Scientific Hub of Applied Research in Emerging Medical science & technology

Formulation Optimization and Evaluation of Simvastatin Extended-Release Matrix Tablets

K. Thamaraiselvi — 2026-10-06

This study was carried out with the aim of formulating, optimizing, and assessing Simvastatin extended-release matrix tablets by using different viscosity grades and concentrations of Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) via the direct compression method. Preformulation investigations, such as determination of the melting point, solubility, and drug-excipient compatibility by means of FTIR spectroscopy, were conducted in order to ascertain the appropriateness of the drug and the excipients. Twelve formulations (F1 to F12) were prepared using HPMC K4M, HPMC K15M and HPMC K100M together with ethyl cellulose and other appropriate excipients. The powder blends and the resulting tablets were examined for their pre-compression and post-compression properties, and in-vitro drug-release studies were then performed. Of the formulations, F12 was chosen as the optimized one since it achieved about 98% cumulative drug release within 24 hours and had acceptable tablet characteristics. The release kinetics of formulation F12 correlated most closely with the Korsmeyer–Peppas model (R² = 0.9969), then with the Higuchi model (R² = 0.9834), which indicates that both diffusion and polymer relaxation play a role in the drug release process. Accelerated stability testing, carried out at 40 ± 2°C and 75 ± 5% RH for a period of two months, revealed only slight changes in the parameters under examination, showing that the optimized formulation is stable. The study as a whole showed that HPMC-based hydrophilic matrix technology is a suitable method for extending the in-vitro release of Simvastatin, F12 displaying the most favourable release profile under the experimental conditions.

Sex and Sport-Specific Energy Demands Influence Lipid and Nitrogen Metabolite Profiles in Athletes

S. Srividhya — 2026-10-06

Cardiometabolic laboratory values in athletes may reflect sex, habitual training, sport energy demands, diet, hydration, and recent exercise. This study examined lipid and nitrogen-metabolite profiles across aerobic, anaerobic, and mixed-sport athletes and tested whether group patterns differed by sex. Summary data were available for 429 athletes (246 males and 183 females): aerobic (130 males, 66 females), anaerobic (25 males, 10 females), and mixed-sport (91 males, 107 females). Total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol/HDL-C ratio, urea, and uric acid were evaluated. Two-factor analyses reconstructed from cell means and standard deviations examined sex, sport category, and interaction effects. Sport category influenced every outcome (all p<.001; partial eta squared=.045-.066). Females had higher HDL-C and lower total cholesterol/HDL-C ratios, LDL-C, triglycerides, very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and uric acid than males. Significant sex-by-sport interactions occurred for triglycerides and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (both p=.031). Aerobic groups generally showed the most favourable lipid pattern but higher urea and uric acid, whereas anaerobic athletes had the highest triglycerides and least favourable cholesterol ratios. These findings indicate that cardiometabolic results in athletes should be interpreted using sex, sport demands, recent workload, nutrition, and hydration rather than generic cut-offs alone. Prospective studies using standardized sampling and participant-level modelling are warranted.