Int J App Pharm, Vol 14, Issue 4, 2022, 55-63Review Article

DESIGN-EXPERT SOFTWARE (DOE): AN APPLICATION TOOL FOR OPTIMIZATION IN PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS FORMULATION

IYAN SOPYAN1,2*, DOLIH GOZALI1, SRIWIDODO1, RIZKA KHOIRUNNISA GUNTINA1

1Department of Pharmaceutics and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia, 45632, 2Center of Phamaceutical Dosage Form Development, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia, 45632
Email: i.sopyan@unpad.ac.id

Received: 25 Feb 2022, Revised and Accepted: 01 Jun 2022

ABSTRACT

Formulation is a crucial stage in drug development since it determines the best formula. The quality of the preparation is good and fulfills the standard parameters when using the best formula. This stage is completed through laboratory experiments that take a long time to complete. To address this, software utilizing computer technology, such as software Design Expert, can be used. The goal of this investigation is to see how Design Expert is used in research formulation and optimization. The method of writing a review was carried out by searching Google Scholar and Science Direct with the keywords "Formulation" and "Design Expert," yielding 63 articles, which were then screened using inclusion criteria, notably field of research on formulation optimization accepted for publication between 2011 and April 2020, and exclusion in the form of review articles. The review's findings suggest that the platform is widely utilized and effective at reducing the number of trials, time, and costs associated with formulation development.

Keywords: Formulation, Optimization, Software, Design expert

© 2022 The Authors. Published by Innovare Academic Sciences Pvt Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.22159/ijap.2022v14i4.45144. Journal homepage: https://innovareacademics.in/journals/index.php/ijap

INTRODUCTION

Formulation is a preparation activity in pharmaceutical science that focuses on designing the mix of active components and additives after passing pre formulation research. The traditional formulation step in the development of novel medications employs the strategy of modifying one variable or element at a time. Study the effect of composition and process variables on the dosage form first, then adjust one element while keeping another constant. This traditional method, however, has drawbacks, including being inefficient, unpredictable, time-consuming, and unable to describe the interactions that occur [1].

A new strategy was devised to solve the inadequacies of the traditional formulation process, such as the Experimental Design or experimental design, which is an optimization technique. Optimization is required in the preparation formulation process to establish the optimal formula based on the evaluation data of the prepared product. Under some conditions, optimization can be described as a method for obtaining the best mix of product or process attributes. It can also mean choosing the best element or substance from a variety of possibilities [1].

Various approaches are used to process the data from the predetermined assessment parameters. Software allows for more efficient data processing. Predictive data is combined with data generated after the experiment. Design Expert is one of the most extensively used programs [2]. Expert design is utilized for drug delivery system formulations such as extended-release tablets, targeted drug delivery such as liposomes, ethosomes, and nano particles, in addition to traditional medication formulations such as tablets and capsules. Its applications are not restricted to the pharmaceutical industry; for example, the optimization process for studying the ideal composition of vegetable oil mixtures as raw materials for biodiesel synthesis use Design Expert [2].

Because there are options/features that provide direction and can be selected according to the purpose of the design of experiments (DOE) or experimental design to be carried out, the assisted formulation utilizing the Design Expert is more profitable. As a result, a literature review is required to determine the extent to which Design Experts are used in formulations.

METHODS

The preparation of a literature review began on April, 2020, a search using Google scholar and ScinceDirect with the keywords "Formulation" and "Design Expert" resulted in the discovery of 63 articles and 51 were inclusion criteria. The inclusion criteria used in this review article are journals with formulation and optimization research using software Design Expert, journals published between 2011 and April 2020. The exclusion criteria in review are the publication of articles in the form of reviews and optimization articles outside the pharmaceutical, scientific field.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

This literature review's findings and discussion are organized into several discussion issues. Paragraphs, figures, and tables are used to present the information.

