition and the desired strength of adhesion to the mucosa. For example, the coating amount for a solid composition may be about 0.1 to about 30 weight %, preferably about 0.5 to about 20 weight %, for tablets and about 0.1 to about 100 weight %, preferably about 1 to about 50 weight %, for fine granules.

Where necessary, the coating material may be supplemented with the common additives such as those mentioned hereinbefore. For example, the coating material and the additive may be added together or separately, etc. applied. The proportion of the additive relative to the solid fraction of the coating material is about 0.1 to about 70 weight %, preferably about 1 to about 50 weight %, and more preferably about 20 to about 50 weight %.

The coating technology that can be used includes a variety of per se known methods, such as pan coating, fluidized-bed coating, roll coating, and so on. When the coating material is a solution or dispersion containing water or an organic solvent, the spray coating method can also be employed. There is no particular limitation on the kind of said water or organic solvent. Thus, for example, alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, etc.; ketones such as acetone etc.; and halogenated hydrocarbons such as chloroform, dichloromethane, trichloromethane, etc. can be used.

When the polyglycerol fatty acid ester and/or lipid is used for coating, the objective coated composition can be produced by melting the polyglycerol fatty acid ester and/or lipid, optionally together with other additives, under heating, emulsifying the melt with water, spray-coating the surface of a solid composition with the resulting emulsion, and drying the coat. An alternative procedure comprises adding the coating material to the solid composition preheated in a coating pan or the like and melt-spreading the coating.

The solid composition is coated generally at a temperature of about 25 to about 60^oC. and preferably at about 25 to about 40^oC.

The coating time can be judiciously selected with reference to the coating method, the characteristics and amount of the coating material, and characteristics of the substrate solid composition.

Insofar as a sufficient adhesion to the gastrointestinal mucosa can be assured, the gastrointestinal mucosa-adherent solid composition may, if necessary, be further coated with a conventional gastric coating agent or a water-soluble coating agent.

The gastrointestinal mucosa-adherent composition according to the present invention can generally be administered orally as it is or in a suitable preparation. The solid oral dosage form includes but is not limited to fine granules, granules, pills, tablets manufactured by compressing said fine granules or granules with a tablet machine, and capsules manufactured by filling said fine granules or granules into suitable capsule shells. Among those preparations, fine granules and granules are preferred.

The particle size distribution of said fine granules may for example be: particles measuring about 10 to about 500 .mu.m in diameter accounting for not less than about 75 weight %, particles larger than about 500 .mu.m accounting for not more than about 5 weight %, and particles smaller than about 10 .mu.m accounting for not more than about 10 weight %. The preferred distribution is about 105 to about 500 .mu.m accounting for about .gtoreq.75 weight %, about .gtoreq.500 .mu.m accounting for not more than about 5 weight %, and about .ltoreq.74 .mu.m accounting for not more than about 10 weight %. The particle size distribution of said granules may for example be about 500 to about 1410 .mu.m accounting for not less than about 90 weight % and about .ltoreq.177 .mu.m accounting for not more than about 5 weight %.

2). When the gastrointestinal mucosa-adherent composition is to be provided as a liquid composition, such a liquid composition can be manufactured by the manner similar to the per se known technology. A typical procedure comprises mixing a polyglycerol fatty acid ester and/or a lipid, which is liquid at atmospheric temperature, a viscogenic agent, a active ingredient, and a swelling material (e.g. a curdlan and/or a low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose etc.) all at once or serially to provide a dispersion or solution.

The dosage form comprising such a liquid adherent mucosal medication system includes but is not limited to syrups, emulsions, suspensions, and encapsulated versions thereof.

The proportion of the active ingredient (e.g. an anti-HP agent etc.) in the composition of the invention is about 0.005 to about 95 weight %, preferably about 1 to about 95 weight %, and more preferably about 10 to about 95 weight %, and for still better result, about 10 to about 50.

The composition of the present invention is relatively non-toxic, and effective, for instance, in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori-harboring mammals (e.g. feline, bovine, canine, equine, goat, monkey, human, etc.). The composition exhibits marked efficacy in the clearance and extermination of Helicobacter pylori in such animals. Therefore the composition is useful for the prophylaxis, treatment, and prevention of relapse of Helicobacter pylori related gastrointestinal disease. The indication includes but is not limited to gastritis and gastrointestinal ulcer, and stomach cancer, and a particularly remarkable response can be obtained in the treatment of gastrointestinal ulcer.

The gastrointestinal mucosa-adherent composition of the present invention can be administered, generally by the oral route, to mammals including humans. If desired, the composition may be compounded or formulated with pharmacologically and pharmaceutically acceptable additives (e.g. diluent, excipient, binder, disintegrator, coloring agent, stabilizer, etc.) just as mentioned hereinbefore.

The preparations containing the gastrointestinal mucosa-adherent composition may be further supplemented with other pharmacologically active ingredients, such as antimicrobials, antiulcerative agents, antacids, gastric acid antisecretory agents, analgesics, and nutrients (vitamins etc.), unless the pharmacologic activities of the respective ingredients are compromised by mutual interference.

The antibacterials mentioned above include but are not limited to macrolides (e.g. clarithromycin, roxithromycin, azithromycin, etc.), quinolones (e.g. tarivid, ozex, pefloxacin, etc.), penicillins (e.g. furopenem etc.), and cephalosporins (e.g. flumax etc.).

