阅读说明：本技术 肠溶性硬质胶囊 (Enteric hard capsule ) 是由 大崎芳朗 麻生慎 臼井利光 本田护 于 2018-07-11 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明的课题在于提供一种可通过冷凝胶法成型且包含具有肠溶性特性的硬质胶囊包衣的硬质胶囊。本发明提供一种肠溶性硬质胶囊,上述肠溶性硬质胶囊包含包衣,该包衣包含第1成分和第2成分,且进一步包含第3成分、第4成分和第5成分中的至少1种成分,其中,第1成分为非离子性水溶性纤维素化合物,上述非离子性水溶性纤维素化合物的粘度值为100mPa·s～100000mPa·s的范围,第2成分为肠溶性甲基丙烯酸共聚物,第3成分为肠溶性纤维素化合物,以及第4成分为水不溶性(甲基)丙烯酸烷基酯共聚物,第5成分为选自聚乙烯醇、增塑剂和表面活性剂的至少1种。(The invention provides a hard capsule which can be formed by a cold gel method and comprises a hard capsule coating with enteric solubility. The present invention provides an enteric hard capsule comprising a coating containing a1 st component and a2 nd component and further containing at least 1 component selected from a 3 rd component, a 4th component and a5 th component, wherein the 1 st component is a nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound having a viscosity value in the range of 100mPa · s to 100000mPa · s, the 2 nd component is an enteric methacrylic acid copolymer, the 3 rd component is an enteric cellulose compound, the 4th component is a water-insoluble alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer, and the 5 th component is at least 1 selected from polyvinyl alcohol, a plasticizer and a surfactant.)

1. An enteric hard capsule comprising a coating comprising component 1 and component 2, and further comprising at least one of component 3, component 4, and component 5,

the component 1 is a nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound having a viscosity of 100 to 100000 mPas,

the 2 nd component is enteric methacrylic acid copolymer,

the 3 rd component is an enteric cellulose compound,

the 4th component is a water-insoluble alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer, and,

the 5 th component is at least one selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, a plasticizer and a surfactant.

2. The enteric hard capsule of claim 1,

the nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound is at least one selected from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, methylcellulose and hydroxypropyl cellulose.

3. The enteric hard capsule of claim 1 or 2,

the enteric methacrylic acid copolymer is at least one selected from a copolymer of methacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate and methyl acrylate, or a copolymer of methacrylic acid and ethyl acrylate.

4. The enteric hard capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the enteric methacrylic acid copolymer is a copolymer composed of 40-60 mass% of methacrylic acid and 60-40 mass% of ethyl acrylate.

5. The enteric hard capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the enteric cellulose compound is at least one selected from hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose phthalate, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose acetate succinate and cellulose acetate phthalate.

6. The enteric hard capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

the alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer is a copolymer of methyl methacrylate and ethyl acrylate.

7. The enteric hard capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

the total mass of the 1 st component, the 2 nd component, the 3 rd component, the 4th component and the 5 th component contained in the coating is set to 100 mass%, the proportion of the 1 st component is set to α mass%, the proportion of the 2 nd component is set to β mass%, the proportion of the 3 rd component is set to γ mass%, the proportion of the 4th component is set to σ%, and the proportion of the 5 th component is set to φ, 0.5 ≦ (β + γ + σ)/(α + β + γ + σ) + φ) 0.9, and 0.4 ≦ (β + γ)/(β + γ + σ).

8. The enteric hard capsule of any one of claims 1 to 7,

the coating contains the 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd, 4th and 5 th components, the total mass of which is 100 mass%, the 1 st component is α mass%, the 2 nd component is β mass%, the 3 rd component is γ mass%, the 4th component is σ%, and the 5 th component is φ, which results in 0.05 ≦ α/(α + β + γ + σ + φ) of 0.05.

9. The enteric hard capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 8,

when the total mass of the 1 st component, the 2 nd component, the 3 rd component, the 4th component and the 5 th component contained in the coating is 100 mass%, the proportion of the 2 nd component is β mass%, and the proportion of the 3 rd component is γ mass%, 0.1. ltoreq. β/(β + γ). ltoreq.1.

10. The enteric hard capsule of claim 9,

when the total mass of the 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd, 4th and 5 th components contained in the coating is 100 mass%, the proportion of the 1 st component is α mass%, the proportion of the 2 nd component is β mass%, the proportion of the 4th component is σ%, and the proportion of the 5 th component is φ, γ is 0 and 0.3 ≦ β/(α + β + γ + σ + φ) ≦ 0.7.

11. The enteric hard capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 10,

at least a portion of the 2 nd component is included in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or as a dietary supplement acceptable salt, and/or at least a portion of the 3 rd component is included in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or as a dietary supplement acceptable salt.

12. The enteric hard capsule of claim 11,

the content of the salt-forming carboxyl group is 2 to 50 mol% when the total mole number of the salt-forming carboxyl group and the non-salt-forming carboxyl group in the component 2 and the component 3 contained in the coating is 100 mol%.

13. The enteric hard capsule of any one of claims 1 to 12,

the thickness of the coating is 50-250 mu m.

14. The enteric hard capsule of claim 13,

the elastic modulus of the coating at 25 ℃ and relative humidity of 60% is 1 GPa-5 GPa.

15. The enteric hard capsule of claim 13 or 14,

the elongation at break of the coating at 25 ℃ and a relative humidity of 22% is 2% -30%.

16. The enteric hard capsule of any one of claims 1 to 15,

the coating of the enteric hard capsule comprises a sea-island structure, and the island phase consists essentially of the 1 st ingredient.

17. The enteric hard capsule of claim 16,

the island phase has a minor axis of 0.1 μm or more and less than 30 μm.

18. The enteric hard capsule of any one of claims 1 to 17,

in a dissolution test using a solution having a ph of 1.2, the dissolution rate of the enteric hard capsule after 2 hours is 25% or less.

19. The enteric hard capsule of claim 18,

the dissolution rate of the enteric hard capsule in the dissolution test is less than 10%.

20. An enteric hard capsule preparation comprising component i, component ii, a pharmaceutically acceptable basic neutralizing agent or a basic neutralizing agent acceptable as a dietary supplement, and a solvent, and further comprising at least one of component iii, component iv and component v,

the component (i) is a nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound having a viscosity of 100 to 100000 mPas,

the component ii is enteric methacrylic acid copolymer,

the iii component is an enteric cellulose compound,

the component iv is a water-insoluble alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer, and

the v-th component is at least one selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, a plasticizer and a surfactant.

21. The enteric hard capsule preparation solution of claim 20,

the i-th component is dispersed as solid particles.

22. The enteric hard capsule preparation solution of claim 20 or 21,

a portion of the ii th component and/or a portion of the iii th component is partially neutralized by the basic neutralizing agent.

23. The enteric hard capsule preparation solution of claim 22,

the degree of neutralization of the partial neutralization is 2 to 50% by mole relative to the number of moles required for complete neutralization of the ii and iii components.

24. The enteric hard capsule preparation solution of any one of claims 20 to 23,

the ii th component is dispersed as colloidal particles.

25. The enteric hard capsule preparation solution of any one of claims 20 to 24,

the nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound is at least one selected from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, methylcellulose and hydroxypropyl cellulose.

26. The enteric hard capsule preparation solution of any one of claims 20 to 25,

the enteric cellulose compound is at least one selected from hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose phthalate, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose acetate succinate and cellulose acetate phthalate.

27. The enteric hard capsule preparation solution of any one of claims 20 to 26,

the enteric methacrylic acid copolymer is at least one selected from a copolymer of methacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate and methyl acrylate, or a copolymer of methacrylic acid and ethyl acrylate.

28. The enteric hard capsule preparation solution of any one of claims 20 to 27,

a part or the whole of the enteric cellulose compound is replaced with the component iv, i.e., a water-insoluble alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer.

29. The enteric hard capsule preparation solution of any one of claims 20 to 28,

the water-insoluble alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer is a copolymer of methyl methacrylate and ethyl acrylate.

30. The enteric hard capsule preparation liquid of any one of claims 28 or 29,

the component iv is dispersed as colloidal particles.

31. The enteric hard capsule preparation solution of any one of claims 20 to 30,

the total mass of the i-th component, the ii-th component, the iii-th component, the iv-th component and the v-th component contained in the enteric hard capsule preparation liquid is 100% by mass, the proportion of the i-th component is α 'by mass, the proportion of the ii-th component is β' by mass, the proportion of the iii-th component is γ 'by mass, the proportion of the iv component is σ' by mass, and the proportion of the v-th component is Φ 'by mass, 0.5 ≦ (β' + γ '+ σ')/(α '+ β' + γ '+ σ' + Φ '+ σ' + Φ ') ≦ 0.9 and 0.4 ≦ (β' + γ ')/(β' + γ '+ σ').

32. The enteric hard capsule preparation solution of any one of claims 20 to 31,

when the total mass of the i-th component, the ii-th component, the iii-th component, the iv-th component and the v-th component contained in the enteric hard capsule preparation liquid is 100 mass%, the proportion of the i-th component is α ' mass%, the proportion of the ii-th component is β ' mass%, the proportion of the iii-th component is γ ' mass%, the proportion of the iv component is σ ' mass%, and the proportion of the v-th component is Φ ' mass%, 0.05 ≦ α '/(α ' + β ' + γ ' + σ ' + 0.5 ').

33. The enteric hard capsule preparation solution of any one of claims 20 to 32,

when the total mass of the i-th component, the ii-th component, the iii-th component, the iv-th component and the v-th component contained in the enteric hard capsule preparation liquid is 100% by mass, the proportion of the ii-th component is β ' by mass, and the proportion of the iii-th component is γ ' by mass, 0.1. ltoreq. β '/(β ' + γ '). ltoreq.1.

34. The enteric hard capsule preparation solution of claim 33,

when the total mass of the i-th component, the ii-th component, the iii-th component, the iv-th component and the v-th component contained in the enteric hard capsule preparation liquid is 100 mass%, the proportion of the i-th component is α ' mass%, the proportion of the ii-th component is β ' mass%, the proportion of the iv component is σ ' amount, and the proportion of the v-th component is Φ ' mass%, γ ' ═ 0, and 0.3. ltoreq. β '/(α ' + β ' + γ ' + σ ' + Φ ' + 0.7).

35. The enteric hard capsule preparation solution of claim 34,

the neutralization degree of the ii component based on the alkaline neutralizing agent is 2-20%.

36. The enteric hard capsule preparation solution of any one of claims 20 to 35,

the alkaline neutralizing agent is at least one selected from sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and calcium hydroxide.

37. The enteric hard capsule preparation solution of any one of claims 20 to 35,

the alkaline neutralizing agent is at least one selected from ammonia and ammonium carbonate.

38. The enteric hard capsule preparation solution of any one of claims 31 to 37,

the total amount of the components i, ii, iii, iv and v is 10 to 30% by mass based on 100% by mass of the enteric hard capsule preparation solution.

39. The enteric hard capsule preparation solution of any one of claims 20 to 38,

the viscosity of the enteric hard capsule preparation liquid is 100-10000 mPa & s.

40. A process for producing a solution for producing an enteric hard capsule, characterized by mixing an i-th ingredient and an ii-th ingredient in the presence of a pharmaceutically acceptable alkaline neutralizing agent or an alkaline neutralizing agent acceptable as a food additive in a solvent,

the component i is a nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound having a viscosity of 100 to 100000 mPas, and the component ii is an enteric methacrylic acid copolymer.

41. The method for preparing a liquid for enteric hard capsule preparation according to claim 40,

the nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound is at least one selected from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, methylcellulose and hydroxypropyl cellulose.

42. The method for producing an enteric hard capsule preparation liquid according to any one of claims 40 or 41, wherein,

the enteric methacrylic acid copolymer is at least one selected from a copolymer of methacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate and methyl acrylate, or a copolymer of methacrylic acid and ethyl acrylate.

43. The method for producing a liquid for enteric hard capsule preparation according to any one of claims 40 to 42,

the alkaline neutralizing agent is at least one selected from sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and calcium hydroxide.

44. The method for producing a liquid for enteric hard capsule preparation according to any one of claims 40 to 42,

the alkaline neutralizing agent is at least one selected from ammonia and ammonium carbonate.

45. The method for producing a liquid for enteric hard capsule preparation according to any one of claims 40 to 44,

the method for producing the enteric hard capsule preparation solution comprises the following steps in any order,

step A: a step of preparing a neutralized solution of the component iii;

and a step B: adding an i-th component to the neutralization solution containing the iii-th component to prepare a partial dissolution solution of the i-th component; and

and a step C: mixing the dispersion of the component ii with a neutralizing solution or a partially dissolved solution; wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the iii component is an enteric cellulose compound.

46. The method for preparing a liquid for enteric hard capsule preparation according to claim 45, wherein,

the enteric cellulose compound is at least one selected from hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose phthalate, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose acetate succinate and cellulose acetate phthalate.

47. The method for preparing a liquid for enteric hard capsule according to claim 45 or 46,

the step a is a step of preparing a neutralized solution in which the iii component is at least partially neutralized with a pharmaceutically acceptable basic neutralizing agent or a basic neutralizing agent acceptable as a food additive and dissolved in a solvent, and the neutralization degree is 50% or more or completely neutralized.

48. The method for producing a liquid for enteric hard capsule preparation according to any one of claims 45 to 47, wherein,

the step B is a step of preparing a partial solution in which the i-th component is partially dissolved in a neutralized solution containing the iii-th component or a mixed solution of a neutralized solution of the iii-th component and a dispersion of the ii-th component; the step of preparing a partially dissolved solution is a step of preparing a dispersion in which the i-th component is partially dissolved at a2 nd temperature T2 lower than the haze point by adding the i-th component to a neutralized solution containing the iii-th component or a mixed solution of the neutralized solution of the iii-th component and a dispersion of the ii-th component at a1 st temperature T1 equal to or higher than the haze point T0 of the i-th component.

49. The method for producing a liquid for enteric hard capsule preparation according to any one of claims 45 to 48, wherein,

comprises a step D of mixing the solution prepared in the step A, B or C with a water-insoluble (meth) acrylate copolymer as the component iv.

50. The method for preparing a liquid for enteric hard capsule preparation according to claim 49, wherein,

the water-insoluble alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer is a copolymer of methyl methacrylate and ethyl acrylate.

51. The method for producing a liquid for enteric hard capsule preparation according to any one of claims 45 to 50, wherein,

further comprising a step E of maintaining the solution obtained in the step B, C or D at a temperature T3 which is lower than the cloud point of the i-th component.

52. The method of preparing a solution for preparing an enteric hard capsule according to claim 40, wherein the method comprises, in any order:

a step A': a step of preparing a partially neutralized solution of the component ii;

a step B': preparing a partial solution of the i-th component; and

a step C': mixing the dispersion of the component iv with the solution prepared in step A or B;

wherein the component iv is a water-insoluble alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer.

53. The method for preparing a liquid for enteric hard capsule preparation according to claim 52,

the water-insoluble alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer is a copolymer of methyl methacrylate and ethyl acrylate.

54. The method for producing a liquid for enteric hard capsule preparation according to claim 52 or 53, wherein,

the step A' is a step of preparing a neutralized solution obtained by at least partially neutralizing the component ii with a pharmaceutically acceptable alkaline neutralizing agent or an alkaline neutralizing agent acceptable as a food additive and dissolving the component in a solvent, wherein the neutralization degree is 2 to 20%.

55. The method for producing a liquid for enteric hard capsule preparation according to any one of claims 52 to 54, wherein,

the step B' is a step of preparing a partial solution in which the i-th component is partially dissolved in a neutralization solution containing the ii-th component;

the step of preparing a partially dissolved solution is a step of preparing a dispersion in which the i-th component is partially dissolved at a2 nd temperature T2 lower than the haze point by adding the i-th component to a1 st temperature T1 equal to or higher than the haze point T0 of the i-th component or a mixture of the ii-th component neutralized liquid and the iv-th component dispersion.

56. The method for preparing a liquid for enteric hard capsule preparation according to claim 55,

further comprising a step E ' of maintaining the solution obtained in the step B ' or C ' at a 3 rd temperature T3 lower than the haze point of the i-th component.

57. The method for preparing a liquid for enteric hard capsule according to claim 51 or 56,

the range T3 of the No.3 temperature is 40-60 ℃.

58. The method for producing an enteric hard capsule preparation liquid according to any one of claims 48 to 51 and 55 to 57, wherein,

the range of the 1 st temperature T1 is 60-90 ℃.

59. The method for producing an enteric hard capsule preparation liquid according to any one of claims 48 to 51 and 55 to 57, wherein,

the range of the No. 2 temperature T2 is 30-60 ℃.

60. The method for producing a liquid for enteric hard capsule preparation according to any one of claims 40 to 59,

the viscosity of the enteric hard capsule preparation liquid is 100-10000 mPa & s.

61. A method for producing an enteric hard capsule, characterized by comprising the steps of,

a step 1 of immersing a mold pin having a surface temperature lower than the temperature of the enteric hard capsule preparation solution in the enteric hard capsule preparation solution according to any one of claims 20 to 39 or the enteric hard capsule preparation solution obtained by the preparation method according to any one of claims 40 to 60; and

and a step 2 of lifting the mold pin from the enteric hard capsule preparation solution and drying the enteric hard capsule preparation solution attached to the mold pin.

62. The method for preparing an enteric hard capsule of claim 61,

the temperature of the enteric hard capsule preparation liquid is 40-60 ℃.

63. The method for preparing an enteric hard capsule of claim 62, 61 or 62,

the surface temperature of the mold pin before being immersed in the preparation liquid is 5-40 ℃.

64. The method for preparing an enteric hard capsule according to any of claims 61 to 63, wherein,

the temperature for drying the enteric hard capsule preparation liquid attached to the mould needle is less than 40 ℃.

65. An enteric hard capsule preparation is characterized in that,

the enteric hard capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 19, which is sealed with a sealing liquid comprising a diluted aqueous solution obtained by at least partially neutralizing an enteric polymer selected from at least one of an enteric methacrylic acid copolymer and an enteric cellulose compound, or a liquid obtained by dissolving the enteric polymer in a water/ethanol or water/isopropanol solvent.

66. A hard capsule preparation characterized by comprising, in a capsule,

the enteric hard capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 19 is contained in a hard capsule which is soluble under acidic conditions.