Design expert

Design Expert is software a statistical method produced by State ease. This was first released in 1996 to help carry out experimental designs such as determining the optimum formula for a preparation. Apart from optimization, software, this can also interpret the factors in the experiment. In software, it this is divided into three choices of research directions depending on the experimental design to be carried out. There are screening, characterization, and optimization options.

Screening requires the least amount of run but provides the least amount of information. Run is the number of experiments that must be carried out according to the selected experimental design. Screening is used if there are many possible factors (>6), but it is not known which one has a real effect. Identification of several important factors using only two levels of each factor and estimates of the main effect (no interaction). Requires follow-up with 2nd DOE to estimate interactions and further requirements.

Characterization requires more runs per factor, but provides more information. Used with only a few factors (<10). Determine which factors have a significant influence on the response, including the interactions between them (fit a two-factor interaction model). Consider adding a midpoint to this design to detect non-linear interactions if you have narrowed down the factors. Given the midpoint, it can be used to find a factor setting that maximizes or minimizes response when no curves are detected.

Optimization requires the most runs per factor, but will provide the most information. Optimization is used after narrowing the list of factors (<6) that are known to be important and whose optimum likelihood is in the area being tested. Can be used to find factor settings that maximize or minimize the response of the three choices of design of experiments, each of which includes three methods that can be used, namely factorial/response surface, mixture and combined.

Factorial design

Factorial design is an application of regression equations to model the relationship between the response variable and one or more independent variables. Factorial is the most common type of design for process improvement. In research, factorials are used to look for the effects of various conditions on the results of the study and are also used to see the interactions therein. In the factorial design, there are factors, levels and effects. Factor is defined as the amount of the independent variable that will affect the result output or the dependent variable. The factors can be divided into quantitative factors (factors that are numerical, for example, a concentration of 1%, 2%) and qualitative (non-numerical factors. For example, quality/polymer quality). Level is defined as the value or constant for a factor. Effects are changes in response caused by factor-level variations. Responses are defined as the nature or results of the experiment that are observed and can be quantified [3]. The number of research articles with this method consists of 20 research articles.

Response surface methodology (RSM)

Response surface methodology (RSM) is a method that is also known as the Box-Wilson Methodology. Surface methodology responses are a collection of statistical and mathematical techniques that are useful for modeling and analyzing problems where the response is influenced by various variables [4]. Response surface methodology connect a response or outcome variable (output) to the input data (input) that affect it. If an area with an optimum response is found, a model is made to connect to that area so that the analysis can be carried out to achieve the optimal area. In the use of RSM must be in sequence according to the procedure. When a physical event is far from the optimum point, the equation (1) is used. The optimization process with RSM can be seen in fig. 1.

y = β0+β1x1+β2x2+…+βkxk+ε …… (1)

Equation (1) is a multiple regression model linear with two independent variables. This independent variable is called the regressor or predictor variable. β0 is a constant intercept value. β1 β2 is a partial regression coefficient where β1 measures the change in y for every change in x1 units as well as β2 measures the change in y every change in xunits2. This equation model will bring researchers closer to the optimum area through the optimization path. After the optimum area is found, the second model or equation (2) is used.

y = β0+β1x1+β2x2+β11x12+β22x22+β12x1x2+ε ……. (2)

Fig. 1: The optimization process with RSM [4]

The optimization stage is continued by analyzing the response surface to get the optimum point. Analyzes were performed using a suitable response surface. If the matched surface is an estimate of the real response function, then this matched surface analysis will be comparable to the real system. The parameters of the model can be estimated effectively if the experimental design used to collect the data uses an appropriate experimental design.

The response surface design is a design to match the response surface. Matching uses a different design for each model. In RSM there are two designs, namely Central Composite Design (CCD) and Box-Bhenken Design. The number of research articles with this method (Central Composite Design (CCD) and Box-Bhenken Design) there are 26 research articles described in table 1.

