Sorbitol 70% USP K

Kozlowska, J., K. et al. Polymer Testing 67 (2018): 7-11.

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of the sorbitol concentration (5% and 20% w/w) and the glycerin concentration (1,5% and 6% w/w) on κ-carrageenan hydrogels for cosmetic application. The experimental designs consist of four formulations all containing carrageenan at 2% and variations in sorbitol and glycerin concentration for the optimization of the mechanical properties (expressed by the Young's modulus), swelling degree (expressed by the water uptake ratio) and degradation resistance.
Key Results:
· Mechanical Properties: The highest Young's modulus was observed for the hydrogels containing 20% sorbitol and 1,5% glycerin. These formulations had an increase in stiffness.
· Swelling properties: The lowest water uptake ratio was also reached by the 20% sorbitol formulation showing a reduction in swelling.
· Degradation: A high stability against degradation for all formulations was determined in hydrated conditions.
· Optimization: The 20% sorbitol/1,5% glycerin formulation outperforms the other formulations in the context of mechanical property and swelling degree.
Conclusion: Sorbitol is a key compound to improve carrageenan hydrogel performances with an optimum concentration at 20%. In combination with 1,5% glycerin, it provides the stiffest formulation with controlled swelling behavior while remaining stable and resistant to degradation, thus making it ideal to serve as a matrix for cosmetic/dermatological purposes.

Dash, Ranjeet Prasad, et al. Drug development and industrial pharmacy 45.9 (2019): 1421-1429.

Sorbitol is widely used as an excipient in oral drug formulations due to its sweet taste, low toxicity, and stability. It can significantly affect the bioavailability of drugs by altering drug absorption. This work was done to study the class-specific effect of sorbitol on the pharmacokinetics of different drugs belonging to different BCS classes.
Key Findings:
· BCS Class I (high solubility, high permeability) (example: theophylline, metoprolol): No class-specific effect was found with IR forms. Sorbitol was found to significantly reduce the bioavailability of SR forms probably by altering the gastrointestinal transit.
· BCS Class II (low solubility, high permeability) (risperidone classified as a class exception): Reduced bioavailability of drug in solution form with sorbitol.
· BCS Class III (high solubility, low permeability) (example: lamivudine, ranitidine, cimetidine, acyclovir): Lamivudine and ranitidine were shown to have reduced bioavailability, while cimetidine and acyclovir were not affected. Variability suggests drug-specific effects.
· Addition of activated charcoal to drug formulations containing sorbitol as a universal measure to remove drugs from systemic circulation showed significant differences between BCS class I and class III drugs.
Conclusion: The effect of sorbitol on drug absorption was found to be dependent on both formulation and drug class. Sorbitol had minimal effect on IR forms of Class I drugs but was found to reduce bioavailability in SR forms and in some Class III drugs.