Technical Field

The specification discloses an enteric hard capsule, an enteric hard capsule preparation solution, a preparation method of the enteric hard capsule preparation solution and a preparation method of the enteric hard capsule.

Background

"enteric" refers to one of the dosage forms of a formulation for oral administration, and generally refers to the property of a formulation that does not readily dissolve in the stomach. In addition, the above preparation has a property of being easily dissolved after transfer to the intestine. Enteric preparations do not release the pharmaceutically active ingredient in the stomach under a strongly acidic environment, and release the pharmaceutically active ingredient after the preparations move into the intestine. Therefore, enteric preparations are mainly used for the purpose of protecting a pharmaceutically active ingredient from gastric acid or enzymes in the stomach, and for the purpose of sustained release of the pharmaceutically active ingredient by taking advantage of the time during which the preparation moves from the stomach to the small intestine.

In the field of pharmaceutical preparations, "enteric" is almost identically defined in pharmacopoeias of Japan (17 th edition pharmacopoeia, 6.10 Dissolution test method, 4.3 enteric formulation item), United states (US Pharmacopeia Monograph <711> Dissolution 7, Delayed-Release DosageForms item), Europe (European Pharmacopeia,2.9.3, Delayed-Release dosaging Forms item). In particular, japan, europe, and the united states are consistent in that a certain level of acid resistance is required, wherein the above level means that the composition is substantially insoluble in an acidic (about ph1.2, hydrochloric acid diluted solution) environment at 37 ℃ for 2 hours. On the other hand, the dissolution characteristics in the intestine are not specified in a particular time. Various dissolution characteristics are required depending on whether the target site of release is small intestine, colon or large intestine, or the drug release characteristics are fast release or sustained release.

In the case where the formulation form is a tablet, "enteric" formulations satisfying the above requirements can be prepared by coating the tablet with a so-called enteric polymer (non-patent document 1, chapters 9 and 10).

In addition, in the case where the formulation is a hard capsule, conventionally, a method (coating method) has been carried out in which a hard capsule filled with a content is coated with the same enteric polymer as that of a tablet to prepare an enteric hard capsule formulation; an enteric coating may be applied to a non-enteric empty capsule before releasing from an immersion needle by an immersion method (patent documents 1 to 6, non-patent documents 2 and 3).

In addition, hard capsule coatings have been tried which are themselves made enteric. As such a conventional technique, the following technical contents have been completed.

(1) The acid-resistant enteric polymer is replaced with an acid-resistant gelling agent such as Gellan Gum (Gellan Gum), or the acid-resistant gelling agent such as Gellan Gum is used in combination with the acid-resistant enteric polymer, thereby improving gelling properties and coating properties and maintaining acid resistance (patent documents 7 to 10);

(2) using an immersion solution of a solvent base instead of a solution of a water base (patent document 11);

(3) a method of using a water-insoluble acid-resistant enteric polymer as a main component, and partially using a conventional polymer such as gelatin or water-soluble cellulose, which is water-soluble and has high coating forming ability (patent documents 12 and 13);

(4) in order to obtain a water-soluble derivative containing a water-insoluble enteric polymer, almost all acidic groups (particularly carboxyl groups) of the enteric polymer are salted (salifying), or a non-salted polymer is at least partially neutralized with an alkaline neutralizing agent and dissolved in water, or a non-salted emulsion dispersion is used (patent documents 12 to 20); and

(5) alternative techniques such as injection molding which do not require dissolution of the polymer (patent documents 21 to 25, non-patent document 4) are used.

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, in general, in the preparation of an enteric hard capsule preparation by a coating method, it is necessary to fill the contents and to fit the cap (cap) to the body (body) before coating the surface, and then to seal the fitting portion, and therefore, the preparation process is complicated. In addition, the burden of the operation due to the complicated production process is not borne by the manufacturer of the hard capsule but by the manufacturer of the content to be filled. This can impair the convenience of the hard capsules as a form of preparation. When the empty capsule is coated in advance, the capsule coating and the coating coat need to be dried separately, or an undercoat layer is further required to improve the adhesion between the capsule coating and the coating coat, which complicates the capsule production process itself.

In view of the above, it is desirable that the coating itself of the hard capsule be enteric.

Hard capsules are typically prepared in a dipping (tapping) process. Specifically, the dipping method is a method in which a capsule coating polymer material is dissolved to prepare an aqueous solution, a molding needle (usually a stainless steel molding needle) is dipped in the aqueous polymer solution, the molding needle is lifted from the dipping solution, the molding needle is turned upside down, and the aqueous polymer solution attached to the surface of the molding needle is dried to form a coating having a thickness of about 100 μm. Next, the dried capsule coating is removed from the molding needle, cut into a predetermined length, filled with the contents, and the lid and the body are assembled, and the hard capsule is printed on the surface thereof and packaged.

In the dipping method, in order to obtain the aqueous preparation for dipping, it is preferable that the polymer as the main component of the hard capsule coating is water-soluble, or mostly is an aqueous solution, or partially forms a dispersion containing very fine colloids or solid particles. Further, it is preferable to have a cold gelation property or a hot gelation property, that is, a property of gelling a polymer and rapidly increasing viscosity with a rapid increase or decrease in temperature when a molding needle immersed in a preparation liquid is lifted. Further, the immersion preparation liquid is required to be capable of suppressing dripping of the liquid immediately after the formation needle is lifted, and finally forming a coating having sufficient hardness and toughness as a hard capsule by drying and solidifying the solid content based on the subsequent evaporation of water.

However, the physical properties of the usual enteric polymer for coating (enteric matrix) are not suitable for the preparation of hard capsules based on the dipping method. Enteric polymers, which are commercially available for tablet coating applications, function as coatings on the solid surface of tablets, but do not have coating-forming properties and strength that are self-supporting as coating monomers. Therefore, even if a coating is formed using an enteric polymer, the coating cannot be used alone as a hard capsule.

Further, the prior art includes the following problems.

The conventional technique (1) can improve the moldability of the hard capsule coating, but has insufficient acid resistance. In addition, when a polymer is gelled using a gelling agent, particularly in a cold gel method requiring a cation as a gelling aid, there is a problem that the stability of the polymer aqueous solution or dispersion and the cold gelling performance of the gelling agent are impaired by the pH of the aqueous solution containing the polymer or the interaction between the cation and an ionic group of the enteric polymer.

Next, in the conventional technique of the above (2), it is necessary to cope with the work environment pollution and fire explosion caused by the organic solvent and the like volatilized in the production process, and it is necessary to recover the waste solvent. In addition, there is a problem in that a solvent may remain in the final product.

In the conventional technique (3), when gelatin is used as a water-soluble polymer or a condensation gelling agent, the compatibility with an acid-resistant enteric polymer is insufficient, and turbidity is often generated in capsule coating. In addition, gelatin, which is an animal protein, has a risk of bovine spongiform encephalopathy contamination.

Next, in the prior art of (4), in order to obtain a preparation solution for impregnation, the acid group of the enteric polymer is salted, or the enteric polymer is almost completely neutralized (or salted). However, these treatments impart undesirable water sensitivity to the formed hard capsule coating itself. In addition, there is a problem that the stability of the aqueous polymer solution or dispersion and the cold gelation property of the gelling agent are impaired by the pH of the aqueous solution containing the polymer or the interaction of the cation with the ionic group of the enteric polymer. In addition, since the neutralizing agent (for example, an alkaline agent) is contained in an excessive amount, if hard capsules containing the enteric polymer subjected to the above treatment as a main component are stored under severe conditions at high temperature, there is a possibility that the neutralizing agent component is gradually released from the capsules, that is, so-called salting-out (salting-out) occurs, and yellowing occurs in appearance.

When an enteric polymer is used as a fine dispersion without being completely neutralized and dissolved, particularly when only an enteric cellulose compound is used as the enteric polymer, it is necessary to neutralize a majority of carboxyl groups in order to sufficiently reduce the particle size, and there is a problem that the amount of residual salt in the coating can reach a high concentration of 1 to 10 mass%. Further, when only an enteric cellulose compound is used as an enteric polymer, the thermal gelling property thereof is often utilized, and a preparation solution for impregnation suitable for molding by a cold gel method is not known.

Next, in the conventional technique of the above (5), a conventional manufacturing apparatus by the dipping method cannot be used. In addition, since the capsule is molded by utilizing the thermoplasticity of the polymer in the injection molding, there is a concern that the polymer itself is thermally denatured by a heat treatment at about 100 ℃. In addition, in injection molding, after molding into the shape of a capsule under heating, when cooling to room temperature, the coating is subjected to excessive stress due to thermal shrinkage, and there is a concern that cracks may occur in the molded capsule. In addition, the coating of hard capsules generally distributed at present has a thickness of about 100 μm, and the contents are filled by a capsule filling machine. In contrast, in injection molding, it is necessary to prevent cracking by mixing a plasticizer which sacrifices acid resistance into the coating; or coating the substrate to a thickness of about several hundred micrometers to maintain mechanical strength. Thus, the interaction of a large number of additives with the content drug can be problematic. In addition, since the coating of the hard capsule molded by injection molding has to be thicker than that of a conventional hard capsule, it is difficult to prepare an enteric hard capsule that maintains compatibility with a commonly used capsule filling machine.

The invention provides a hard capsule which can be formed by a cold gel method and contains a hard capsule coating with enteric solubility.

Means for solving the problems

As a result of intensive studies, the present inventors have found that a hard capsule containing a coating, which contains a nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound having a viscosity of 100 to 100000mPa · s and an enteric methacrylic acid copolymer, and contains the enteric cellulose compound, a water-insoluble alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer, and at least one component selected from the group consisting of a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer, a plasticizer, and a surfactant, has enteric properties. In addition, the enteric hard capsule preparation liquid containing the components can be used for preparing hard capsules by a cold gel method.

The present invention has been completed based on the above findings, and includes the following aspects.

Scheme 1. an enteric hard capsule comprising a coating comprising component 1 and component 2, and further comprising at least one of component 3, component 4, and component 5, wherein,

the component 1 is a nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound having a viscosity of 100 to 100000 mPas,

the component 2 is enteric methacrylic acid copolymer,

the 3 rd component is an enteric cellulose compound,

the 4th component is a water-insoluble alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer, and

the 5 th component is at least one selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, a plasticizer and a surfactant.

Scheme 2. the enteric hard capsule according to scheme 1, wherein,

the nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound is at least one selected from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, methylcellulose and hydroxypropyl cellulose.

Scheme 3. the enteric hard capsule according to scheme 1 or 2, wherein,

the enteric methacrylic acid copolymer is at least one selected from a copolymer of methacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate and methyl acrylate, or a copolymer of methacrylic acid and ethyl acrylate.

The enteric hard capsule according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein,

the enteric methacrylic acid copolymer is a copolymer composed of 40 to 60 mass% of methacrylic acid and 60 to 40 mass% of ethyl acrylate.

The enteric hard capsule according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein,

the enteric cellulose compound is at least one selected from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate and cellulose acetate phthalate.

The enteric hard capsule according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein,

the alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer is a copolymer of methyl methacrylate and ethyl acrylate.

The enteric hard capsule according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein,

the coating is composed of the 1 st component, the 2 nd component, the 3 rd component, the 4th component and the 5 th component, the total mass is 100 mass%, the 1 st component is α mass%, the 2 nd component is β mass%, the 3 rd component is γ mass%, the 4th component is σ%, and the 5 th component is φ, the ratio of 5 ≦ β + γ + σ)/(α + β + γ + σ + φ) ≦ 0.9, and the ratio of 0.4 ≦ (β + γ)/(β + γ + σ).

The enteric hard capsule according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein,

the coating contains the 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd, 4th and 5 th components, the total mass of which is 100 mass%, the 1 st component is α mass%, the 2 nd component is β mass%, the 3 rd component is γ mass%, the 4th component is σ%, and the 5 th component is φ, which results in 0.05 ≦ α/(α + β + γ + σ + φ) of 0.05.

The enteric hard capsule according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein,

when the total mass of the 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd, 4th and 5 th components contained in the coating is 100 mass%, the proportion of the 2 nd component is β mass%, and the proportion of the 3 rd component is γ mass%, 0.1. ltoreq. β/(β + γ). ltoreq.1.

The enteric hard capsule according to claim 9, wherein,

when the total mass of the 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd, 4th and 5 th components contained in the coating is 100 mass%, the proportion of the 1 st component is α mass%, the proportion of the 2 nd component is β mass%, the proportion of the 4th component is σ%, and the proportion of the 5 th component is φ, γ is 0 and 0.3 ≦ β/(α + β + γ + σ + φ) ≦ 0.7.

The enteric hard capsule according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein,

at least a part of the above-mentioned component 2 is contained in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a salt acceptable as a dietary supplement, and/or at least a part of the above-mentioned component 3 is contained in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a salt acceptable as a dietary supplement.

The enteric hard capsule according to claim 12, wherein,

the content of the salt-forming carboxyl group is 2 to 50 mol% when the total mole number of the salt-forming carboxyl group and the non-salt-forming carboxyl group in the component 2 and the component 3 contained in the coating is 100 mol%.

The enteric hard capsule according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein,

the thickness of the coating is 50 to 250 μm.

The enteric hard capsule according to claim 13, wherein,

the elastic modulus of the coating at 25 ℃ and relative humidity of 60% is 1 GPa-5 GPa.

Scheme 15. the enteric hard capsule according to scheme 13 or 14, wherein,

the elongation at break of the coating at 25 ℃ and 22% relative humidity is 2-30%.

The enteric hard capsule according to any of claims 1 to 15, wherein,

the coating of the enteric hard capsule comprises a sea-island structure, and the island phase is substantially composed of the component 1.

The enteric hard capsule according to claim 16, wherein,

the island phase has a minor axis of 0.1 μm or more and less than 30 μm.

The enteric hard capsule according to any of claims 1 to 17, wherein,

in the dissolution test using the solution having ph1.2, the dissolution rate of the enteric hard capsule after 2 hours was 25% or less.

The enteric hard capsule according to claim 18, wherein,

the dissolution rate of the enteric hard capsule in the dissolution test is 10% or less.

Scheme 20. an enteric hard capsule preparation comprising component i, component ii, a pharmaceutically acceptable basic neutralizing agent or a basic neutralizing agent acceptable as a food additive, and a solvent, and further comprising at least one of component iii, component iv and component v,

the i-th component is a nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound having a viscosity of 100 to 100000 mPas,

the component ii is enteric methacrylic acid copolymer,

the iii component is an enteric cellulose compound,

the iv component is a water-insoluble alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer, and,

the v-th component is at least one selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, a plasticizer and a surfactant.

Scheme 21. the enteric hard capsule preparation according to scheme 20, wherein,

the i-th component is dispersed as solid particles.

Scheme 22. the enteric hard capsule preparation solution according to scheme 20 or 21, wherein,

a part of the component ii and/or a part of the component iii is partially neutralized with the basic neutralizing agent.

Scheme 23. the enteric hard capsule preparation according to scheme 22, wherein,

the degree of neutralization of the partial neutralization is 2 to 50% by mole relative to the number of moles required for complete neutralization of the ii th and iii th components.

The enteric hard capsule preparation according to any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein,

the component ii is dispersed as colloidal particles.

The enteric hard capsule preparation according to any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein,

the nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound is at least one selected from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, methylcellulose and hydroxypropyl cellulose.

The enteric hard capsule preparation according to any one of claims 20 to 25, wherein,

the enteric cellulose compound is at least one selected from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate and cellulose acetate phthalate.

The enteric hard capsule preparation according to any one of claims 20 to 26, wherein,

the enteric methacrylic acid copolymer is at least one selected from a copolymer of methacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate and methyl acrylate, or a copolymer of methacrylic acid and ethyl acrylate.

The enteric hard capsule preparation according to any one of claims 20 to 27, wherein,

a part or the whole of the enteric cellulose compound is substituted with a water-insoluble alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer as the component iv.

The enteric hard capsule preparation according to any one of claims 20 to 28, wherein,

the water-insoluble alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer is a copolymer of methyl methacrylate and ethyl acrylate.

The enteric hard capsule preparation according to any one of aspects 28 to 29, wherein,

the component iv is dispersed as colloidal particles.

The enteric hard capsule preparation according to any one of claims 20 to 30, wherein,

when the total mass of the i-th component, the ii-th component, the iii-th component, the iv-th component and the v-th component contained in the enteric hard capsule preparation liquid is 100% by mass, the proportion of the i-th component is α 'by mass, the proportion of the ii-th component is β' by mass, the proportion of the iii-th component is γ 'by mass, the proportion of the iv component is σ' by mass, and the proportion of the v-th component is Φ 'by mass, 0.5 ≦ (β' + γ '+ σ')/(α '+ β' + γ '+ σ' + Φ '+ 0.9 and 0.4 ≦ (β' + γ ')/(β' + γ '+ σ').

The enteric hard capsule preparation according to any one of claims 20 to 31, wherein,

when the total mass of the i-th component, the ii-th component, the iii-th component, the iv-th component and the v-th component contained in the enteric hard capsule preparation liquid is 100 mass%, the proportion of the i-th component is α ' mass%, the proportion of the ii-th component is β ' mass%, the proportion of the iii-th component is γ ' mass%, the proportion of the iv component is σ ' mass%, and the proportion of the v-th component is Φ ' mass%, 0.05 ≦ α '/(α ' + β ' + γ ' + σ ' + 0.5 ').

The enteric hard capsule preparation according to any one of claims 20 to 32, wherein,

when the total mass of the i-th, ii-th, iii-th, iv-th and v-th components contained in the enteric hard capsule preparation liquid is 100 mass%, the proportion of the ii-th component is β ' mass%, and the proportion of the iii-th component is γ ' mass%, 0.1. ltoreq. β '/(β ' + γ '). ltoreq.1.

The solution for preparing an enteric hard capsule according to the above-mentioned aspect 33, wherein,

when the total mass of the i-th component, the ii-th component, the iii-th component, the iv-th component and the v-th component contained in the enteric hard capsule preparation liquid is 100 mass%, the proportion of the i-th component is α ' mass%, the proportion of the ii-th component is β ' mass%, the proportion of the iv component is σ ' mass%, and the proportion of the v-th component is Φ ' mass%, γ '. is 0 and 0.3 ≦ β '/(α ' + β ' + γ ' + σ ' + Φ '). is 0.7.