Central composite design (CCD)

Central composite design in the optimization process is carried out to determine the approximate optimal direction because the optimization and optimal location are unknown in RSM. In addition, CCD has rotatability or at point x, which is at the same distance, will have (y (x)) the same so it is important to do this. The test points in the CCD are taken based on the test limit values ​​specified for each research factor. The response data obtained are modeled by an appropriate mathematical model. In CCD, there are several models, namely mean, linear, quadratic, 2FI, and cubic. The criteria for selecting the response model are the same as in the selection of models in mixture designs. Determination of the optimum point is seen from the value desaribility resulting. Desirability shows how fulfilled or close to the optimum point. The value desirability close to 1 is the expected value. The optimum point which either has a desirability highor is close to 1 [4].

Box-Bhenken design (BBD)

Box-Bhenken Design (BBD) used for optimization with three independent variables. The Difference Box-Bhenken Design (BBD) with Central Composite Design (CCD), the Box-Bhenken Design trial is more efficient because it has fewer run/experimental units compared to Central Composite Design [5]. Although the number of runs is less, Box-Bhenken is able to predict the optimum value both linear and quadratic well [6, 7].

Design Expert Factorial method is used to find the optimum formula and to determine the interaction between factors, namely the independent variable. The interaction of each variable is used to predict the optimum formula using mathematical calculations in the Design-Expert software. Then the experiment was carried out in the laboratory (wet lab) following the prediction that had been there before. Like in software Design Experts, this independent variable will affect the results on the dependent variable. The value of the dependent variable is used to obtain the optimal formula and compared the actual experimental results with the predicted results of the software. From the research articles in table 1, the method was successfully used to evaluate the effect of formulation variables and improve the optimized formulation, thereby reducing the number of trials, time, and costs of formulation development.

Table 1: Use of design expert with factorial method and RSM (Central composite design and box-bhenken design)