The antiulcerative agent includes but is not limited to therapeutic drugs for gastrointestinal ulcer, such as proton pump inhibitors, H₂ blockers, and mucosal protectant antiulceratives.

The proton pump inhibitor includes benzimidazole compounds having antiulcerative activity, particularly 2-[(pyridyl)-methylsulfinyl or methylthio]benzimidazole derivatives and their salts. Specifically, 2-[[3-methyl-4-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-2-pyridinyl]methylsulfinyl]-1H-benz imidazole (lansoprazole), 2-[(2-pyridinylmethyl)sulfinyl]-1H-benzimidazole (timoprazole), 5-methoxy-2-[[(4-methoxy-3,5-dimethyl-2-pyridinyl)methyl]sulfinyl]-1H-benz imidazole (omeprazole), 2-[2-[4-(3-methoxypropoxy)-3-methylpyridyl]methylsulfinyl]-1H-benzimidazol e sodium, 5-(difluoromethoxy)-2-[[(3,4-dimethoxy-2-pyridinyl)methyl]sulfinyl]-1H-ben zimidazole (pantoprazole), etc. can be mentioned. The above benzimidazole compounds and salts can be produced by the processes described in, inter alia, Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication NO.141783/1979, Patent Unexamined Publication NO.192880/1983, Patent Unexamined Publication NO.50978/1986, Patent Unexamined Publication NO.116576/1987 and Patent Unexamined Publication NO.59043/1993 or any production processes analogous thereto. Aside from the above compounds, 2-[[o-(isobutylamino)benzyl]sulfinyl]benzimidazole (leminoprazole) and 2-[4-methoxy-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5H-cyclohepta[b]pyridine can also be mentioned.

The H₂ blocker includes but is not limited to 2-cyano-1-methyl-3-[2-[[(5-methylimidazol-4-yl)methyl]thio]ethyl]guanidine (cimetidine), N-[2-[[[5-[(dimethylamino)methyl]furanyl]thio]ethyl]-N'-methyl-2-nitro-1,1 -ethenediamine (ranitidine), and (.+-.)-2-(furfurylsulfinyl)-N-[4-[4-(piperidinylmethyl)-2-pyridyl]oxy(z)-2 -butinyl]acetamide (loctidine).

The mucosal protectant antiulcerative includes but is not limited to (z)-7-[(1R,2R,3R)-2-[(E)-(3R)-3-hydroxy-4,4-dimethyl-1-octenyl]-3-methyl-5 -oxocyclopentyl]-5-heptenoic acid (trimoprostil, ulstar), 1-butyric acid-7-(L-2-aminobutyric acid-26-L-aspartic acid-27-L-valine-29-L-alanine)calcitonin (elcatonin), and sodium 3-ethyl-7-isopropyl-1-azulenesulfonate (egualen sodium).

When the above composition is processed into a solid preparation, those additives which are conventionally used in the manufacture of solid pharmaceutical preparations (e.g. tablets, fine granules, granules, etc.) can be employed. Among such additives are excipients such as corn starch, talc, crystalline cellulose (Avicel), powdered sucrose, magnesium stearate, mannitol, light silicic anhydride, magnesium carbonate, calcium carbonate, L-cysteine, etc.; binders such as starch, sucrose, gelatin, gum arabic powder, methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, pullulan, dextrin, etc.; disintegrators such as carboxymethylcellulose calcium, low-substituted hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, croscarmellose sodium, etc.; anionic surfactants such as sodium alkyl sulfonates etc. and nonionic surfactants such as polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylated castor oil derivatives, etc.; antacids or mucosal protectants such as magnesium hydroxide, magnesium aluminosilicate, sucralfate, etc.; coloring agents; corrigents; adsorbents; antiseptics; lubricants; and antistatic agents. The levels of addition of those additives can be selected within the range not detracting from adhesion to the mucosa.

The dosage of the composition of the invention should vary with different dosage forms, administration modalities, and included active ingredient. It is likely that compared with administration of the ingredient alone, the dosage of the drug can be reduced to one-half through about one-twentieth when the composition of the invention is used.

When the pharmaceutical composition of the invention is to be administered orally to a human being for the therapy of Helicobacter pylori infection, taking the case in which the active ingredient is an antimicrobial substance as an example, the daily dose for an adult patient may be about 0.1 to about 50 mg/kg or preferably about 0.3 to about 40 mg/kg in terms of the active substance. Taking the case in which the active substance is a urease inhibitor as an example, the daily dose for an adult patient is about 0.05 to about 100 mg/kg or preferably about 0.2 to about 100 mg/kg, more preferably about 0.2 to about 20 mg/kg, furthermore preferably about 0.2 to about 10 mg/kg, and for still better result, about 0.5 to about 10 mg/kg in terms of the active substance.

Furthermore, the preparation of the invention and an independent dosage form comprising said antiulcerative agent can be administered to the same recipient either concurrently or at staggered times for the treatment of gastritis or gastrointestinal ulcer and such a combination therapy is useful for the therapy or symptomatic relief of such diseases.

Claim 1 of 27 Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A gastrointestinal mucosa-adherent pharmaceutical composition comprising

(A) a polyglycerol fatty acid ester, a lipid or a combination thereof,

(B) a viscogenic agent,

(C) low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose and

(D) an active ingredient,

wherein said low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose is contained in the range of about 1 to 30 weight %, relative to the total weight of the composition which is an effective gastrointestinal mucosa-adherent pharmaceutical composition.

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