Scheme 35. the solution for preparing an enteric hard capsule according to scheme 34, wherein,

the neutralization degree of the component ii based on the alkaline neutralizing agent is 2-20%.

The enteric hard capsule preparation according to any one of claims 20 to 35, wherein,

the alkaline neutralizing agent is at least one selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and calcium hydroxide.

The enteric hard capsule preparation according to any one of claims 20 to 35, wherein,

the alkaline neutralizing agent is at least one selected from the group consisting of ammonia and ammonium carbonate.

Scheme 38. the enteric hard capsule preparation solution according to any of schemes 31 to 37, wherein,

the total amount of the above components i, ii, iii, iv and v is 10 to 30% by mass based on 100% by mass of the enteric hard capsule preparation solution.

The enteric hard capsule preparation according to any of claims 20 to 38, wherein,

the viscosity of the preparation solution is 100 to 10000 mPas.

Scheme 40. a method for preparing a solution for preparing an enteric hard capsule, comprising mixing an i-th ingredient and an ii-th ingredient in the presence of a pharmaceutically acceptable basic neutralizing agent or a basic neutralizing agent acceptable as a food additive in a solvent,

the component i is a nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound having a viscosity of 100 to 100000 mPas, and the component ii is an enteric methacrylic acid copolymer.

Scheme 41. the method for producing a liquid for producing an enteric hard capsule according to scheme 40, wherein,

the nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound is at least one selected from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, methylcellulose and hydroxypropyl cellulose.

The method according to claim 42, wherein the liquid for producing an enteric hard capsule according to any one of claims 40 and 41,

the enteric methacrylic acid copolymer is at least one selected from a copolymer of methacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate and methyl acrylate, or a copolymer of methacrylic acid and ethyl acrylate.

The method for producing an enteric hard capsule preparation according to any of claims 40 to 42, wherein,

the alkaline neutralizing agent is at least one selected from sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and calcium hydroxide.

The method for producing an enteric hard capsule preparation according to any of claims 40 to 42, wherein,

the alkaline neutralizing agent is at least one selected from the group consisting of ammonia and ammonium carbonate.

The method according to claim 45, wherein the liquid for producing an enteric hard capsule is prepared by mixing the above-mentioned raw materials,

the above-mentioned production method comprises the following steps in an arbitrary order,

step A: a step of preparing a neutralized solution of the component iii,

and a step B: adding an i-th component to the neutralization solution containing the iii-th component to prepare a partial dissolution solution of the i-th component; and

and a step C: mixing the dispersion of the component ii with a neutralizing solution or a partially dissolved solution; wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the iii component is an enteric cellulose compound.

The method for producing a solution for producing an enteric hard capsule according to claim 45, wherein,

the enteric cellulose compound is at least one selected from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate and cellulose acetate phthalate.

Scheme 47. the method for producing a liquid for enteric hard capsule according to scheme 45 or 46, wherein,

the step a is a step of preparing a neutralized solution obtained by at least partially neutralizing the iii-th component with a pharmaceutically acceptable basic neutralizing agent or a basic neutralizing agent acceptable as a food additive and dissolving the neutralized solution in a solvent, wherein the neutralization degree is 50% or more or completely neutralized.

The method of producing an enteric hard capsule preparation according to any one of claims 45 to 47, wherein,

the step B is a step of preparing a partial solution in which the i-th component is partially dissolved in a neutralized solution containing the iii-th component or a mixed solution of the neutralized solution of the iii-th component and a dispersion of the ii-th component; the step of preparing a partially dissolved solution is a step of preparing a dispersion in which the i-th component is partially dissolved at a2 nd temperature T2 lower than the haze point by adding the i-th component to a neutralized solution containing the iii-th component or a mixed solution of the neutralized solution of the iii-th component and a dispersion of the ii-th component at a1 st temperature T1 higher than the haze point T0 of the i-th component.

The method for producing an enteric hard capsule preparation according to any one of claims 45 to 48, wherein,

comprises a step D of mixing the solution prepared in the step A, B or C with a water-insoluble (meth) acrylate copolymer as the component iv.

Scheme 50. the method for producing a liquid for producing an enteric hard capsule according to scheme 49, wherein,

the water-insoluble alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer is a copolymer of methyl methacrylate and ethyl acrylate.

The method for producing an enteric hard capsule preparation according to any of claims 45 to 50, wherein,

further comprising a step E of maintaining the solution obtained in the step B, C or D at a temperature T3 which is lower than the cloud point of the i-th component.

The method for producing a solution for preparing an enteric hard capsule according to claim 52 or 40, wherein the method comprises, in any order,

a step A': a step of preparing a partially neutralized solution of the component ii;

a step B': preparing a partial solution of the i-th component; and

a step C': mixing the dispersion of the component iv with the solution prepared in step A or B;

wherein the component iv is a water-insoluble alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer.

The process according to claim 53 for producing a solution for producing an enteric hard capsule according to claim 52, wherein,

the water-insoluble alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer is a copolymer of methyl methacrylate and ethyl acrylate.

Scheme 54. the method for producing a liquid for enteric hard capsule according to scheme 52 or 53, wherein,

the step A' is a step of preparing a neutralized solution in which the component ii is at least partially neutralized with a pharmaceutically acceptable alkaline neutralizing agent or an alkaline neutralizing agent acceptable as a food additive and dissolved in a solvent, wherein the neutralization degree is 2 to 20%.

Embodiment 55 the method for producing a liquid for producing an enteric hard capsule according to any of embodiments 52 to 54, wherein,

the step B' is a step of preparing a partial solution in which the i-th component is partially dissolved in a neutralization solution containing the ii-th component;

the step of preparing a partially dissolved solution is a step of preparing a dispersion in which the i-th component is partially dissolved at a2 nd temperature T2 lower than the haze point by adding the i-th component to a neutralized solution containing the ii-th component or a mixed solution of the neutralized solution of the ii-th component and the dispersion of the iv-th component at a1 st temperature T1 equal to or higher than the haze point T0 of the i-th component.

Scheme 56. the method for producing a liquid for producing an enteric hard capsule according to scheme 55, wherein,

further comprising a step E ' of maintaining the solution obtained in the step B ' or C ' at a 3 rd temperature T3 lower than the fogging point of the i-th component.

Scheme 57. the method for producing a liquid for enteric hard capsule according to scheme 51 or 56, wherein,

the above-mentioned range of the 3 rd temperature T3 is 40 ℃ to 60 ℃.

The method of producing an enteric hard capsule preparation according to any one of claims 48 to 51 and 55 to 57, wherein,

the 1 st temperature T1 is in the range of 60 ℃ to 90 ℃.

The method of producing an enteric hard capsule preparation according to any one of claims 48 to 51 and 55 to 57, wherein,

the range of the 2 nd temperature T2 is 30 to 60 ℃.

The method according to any one of aspects 40 to 59, wherein,

the viscosity of the enteric hard capsule preparation liquid is 100-10000 mPas.

Scheme 61. A method for preparing an enteric hard capsule comprising the steps of,

a first step of immersing a mold pin having a surface temperature lower than the temperature of the enteric hard capsule preparation liquid in the enteric hard capsule preparation liquid according to any one of claims 20 to 39 or the enteric hard capsule preparation liquid obtained by the preparation method according to any one of claims 40 to 60; and

and a second step of lifting the mold pin from the enteric hard capsule preparation liquid and drying the enteric hard capsule preparation liquid attached to the mold pin.

Scheme 62. the method for producing an enteric hard capsule according to scheme 61, wherein,

the temperature of the enteric hard capsule preparation liquid is 40-60 ℃.

Scheme 63. the method of preparing an enteric hard capsule according to scheme 62 or 61 or 62, wherein,

the surface temperature of the mold pin before being immersed in the preparation liquid is 5-40 ℃.

The method according to claim 64, wherein the hard enteric capsule is prepared by the process according to any one of claims 61 to 63,

the temperature for drying the enteric hard capsule preparation liquid attached to the mould needle is lower than 40 ℃.

Scheme 65. an enteric hard capsule preparation, characterized in that,

the enteric hard capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 19 is sealed with a sealing liquid comprising a diluted aqueous solution obtained by at least partially neutralizing an enteric polymer selected from at least one of an enteric methacrylic acid copolymer and an enteric cellulose compound, or a liquid obtained by dissolving the enteric polymer in a water/ethanol or water/isopropanol solvent.

Scheme 66. a hard capsule formulation, characterized in that,

the enteric hard capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 19, which is contained in a hard capsule soluble under acidic conditions.

Effects of the invention

The present invention can provide a hard capsule which can be formed by a cold gel method and contains a hard capsule coating having enteric properties. In addition, according to the present invention, enteric capsules can be prepared without using a gelling agent. The hard capsule can be filled with contents using a capsule filling machine that has been used conventionally.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a dynamic viscoelastic behavior in a cooling process of an enteric hard capsule preparation solution. T0 denotes the cloud point or the onset temperature of dissolution. T1, T2 and T3 respectively indicate the 1 st temperature, the 2 nd temperature and the 2 nd temperature described in the specification. T4 represents the onset temperature of a sharp increase in viscosity. T5 denotes room temperature (20 ℃ C. -25 ℃ C.).

FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a scanning electron microscope image of a cross section of a capsule coating prepared as example 2-2.

FIG. 3 is a drawing showing an optical microscope image of a capsule preparation solution (55 ℃ C.) prepared in example 2-2.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing the dynamic viscoelastic behavior at the time of temperature reduction of the capsule preparation liquid prepared in example 2-2. For example, the vertical axis represents 100 for 1.00E +2 and 1000 for 1.00E + 3.

Fig. 5 is an illustration of an example of a typical tensile stress-elongation (deformation,%) curve in a tensile test, elastic modulus (young's modulus), and elongation at break. The elastic modulus of the vertical axis represents the slope of the elastic region at low stress. The vertical axis represents, for example, 1.00E-02 and 1.00E-1, respectively, 0.01 and 0.1. The elongation at break on the horizontal axis represents the elongation (strain,%) at break of the test piece.

FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a scanning electron microscope image of a cross section of a capsule coating prepared as example 6-2.

FIG. 7 is a drawing showing an optical microscope image of a capsule preparation solution (55 ℃ C.) prepared in example 6-2.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing the dissolution characteristics of a double-layer capsule in which an enteric hard capsule according to the present invention is used.

Detailed Description

1. Description of terms and materials

First, terms and materials used in the present specification and claims will be described. Terms and materials related to the present invention are as described in the present specification unless otherwise specified.

In the present invention, "hard capsule" means an empty capsule for filling the contents in the manufactured capsule coating. In general, a hard capsule is composed of a lid section and a body section, and is also called a hard capsule or a two-piece capsule. The "hard capsule" in the present invention can be given the same or similar shape as a commercially available conventional hard capsule, and is intended for oral administration to a human or animal subject.

The "hard capsule" according to the present invention does not include a soft capsule prepared by filling contents between 2 films and adhering the films to each other, a seamless capsule prepared by dropping the contents together with a coating solution into a coagulating liquid, and a microcapsule prepared by allowing an active ingredient to be absorbed into the interior by precipitation of a matrix and emulsion liquefaction.

In the present invention, an empty hard capsule is simply referred to as a hard capsule or a capsule, and a product filled with the content is referred to as a "hard capsule preparation".

In the present invention, the "enteric hard capsule" refers to a hard capsule in which the coating of the capsule body itself has "enteric" properties satisfying the following conditions.

That is, "enteric solubility" refers to a property that satisfies at least the following condition (i).

(i) In the 17 th time of the dissolution test revised japanese pharmacopoeia (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "17 th edition pharmacopoeia"), the dissolution rate of the content when the subject is immersed in the 1 st liquid at 37 ℃ ± 0.5 ℃ for 2 hours is 25% or less, preferably 10% or less. Preferably, the pH of solution 1 is about 1.2. The first solution can be prepared, for example, by adding 7.0ml of hydrochloric acid and water to 2.0g of sodium chloride to prepare 1000ml of the first solution.

The "enteric property" preferably satisfies the following condition (ii) in addition to the above condition (i). (ii) In the above-mentioned dissolution test, the subject can dissolve the contents when immersed in the 2 nd solution at 37 ℃. + -. 0.5 ℃. Preferably, the pH of solution 2 is about 6.8. The solution 2 can be prepared, for example, by adding 1 volume of water to 1 volume of phosphate buffer prepared by dissolving 3.40g of potassium dihydrogenphosphate and 3.55g of anhydrous disodium hydrogenphosphate in water to prepare 1000mL of the solution.

Here, the time for measuring the dissolution rate of the content in the 2 nd liquid is not limited. For example, in the case where it is required to elute relatively quickly after reaching the intestinal tract, the elution rate after 30 minutes from the time when the subject is in the liquid 2 is 50%, preferably 70% or more, and more preferably 80% or more. For example, the dissolution rate after 45 minutes after immersion of the subject in the second liquid is 75% or more, preferably 80% or more, and more preferably 90% or more. Further, for example, the dissolution rate after 1 hour after immersion of the subject in the liquid 2 is 75% or more, preferably 80%, more preferably 90% or more.

The dissolution test can be carried out according to the dissolution test method prescribed in pharmacopoeia 17 th edition (pharmacopoeia 17 th edition, using a paddle method of 6.10 to 1.2 (paddle revolution number is 50 rpm) and a sinker corresponding to the figure 6.10 to 2 a).

The content used in the dissolution test is not limited as long as it is a content that dissolves in the test solution itself rapidly and can be quantified by a known method. For example, acetaminophen is exemplified.

The "nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound" (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "water-soluble cellulose compound") is a water-soluble cellulose compound (polymer) which has no ionic group in the molecule and has a nonionic hydrophilic group such as — OH or ═ O to be water-soluble, and is obtained by etherifying a part of the hydroxyl groups of the glucose ring of cellulose.

Specifically, there may be mentioned water-soluble cellulose ethers obtained by substituting at least one of alkyl groups and hydroxyalkyl groups for the hydrogen atoms of the hydroxyl groups of cellulose. Examples of the "alkyl group" in the above-mentioned alkyl group or hydroxyalkyl group include a linear or branched lower alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and specific examples thereof include a methyl group, an ethyl group, a butyl group and a propyl group. Specific examples of the nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound include lower alkyl celluloses such as Methyl Cellulose (MC); hydroxy lower alkyl celluloses such as hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) and hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC); and hydroxy lower alkyl celluloses such as hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl ethyl cellulose, and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (also referred to as hypromellose or HPMC in the present specification). Among them, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl cellulose are commercially available and are particularly suitable for pharmaceutical and food applications. The substitution degree of the water-soluble cellulose ether is not particularly limited, and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, and the like specified in japanese pharmacopoeia can be used. For example, the substitution degree of a methoxy group in hydroxypropylmethylcellulose is preferably 16.5 to 30.0 mass%, more preferably 19.0 to 30.0 mass%, and particularly preferably 28.0 to 30.0 mass%; the substitution degree of the hydroxypropoxyl group is preferably 4.0 to 32.0 mass%, more preferably 4.0 to 12.0 mass%, and particularly preferably 7.0 to 12.0 mass%. The substitution degree of the methoxy group in the methylcellulose is preferably 26.0 to 33.0 mass%, more preferably 28.0 to 31.0 mass%. The degree of substitution can be measured by a method according to the method for measuring the degree of substitution of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, methylcellulose, and hydroxypropylcellulose described in pharmacopoeia 17 th edition.

Among them, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose represented by the following formula is an optimal cellulose compound in terms of excellent coating moldability and mechanical strength at low moisture.

[ chemical formula 1]

The hydroxypropylmethylcellulose used in the present invention comprises hydroxypropylmethylcellulose having a substitution degree type (substitution degree grade) of 2910,2906,2208 defined in pharmacopoeia 17 th edition.

[ TABLE 1]

The hydroxypropyl methylcellulose according to the present invention includes hydroxypropyl methylcellulose having the following molecular weight, which is recognized in japan as a food additive.

Molecular weight

Unsubstituted structural unit: 162.14

Substitution of structural units: about 180 (degree of substitution 1.19), about 210 (degree of substitution 2.37)

Polymer (b): about 13000(n about 70) to about 200000(n about 1000).

Examples of commercially available methylcellulose and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose include the japanese pharmacopoeia methose (registered trademark) series of shin-Etsu chemical Co., Ltd, the methose series for food additives, AnyCoat-C or AnyAddy (registered trademark) series of Lotte (former Samsung) precision chemical Co., Ltd, the METHOCEL (registered trademark) series of Dow chemical (Dow chemical Co., Ltd), and the Benecel (registered trademark) series of Ashland Co., Ltd.

The hydroxypropyl cellulose to be used in the present invention also includes HPC (16th jecfa. hydroxypropyl cellulose (revised specification) FNP52 Add 12,2004) having a molecular weight of about 30000(n is about 100) to about l000000(n is about 2500) which is recognized in japan as a food additive or a pharmaceutical additive. Commercially available hydroxypropyl cellulose having a high "viscosity" is exemplified by Klucel (registered trademark) series available from Ashland, and NISSO HPC available from Nihon. HPC corresponds to a product showing a viscosity type of G, M, H, for example, in the Klucel (registered trademark) series of Ashland corporation.

These nonionic water-soluble cellulose compounds are usually supplied in the form of solid particles finely pulverized in the range of about 0.1 to about 100 μm in order. In addition, "non-salified" is preferred. The term "non-salified" means that a trace amount of a salt compound present as an impurity unavoidably mixed or remaining in the production process of a cellulose compound is not included, and most of the free acid residue of the cellulose compound is not salified.

In the present invention, it is preferable to use a nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound having a viscosity of 100 mPas or more in a2 mass% aqueous solution at 20 ℃. Hereinafter, the value of the viscosity is sometimes simply referred to as "viscosity value". Regarding the determination of the "viscosity value", it is determined in accordance with the models of methylcellulose and hypromellose established on the basis of the international harmonization scheme, after the 15 th pharmacopoeia. That is, the "viscosity value" refers to a value (mPas) of the viscosity at 20 ℃. + -. 0.1 ℃ of a2 mass% aqueous solution of the water-soluble cellulose. In the measurement of the "viscosity value", in the case where the "viscosity value" is less than 600 mPas, the Method 1 of the viscosity measurement Method of the general test Method 2.53 (Ubbelohde Method) is used; when the "viscosity number" is 600 mPas or more, the method 2 of the general test method 2.53 viscometry and a 2.1.2 single cylinder rotary viscometer (Brookfield viscometer) are used.