No Preparation Optimization variable Active substance
Independent variable Dependent variable
1 Tablet Total HPMC K 100M and PVP K30[7]; Carbopol 934 and HPMC K4M [8]; HPMC K4M, ethyl cellulose, and sodium carboxy methyl cellulose [9]; carbopol and Chitosan [10]; OG, HPMC K 15M, Xanthan gum[11]; 8 types of polymers (HPMC K4M, HPMC K15 M, HPMC K100 M, PEO 301, PEO 303, xanthan gum, arabic gum, and alginate)[12]); the number of HPMC K4M and the number of SSG [13]; crospovidone and sodium bicarbonate[14]; Super disintegrant SSG and camphor; sodium starch glycolate and microcrystalline cellulose [15] Percent of drug released within 1 hour, 8 h, t50% [8]; % drug release, swelling indeks [9]; percentage of drug release in 0.1 N HCL for 2 h and in 6.8 phosphate buffer for up to 24 h[9]; Disintegration time in water and artificial saliva, swelling capacity, dissolution, peak detachment force and permeability[11]; Floating lag time and swelling index[12]; dissolution at 6 h, [14] hours, and 24 h[13]; time lag and% drug release [14]; friability and breakdown time; disintegration time and water absorption ratio[15]; Disintegration time and drug release t90% [16] Itopride HCL [8]; Aceclofenac [9]; Losartan [10]; Repaglinide [11]; Ivy Leaves [12]; Ketoprofen [13]; Montelukast sodium [14]; Pacing extract [15]; Risperidone [16];
2 Emulgel Emulsifier concentration and Carbopol Concentration Percent cumulative drug release at 2 h and% cumulative drug release at 6 h. Peroxicam [17]
3 Transdermal patches Concentration matrix Polymer, Plasticizer, di-N-butyl phthalate, and Permeation enhancer, Almond oil (% w/w)[17]; levulinic acid (LEV), lauryl alcohol (LA), and Tween 80 (T)[18]; Phospholipids%, ethanol%,% terpenes, and terpene types[19]; lipid ratio (soy lecithin: cholesterol), the lipid ratio and surfactants, surfactant ratio (Tween 80: sodium deoxycholate)[20]; solid and liquid lipid ratio, tween ratio of 80 and span 80 and number of HPH cycles[21]; ethanol concentration, total cholesterol (CHO) and soybean phosphatidylcholine (SPC) [22]. Stable flux, time delay, permeability coefficient (kp) [18]; skin permeation, tack value, and skin strength [19]; Vesicle size (invasom) and the entanglement efficiency of AVA[19]; flow absorption (permeationflux) [21]; particle size, PDI, zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency [22]; encapsulation efficiency (EE), vesicle size (VS), zeta potential (ZP) and polydispersity index (PDI)[23] Dexibuprofen [18]; Buprenorphine [19]; Avanafil [20]; Insulin [21]; Rivastigmine[221]; Paeonol [23]; Ketorolac tromethamine [24]; Olmesartan medoxomil [25].
4 Filling granules crushing (Avicel PH 101) and binding agent (PVP K-30) Flow rate, absorption, moisture and determination index of Gotu kola extract and herba Sambiloto [26].
5 Gel in situ lecithin concentration, Tween 80, and d-tocopherol polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS) [26]; type of Eudragite polymer and the amount of polymer used [27]; concentration of gellan gum and carbopol 934[28]; Total phytantriol, the amount of Lutrol, and the pH of the hydration medium [29]; GMS and Tween 80 concentrations [30]; Oil concentration to Smix and gellan gum ratio [31]; polymer percentage, PF-127 and PF-68 alendronate polymer [32] Particle size, entrapment, and stability[27]; Particle size, zeta potential and EE% [28]; viscosity under non-physiological conditions, Viscosity at physiological conditions [29]; particle size, encapsulation ulation, andflux steady state (Alharbi and Hosny, 2020); particle size, PDI, zeta potential (ZP) and% entrapment efficiency (EE) [31]; in vitro drug release and viscosity at physiological pH [32]; Gelation temperature ( °C), gelation time (seconds), syringe test (seconds), in vitro drug release studies (% cumulative drug release) alendronate[33] Rosuvastatin-Ellagic Acid [27]; fluconazole-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin complex [28]; Midazolam hydrochloride [29]; ciprofloxacin [30]; Bimatoprost [31]; Lorazepam [32]; alendronate [33]; Ropinirole [34]; Sumatriptan succinate [35]; Moxifloxacin hydrochloride [36].
6 suspension Carbopol 934 and PGA Viscosity, sedimentation volume, and redispersibility of Ciprofloxacin [37]
7 Ocular Insert Concentrations of CAB (1, 2 and 3% w/v) and PEG-600 (0, 30 and 60% w/w of dry weight CAB) in polymer solution before casting; concentrations of poloxamer 407 and PG[37]; Cumulative drug release percentage, thickness [37]; Lipid ratio (soy lecithin ratio to cholesterol and drug to lipid ratio [38]; gellan gum, carbopol 934P and benzododecenium bromide [39] Drug release in vitro at the end of 24 h, rate constant first order and time required for 50% brimonidine tartrate to be released [38]; crease resistance of prepared inserts [38]; drug trapping efficiency (%), drug loading (%) and particle size (nm) [39]; maximum viscosity, mucoadhesive strength, permeability coefficient and slow release of drug release [40] Brimonidine tartrate [38]; Dorzolamide Hydrochloride [41]; Besifloxacin hydrochloride [39], [40], [42]–[44]
8 Self-nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery System (Snedds) Surfactants, co-surfactants, and oil ak [44]; surfactant (Cremophor® EL), co-surfactant (Capmul® MCM-C8) and oil phase (lemon essential oil: Permata; 1: 1) [45] Emulsion droplet size, PDI, % drug loading and zeta potential [45]; globule size (R1) and% encapsulation efficiency (R2 BCT and R2 HSP) hesperetin [46]; Visual characterization, turbidity, average droplet size, polydispersity index [47] Polypeptide-k [45]; Bioflavonoid hesperetin [46]; Gemfibrozil [47, 51]

Mixture design

Mixture is used for components in a formulation that change proportionally to each other. The percentage of each variable must always increase to get a fixed total value, for example, 100 percent by weight. Even if there are a very small number of variable components, they can still be used because this method shows a very sensitive response to these substances. Example: A food scientist experimenting with a fruit mixture consisting of watermelon, pineapple and orange juice, and water. The response depends on the proportions of the various fruits, not the total amount of the mixture. If the amount of each ingredient is doubled, the taste remains the same.

