Abstract
In order to overcome the difficulty in stripping and to improve the automaticity and efficiency, a novel method was developed to prepare asymmetric membrane capsule shells (AM-CSs). Soluble mold pins were used to replace conventional insoluble mold pins, and simplified process was designed. Investigated by scanning electron microscopy and dye test, the homemade AM-CSs had typical asymmetric structure, in situ pore formation ability and high water influx. The in vitro dissolution properties of AM-CSs and homogeneous membrane capsule shells (HM-CSs) were compared. The release behavior of Metoprolol Tartrate and Nimodipine from the AM-CSs was mainly dominated by osmosis, while no drug could release from HM-CSs. The novel wet phase inversion method had significant advantages as well as potential value to be used in pharmaceutical research and application.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Wei-guang Shan and Su-bin Xiong for their technical and analytical support.