In addition, the "viscosity value" may be a value indicating viscosity (sometimes referred to as a viscosity grade value) based on a compound manufacturer. As the display viscosity and the range of the display viscosity, for example, in the metholose (trademark) series of the shin-Etsu chemical industry, if the display viscosity is less than 600mPa · s, it is 80 to 120% of the display viscosity; when the display viscosity is 600 mPas or more, the viscosity is 75 to 140% of the display viscosity. The lower limit value of 100mPa · s in the present invention can be used as it is as a "viscosity value" as long as the gist of the present invention is not impaired.

In addition, in METHOCEL (registered trademark) series of dow chemical, the viscosity value of an aqueous solution at 20 ℃ and 2 mass% concentration is still measured by the ulfra viscometer method in ASTM, D1347 or D2363, but the relationship between the viscosity (viscosity grade) and the number average molecular weight and weight average molecular weight is shown to be a value that is almost compatible with the pharmacopoeia value. Any viscosity shown can be directly used as the "viscosity value" as long as the gist of the present invention is not impaired.

In the present invention, the lower limit of the "viscosity value" is preferably 100 mPas, more preferably 200 mPas, and still more preferably 400 mPas. The "viscosity value" as the upper limit is preferably 100000mPa · s, which is the upper limit of the cellulose compound that can be obtained practically. The number average molecular weight (g/Mol) corresponding to the "viscosity value" of 100 to 200000 mPas is about 30000-300000. The weight average molecular weight (g/Mol) is about 100000-1000000 (obtained from catalog value of METOLOSE (registered trademark) series of shin-Etsu chemical company, METOCEL (registered trademark) series of Dow chemical company).

The solid nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound is usually solid particles having a particle diameter of 1 to 100 μm. In addition, the compounds are characterized by a Low Critical Solution Temperature (LCST), T0. The LCST is a temperature at which the solution starts to dissolve when the water temperature is lower than T0 during the temperature reduction process and the polymer in the solution gels or causes phase separation when the water temperature is higher than T0 during the temperature increase process.

When the water-soluble cellulose compound is completely dissolved in a solvent (water or the like) at around room temperature, the solution becomes transparent. During the process of raising the temperature of the solution again, gelation or phase separation from the solvent in T0 was observed as the aqueous solution became turbid, and hence the solution was called a cloud point. When water-soluble cellulose particles (generally having a particle diameter of 1 to 100 μm) that are not dissolved are dissolved in water, the particles are first dispersed at a temperature of not less than the haze point T0, and then dissolved by lowering the water temperature, and the particles start to be dissolved gradually from the surface, but the particles are not completely dissolved, and the dispersed state of the fine solid particles is maintained. If the temperature is further lowered to around room temperature, a complete solution can be obtained. When the temperature of the solution is again raised, gelation or phase separation from the solvent occurs in the vicinity of the cloud point, but the water-soluble cellulose compound does not return to the original undissolved dispersion of solid fine particles. In MC and HPMC, water molecules enter the cellulosic polymer network to form a gel, and in HPC, the water molecules phase separate into a solid phase and an aqueous phase of the cellulosic polymer. The low critical solution temperature (hereinafter also referred to as "dissolution temperature") and the cloud point are referred to as "temperature lowering process" and "temperature raising process", respectively, and may be slightly different from each other but substantially the same as each other in the course of the temperature lowering process or the temperature raising process. In the following description, the same parameters are handled.

The cloud point of the nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound is also dependent on the pH of the aqueous solution, but is usually in the range of 40 to 70 ℃ (Proc. Natl. Acad. Co., Ltd., Vol.38(1981), p.133-137, J.Polym.Sci.C., Vol.36(1971), p.491-508). For example, HPMC, which is a typical nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound, is about 60 ℃, about 40 ℃ in MC, and about 40 ℃ in HPC.

The "enteric cellulose compound" is a cellulose compound (polymer) having acid resistance. Specifically, the hydroxyl group of the cellulose is etherified with phthalic acid, acetic acid, succinic acid, etc. containing a carboxyl group. Examples of the enteric cellulose compound include: hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate (HPMCP), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS), Cellulose Acetate Phthalate (CAP).

HPMCP is also called hypromellose phthalate, and is prepared by reacting phthalic anhydride with HPMC (hypromellose) in the presence of anhydrous sodium acetate as catalyst, and introducing further carbobenzoyl (-COC)₆H₄COOH). The carbobenzoyl group contains a carboxyl group, which is hydrophobic in itself and shows acid resistance, but is dissolved by dissociation of the carbobenzoyl group in a weakly acidic to neutral region. Therefore, the dissolution pH, which is a threshold value at which dissolution starts at a value substantially equal to or higher than this value, changes depending on the amount of the carbobenzoyl group bonded.

As examples of products, HP-55 (substitution pattern 200731), HP-50 (substitution pattern 220824) which are different in dissolution pH, and HP-55S which is higher in polymerization degree than HP-55 and excellent in film strength can be obtained by the belief chemical industry and Lotte precision chemistry. The dissolution pH of HP50 and HP55 was about pH5.0 and pH5.5, respectively.

HPMCAS is also called hypromellose acetate succinate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate, by reacting acetic anhydride, succinic anhydride, and HPMC (hypromellose), etc., and further introducing acetyl group (-COCH)₃) With succinyl (also known as "succinyl") groups (-COC)₂H₄COOH). the-COOH group (carboxyl group) in the succinyl group is important for the manifestation of enteric function. The content of the substituent of HPMCAS is not particularly limited, and the methoxy group is preferably 12 to 28 mass%, more preferably 20 to 26 mass%; the hydroxypropoxyl group is preferably 4 to 23 mass percent, and more preferably 5 to 10 mass percent; the acetyl group is preferably 2 to 16 mass%, more preferably 5 to 14 mass%; the succinyl group is 2 to 20% by mass, more preferably 4 to 18% by mass.

As an example of the product, for example, AQOAT (registered trademark) series products are available from the belief chemical industry. The series has AS-L, AS-M and AS-H, with 3 degrees of substitution depending on the degree of substitution of the succinyl and acetyl groups. In the order of the rank (L, M or H), the content of succinyl group and carboxyl group was controlled to be high, whereas the content of acetyl group was controlled to be low, and the dissolution pH was set to be high. The dissolution pH of AS-L, M and H was about pH5.0, pH5.5 and pH6.0, respectively.

Further, products having various degrees of substitution are available from Ashland corporation as one of AFFINISOL (registered trademark) series products, and AquaSolve (registered trademark) series products.

CAP is also called cellulose acetate (Cellacefate, British pharmacopoeia), cellulose acetate phthalate (Japanese pharmacopoeia), cellulose acetate phthalate (European pharmacopoeia), and cellulose acetate (Cellacefate, United states pharmacopoeia) which is prepared by reacting phthalic anhydride with cellulose acetate (acetylated cellulose) using anhydrous sodium acetate or the like as a catalyst, and introducing a carboxybenzoyl group (-COC)₆H₄COOH). The Aquateric (registered trademark) series products of FMC corporation are commercially available or available from eastman chemical.

These enteric cellulose compounds are insoluble in water in the non-neutralized state and are solubilized by at least partially neutralizing them with a basic neutralizing agent. The non-neutralized state means that free acid residues (e.g., carboxylic acid residues of phthalic acid, succinic acid, and acetic acid moieties present in the molecule) are not neutralized. In the present invention, the enteric cellulose compound is preferably a non-neutralized compound.

"methacrylic copolymer" is also known as "Methacrylate copolymer". The methacrylic acid copolymer is a polymer containing a methacrylic acid monomer unit in the skeleton.

The methacrylic acid copolymer is more preferably composed of a methacrylic acid monomer unit as an anionic group and a neutral alkyl ester monomer unit of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid. The alkyl group ester-bonded to acrylic acid or methacrylic acid includes an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms. More specifically, the alkyl ester of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid includes at least one selected from the group consisting of methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate and butyl acrylate.

The methacrylic acid copolymer is preferably enteric. More preferably, the enteric methacrylic acid copolymer includes a copolymer (copolymer) of methacrylic acid (formula (I)) and methyl methacrylate (formula (II)) and methyl acrylate (formula (III)), or a copolymer (copolymer) of methacrylic acid (formula (I)) and ethyl acrylate (formula (IV)) described below (non-patent document 1, chapter 9)

[ chemical formula 2]

The total number of monomers (total number of units or total number of groups) forming the copolymer is 100, and the methacrylic monomer unit is contained in an amount of at least 5%, preferably 5 to 70%, particularly preferably 8 to 60%, and more preferably 30 to 60%. The ratio of each monomer unit can be easily converted to mass% by using the molecular weight of each monomer unit.

A preferable methacrylic acid copolymer is a polymer composed of 40 to 60 mass% of methacrylic acid (molecular weight 86.04), 60 to 40 mass% of methyl methacrylate (molecular weight 100.05), or 60 to 40 mass% of ethyl acrylate (molecular weight 100.05) (for example, EUDRAGIT (registered trademark) L100 or EUDRAGIT (registered trademark) L100-55). Particularly preferred is EUDRAGIT (registered trademark) L100-55 which is a copolymer composed of 50 mass% of methacrylic acid and 50 mass% of ethyl acrylate. EUDRAGIT (registered trademark) L30D-55 is an aqueous dispersion containing about 30% by mass of EUDRAGIT (registered trademark) L100-55. These methacrylic acid copolymers are set to dissolve at a pH of about 5.5 or more.

Another preferable example is a polymer comprising 5 to 15 mass% of methacrylic acid, 10 to 30 mass% of methyl methacrylate and 50 to 70 mass% of methyl acrylate (molecular weight: 86.04). More specifically, EUDRAGIT (registered trademark) FS, which is a copolymer composed of 10 mass% of methacrylic acid, 25 mass% of methyl methacrylate, and 65 mass% of methyl acrylate. EUDRAGIT (registered trademark) FS30D is a dispersion liquid containing about 30 mass% of EUDRAGIT (registered trademark) FS. This methacrylic acid copolymer is dissolved at a pH of about 7 or more, and is sometimes used for transportation to the large intestine, which is an environment with a higher pH.

The enteric methacrylic acid copolymer is usually produced by an emulsion polymerization process, and is subjected to a copolymerization process in an aqueous solution from a monomer level, to prepare an aqueous emulsion containing very small colloidal particles. Therefore, even without a step of neutralizing and dissolving the solid polymer component with an alkaline neutralizing agent, an aqueous dispersion of very fine colloidal particles having an average particle diameter of less than 1 μm can be obtained.

As the EUDRGIT series (Evonik Co.) L30D-55 equivalent aqueous dispersion and equivalent commercial methacrylic acid copolymer, Kollicoat series (BASF Co.) MAE30D/DP and POLYQUID series (Sanyo chemical Co.) PA-30 can be mentioned, but not necessarily limited thereto. Note that these aqueous dispersions (aqueous emulsions) generally contain less than 0.3% of residual monomers and trace amounts of polysorbate 80 and sodium lauryl sulfate for the production process and stabilization thereof, which may be allowed as inevitable impurities relative to the hard capsule coating and hard capsule preparation liquids to which the present invention relates.

The "alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer" is a substantially neutral (meth) acrylic acid copolymer composed mainly of alkyl ester neutral monomer units of methacrylic acid or acrylic acid. The alkyl group ester-bonded to acrylic acid or methacrylic acid includes an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms. More specifically, the alkyl ester of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid includes at least one selected from the group consisting of methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate and butyl acrylate. The proportion of the neutral monomer is, for example, more than 95% by mass, more than 98% by mass, more than 99% by mass or 100% by mass in order to make it substantially neutral. However, the presence of ionic groups in the polymer is not completely excluded, and a methacrylic acid copolymer containing ionic groups, particularly having an ionic group content of less than 5 mass%, preferably less than 2 mass%, preferably less than 1 mass%, may be included.

The alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer is preferably water-insoluble.

More preferably a copolymer (type of EUDRAGIT (registered trademark) NE or EUDRAGIT (registered trademark) NM) comprising 20 to 40 mass% of methyl methacrylate (molecular weight 100.05) and 60 to 80 mass% of ethyl acrylate (molecular weight 100.05). Among them, EUDRAGIT (registered trademark) NE, which is a copolymer composed of 70 mass% of ethyl acrylate and 30 mass% of methyl methacrylate, is suitable. In any case, less than 5 mass% methacrylic acid (molecular weight 86.04), preferably less than 2 mass%, preferably less than 1 mass% may be included.

These water-insoluble alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymers have a glass transition temperature of less than 100 ℃ or a Film-forming temperature (MFT) of less than 50 ℃, and particularly, when a dispersion of colloidal particles comprising an enteric methacrylic acid copolymer is dried to form a coating, the fusion between the particles is promoted, and a dried coating which is transparent and is less likely to break is obtained. In addition, the water-insoluble alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer has an advantage that acid resistance is impaired at an appropriate addition amount.

The above-mentioned water-insoluble alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer may also be subjected to a copolymerization process in an aqueous solution from the monomer level by an emulsion polymerization process, thereby first producing an aqueous emulsion containing very small colloidal particles. Therefore, even without a step of neutralizing and dissolving the solid polymer component with an alkaline neutralizing agent, an aqueous dispersion of very fine colloidal particles having an average particle diameter of less than 1 μm can be obtained.

The "polyvinyl alcohol" (PVA) is a polymer obtained by saponifying polyvinyl acetate, and generally includes a completely saponified product represented by the following formula (1) having a saponification degree of 97% or more and a partially saponified product represented by the following formula (2) having a saponification degree of 78 to 96%. In the present invention, both of the completely saponified product and the partially saponified product can be used. The partially saponified product is not particularly limited, but preferably has a saponification degree n/(n + m) of 78 to 90%, and more preferably about 87 to 90%.

[ chemical formula 3 ]

(wherein n and m are arbitrary integers)

The average polymerization degree (n) of the PVA is not particularly limited as long as it is within a range capable of exhibiting film-forming performance, and is usually 400 to 3300, and particularly preferably about 1000 to 3000. The weight average molecular weight of the PVA is about 18000 to about 200000 as calculated from the average polymerization degree and saponification degree, but is not particularly limited thereto. By adding PVA, enteric solubility can be maintained and moderate mechanical strength (elastic modulus and toughness) can be imparted to the capsule coating.

In the present invention, PVA and a PVA copolymer may be used in combination. Examples of the PVA copolymer include a PVA copolymer obtained by copolymerizing the above PVA with a polymerizable vinyl monomer.

The PVA copolymer is preferably a polymer copolymer obtained by copolymerizing acrylic acid and methyl methacrylate with the above partially saponified PVA as a skeleton. Examples of commercially available PVA copolymers include povacat (registered trademark) series (japanese patent chemical).

The enteric hard capsule coating of the present invention may further comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable plasticizer and a plasticizer acceptable as a food additive, a surfactant (emulsifier), a matrix (excluding nonionic water-soluble cellulose compounds), a binder (excluding PVA), a coating agent, and the like. In addition, a sustained release agent, a cosolvent, a solubilizer, and the like for controlling solubility, particularly the dissolution characteristics in a neutral pH region may be contained. Examples of the additives acceptable as pharmaceutical additives include those described in the above-mentioned applications in the pharmaceutical additives dictionary, 2016 (japan pharmaceutical additives association, pharmaceutical diary), but are not limited thereto. These additives may be repeatedly classified into a plurality of uses.

The plasticizer is not necessarily limited to the specific substance shown in the above dictionary of pharmaceutical additives, and is not particularly limited as long as it can be used in pharmaceutical products or food compositions and is added to a capsule coating to impart flexibility, and a suitable substance has a general molecular weight (Mw) of 100 to 20000, and has one or more hydrophilic groups, for example, a hydroxyl group, an ester group, or an amino group, in one molecule. Examples thereof include dioctyl adipate, polyester adipate, epoxidized soybean oil, epoxyhexahydrophthalic diester, kaolin, triethyl citrate, glycerin fatty acid ester, sesame oil, dimethylpolysiloxane-silica mixture, D-sorbitol, medium-chain fatty acid triglyceride, sugar alcohol solution derived from corn starch, triacetin, condensed glycerin, castor oil, phytosterol, diethyl phthalate, dioctyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, butyl phthalyl butyl glycolate, propylene glycol, polyoxyethylene (105) polyoxypropylene (5) glycol, polysorbate 80, isopropyl Macrogol myristate, cottonseed oil-soybean oil mixture, glyceryl monostearate, isopropyl linoleate, polyethylene glycols of various molecular weights (Macrogol400, 600, B, C, 1500. 4000, 6000), etc. Polyethylene glycol is particularly preferable from the viewpoint of excellent compatibility and imparting high gloss. The weight average molecular weight of the polyethylene glycol is not particularly limited, and is preferably 200 to 35000 from the viewpoint of imparting high gloss.

Surfactants (also known as emulsifiers) are used as solubilizers, suspending agents, emulsifiers, dispersants, cosolvents, stabilizers, and the like. Specific examples thereof include benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride polyoxyethylene (40) monostearate (polyoxyethylene 40 stearate), sorbitan sesquioleate (sorbitan sesquioleate), polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate (polysorbate 80), glycerin monostearate (glyceryl monostearate), sodium lauryl sulfate, polyoxyethylene lauryl ether (lauromacrogol) and the like (: marks in the japanese pharmacopoeia). Further, sodium alkylbenzenesulfonate, sucrose fatty acid ester, polyethylene glycol monooleate, polyethylene glycol dioleate, propylene glycol fatty acid ester (propylene glycol monostearate), polyoxyethylene hardened castor oil, polyoxyethylene glyceryl monostearate, polyoxyethylene (160) polyoxypropylene (30) ethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene nonylphenyl ether, and the like can be mentioned.

The enteric hard capsule coating of the present invention may further contain up to about 5% by mass of a lubricant, chelating agent, colorant, opacifying agent, coupling agent, etc. examples of the chelating agent include ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, acetic acid, boric acid, citric acid, gluconic acid, lactic acid, phosphoric acid, tartaric acid or salts thereof, metaphosphate, dihydroxyethylglycine, lecithin, β -cyclodextrin, or combinations thereof.