The factor value in the mixture design has a proportion between 0 and 1. One of the methods in the mixture design is simplex lattice design (SLD). Simplex lattice design is an optimization method used to determine the optimum formula for a mixture of ingredients with the proportion of the total amount of a different ingredient being 1 (100%). The materials or factors used in the optimization consist of at least two different materials. The factor in the mixture design will determine the design space or test area.

The test area for each factor is constrained by the maximum number of materials that can be employed for that factor. The minimum and maximum limitations for each factor were used. The software will identify the test spots on the formula based on the test area. As test points, the software will employ the verticles, edge centers, overall centroid, and check runs. It will be repeated or copied at some point in order to obtain the value pure error. A contour plot or contour plot will also be used to describe the answer achieved. With contour plots, precise optimal spots can be found.

A mathematical model is used to model data; there are four mathematical models for mixture design: linear, quadratic, cubic, and special cubic. During the ANOVA analysis, the model is chosen based on numerous criteria, including the model's significance, the significance of the lack of fit, adjusted-square, and anticipated r-square. The model is chosen if it has a model probability of less than 5% and a probability of lack of fit of less than 5%, indicating that the model has a significant effect on the response at the 5% significance level [4]. The number of research articles with this method there are 7 research articles which are described in table 2.

Fig. 2: Test area mixture design with three factors [4]

Table 2: The use of design expert method mixture design in the formulation of several pharmaceuticals

No Preparations Variable optimization Active substances
1 Transdermal patches Optimal mix ratio of BIO-PSA 7-4302 silicone adhesive, DuroTak polyacrylic adhesive 387-2287, oleylalcohol and ibuprofen [52] Ibuprofen [52]; Ketoprofen [53]
2 Tablets Avicel® PH 200 and Amylum; Pacing extract [54]
3 Self-nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery System (Snedds) Composition of surfactants, co-surfactants, and oil [55, 57] Pentagamavunon-0[55]; Mangosteen Peels [56, 57]
4 Syrup Glycerin,sorbitol solution 70%, and 0.5% CMC-Na mucilago of Hibiscus Flower Fraction [58]

Mixture Design can provide optimal formulas by using response data from the parameters of each preparation. From various variations of the mixed formula, the optimum formula is a formula that has the evaluation results within the limit range in each parameter. Then seen using the degree of desirability, a formula that has a degree of desirability close to 1 is the best formula/optimum. Of the 7 articles in table 2 each preparation has optimal results with alevel desirability close to 1. These results indicate that Mixture Design can be used for formula optimization with a high level of confidence.

Combined

Combined or combination is a design of experiment (DOE) combination between factorial/RSM with the mixture. Used to study the variables between the variable composition and process variables in one DOE.

The use of design expert in liquid, semisolid, and solid formulation

Software Design Expert with the various facilities provided makes many researches on the latest formulations tend to use the software. In addition to the research articles detailed in table 1 and table 2, there are still several research articles on liquid, semi-solid and solid dosage formulations with synthetic active substances and natural ingredients, which are presented by software Design Expert which are described in tables 3 and 4.

Table 3: Optimized tablet preparation with design expert

Active substance Method Variable optimization Reference
Independent variable dependent variable
Pacing (Costus speciosus) Extract Simplex lattice design Avicel® PH 200 and Amylum Friability and disintegration time [54, 55]
Levocetirizine hydrochloride and ambroxol hydrochloride Central composite design Super disintegrant SSG and camphor disintegration time and water absorption ratio [15]
Montelukast sodium Response surface methodology Crospovidone and sodium bicarbonate Friability and disintegration time [14]
ketoprofen 32 factorial design HPMC K4M and total SSG pause time and% drug release. [13]
Aceclofenac tablets (100 mg) Response Surface Methodology Avicel PH 102, Magnesium Stearate, and AcDiSol Variations in weight, brittleness, disintegration and dissolution. [9]
ivy leaf extract Response Surface Methodology Sustaining polymer, 8 types of polymers (HPMC K4M, HPMC K15 F, HPMC K100 M, PEO 301, PEO 303, xanthan gum, arabic gum, and alginate) Dissolution in 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h. [12]
repaglinide Factorial (three full level factorial design) OG, HPMC K 15M, Xanthan gum Floating lag time and swelling index [11]
Effect of polymer type on characteristics of buccal tablets using factorial design Factorial design Carbopol and Chitosan Time disintegration in water and artificial saliva, swelling capacity, dissolution, peak detachment force and permeability [59]

Losartan

Potassium

 Response Surface Methodology HPMC K4M (X1), ethyl cellulose (X2), and sodium carboxy methyl cellulose (X3) percentage of drug release in 0.1 N HCL for 2 h (Y1) and in 6.8 phosphate buffer for up to 24 h (Y2) [10]
Risperidone Factorial design Sodium starch glycolate and microcrystalline cellulose. Disintegration time and drug release t90%. [16]

Table 4: Solid, Semisolid, Liquid preparations other than tablets optimized by design expert

Types of preparations The active substance
Suspension Ciprofloxacin [37]
Syrup Hibiscus Flower Fraction [58]
Granules Herba Gotu kola Extract and Herba sambiloto [26]

Use of design expert in formulations

The drug delivery system

Use of the software is Design Expert not limited to conventional dosage formulations such as tablets, capsules, and emulsion. There have been many studies on the development of drug delivery systems with the help of software Design Expert. In addition to conventional dosage formulations such as tablets, table 5, 6, 7, 8 is a formulation Drug Delivery System with optimization using a Design Expert.

Table 5: Optimized transdermal delivery with design expert

Active substance Method Optimization variable Reference
Independent variable Dependent variable
buprenorphine Response surface methodology (Box-Bhenken design) levulinic acid (LEV), lauryl alcohol (LA), and Tween 80 (T) Skin permeation, tack value, and skin strength. [19]
avanafil Response surface methodology (Box-bhenken design) Phospholipid%, ethanol%, terpene%, and terpene types. Vesicle size (invasome) and AVA entrapment efficiency [20]
insulin Factorial design Process parameters such as lipid ratio (soy lecithin: cholesterol), lipid and surfactant ratio, surfactant ratio (Tween 80: sodium deoxycholate) to variables flow-dependent absorption(permeationflux) [21]
rivastigmine Response Surface Methodology (Box-Bhenken Design) Solid and liquid lipid ratio, tween ratio 80 and span 80 and number of HPH cycles. Particle size, PDI, zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency [22]
Paeonol Central composite design Ethanol concentration, total cholesterol (CHO) and soybean phosphatidylcholine (SPC). Encapsulation efficiency (EE), vesicle size (VS), zeta potential (ZP) and polydispersity index (PDI) [23]
Transdermal delivery system Mixture design Optimal mix ratio of BIO-PSA silicone adhesive 7-4302, DuroTak 387-2287 polyacrylic adhesives, oleylalcohol and ibuprofen   [52]
anti-rheumatic dexibuprofen Response Surface Methodology (Box-Bhenken Design) Concentration of Polymer matrix, Plasticizer, di-N-butyl phthalate, and Permeation enhancer, Almond oil (% w/w). Stable state flux, time delay, permeability coefficient (kp) [18]
Ketoprofen Simplex lattice design Oil phase, emulsifier phase and water phase   [53]
Ketorolac tromethamine Central composite design Carbopol 940 and PEG 400. % Cumulative drug permeation [24]
Olmesartan medoxomil Box-Behnken design Phospholipid, ethanol, and b-citronellene, Vesicle size, entrapment efficiency, transdermal flux [25]

From table 5 it can be concluded that in the optimization of the transdermal route preparation, the important point in the optimization is the composition of the matrix. The matrix will affect the skin permeation value, tack value, vesicle size (VS), zeta potential (ZP) and polydispersity index (PDI).