The lubricant is not particularly limited as long as it can be used in a pharmaceutical or food composition. Examples thereof include calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, sodium fumarate stearate, palm wax, starch, sucrose fatty acid ester, light anhydrous silicic acid, polyethylene glycol, talc, hydrogenated vegetable oil, and the like.

Examples of the chelating agent include ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, acetic acid, boric acid, citric acid, gluconic acid, lactic acid, phosphoric acid, tartaric acid, or a salt thereof, a metaphosphate, dihydroxyethylglycine, lecithin, β -cyclodextrin, or a combination thereof.

Examples of the coloring agent include powdered catechins, turmeric extract, gentian violet, yellow iron oxide, yellow ferric oxide, opasray K-1-24904, orange essence, brown iron oxide, carbon black, caramel, carmine, carotene solution, β -carotene, phytochrome 201, licorice extract, gold leaf, Carcinia Maultflora champ (Sasa albo-marginata) extract, black iron oxide, light anhydrous silicic acid, eucheuma brown (Daemonopsis draco, red), zinc oxide, titanium oxide, ferric oxide, disazo yellow, food blue No. 1 and its aluminum lake, food blue No. 2 and its aluminum lake, food yellow No. 4 and its aluminum lake, food yellow No. 5 and its aluminum lake, food green No.3 and its aluminum lake, buckwheat, food red 2 and its aluminum lake, calcium carbonate, red pigment, red cherry lake, red cherry pigment, red cherry pigment, red pigment-red pigment, red pigment.

Examples of the light-shading agent include titanium oxide, calcium compounds, iron trioxide, yellow iron trioxide, black iron oxide, food blue No. 1 aluminum lake, food blue No. 2 aluminum lake, food yellow No. 4 aluminum lake, food yellow No. 5 aluminum lake, food green No.3 aluminum lake, food magenta No. 2 aluminum lake, food magenta No.3 aluminum lake, food magenta No. 102 aluminum lake, food magenta No. 104 aluminum lake, food magenta No. 105 aluminum lake, food magenta No. 106 aluminum lake, and food magenta No. 40 aluminum lake.

In hard capsules for medical use, titanium oxide or a calcium compound may be added as a light-shading agent in particular in order to prevent deterioration of the contents by ultraviolet rays or the like. Examples of the calcium-containing compound include inorganic calcium salts such as calcium carbonate and calcium bicarbonate, calcium complexes such as calcium hydroxide, calcium oxide, dolomite and hydroxyapatite, and other compounds containing calcium element.

2. Enteric hard capsule

The first aspect of the present invention relates to enteric hard capsules.

Specifically disclosed is an enteric hard capsule containing a coating, which comprises a1 st component and a2 nd component and further comprises at least one component selected from a 3 rd component, a 4th component and a5 th component, wherein the 1 st component is a nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound having a viscosity of 100-100000 mPas, the 2 nd component is an enteric methacrylic acid copolymer, the 3 rd component is an enteric cellulose compound, the 4th component is a water-insoluble alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer, and the 5 th component is at least one selected from the group consisting of a polyvinyl alcohol, a plasticizer and a surfactant. Wherein the 2 nd and 3 rd components impart enteric functionality; ingredient 1 primarily aids in forming a coating in the form of a support-free, self-supporting capsule; the 4th and 5 th components are mainly used for maintaining enteric function and obtaining proper mechanical strength of the self-supporting capsule coating as hard capsule.

In the present invention, the reason why the viscosity number of the nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound used as the component 1 is in the range of 100 to 100000 mPas is as follows.

Conventionally, in hypromellose hard capsules for oral administration which are not dependent on pH and in which importance is attached to solubility without delay, a substance exhibiting a viscosity (viscosity grade) value of 3 to 15mPa · s of water-soluble cellulose has been used (japanese patent application laid-open No. 08-208458, japanese patent application laid-open No. 2001-506692, japanese patent application laid-open No. 2010-270039, and japanese patent application laid-open No. 2011-500871). Wherein almost 100% of the coating (which may contain about 0 to 5% by mass of a gelling agent, a gelling aid, a light-screening agent, a coloring agent, etc., and about 0 to 10% by mass of residual moisture) is a water-soluble cellulose, particularly HPMC. In an elution test using acetaminophen as an index, the elution rate is almost independent of pH, but depends on the molecular weight of water-soluble cellulose, i.e., viscosity, and usually, acetaminophen in the test solution of pH1.2, the test solution of pH6.8 and pure water is eluted at 100% in 30 minutes or less. On the other hand, if the viscosity value is 100mPa · s or more, the dissolution tends to be delayed, and the coating material has not been used as a fast-dissolving capsule coating material.

In the present invention, it is considered that the properties suitable for hard capsules can be realized by adding a small amount of a nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound having a very high viscosity, i.e., a very high molecular weight, having a viscosity value of 100mPa · s or more to an enteric polymer, as compared with the conventional one. It is considered that, without being limited to theory, the nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound is analyzed to function as a filler in comparison with the generally brittle enteric polymer. Further, since the polymer has a very high molecular weight, swelling due to moisture penetration is appropriately suppressed in the test solution (first solution) having a ph of 1.2, and the acid resistance function of the enteric polymer as the main component is not impaired.

On the other hand, in the test solution at pH6.8, the enteric polymer promotes rapid dissolution, and therefore, even when water-soluble cellulose having a viscosity of 100 mPas or more is contained, delay in dissolution does not easily occur.

In the present invention, the enteric methacrylic acid copolymer as the component 2 is a constitution necessary for realizing the enteric hard capsule according to the present invention. The enteric methacrylic acid copolymer has advantages that it is very stable in long-term storage as compared with an enteric cellulose compound as the intrinsic properties of an enteric matrix (non-patent document 6, particularly fig. 3), and that the water vapor transmittance is low, that is, the moisture resistance of the coating is excellent (non-patent document 6, particularly table 2).

However, due to its polymer backbone, there is a tendency to form a hard and brittle coating easily. To compensate for this disadvantage, an enteric cellulose compound (component 3) may be blended. Ingredient No.3 ensures sufficient enteric solubility and achieves the preferred mechanical strength as a hard capsule coating. Meanwhile, the pH dependence can be more flexibly controlled by combining the 3 rd component in addition to the 2 nd component in the selection of the pharmaceutically acceptable enteric polymer. That is, the elution characteristics in the intermediate pH region where the pH is about 4 to 5 can be controlled. On the other hand, as another embodiment of the present invention, a part or the whole of the enteric cellulose compound may be replaced with a water-insoluble alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer as the component 4. The component 4 does not deteriorate the acid resistance and can improve the mechanical strength, particularly the brittleness. In addition, unlike component 3, neutralization is not required when a completely dissolved or finely granulated dispersion is obtained, and therefore, the concentration of the residual salt in the coating can be suppressed.

In addition to the above-mentioned 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd and 4th components, at least one selected from PVA, a plasticizer and a surfactant may be added as the 5 th component. Component 5 is preferable because it can provide an effect of imparting appropriate hardness and friability and can maintain the transparency of the coating. In the dispersion of the enteric polymer, a plasticizer and a surfactant such as TriEthyl Citrate (TEC), Polyethylene Glycol (PEG), and propylene Glycol (pg) are also useful because they can reduce the particle size and stabilize the particle size. PVA has the effect of increasing the hardness of the coating.

In the enteric hard capsule according to the first aspect, the total mass of the 1 st component, the 2 nd component, the 3 rd component, the 4th component and the 5 th component contained in the coating is 100 mass%, the ratio of the 1 st component is α mass%, the ratio of the 2 nd component is β mass%, the ratio of the 3 rd component is γ mass%, the ratio of the 4th component is σ%, and the ratio of the 5 th component is Φ, the value of the total ratio of the enteric polymer (the 2 nd component and the 3 rd component) (β + γ + σ)/(α + β + γ + σ + Φ) is preferably 0.5 or more (β + γ + σ)/(α + β + γ + σ + Φ) is more preferably 0.55 or more, still more preferably 0.6 or more, and (β + γ)/(β + γ + σ) is preferably 0.4 or more, still more preferably 0.5 or more, whereby the acid-resistant hard capsule can be sufficiently exhibited.

On the other hand, in order to maintain appropriate hardness and toughness of the capsule coating, (β + γ + σ)/(α + β + γ + σ + Φ) has an upper limit of 0.9 or less, preferably 0.8 or less.

The proportion of the nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound as the first component is preferably 0.05. ltoreq. α/(α + β + γ + σ + Φ). ltoreq.0.5. if less than 0.05, there is a tendency to be easily broken, and if more than 0.5, there is a tendency to cause deterioration in acid resistance at pH1.2 or solubility at pH6.8 (neutral). more preferably 0.07. ltoreq. α/(α + β + γ + σ + Φ). ltoreq.0.4. it should be noted that, in the case where the viscosity value exceeds about 1000mPa · s, if α exceeds 30 mass%, there is a tendency to delay dissolution even in a buffer solution of pH 6.8. in the case where transfer to the intestine is required to be rapidly dissolved, a water-soluble cellulose compound having a viscosity value of 100 to 1000mPa · s is preferably used, or, in the case where transfer to the intestine is required to be rapidly dissolved, a water-soluble cellulose compound having a viscosity value of 1000mPa · s is preferably set to α% and more preferably to be released in the intestine at a viscosity value of less than 20 mPa · s (α%, preferably less than 20% by mass).

The reason why the ratio of the enteric polymer, i.e., the 2 nd component and the 3 rd component, is β/(β + γ) of the enteric methacrylic acid copolymer is preferably 0.1 or more, more preferably 0.2 or more, and still more preferably 0.4 or more, and the upper limit may be 1 or less, i.e., γ ═ 0, is that the enteric methacrylic acid copolymer is chemically stable as compared with the enteric cellulose compound as a property of the enteric polymer itself, and free carboxylic acids are hardly generated by decomposition of carboxyl groups during storage under high humidity for a long time.

As a more preferable mode, when the ratio γ of the 3 rd component is reduced, it is preferable to replace a part or all of the enteric cellulose compound of the 3 rd component with the water-insoluble alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer of the 4th component, and it is more preferable to set γ ═ 0. the water-insoluble alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer has an effect of improving the mechanical strength of the coating, particularly the friability, without deteriorating the acid resistance, and when γ ═ 0, β/(α + α + γ + σ + Φ) (α/(α + α + σ + Φ) (634 + σ + Φ) (α/(α + 3645 + α + σ + Φ) (σ + Φ) is preferably 0.3 or more, and it is further preferably 0.4 or more, on the other hand, since the enteric methacrylic acid copolymer is a material that easily embrittles the capsule coating, the upper limit of α/(α + α + σ + Φ) is preferably 0.7 or less, more preferably 0.65 or less, and it should be explained that the upper limit of (3985 + γ)/(α + β + γ)/(σ + 588 + Φ) (σ + Φ + 8), (σ + 638) is preferably equal to be equal to or more preferably equal to or more, and the toughness is equal to or more preferably equal to or more than 0.2, and equal to or more preferably equal to or more than the upper limit of.

Even if the ratio σ/(α + β + σ + Φ) of the 5 th component is any of the above ratios, it is preferably 0.15 or less, more preferably 0.1 or less, and if the 5 th component is contained in excess, it becomes too soft particularly under high humidity to obtain a coating unsuitable for a hard capsule, and further, the acid resistance may become insufficient due to the water solubility of the 5 th component.

In the present invention, a mixture of a plurality of nonionic water-soluble cellulose compounds having different viscosity values or substitution degrees of 100mPa · s or more may be used, and the total amount of the nonionic water-soluble celluloses having viscosity values of 100mPa · s or more may be regarded as the 1 st component and the proportion thereof is α mass% or less, and the same applies to the 2 nd, 3 rd and 4th components, and in the case of using a plurality of enteric methacrylic acid copolymers, the total amount thereof is regarded as the 2 nd component and the proportion thereof is β mass%, in the case of using a plurality of enteric cellulose compounds, the total amount thereof is regarded as the 3 rd component and the proportion thereof is γ mass%, in the case of using a plurality of water-insoluble alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymers, the total amount thereof is regarded as the 4th component and the proportion thereof is σ mass%, and in the case of using a5 th component, at least two selected from PVA, a plasticizer and a surfactant are used together, the total amount thereof is regarded as the 5 th component and the proportion thereof is σ mass%.

The composition may further contain a lubricant, a chelating agent, a colorant, a light-screening agent and residual moisture in addition to the above-mentioned components 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. When X is the total mass of the 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd, 4th and 5 th components contained in the coating and epsilon is the total mass of the lubricant, chelating agent, colorant and light-shading agent, epsilon/X is in the range of 0.2 or less, more preferably in the range of 0.1 or less, and still more preferably in the range of 0.05 or less.

In the capsule coating of the present invention, the presence of a salt produced by at least partially neutralizing an enteric polymer composed of an enteric methacrylic acid copolymer and/or an enteric cellulose compound and the presence of a neutralized product of other coating components accompanying the salt may be permitted. Examples of the salt include at least one salt selected from an alkali metal salt, an alkaline earth metal salt, and an ammonium salt. The salt is preferably at least one salt selected from a sodium (Na) salt and a potassium (K) salt. Na salt is particularly preferred.

Specifically, the carboxyl group of the enteric cellulose compound can be neutralized with a metal ion such as Na, and is stably present in the solid coating as a group such as-COONa. The ratio of the neutralized acid (carboxylic acid or the like) residue is, for example, preferably 50% or less, more preferably 30% or less, and still more preferably 20% or less, when the molar number (number of groups) of the carboxyl residue contained in the enteric polymer before neutralization is taken as 100%. This is referred to as the degree of neutralization (the detailed definition of the degree of neutralization is described in embodiment 2 described later). The presence of an excessive amount of salt is not preferable because it may easily break the coating, or may cause deterioration of the coating by salting out, or disintegration by excessive permeation by water. On the other hand, the presence of moderate salts contributes to the water-based penetration and swelling of the capsule coating comprising enteric polymers. The expansion of the capsule coating has an effect of bringing the lid into close contact with the body through a gap, thereby more completely preventing dissolution. Therefore, the degree of neutralization is preferably 2%, more preferably 5% or more.

In other words, when the total number of moles of salt-forming carboxyl groups and non-salt-forming carboxyl groups in the component 2 contained in the coating is 100 mol%, the content of salt-forming carboxyl groups is 2 mol% or more, preferably 5 mol% or more. The content of the carboxyl group in the salt is 50 mol% or less, preferably 20 mol% or less, and more preferably 15 mol% or less. In particular, when γ is 0, it may be 20 mol% or less.

In other words, when the salt contained in the capsule coating is a Na salt, the content is preferably 0.1 mass% or more, more preferably 0.2 mass% in terms of hydroxide (NaOH mass) thereof, relative to the coating weight. On the other hand, it is preferably 5% by mass or less, more preferably 2% by mass or less, and still more preferably 1% by mass or less. In particular, when γ is 0,2 mass% or less can be set.

In the capsule coating according to the present invention, it is preferable that the capsule coating contains 2 to 10 mass% of residual moisture in order to maintain toughness. The proper amount of water content hardly affects the solubility of the capsule and functions as a plasticizer. The water content also depends on the ambient humidity during storage of the capsule, and if the relative humidity is in the range of about 20 to 60%, the water content reversibly changes approximately in proportion to the ambient humidity. In the present invention, the moisture content value of the capsule coating is a saturation value after preservation (humidity adjustment) for several days at a relative humidity of 43% which is constant at room temperature.

The moisture content after humidity adjustment can be measured by a dry-weight loss method as follows.

Method for measuring water content in capsule coating based on drying decrement method

The sample (hard capsule or film) was put into a desiccator under an atmosphere of potassium carbonate saturated salt to be kept in a constant humidity state, sealed, and subjected to humidity adjustment at 25 ℃ for 1 week. Note that the following saturated salts (aqueous solutions) were used for the humidity control. That is, in the presence of a saturated potassium acetate salt, a saturated potassium carbonate salt, and a saturated ammonium nitrate salt, atmospheres having relative humidities of about 22%, 43%, and 60% were prepared, respectively. After measuring the mass (wet mass) of the humidity-conditioned sample, the sample was then dried by heating at 105 ℃ for 2 hours, and the mass (dry mass) of the sample was measured again. From the difference between the mass before drying (wet mass) and the mass after drying (dry mass), the ratio of the amount of water (water content) decreased by heating and drying at 105 ℃ for 2 hours was calculated according to the following equation, and this was taken as the water content (% by mass).

[ mathematical formula 1]

The water content at room temperature and 43% relative humidity is preferably at least 2% or more, more preferably 3% or more, and still more preferably 4% or more. If less than 2%, the fracture is easy. On the other hand, if the water content is too high, the reaction with the drug filled inside may occur when the drug is stored for a long time, and therefore, the water content is preferably 10% or less, more preferably 8% or less, and still more preferably 6% or less.

The enteric hard capsule according to the present invention preferably has the same or similar shape and mechanical strength (hardness and toughness) as conventional hard capsules on the market, and these conventional hard capsules on the market are intended for oral administration to a human or animal subject. The hard capsules commercially available for reference are gelatin or HPMC (hypromellose) capsules. Therefore, the thickness of the coating of the capsule is 50 μm or more, preferably 60 μm or more, and more preferably 70 μm or more. On the other hand, the upper limit is 250 μm or less, preferably 200 μm or less, and more preferably 150 μm or less. Particularly, the particle size is in the range of 70 to 150 μm, and is suitable for direct use in a commercially available filling machine. In the above thickness, it is required to have mechanical strength equivalent to that of a commercially available hard capsule coating. Mechanical strength can be evaluated by a "tensile strength test" usually applied to a polymer film using a coating prepared in a long form (non-patent document 1, chapter 4).

In the case of evaluating the mechanical strength of the coating of the hard capsule, it is important to make the thickness of the test coating uniform for comparison. Therefore, depending on the mechanical strength of the coating of each component composition of the hard capsule, a film was produced by a casting method using a preparation solution having the same component composition as that of the hard capsule preparation solution, and the film was evaluated using the cast film.

Casting a film, in which a metallic coater is placed on a glass surface or a PET film kept at room temperature, and a preparation solution at 50 to 60 ℃ is cast and moved at a constant speed to produce a uniform film of 100 μm. Then, the mixture is dried at room temperature to 30 ℃ for about 10 hours.

In order to obtain a film having a uniform thickness of 100 μm, applicators having a gap of 0.4mm to 1.5mm can be suitably used.

After the produced film is cut into a dumbbell shape of, for example, 5mm × 75mm (defined in JISK-7161-2-1 BA), a tensile test can be performed using, for example, a small bench tester (EZ-LX, Shimadzu corporation). Specifically, both ends of the film were fixed to a holder (gap length 60mm), and the film was stretched at a stretching speed of 10mm/min, and the elongation of the film and the stress (tensile stress) -elongation (strain) curve generated in the film were shown. Fig. 5 shows representative elongation-tensile stress test results. The elastic modulus as an index of hardness can be obtained from the slope of the elastic deformation region at low stress in the figure, and the elongation at the breaking point can be obtained as the elongation at break (%) (non-patent document 1, chapter 4).

The mechanical strength is preferably maintained under ordinary use conditions (temperature of about 5 to 30 ℃ C., relative humidity of about 20 to 60%) of the environment. For example, the film thus produced can be subjected to a tensile test after conditioning for 1 week or more under a humidity control condition of 25 ℃ and a relative humidity of 22% (using a saturated salt of potassium acetate), and then the mechanical strength can be evaluated. The tensile test is preferably carried out in a temperature and humidity environment at 25 ℃ and a relative humidity of 22%. Alternatively, the produced film was subjected to a tensile test after conditioning at 25 ℃ and 60% relative humidity (using ammonium nitrate saturated salt) for 1 week or more, and then the mechanical strength was evaluated. The tensile test is preferably performed under the same temperature and humidity environment as the humidity control conditions.

The elastic modulus (Young's modulus) as an index of hardness is preferably 1 to 5GPa, and more preferably 2 to 4 GPa. The elongation at break, which is an index of toughness evaluated in a tensile test, is preferably about 2 to 30%, and more preferably about 3 to 30%. Generally, the hardness and toughness of the enteric hard capsule coating of the present invention are often in a complementary relationship within this range. In coating and soft capsule coating, the resulting coating is often softer and has a high elongation at break. For example, coatings with an elongation at break of more than 30% are generally too soft and are mostly unsuitable as self-supporting hard capsule coatings. On the other hand, if the elongation at break is less than 2%, the fracture is significantly easy in the usual handling.

As described above, the presence of water in the capsule coating in an amount of about several% as a plasticizer affects the mechanical strength, particularly the breaking property. Under the use and storage conditions with a low relative humidity, the water content decreases, and if the water content reaches about 2 to 3%, for example, the film tends to be easily broken, that is, the elongation at break tends to decrease. On the other hand, on the high humidity side, the water content tends to increase and the elastic modulus tends to decrease. As a result, elongation at break becomes a problem on the low humidity side, and elastic modulus becomes a problem on the high humidity side; in the present invention, however, a coating having an elongation at break of 2 to 30% can be obtained by performing humidity control and tensile tests particularly in an environment having a relative humidity of 22% at a relatively low humidity and a temperature of 25 ℃. In addition, a coating having an elastic modulus of 1 to 5GPa can be obtained by performing humidity conditioning and tensile tests in an environment having a relative humidity of 60% at a relatively high humidity and a temperature of 25 ℃. As a result, the hardness of the enteric hard capsule according to the present invention can provide an elastic modulus in the range of 1 to 5GPa and an elongation at break of 3 to 30% in most of the relative humidity and temperature ranges of the indoor conditions. The modulus is more preferably 2 to 5GPa, and the elongation at break is more preferably 3 to 10%.

The enteric hard capsule coating according to the first aspect has a structure in which a phase containing a nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound as a main component is dispersed in a phase substantially composed of other components. This structure is referred to as an island-in-sea structure, and a phase containing a nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound as a main component is referred to as an "island" phase, and a phase substantially composed of other components is referred to as a "sea" phase. The island phase is substantially composed of the first component. Here, "substantially" means that other components, particularly, an enteric cellulose polymer as a third component may be contained in the island phase; on the other hand, it is also meant that the sea phase may contain partially dissolved first components. The marine phase also contains a methacrylic acid copolymer as the component 2, a plasticizer, a surfactant (emulsifier), a lubricant, a binder, an opacifier, a pigment, a lubricant, and the like. As shown in the examples described later, the "sea-island structure" can be confirmed by observing the cross section of the hard capsule coating using a scanning electron microscope. Such "sea-island structure" is supposed to be difficult to form by injection molding or extrusion molding using thermoplasticity of the coating component polymer, since it is necessary to pass through a dispersion equilibrium state in a solution state. It is also assumed that the island phase is not formed even when the first component is exposed to a low temperature around room temperature and completely dissolved in the preparation process of the capsule preparation liquid described later.

The size of each island phase depends on the size of solid particles of the nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound used for the preparation of the hard capsule. The minor axis of the island phase in the hard capsule coating is preferably 0.1 μm or more and less than 30 μm. The minor axis of the island phase is more preferably 0.2 μm or more and less than 20 μm.

3. Enteric hard capsule preparation liquid and preparation method thereof

The invention relates to the 2 nd embodiment to a preparation solution for preparing the enteric hard capsule described in the 2 nd above. The hard enteric capsule according to the present invention is composed of a coating obtained by drying the preparation solution of the present embodiment and removing the solvent.

Specifically, the enteric hard capsule preparation solution comprises an i-th component which is a nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound having a viscosity value, preferably a 2% aqueous solution at 20 ℃, in the range of 100 to 100000mPa · s, an ii-th component which is an enteric methacrylic acid copolymer, an iii-th component which is an enteric cellulose, an iv-th component which is a water-insoluble alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer, and a v-th component which is at least one selected from a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer, a plasticizer, and a surfactant, and a basic neutralizing agent and a solvent.

Here, the solvent used for the preparation liquid contains water as a main component, and particularly, purified water is preferable. Wherein, in the dissolution of the dispersion obtained from the solid powder of the nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound, the enteric cellulose compound and/or the enteric methacrylic acid copolymer, a mixed solvent of water and at least one selected from ethanol and absolute ethanol may be used. Since most of the ethanol evaporates during the production of the production liquid of the present invention or in the immersion step, the production liquid during the immersion has a water content of substantially 80 mass%, more preferably 90 mass% or more. Substantially 100% pure water may be used except for inevitable impurities contained therein.

In this embodiment, the enteric methacrylic acid copolymer as the ii th component and the enteric cellulose compound as the iii th component are used alone or as an enteric polymer. Since the solubility of these enteric polymers depends on the pH of the solvent, they are substantially insoluble in neutral water, and are used as a dispersion of fine particles of about 10 μm, preferably about 1 μm or less, by dissolving or at least partially dissolving them in the presence of a basic neutralizing agent. If the particle size is larger, the surface roughness of the capsule coating and the strength of the capsule coating may be adversely affected.

Hereinafter, the term "neutralizing solution" or "partially neutralizing solution" is used to include a case where at least a part of the solution is neutralized and dissolved. In the "neutralizing solution", a suspension containing undissolved fine particles in a dispersed state may be used. The alkaline neutralizing agent is not particularly limited as long as it is a compound acceptable in pharmaceutical use or as a food additive. The alkaline neutralizing agent may be at least one selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal salt, an alkaline earth metal salt and an ammonium salt. Preferably at least one selected from sodium salts and ammonium salts. The alkaline neutralizing agent is more preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, ammonia and ammonium carbonate. The alkaline neutralizing agent is further preferably sodium hydroxide, and in some cases, the alkaline neutralizing agent is at least one selected from the group consisting of ammonia and ammonium carbonate.

When the alkaline neutralizing agent is ammonia, it is preferable to evaporate ammonia after the coating is formed to remove the salt in the coating as much as possible. In the case of using ammonia as the alkaline neutralizing agent, it is preferable to use HPMCAS as the enteric cellulose compound because ammonia is more easily volatilized.

In the present invention, a neutralized product of an enteric cellulose compound, which has been neutralized with an alkaline neutralizing agent in advance, may be used in place of the enteric cellulose compound by preparing a solid powder and dissolving or dispersing the solid powder in a solvent. However, it is preferable to use a solution or a partial solution obtained by dispersing an unneutralized enteric cellulose compound in a solvent and then adding an alkaline neutralizing agent in an amount capable of neutralizing at least a part of the unneutralized enteric cellulose compound to dissolve or disperse the enteric cellulose compound in the solvent.

The amount of basic neutralizing agent required for the neutralization and dissolution of the enteric polymer (component ii or component iii) can be defined in the following manner.

In order to completely neutralize the enteric polymer, the cation derived from the basic neutralizing agent is added in such a manner as to be equivalent to or more than 1 mole of the carboxyl group contained in the enteric polymer. When the cation derived from the basic neutralizing agent is divalent or more, the substitution is performed at a valence of 1/valence. The case where the cation derived from the basic neutralizing agent is dissolved in the solvent in an amount approximately equivalent to the carboxyl group contained in the enteric polymer is referred to as complete neutralization. The number of moles of the equivalent cations, i.e., "equivalent (equimolar amount)" is, for example, the number of moles of the cation in an amount capable of chelating (block-locking) the number (base) of moles of the carboxyl group residue before neutralization contained in the enteric methacrylic acid copolymer by 100% neutralization.

Specifically, the mass of KOH (molecular weight 56.10) required to neutralize 1g of the target enteric polymer, i.e., (KOH) mg/g (KOH equivalent), can be specified. The neutralization degree is defined as the ratio of the mass of the alkali neutralizing agent actually added to the equivalent amount of the alkali neutralizing agent required for complete neutralization. The alkaline neutralizing agent is selected from NaOH (molecular weight 40.00), Ca (OH)2 (molecular weight 74.09), and NH₃(molecular weight 17.03), ammonium carbonate (NH)₄)₂CO₃The equivalent weight of (molecular weight 96.09) can be obtained by conversion using the following equation.

[ mathematical formula 2]

In general, the equivalent of the basic neutralizing agent required for complete neutralization is within a range of about ± 10 to 20% as an allowable range of the degree of substitution of the carboxyl group, depending on manufacturers. More accurate neutralization equivalents can be determined by common titration methods.

For example, when the component ii is Eudragit, L30D55, L100-55 and L100 manufactured by Evonik corporation, the KOH equivalent thereof is 301.2 mg/g; in the case where the alkaline neutralizing agent was sodium hydroxide, it was 214.8 mg/g. Further, in the case of ammonia, it was 91.4 mg/g. When the component ii was Eudragit FS30D manufactured by Evonik corporation, the KOH equivalent thereof was 56.7 mg/g; the concentration of the alkali neutralizing agent was 40.4mg/g in the case of sodium hydroxide and 17.2mg/g in the case of ammonia.

For example, in the case where the iii-component is HP50 and HP55, respectively, the KOH equivalent is 79.0 to 101.6mg/g and 101.6 to 131.7 mg/g. When the alkaline neutralizing agent is sodium hydroxide, the concentration is 56.3 to 72.4mg/g, and 72.4 to 93.9mg/g, respectively. In addition, in the case of ammonia, the amount of ammonia is 24.0 to 30.8mg/g, and 30.8 to 40.0mg/g, respectively.

When the component iii is HPMCAS, AQUATAS-H, AS-M or AS-L manufactured by shin-Etsu chemical Co., Ltd., KOH equivalent is 22.2 to 44.4, 55.5 to 77.7 or 77.7 to 99.9mg/g, respectively. In the case where the alkaline neutralizing agent is sodium hydroxide, the concentration is 15.8 to 31.7mg/g, 39.6 to 55.4mg/g, and 55.4 to 71.2mg/g, respectively. In addition, in the case of ammonia, the amount of ammonia is 6.7 to 13.5mg/g, 16.8 to 23.6mg/g, and 23.6 to 30.3, respectively.

The degree of neutralization is defined as the mass ratio of the basic neutralizing agent actually added relative to the amount of basic neutralizing agent corresponding to the neutralizing equivalent. The degree of neutralization is simultaneously equal to the number of moles of chelated (locked) residues among the number of moles of carboxylic acid residues.

For example, in the case of using NaOH of E (g) for the enteric methacrylic acid copolymer L30D55, Γ (g), the degree of neutralization is E/(0.2418 × Γ) × 100 (%). In contrast, in the case of using NaOH of E (g), the neutralization degree is E/(0.065 × Γ) × 100 (%). The neutralization equivalent of HP50 to NaOH was applied at a median value of 56.3 to 72.4 mg/g.

In the present invention, when the enteric methacrylic acid copolymer L30D55, Γ 1(g), and the enteric cellulose compounds HP50, Γ 2(g) are used in combination and neutralized with NaOH of E (g), the degree of neutralization with respect to the entire enteric polymer can be calculated as E/(0.2418 × Γ 1+0.065 × Γ 2) × 100 (%). Alternatively, when a colloidal dispersion of an enteric methacrylic acid copolymer L30D55 or Γ 1(g) is added to a solution obtained by neutralizing an enteric cellulose compound HP50 or Γ 2(g) with NaOH e (g), the degree of neutralization with respect to the entire enteric polymer is defined in the same manner.

The enteric cellulose compound as the component iii is obtained by controlling the molecular weight of large cellulose lumps (individual particles) originally contained in the raw material pulp by hydrolysis or chemical decomposition with an enzyme, and pulverizing the cellulose lumps by a mechanical method such as mechanical pulverization to obtain individual particles of 10 to 100 μm order. In order to further finely divide the mixture into a dispersion of fine particles having a size of about 10 μm or less, or to completely dissolve the fine particles, the size of the fine particles contained in the dispersion is preferably 50% or more, because the degree of neutralization of the enteric cellulose compound can be completely dissolved or even partially dissolved, and the size of the fine particles is about 10 μm or less. The upper limit is 100%, and excess neutralization exceeding 100% is not preferable because salting out of the salt remaining in the coating after drying and the like occur.

On the other hand, in the case of the enteric methacrylic acid polymer as the component ii, an acidic dispersion (aqueous emulsion) in which very small colloidal particles having a particle diameter of more than about 0.01 μm and less than 1 μm are generated is directly obtained by subjecting the polymer to a copolymerization process in an aqueous solution from the monomer level by an emulsion polymerization process. In this case, even without a step of dissolution by neutralization with a basic neutralizing agent, a dispersion of very fine colloidal particles having an average particle diameter of less than 1 μm can be improved. Specifically, the aforementioned L30D55 by Evonik corporation can be mentioned. The pH of the colloidal dispersion of L30D55 was about 2.5.

An enteric methacrylic acid copolymer powder (specifically, including Evonik corporation, L10055) synthesized by emulsion polymerization in a solution and then dried and solid-micronized can also be redispersed in water and partially neutralized with an alkaline neutralizing agent to obtain an aqueous dispersion liquid micronized. In this case, even if the neutralization degree is about 2 to 20%, a sufficiently micronized aqueous dispersion can be obtained.

In the present invention, the present inventors have found that cold gelation properties can be imparted to an enteric hard capsule preparation solution comprising a nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound as the i-th component, an enteric methacrylic acid copolymer as the ii-th component, and an enteric cellulose compound as the iii-th component, each of which has no cold gelation ability originally alone, by mixing the above 3 components in the presence of a basic neutralizing agent. In particular, the present inventors have found that the interaction between the high-viscosity nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound as the i-th component and the enteric methacrylic acid copolymer as the ii-th component in the presence of an appropriate amount of a basic neutralizing agent is important. As shown in fig. 1, when the temperature of the enteric hard capsule preparation liquid is decreased from a temperature lower than the cloud point T0 (cloud point or dissolution start temperature) of the nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound which is the i-th component, it is preferable that the storage modulus and the loss modulus sharply increase at a 4th temperature T4 (temperature at which the viscosity starts to sharply increase) lower than the 2 nd temperature T2 or the 3 rd temperature T3, and a gel state is formed around room temperature, that is, the storage modulus G' > loss modulus G ".

The rapid increase in viscosity of the capsule preparation liquid according to the present invention is not generally caused in the vicinity of T4 during cooling, but is not generally caused in the enteric methacrylic acid copolymer dispersion of the component ii and the neutralization liquid of the enteric cellulose compound of the component iii, and therefore, it is presumed that the rapid increase in viscosity of the vicinity of T4 is mainly caused by the structural viscosity of the component i, i.e., the partially soluble nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound, and particularly, by the action of the high-viscosity (i.e., high-molecular-weight) nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound used in the present invention, the tendency of the viscosity to increase rapidly by one digit or more is remarkable in a temperature region T4 of about 30 to 50 ℃ during cooling, and the ratio of the component i contained in the preparation liquid is preferably 0.05. ltoreq. α '/(α' + β '+ γ' + '+ σ' + '+ Φ' + 0.5) in order to utilize the rapid increase in viscosity during cooling, and the tendency of the viscosity to increase by 0.05. ltoreq. α '/(α' + β '+ 5' + γ '+ 6778) and more preferably No. ltoreq. 3.8.63 when the viscosity is more difficult to be impregnated by the after-mentioned [ 3' + 673 ].

In order to have a cold gelation property of forming a gel state, that is, a storage modulus G ' > a loss modulus G ″ at least in the vicinity of room temperature, it is important that the ii-th component and the i-th component are in a relatively high concentration to interact with each other, β '/(β ' + γ ') is greater than 0, preferably 0.1 or more, more preferably 0.2 or more, and further preferably 0.4 or more, the upper limit is 1 or less, and for example, γ ' ═ 0 may be given, and the concentration of the solid components of the i-th component and the ii-th component with respect to the solvent is preferably 10 mass% or more.

In coating such as spray coating, such a condensation gelling property is not preferable because clogging of a spray nozzle or the like is caused by a gelled substance, and therefore, selective combination of a nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound having a high concentration and a high viscosity value and an enteric methacrylic acid copolymer is not performed (non-patent document 5).

In the present invention, when the ratio γ' of the component iii is decreased, it is preferable to replace a part or all of the component iii with the water-insoluble alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer as the component iv, because the amount of the enteric polymer required, or the total amount of the alkali neutralizing agent, can be further decreased without deteriorating the acid resistance. The water-insoluble alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer dispersion can be directly prepared as a colloidal aqueous dispersion by an emulsion polymerization process. Therefore, it is preferable to use a water-insoluble alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer dispersion because it can be completed without using an organic solvent for dissolving in water.