Table 6: In situ gel optimized by design expert

Active substance Method Optimization variable Reference
Independent variable Dependent variable
Rosuvastatin-Ellagic Acid Response Surface Methodology (Box-Bhenken Design) Concentration of lecithin, Tween 80, and d-tocopherol polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS) Variable dependent Particle size, entrapment and stability. [27]
fluconazole-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin complex Factorial design of the type of polymer Eudragite and the amount of polymer used Particle size, zeta potential and EE%. [28]
Midazolam hydrochloride Factorial design concentration of gellan gum and carbopol 934 Viscosity under non-physiological conditions, Viscosity under physiological conditions. [29]
ciprofloxacin Response Surface Methodology (Box-Bhenken Design) Total phytantriol, amount of Lutrol, and pH of hydration media. Particle size, encapsulation, and flux steady state. [30]
Bimatoprost solid lipid nanoparticles Factorial design Concentration of GMS and Tween 80 Particle size, PDI, zeta potential (ZP) and % trap efficiency (EE) [31]
Lorazepam Factorial design Oil concentration to Smix and gellan gum ratio. In vitro drug release and viscosity at physiological pH. [32]
Alendronate Factorial design Percentage of polymer, PF-127 and PF-68 polymer. Gelation temperature ( ° C), gelation time (seconds), syringe test (seconds), in vitro drug release studies (% cumulative drug release) [33]
Ropinirole Factorial design PF 127 concentration and HPMC K4M concentration. Drug release at 5 h, gelation temperature and mucoadhesive strength [34]
Sumatriptan succinate Factorial design Gellan gum% w/v and PEG 400% w/v Viscosity, mucoadhesive strength, % cumulative drug release [35]

Moxifloxacin

hydrochloride

 Factoriall design Concentration of PF68 and Gelrite (cation sensitive in in situ gelling, hydrophilic and mucoadhesive polymers) Gelation temperature (GT in °C), gel strength (GS in s), bioadhesion force (BF in N), viscosity (h in Pa) and cumulative drug release after 1 and 10 h [35]

From table 6 it can be concluded that in the optimization of gel preparations in situ, the important points in optimization are the selection of polymers and the quantity used. The polymer will affect gelation temperature ( ° C), gelation time (seconds), syringe test (seconds), in vitro drug release studies (% cumulative drug release)

Table 7: Ocular insert optimized with design expert

Active substance Method Optimization Reference
Variable independent Variable dependent variable
Brimonidine tartrate Response surface methodology Concentrations of CAB (1, 2 and 3% w/v) and PEG-600 (0, 30 and 60% w/w of dry weight of CAB) in the polymer solution before casting were treated as independent variables. In vitro drug release at the end of 24 h (Y1), first-order rate constant (Y2) and time required for 50% brimonidine tartrate to be released [38]

Dorzolamide

hydrochloride

 Factorial design Concentration of poloxamer 407 and PG. Percentage of cumulative drug release, thickness and fold resistance of prepared inserts [41]
Besifloxacin hydrochloride Factorial design Lipid ratio (ratio of soy lecithin to cholesterol and ratio of drug to lipid Efficiency of drug entrapment (%), drug loading (%) and particle size (nm) [39]
a novel in situ gel for sustained ocular drug delivery Response Surface Methodology (Box-Bhenken Design) Gellan gum, carbopol 934P and benzododecenium bromide. Maximum viscosity, mucoadhesive strength, permeability coefficient and sustained release drug release. [40]
Terconazole Factorial design Amount of bile salts (mg), type of peripheral activator (Cremophor EL, Cremophor RH 40), Amount of edge activator (mg). Percent entrapment efficiency; particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential. [42]
Fluconazole Box-Behnken Design Chitosan concentration, NaTPP concentration and NaTPP volume. Encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity and average particle diameter [43]
Clonidine hydrochloride Factorial design Clonidine Hydrochloride gel with the amount of Poloxamer 407 (%) and polymer (% HPMC K15M). Gelation temperature, drug content, bioadhesive strength, viscosity. [44]