When the enteric polymer contains the enteric cellulose compound and the enteric methacrylic acid copolymer, and the enteric polymer dispersion solution is, for example, a colloidal dispersion liquid based on emulsion polymerization in which neutralization is not required, when the enteric cellulose compound is dissolved, even if the alkali neutralizing agent is used in an amount completely neutralized or close to the amount of the alkali neutralizing agent, the enteric polymer dispersion solution can form a dispersion liquid of fine particles in which a very small portion of the enteric polymer is neutralized and dissolved (partially neutralized) as a whole, by using the alkali neutralizing agent as small as possible with respect to the total amount of these enteric polymers, and this also has an advantage that the amount of the residual salt in the capsule coating after drying can be reduced without using a volatile alkali neutralizing agent such as ammonia, and particularly, when β '/(β' + γ ') is 0.2 or more, the enteric polymer component containing the enteric cellulose compound and the enteric methacrylic acid copolymer as a whole can be made to have a neutralization degree of 50% or less, and therefore, preferably, when β'/(β '+ 84') is 0.4% or more, and 30% or less of the enteric polymer as a whole can be made.

When γ' ═ 0, that is, when the enteric polymer is only an enteric methacrylic acid copolymer, the degree of neutralization can be made 20% or less, which is more preferable. However, in this case, the lower limit of the neutralization degree is also preferably 2% or more, more preferably 5% or more, due to the limitations in the method for producing a capsule preparation liquid described later. In addition, when the i-th component and the ii-th component are directly mixed in the state where the alkaline neutralizing agent is completely absent in the solvent, gelation occurs immediately and coagulation occurs, and therefore, it is necessary to take care of matters relating to the production method described later.

In addition, the viscosity of the capsule preparation solution can be adjusted by adding at least one selected from PVA, a plasticizer and a surfactant as the v-th component in addition to the i-th, ii-th, iii-th and iv-th components. Alternatively, it can be used to stabilize the dispersion state of the colloid or solid particles of the capsule preparation liquid.

When the total mass of the i-th component, the ii-th component, the iii-th component, the iv-th component and the v-th component contained in the enteric hard capsule preparation liquid is 100 mass%, the ratio of the i-th component is α ' mass%, the ratio of the ii-th component is β ' mass%, the ratio of the iii-th component is γ ' mass%, the ratio of the iv-th component is σ ' mass%, and the ratio of the v-th component is Φ ' mass% (the same applies hereinafter), the ratio is substantially equal to the ratio of each component in the hard capsule coating obtained by drying the preparation liquid.

That is, the ratio of the total amount of the enteric polymer (the ii-th component and the iii-th component) (β ' + γ ' + σ ')/(α ' + α ' + γ ' + σ ' + Φ ')/(357 ' + γ ' + σ ')/(α ' + β ' + γ ' + σ ' + Φ ') is preferably 0.55 or more, more preferably 0.6 or more, and at the same time, (β ' + γ ')/(β ' + γ ' + σ ') is preferably 0.4 or more, more preferably 0.5 or more, whereby sufficient acid resistance as an enteric hard capsule can be exhibited.

More preferably, the composition is such that the enteric cellulose compound of the third component is the water-insoluble alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer of the fourth component, i.e., β '/(α' + β '+ σ' + Φ ') is 0.3 or more, more preferably 0.4 or more, when γ' is 0%, and the upper limit is preferably 0.7 or less, more preferably 0.65 or less, as in the case of the coating component.

When γ 'is 0%, it is preferable to set (β' + γ '+ σ')/(α '+ β' + γ '+ σ' + Φ ')/(β' + σ ')/(α' + β '+ σ' + Φ '), to 0.5 or more and 0.9 or less as described above, and it is preferable to set σ'/(α '+ β' + γ '+ σ' + Φ '), that is, σ'/(α '+ β' + σ '+ Φ') to 0.2 or more.

In any of the above cases, the ratio of the v-th component, φ '/(α' + β '+ γ' + σ '+ φ') is preferably 0.15 or less, more preferably 0.1 or less.

In addition to the above-mentioned i-, ii-, iii-, iv-and v-components, a lubricant, a chelating agent, a colorant, an opacifier, and the like may be contained. When X 'represents the total mass of the i-th component, the ii-th component, the iii-th component, the iv-th component and the v-th component contained in the coating and epsilon' represents the total mass of the plasticizer, the lubricant, the chelating agent, the colorant, the light-shading agent and the like, epsilon '/X' may be in the range of 0.2 or less, and more preferably in the range of 0.1 or less.

The solid content of the above-described components i, ii, iii, iv and v contained in the enteric hard capsule preparation liquid is not limited as long as the hard capsule preparation liquid can be prepared. Preferably, the total amount of the solid components of the i-th component, the ii-th component, the iii-th component, the iv-th component and the v-th component is 10 to 30% by mass based on 100% by mass of the enteric hard capsule preparation liquid. More preferably 13 to 25 mass%. When the lubricant, the chelating agent, the colorant, the light-screening agent, and the like are contained, the total amount of these components is 6% by mass or less, preferably 3% by mass or less, more preferably 2% by mass or less, and still more preferably 1% by mass or less, when the enteric hard capsule preparation liquid is taken as 100% by mass.

In general, solid components other than the i-th to v-th components, which are dissolved or dispersed, are present in the capsule coating while maintaining almost the original component ratio. In addition, as indicated above, the coating may leave a portion of the water in the solvent.

The present invention relates to embodiment 3 to a method for producing an enteric hard capsule preparation liquid according to embodiment 2.

Specifically, the 3 rd embodiment is a method for producing an enteric hard capsule preparation solution, comprising mixing an i-th component and an ii-th component in the presence of a basic neutralizing agent in a solvent, wherein the i-th component is a nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound having a viscosity value in the range of 100 to 100000mPa · s, and the ii-th component is an enteric methacrylic acid copolymer. As the enteric methacrylic acid copolymer, a colloidal dispersion is preferably used.

As described above, in order to rapidly increase the viscosity during the temperature reduction and to cause cold gelation at around room temperature, it is important to use a nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound having a viscosity value in the range of 100mPa · s to 100000mPa · s as the i-th component in combination with an enteric methacrylic acid copolymer as the ii-th component, and in the case where both are directly mixed, coagulation may occur immediately and a stable dispersion cannot be obtained, and therefore, it is necessary to mix them in the presence of a basic neutralizing agent in a solvent. Therefore, in the case where the enteric polymer is only the component ii, the neutralization degree with respect to the component ii is preferably 2% or more, and more preferably 5% or more. The upper limit is 20% or less, and more preferably 15% or less. If it exceeds 20%, there is a tendency that the gelation property is impaired.

When both the component ii and the component iii are contained, it is difficult to distinguish the degree of neutralization between the component ii and the component iii, and for example, the degree of neutralization of the enteric polymer composed of the component ii and the component iii is preferably 10% or more, more preferably 20% or more, with respect to the whole. The upper limit is preferably 50% or less, more preferably 30% or less.

The 3 rd embodiment is classified into a form containing the enteric cellulose compound of the iii th component as an enteric polymer (3 rd to 1 st embodiment) and a form not containing the enteric cellulose compound of the iii th component (3 rd to 2 nd embodiment).

The 3 rd to 1 rd embodiments relate to a method for producing an enteric hard capsule preparation solution comprising a coating component and a solvent, wherein the coating component comprises an i th component, an ii th component and an iii th component, the method comprising the steps of,

step A: a step of preparing a neutralized solution of the component iii; and a step B: adding the ith component to a neutralization solution containing the iii th component to prepare a partial solution of the ith component; and a step C: and (c) mixing the dispersion of the component ii with the solution prepared in the step (A) or the step (B).

In each step, each component may be added to a solvent, or may be added to or mixed with a solution containing other components prepared in the previous step. The transfer temperature between the steps or the temperature adjustment at the time of mixing the solutions prepared in the steps can be appropriately set according to the following requirements.

In step A, the neutralized solution of the component iii may be prepared by using a dissolved product of the neutralized product of the component iii, or by dispersing the non-neutralized component iii in a solvent and then adding a basic neutralizing agent. In the step a, it is preferable to prepare a neutralized solution in which the non-neutralized iii th component is dispersed in a solvent, and the pharmaceutically acceptable basic neutralizing agent or the food additive acceptable basic neutralizing agent is added thereto to at least partially neutralize the solution and dissolve the neutralized solution in the solvent.

Specifically, the non-neutralized iii th component is added to a solvent such as purified water in an amount of about 5 times the total amount of the total components excluding the solvent, and is uniformly dispersed so as not to form lumps. Then, a basic neutralizing agent is added to dissolve the iii component. In order to completely neutralize the component iii, as described above, the cation derived from the basic neutralizing agent is added so as to be equivalent or more to 1 mole of the carboxyl group contained in the component iii.

Generally, commercially available enteric cellulose compounds are produced from large-sized pulp, and are pulverized by mechanical means such as mechanical pulverization while controlling the molecular weight by hydrolysis or chemical decomposition with an enzyme to form solid particles of 10 to 100 μm in size. In order to make the particle size smaller than about 1 μm or to dissolve the component, the degree of neutralization when only the iii-th component is neutralized is preferably 50% or more of the equivalent amount. A state in which the degree of neutralization is not completely neutralized is referred to as partial neutralization. That is, the neutralization solution in step a is preferably a solution having a neutralization degree of 50% or more, or may be a completely neutralized solution. When the alkaline neutralizing agent is contained in an excess amount over the equivalent amount, problems such as salting out occur, which is not preferable; preferably, the cation is present in an amount less than an equivalent amount based on 1 mole of the carboxyl group contained in the component iii.

The pH of the completely neutralized enteric cellulose solution is preferably set to a pH near the dissociation point of the enteric cellulose compound. More preferably, the pH is 4.5 to 7.0, and still more preferably, the pH is 5.0 to 6.5 around the dissociation point of the enteric cellulose compound. If the pH is less than 4.5, there is a case where the enteric cellulose compound is insoluble; if the pH exceeds 7.0, there is a case where an excessive amount of cations eventually neutralizes the methacrylic acid copolymer to be added later. Incidentally, the dissociation point of the enteric cellulose compound is, for example, pH at which the carboxyl group of the carbobenzoyl group is ionized in neutralization titration and HPMCP is dissolved to neutralize the solution in the case of HPMCP. In the case of HPMCAS, the pH at which the carboxyl group of the acetyl group is ionized and HPMCAS dissolves to neutralize the solution in the neutralization titration. The pH value near the dissociation point of HPMCP and HMCAS is 5-7.

Step B is specifically a step of preparing a partially dissolved solution in which the i-th component is partially dissolved in a mixture solution containing a neutralized solution of the iii-th component or a neutralized solution of the iii-th component and a dispersion of the ii-th component; the step of preparing a partially dissolved solution is a step of preparing a dispersion in which the i-th component is partially dissolved at a temperature T2 of 2 nd which is lower than the haze point, by adding the i-th component to a neutralization solution containing the iii-th component or a mixture of the neutralization solution of the iii-th component and a dispersion of the ii-th component at a first temperature T1 of not less than the haze point T0 of the i-th component.

In the present embodiment 2-1, the 1 st temperature T1 is not limited as long as it is a temperature that is equal to or higher than the cloud point T0 and lower than the boiling point of the solvent. For example, it can be set in the range of 60 ℃ to 90 ℃. When the nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound is HPMC or MC, the temperature T1 may preferably be set to be in the range of 70 to 90 ℃. When the nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound is HPC, the temperature T1 is preferably in the range of 60 to 80 ℃. The reason for dispersing above the cloud point is to prevent the formation of lumps before uniform dispersion.

In the present embodiment 3-1, the 2 nd temperature T2 is preferably a temperature higher than room temperature (20 ℃ C. to 25 ℃ C.) and lower than the fogging point T0. For example, it is preferably in the range of 30 to 60 ℃. When the nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound is HPMC or MC, the temperature T2 may be set to be in the range of 30 to 60 ℃. When the nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound is HPC, the temperature T2 is preferably in the range of 30 to 40 ℃.

In the present embodiment 3-1, the viscosity of the dispersion in which the nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound is dispersed without being dissolved at a temperature of T0 or more is very low, and is less than about 100mPa · s. When the nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound started to dissolve, the viscosity gradually increased to a viscosity of more than 100mPa · s, and therefore it was found that T0 passed through during the temperature reduction. In the range of about T0 to 10 ℃, a dispersion in which solid particles of undissolved water-soluble cellulose are stably present can be obtained. Further, if the temperature is lowered, the viscosity is rapidly increased to 1 to 2 digits and becomes 1000 mPas or more, and if the temperature is close to the vicinity of room temperature, the viscosity is maintained at a high level and almost all the solid particles of the water-soluble cellulose compound are dissolved. The nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound is finally almost completely dissolved in the solvent, and the sea-island structure of the capsule coating cannot be maintained. In addition, since the viscosity of the capsule preparation liquid may become excessively high, the temperature T2 is preferably T0 or less and not less than T4. Specifically, it is preferably not lower than 30 ℃ and more preferably 35 ℃ or higher. T2 is preferably 60 ℃ or lower, more preferably 55 ℃ or lower.

From the above, a dispersion in which the i-th component is partially dissolved can be prepared by suspending the i-th component, i.e., the nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound, in the neutralized solution of the iii-th component at a temperature T1 equal to or higher than the haze point T0, and then cooling to the 2 nd temperature T2.

In the production liquid according to the present invention and the production process C of the production liquid according to the present invention, since the methacrylic acid copolymer as the component ii is mixed as an aqueous dispersion with the neutralization solution containing the enteric cellulose compound, the whole enteric polymer in which the enteric cellulose compound and the methacrylic acid copolymer are combined can be made into a partially neutralized state. Therefore, when mixing the i-th and ii-th components, it is preferred that the basic neutralizing agent is already present in the solvent. Since each of the methacrylic acid copolymers, particularly L30D55, has a very large KOH equivalent weight of 301.2mg/g, even if the enteric cellulose compound is completely neutralized in step a, if the methacrylic acid copolymer is contained appropriately, the degree of neutralization can be 50% or less, and further 30% or less, with respect to the entire enteric matrix in which the enteric cellulose compound and the methacrylic acid copolymer are combined. This is effective in inhibiting dissolution of the capsule coating in the middle region of pH 4-5 in the dissolution test.

The 3 rd to 1 rd embodiment may include a step D of mixing the solution prepared in step A, B or C with the water-insoluble alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer as the component iv. The method may further comprise a step E of maintaining the solution obtained in step B, C or D at a 3 rd temperature T3 lower than the haze point of the i-th component. The 3 rd temperature T3 is not less than T2 and less than the foggy point T0; preferably not lower than 10 ℃. The case of T3 may be included as well as T2. This makes it possible to stably maintain the i-th component in a partially dissolved state. For example, it can be set in the range of 30 ℃ to 65 ℃. In the case where the nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound is HPMC in which the substitution degree types are 2910 and 2906, the temperature T3 may be set to a range of 40 ℃ to 65 ℃. The temperature T3 may preferably be set to a range of 45 to 60 ℃, and more preferably to a range of 50 to 60 ℃. Thus, a temperature difference of about 10 ℃ or more can be secured between the temperature T4 at which the viscosity starts to rapidly increase due to cold gelation, and it is preferable to stably hold the preparation solution. When the nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound is MC or HPC, the temperature T3 is preferably in the range of 30 to 50 ℃.

Mode 3-1 of the present invention further includes both modes 3-1a and 3-1 b.

(1) The 3-1a embodiment relates to a method for producing an enteric hard capsule preparation solution containing a coating component and a solvent, wherein the coating component contains an i-th component, an ii-th component and an iii-th component, the method for producing the enteric hard capsule preparation solution comprising the following steps, step a 1: a step of preparing a neutralized solution of the component iii; step b 1: dissolving the i-th component in the neutralized solution of the iii-th component; and a step c 1: and a step of mixing the dispersion of the component ii with the solution obtained in the step b 1.

The neutralized solution of the component iii, the cloud point T0, the temperature T1, the temperature T2 and the temperature T3 in the above embodiment 3-1 are incorporated herein by reference.

The step a1 is a step of preparing a neutralized solution of the component iii, and the step a1 is in accordance with the step a in the above-described embodiment 3.

In step b1, a dispersion is prepared by dispersing the i-th component in the liquid prepared in step a1 at a1 st temperature T1 which is equal to or higher than the cloud point T0, and then cooling the dispersion to partially dissolve the i-th component at a2 nd temperature T2 which is lower than the cloud point. That is, the dispersion liquid in which the i-th component is partially dissolved can be prepared by dispersing the i-th component in the liquid prepared in step a1 at a temperature of not less than the cloud point T0 and cooling the dispersion liquid to the 2 nd temperature T2.

In step c1, the partially dissolved solution of the i-th component containing the iii-th component obtained in step b1 is mixed with the dispersion of the ii-th component. The mixing method is not limited as long as the neutralized liquid of the component iii can be mixed with the dispersion liquid of the component ii.

In this embodiment, the method may further comprise a step d1 of adding a water-insoluble (meth) alkyl ester copolymer to the solution obtained in the step c1 after the step c1, and may further comprise a step e1 of maintaining the solution at a 3 rd temperature T3 lower than the haze point of the i-th component after the steps b1, c1, and d 1.

(2) The 3-1b aspect relates to a method for producing an enteric hard capsule preparation solution containing a coating component containing an i-th component, an ii-th component and an iii-th component and a solvent, the method comprising the steps of a 2: a step of preparing a neutralized solution of the component iii; step c 2: mixing the dispersion of the component ii with the neutralized solution of the component iii; and a step b 2: and (c) dissolving the i-th component in the solution obtained in step c 2.

The neutralization solution of the component ii, the cloud point T0, the temperature T1, the temperature T2 and the temperature T3 in the above embodiment 3-1 are incorporated herein by reference.

The step a2 is a step of preparing a neutralized solution of the component iii, and the step a2 is in accordance with the step a in the above-described embodiment 3.

In step c2, the neutralized liquid of the component iii is mixed with the dispersion liquid of the component ii. The mixing method is not limited as long as the neutralized liquid of the component iii and the dispersion of the component ii can be mixed.

In step b2, a dispersion is prepared by dispersing the i-th component in the liquid prepared in step c2 at a1 st temperature T1 which is equal to or higher than the cloud point T0, and then cooling the dispersion, and partially dissolving the i-th component at a2 nd temperature T2 which is lower than the cloud point. That is, the i-th component is suspended in the liquid prepared in step c2 at a temperature of not less than the cloud point T0, and the temperature is lowered to the second temperature T2, whereby a dispersion in which the i-th component is partially dissolved can be prepared.