From table 7 it can be concluded that in the optimization of ocular insert preparations, the important points in the optimization are the selection of polymers and the amount used. The polymer will have an effect on in vitro drug release at the end of 24 h, a first-order rate constant and the time required for 50% of the active substance to be released.

Table 8: Self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (snedds) optimized by design expert

Article title Method Optimization variable Reference
Independent variable Dependent variable
(Garcinia Mangostana L.,)

Simplex Lattice

Design

 Composition of surfactants, co-surfactants, and oils   [58]
Anti-inflammatory agent pentagamavunon-0

Simplex Lattice

Design

 Composition of surfactants, co-surfactants, and oils   [59]
Polypeptide-k Response Surface Methodology (Box-Bhenken Design) Surfactants, co-surfactants, and oils. Emulsion droplet size, PDI, % drug loading and zeta potential. [45]
Bioflavonoid hesperetin

Central composite

design

 Amount of oil, amount of surfactant and amount of co-surfactant globule size and% efficiency of BCT and HSP encapsulation) [46]
Gemfibrozil Response Surface Methodology (Box-Bhenken Design) surfactant (Cremophor® EL), co-surfactant (Capmul® MCM-C8) and oil phase (lemon essential oil: Gem; 1: 1) Visual characterization, turbidity, average droplet size, polydispersity index. [47]
Atazanavir Central composite design Total lipids and surfactants. Globule size and% dissolution efficiency in 30 min [48]
Flurbiprofen Box–Behnken Design Capryol PGMC, Tween 20, and Transcutol HP. size, equilibrium solubility, and cumulative percentage of drug released in 15 min [49]
Embelin Box-Behnken design X1 (amount of oil; Capryol 90), X2 (amount of surfactant; Acrysol EL 135) and X3 (number of co-surfactants; PEG 400). Emulsifying time, grain size and drug release. [50]
Glipizide Central composite design Captex 355, Solutol HS15, and Imwitor 988. Drip size (nm), turbidity, and percent transmittance [51]
Furosemide Simplex Lattice Design Capryol-90, polysorbate-80, and PEG-400   [60]

From table 8 it can be seen that in the optimization of the Self-nano emulsifying Drug Delivery System (SNEDDS) preparation, the selection of oil and surfactants affects the concentration used and the optimal conditions of the formula. The optimum formula is selected based on the turbidity value, the average droplet size and the polydispersity index of the preparation.

Percent prediction error

Percent prediction error is a value to measure the prediction error of an analytical method. In this review, not all journals include values prediction error. The prediction error acceptable value is<4%. As in the research of Choudhury et al., [14] the value of prediction error the dependent variable is in the range of 2-3.5%, which means that it still fulfills the requirements that this method is the right method for analyzing the research carried out. 

CONCLUSION

It may be concluded that Design Expert software is effective in formulation since it makes determining the best formula easier for the formulator. Using various methodologies, software can be used to evaluate the effect of formulation factors for each preparation. As a result, the experiment's design has both advantages and downsides. DOE with Design Expert has the advantage of reducing the number of trials and the time required to produce formulas. The reliance on software as an optimization tool is a limitation of DOE with Design Expert, which results in a value prediction error of less than 4%.

ACKNOWLEGMENT

We acknowlge to DRPM of Universitas Padjadjaran for all supports

FOUNDING

DRPM of Universitas Padjadjaran

AUTHORS CONTRIBUTIONS

All the authors have contributed equally.

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

Declared none

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