In addition, this embodiment may further include a step d2 of adding a water-insoluble (meth) alkyl ester copolymer dispersion to the solution obtained in the step b2 after the step b2, and may further include a step e2 of maintaining the temperature at the 3 rd temperature T3 lower than the cloud point of the i-th component of the solution after the steps b2, c2, and d 2. In the step B, the solution temperature is preferably raised to a temperature T1, and then at least one component v selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, a plasticizer and a surfactant is preferably added in the step E until the solution temperature is maintained at a temperature T3.

The 3 rd to 2 rd aspects of the present invention relate to a method for producing an enteric hard capsule preparation solution, the enteric hard capsule preparation solution comprising a coating component and a solvent, the coating component comprising an i th component, an ii th component and an iv th component, the method for producing the enteric hard capsule preparation solution comprising the steps of,

a step A': a step of preparing a partially neutralized solution of the component ii;

a step B': preparing a partial solution of the i-th component; and

a step C': and (c) mixing the dispersion of the component iv with the solution prepared in step A or B. The preparation method of the capsule preparation liquid is particularly suitable for the situation that gamma' is 0, namely the enteric polymer is only the enteric methacrylic acid copolymer.

The iv component is a dispersion of a water-insoluble alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer.

The following description of the cloud point T0, the temperature T1, the temperature T2, and the temperature T3 in the above-described embodiment 3-1 are incorporated herein by reference.

As the methacrylic acid copolymer as the component ii, a colloidal dispersion liquid is preferably used, and the colloidal dispersion liquid can originally omit an additional dispersion step by neutralization. However, in order to prevent the aggregation and precipitation caused by mixing with the i-th component or the partially dissolved dispersion of the i-th component and stabilize the dispersion state of the capsule preparation solution, it is preferable to perform mixing with the i-th component in the presence of a minimum amount of a basic neutralizing agent.

Therefore, in the step a', a partially neutralized solution of the component ii is prepared by adding a pharmaceutically acceptable basic neutralizing agent or a basic neutralizing agent acceptable as a food additive to the component ii in advance, and the degree of neutralization is low, preferably 2 to 20%. More preferably 5 to 15%.

Then, in step B', the i-th component is added to a solution containing the alkaline neutralizing agent and the ii-th component to prepare a partially dissolved solution in which the i-th component is partially dissolved. The method comprises a step of adding a component i to a neutralized solution containing a component ii or a mixed solution of a neutralized solution of a component ii and a dispersion of a component iv at a1 st temperature T1 which is equal to or higher than the haze point T0 of the component i, and partially dissolving the component i at a2 nd temperature T2 which is lower than the haze point.

In addition, the present embodiment 3-2 may further include a step E ' of maintaining the solution obtained in the step B ' or C ' at a 3 rd temperature T3 lower than the fogging point of the i-th component. The third temperature T3 is preferably a temperature higher than T2 and not lower than the mist point T0 by 10 ℃. This makes it possible to stably maintain the dissolved state of the i-th component. For example, the temperature may be set to a range of 30 ℃ to 605 ℃. In the case where the nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound is HPMC, in which the substitution degree types are 2910 and 2906, the temperature T3 may be set to a range of 40 ℃ to 65 ℃. The temperature T3 is preferably set to a range of 45 to 60 ℃, and more preferably to a range of 50 to 60 ℃. Accordingly, a temperature difference of about 10 ℃ or more can be secured between the temperature T4 at which the viscosity starts to rapidly increase due to cold gelation, and it is preferable to stably hold the preparation solution. When the nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound is MC or HPC, the temperature T3 can be set preferably in the range of 30 to 40 ℃.

In the production liquid of the present invention and the production step C ' of the production liquid of the present invention, the alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer as the component iv hardly interacts with either the component i or the component ii, and is added as an aqueous dispersion in succession to either the step a ' or the step B ', or in portions after the respective steps. In this embodiment, the method may further include a step E ' of maintaining the solution obtained in the step C ' at a 3 rd temperature T3 lower than the haze point of the i-th component after the step C '.

The v-th component, that is, at least one selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, a plasticizer and a surfactant, is preferably added in the process of raising the temperature of the solution to the temperature T1 in the step B ', and then maintaining the temperature at the temperature T3 in the step E'.

In addition, in the entire production process of the present embodiment 3, it is preferable to continue stirring. For example, when the production step is performed in a cylindrical vessel, it is preferable to stir the mixture by rotating a propeller-shaped stirring blade at 1 to several hundred rpm.

4. Preparation method of enteric hard capsule

The 4th embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for producing enteric hard capsules. According to the present invention, enteric hard capsules can be prepared using capsule preparation machines that prepare other hard capsules. The enteric hard capsule of the present invention is characterized by being formed by a dipping method, among which "cold needle dipping method". The "cold pin dipping method" is characterized in that the surface temperature of the molding needle at the time of dipping is lower than the temperature of the capsule preparation liquid.

The method for producing (molding) an enteric hard capsule is not particularly limited as long as it includes a step of producing a capsule using the enteric hard capsule production liquid according to the present invention. Enteric hard capsules are generally prepared by impregnating a mold pin (a capsule-forming pin) as a template of a capsule in an enteric hard capsule preparation solution, and hardening and drying a coating film gradually attached thereto while being lifted up, thereby obtaining a desired capsule shape and thickness (impregnation method). Specifically, a method for producing an enteric hard capsule comprises a preparation step of preparing an enteric hard capsule preparation solution by the above method, or a step of preparing an enteric hard capsule preparation solution by purchasing the same; and dipping the mold pin in the enteric hard capsule preparation solution, lifting the mold pin up, and turning the mold pin up and down, thereby drying the solution attached to the mold pin.

More specifically, the enteric hard capsule used in the present invention can be produced through the following molding process,

(1) a step (dipping step) of dipping the mold pin in an enteric hard capsule preparation solution;

(2) a step (drying step) of lifting the mold pin from the enteric hard capsule preparation solution (impregnation solution) to dry the enteric hard capsule preparation solution adhering to the outer surface of the mold pin;

(3) and a step (detachment step) of detaching the dried capsule film (coating) from the capsule molding needle.

Here, the enteric hard capsule preparation solution is maintained at a temperature T5 which is lower than the cloud point of the nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound and higher than room temperature (20 ℃ C. to 25 ℃ C.) when the molding pin is impregnated. T5 is preferably a temperature not lower than the haze point T0 by 10 ℃ or higher, more preferably higher than T2. T3 and T5 may be the same. This makes it possible to stably maintain the i-th component in a partially dissolved state. For example, when the water-soluble cellulose compound is HPMC or MC, T5 is preferably in the range of 30 to 65 ℃, more preferably 35 to 60 ℃, and still more preferably 40 to 60 ℃. When the nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound is HPC, the temperature T5 is preferably in the range of 30 to 40 ℃.

The viscosity of the capsule preparation solution at the time of immersion is preferably 100mPa · s or more, more preferably 500mPa · s or more, and still more preferably 1000mPa · s or more at the holding temperature T5.

The viscosity of the capsule preparation solution at the time of immersion is preferably 10000mPa · s or less, more preferably 5000mPa · s or less, and still more preferably 3000mPa · s or less at the holding temperature T5.

The viscosity of the capsule preparation solution can be measured using a single cylinder type rotational viscometer (brookfield viscometer, B type viscometer). For example, after preparing a capsule preparation solution (solution amount of 600ml) in a 1L beaker, a M3 rotor (measurement range of 0 to 10000 mPas) was placed in the capsule preparation solution held at T5, and the viscosity was measured under conditions in which the number of revolutions of the rotor was 12r.p.m., and the measurement time was 50 seconds.

In contrast, the surface temperature T6 of the mold pin during immersion is preferably lower than the liquid temperature T5 of the enteric hard capsule preparation liquid and lower than the temperature T4 at which the viscosity increases rapidly due to cold gelation. For example, 20 to 30 ℃ and more preferably 20 to 28 ℃.

The drying step (2) is not particularly limited, and may be carried out at room temperature (20 to 30 ℃). Generally, this can be done by blowing air at room temperature.

The capsule coating prepared as described above is cut to a predetermined length, and then the body and the lid are fitted together in pairs or are not fitted together, thereby providing an enteric hard capsule.

The coating thickness of the enteric hard capsule is usually set to be in the range of 50 to 250 μm. In particular, in the case of the capsule which is commercially available at present, the thickness of the side wall part of the capsule is usually 75 to 150 μm, more preferably 80 to 120 μm. The size of the enteric hard capsule includes 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc., and in the present invention, enteric hard capsules of any size can be prepared.

5. Enteric hard capsule preparation

The enteric hard capsule can be filled with common food, health-care functional food (functional labeled food, nutritional functional food and specific health-care food), quasi-drugs, medicaments and other fillings. Examples of the filler include components derived from plants (including unicellular green algae) (living plants, partially dried microorganisms or completely dried plants, processed plant products, plant extracts, etc.), microorganisms (bacteria, yeast, euglena, etc.) or components derived from the above microorganisms (living microorganisms, partially dried microorganisms or completely dried microorganisms, processed microorganism products, microorganism extracts, etc.), tonic health-care agents, antipyretic analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents, psychotropic agents, anxiolytic agents, antidepressant agents, hypnotic and sedative agents, antispasmodic agents, central nervous agents, cerebral metabolism improvers, cerebral circulation improvers, antiepileptics, sympathetic nerve stimulants, gastrointestinal agents, antacids, antiulcer agents, antitussive and expectorants, antiemetics, respiratory stimulants, bronchodilators, antiallergic agents, dental oral agents, antihistamines, drugs, Cardiotonic agents, arrhythmia agents, diuretic agents, hypotensive agents, vasoconstrictors, coronary vasodilators, peripheral vasodilators, hyperlipemia agents, cholagogues, antibiotics, chemotherapeutic agents, diabetes agents, osteoporosis agents, antirheumatic agents, skeletal muscle relaxants, antispasmodics, hormonal agents, alkaloid anesthetics, sulfonamide agents, gout therapeutic agents, anticoagulants, anti-malignant tumor agents, and the like, or a composition containing the above active ingredients. These fillers are not particularly limited, and known ones can be widely used. These ingredients may be used alone or as a mixture with other ingredients. The filler may be in any form of solid, powder, granule, pulverized material, liquid, gel, etc. These components are appropriately filled in predetermined and known amounts according to the state, age, and the like of the subject to be administered.

Examples of the tonic health agent include vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E (D- α -tocopherol acetate, etc.), vitamin B1 (dibenzoylthioamine, furathiamine hydrochloride, etc.), vitamin B2 (riboflavin butyrate, etc.), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride, etc.), vitamin C (ascorbic acid, sodium L-ascorbate, etc.), vitamin B12 (hydroxycobalamin acetate, cyanocobalamin, etc.), minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, etc., proteins, amino acids, oligosaccharides, crude drugs, etc.

Examples of the antipyretic analgesic antiinflammatory agent include aspirin, acetaminophen, ethenzamide, ibuprofen, diphenhydramine hydrochloride, chlorpheniramine dl-maleate, dihydrocodeine phosphate, narcotine, methylephedrine hydrochloride, phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride, caffeine, anhydrous caffeine, serrapeptase, lysozyme chloride, tolfenamic acid, mefenamic acid, diclofenac sodium, flufenamic acid, salicylamide, aminopyrine, ketoprofen, indomethacin, bucolone, pentazocine, and the like. But is not limited thereto.

Particularly, when the usefulness is high by using enteric hard capsules, there is a case where the capsules may have side effects on the stomach when dissolved in the stomach. Alternatively, it is unstable to acid and insoluble in the stomach, and must be absorbed in the intestine. That is, a preparation in which the potency of the active ingredient is decreased by gastric acid is particularly useful because the active ingredient is protected from gastric acid by the enteric hard capsule preparation of the present invention and is efficiently transported through the stomach to the intestine.

For example, it is known that aspirin has side effects causing gastroheleniform symptoms if it is administered in a large amount, for example, as naked particles, and enteric hard capsule application is one of the desired representative drugs.

On the other hand, examples of the acid-labile pharmaceutically effective ingredient include omeprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole sodium, esomeprazole magnesium hydrate, and the like known as a Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI). PPIs are activated by exposure to high concentrations of hydrogen ions in the secretory tubules of parietal cells as blood flow reaches the parietal cells. PPIs, however, are agents that are extremely unstable in an acidic environment and do not exert sufficient effects if exposed to acid before reaching parietal cells. Therefore, in order to exert a strong acid secretion inhibitory effect of PPIs, enteric preparations are generally prepared.

Duloxetine, which is one of the antidepressants known as serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, is also acid-intolerant, and is therefore an example of a drug substance that is preferably formulated into an enteric formulation.

In the enteric hard capsule according to the present invention, as a general food, a health functional food (a functional labeled food, a nutritional functional food, a specific health food), fucoidan, heme iron, polyphenols, peptides, amino acids (for example, royal jelly, ornithine, citrulline, aminolevulinic acid, black vinegar, or hydrophobic amino acids, i.e., methionine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, and the like), proteins (milk proteins such as lactoferrin, collagen, placenta, and the like), glycoproteins, enzymatically fermented foods (nattokinase and the like), coenzymes (coenzyme Q10 and the like), vitamins (β -carotene and the like), minerals, live microorganisms (euglena, green algae, yeast, lactic acid bacteria, bifidobacterium, and the like), plant extracts (crude drugs, herbal drugs, e.g., turmeric extract, carrot extract, plum extract, ginkgo leaf extract, blueberry extract, sweet tea extract, and the like), natural organic substances such as wax gum, or any combination thereof may be filled.

The filling of the contents into the enteric hard capsule can be carried out by a capsule filling machine known per se, for example, a fully automatic capsule filling machine (model name: LIQFLILsuper 80/150, manufactured by Qualices corporation), a capsule filling and sealing machine (model name: LIQFLILsuper FS, manufactured by Qualices corporation), or the like. In the hard capsule thus obtained, the body portion and the lid portion are joined to each other by filling the body portion with the contents and then fitting the lid portion to the body portion. Then, if necessary, the filled capsule can be prevented from being opened abnormally by using an appropriate technique for permanently sealing the joint (Japanese language for preventing the opening abnormally is "open and unbalancing prevention"). Typically, sealing or bonding (hereinafter sealing) techniques may be used, and are well known to those skilled in the art of capsules herein. Specifically, the enteric hard capsule preparation can be prepared by applying a sealant (hereinafter also referred to as a sealing preparation solution) of a polymer solution to the surface of the body portion and the surface of the lid portion along the circumferential direction of the body portion and the lid portion over a certain width centered on the end edge portion of the lid portion 1 to a plurality of times, preferably 1 to 2 times, to seal the fitting portion. The polymer solution may use a diluted aqueous solution for capsule coating of the enteric polymer, or a liquid dissolved in a water/ethanol or water/isopropanol solvent. In addition, when a diluted aqueous solution or a liquid dissolved in water/ethanol or water/isopropanol solvent is used, it can be partially neutralized and dissolved by the above-mentioned alkaline neutralizing agent and used.

The polymer contained in the seal preparation solution is preferably composed of the same enteric polymer or nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound as the substance contained in the enteric hard capsule coating to which the seal is applied. Has excellent adhesion to the capsule coating and can prevent the capsule preparation from containing unnecessary additive components. In this case, the viscosity of the nonionic water-soluble cellulose compound may be 100mPa · s.

In sealing the capsule, the sealing preparation liquid may be generally used at room temperature or under heating. From the viewpoint of preventing the hard capsule from leaking, the sealing preparation solution is preferably used at a temperature within a range of about 23 to 45 ℃, more preferably about 23 to 35 ℃, and most preferably about 25 to 35 ℃. The temperature of the seal preparation liquid can be adjusted by a known method such as a plate heater or a hot water heater, and is preferably adjusted to a small temperature range by modifying a circulation type hot water heater or a seal disk unit of the integrated capsule filling and sealing machine to a circulation type hot water heater type device.

The enteric hard capsule preparation of the present invention thus obtained exhibits acid resistance in the stomach when administered to humans or animals and ingested, and mainly transfers to the intestine while the capsule coating dissolves to release the contents. Therefore, it is preferable to prepare a preparation filled with a pharmaceutical or food which is not suitable for release in the stomach.

In the present invention, the capsule coating may be applied with 1 additional polymer layer or 1 or more additional polymer layers from the outside in order to enhance the enteric function, to control further drug delivery control function, or to control the permeability of gas or moisture.

Unless otherwise specified, a functional polymer layer refers to a layer containing a functional polymer that imparts specific mechanical or chemical properties to the coated capsule coating. The functional polymer is an enteric polymer and/or a colon-releasing polymer (i.e., a polymer used for disintegrating the coated administration form in the colon region of the subject) which have been conventionally used for coating pharmaceutical solid administration forms, and the like.

6. Hard capsule preparation

As a new application example using the enteric hard capsule according to the present invention, there is exemplified a hard capsule preparation characterized by containing the enteric hard capsule according to the present invention in a hard capsule that can be dissolved under acidic conditions. Examples of the hard capsule that can be dissolved under acidic conditions include, but are not limited to, a gelatin capsule, a hypromellose capsule, and a pullulan capsule. In particular, hypromellose hard capsules can be used which exhibit a viscosity (viscosity grade) value of 3 to 15 mPas for water-soluble cellulose (Japanese patent application laid-open Nos. H08-208458, 2001-506692, 2010-270039, and 2011-500871). Wherein almost 100% of the coating (which may contain about 0 to 5% by mass of a gelling agent, a gelling aid, a light-screening agent, a coloring agent, and the like, and about 0 to 10% by mass of residual moisture) is a water-soluble cellulose, particularly HPMC. The hard enteric capsule according to the present invention is filled with the active ingredient B in advance, and the pharmaceutical ingredient a and the filled hard enteric capsule are filled in the hard capsule which is dissolved under acidic conditions. Such a double capsule preparation can release the active ingredient a in the stomach and the active ingredient B after reaching the intestine, and thus can transport the active ingredients selectively and differently at a plurality of sites. Examples of the active ingredient A and the active ingredient B include the active ingredients described in the above section 5.