In vitro release study of diltiazem hydrochloride from poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)/sodium alginate blend microspheres

Development and optimization of Fe3+-crosslinked sodium alginate-methylcellulose semi-interpenetrating polymer network beads for controlled release of ibuprofen

In this study, ionically crosslinked beads of sodium alginate (NaAlg) and methylcellulose (MC) were prepared as semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (semi-IPN) in the size range of 1.97 ± 0.09-1.22 ± 0.13 mm by crosslinking with FeCl₃ and loaded with ibuprofen (IBU), which is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The highest 93.33% entrapment efficiency of IBU was achieved, and the drug release behaviors, mean particle size, and entrapment efficiency of beads were investigated in terms of the polymer composition, a ratio of ibuprofen to polymer, exposure time to crosslinker, and concentration of the crosslinking agent. Semi-IPN formulations prepared were also characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray Diffraction (X-RD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was observed that IBU-loaded beads displayed better release performance with an increase amount of NaAlg in the structure. Finally, the optimum IBU release was obtained as 93.9% for beads containing 66.7% (w/w) NaAlg, 33.3% (w/w) MC, IBU/polymer ratio of 1/4, FeCl₃ concentration of 0.1 M, and crosslinking time of 90 min. The in vitro release rate was fitted to five empirical equations, and the diffusion exponent n, which indicated that the release mechanism of IBU from beads followed the Anomalous and Case II transport mechanism.

Enhancement in in vitro anti-angiogenesis activity and cytotoxicity in lung cancer cell by pectin-PVP based curcumin particulates

The aim of this work was to prepare pectin-poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) [PVP] based curcumin particulates to enhance the anticancer potential of curcumin, solubility and allow its localized controlled release. Pectin-PVP based curcumin particulates (PECTIN-PVP CUR) were prepared by spray drying technique in different ratios and were evaluated for surface morphology, micromeritics, flowability, particle size, drug content, in vitro dissolution, inhalable fraction, anti-angiogenesis/angiolysis and cytotoxicity. Results of micromeritic properties, Carr's index, Hausner's ratio and angle of repose were satisfactory. The batch CP3 was considered as optimum, due to excellent flowability, acceptable aggregation and enhanced solubility. The particle size and size distribution data of selected batch CP3 showed 90% of curcumin particulates having size less than 2.74μm, which may deposit to lungs. Twin Impinger studies showed that 29% of respirable fraction was generated, which could be directly delivered to lungs. The in vitro dissolution data showed many fold increase in dissolution rate. Angiolytic activity and MTT assay of PECTIN-PVP CUR have demonstrated enhancement in the anti-tumor potential, compared to curcumin alone. Altogether, PECTIN-PVP CUR were found suitable for local delivery and enhance its anticancer potential of curcumin.

Controlled delivery of the popular nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, paracetamol, from chitosan-g-polyacrylamide microspheres prepared by the emulsion crosslinking technique

In this paper, chitosan-graft-polyacrylamide (CS-g-PAAm) microspheres as drug delivery matrices of paracetamol were prepared by the emulsion crosslinking technique, using glutaraldehyde (GA) as a crosslinker. Graft copolymer of chitosan with acrylamide was synthesized using cerium (IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN). The microspheres formed had average particle sizes in the range of 78-252 μm. Paracetamol entrapment efficiency was found to vary between 31.89% and 72.61%, as determined by UV spectroscopy. Drug release in acidic and phosphate buffer solutions (pH 1.2 and 7.4) of the CS-g-PAAm microspheres was influenced by formulation factors such as the concentration of CS-g-PAAm, the paracetamol/polymer ratio (w/w), and the amount of crosslinker.

Ibuprofen microencapsulation within acrylamide-grafted chitosan and methylcellulose interpenetrating polymer network microspheres: Synthesis, characterization, and release studies

This study deals with the development of interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) microspheres of acrylamide (AAm) grafted onto a chitosan (CS) backbone and methylcellulose (MC). Chitosan-graft-polyacrylamide (CS-g-PAAm) was synthesized by cerium (IV) ammonium nitrate-induced free radical graft polymerization. The grafting percentage was found to be 50.58%. The synthesized graft copolymer and MC were used to prepare microspheres by the water-in-oil (w/o) emulsion-crosslinking method, and crosslinked with glutaraldehyde (GA) as drug delivery matrices of ibuprofen (IBU). The release of IBU from microspheres decreased when the amount of CS-g-PAAm in the polymer matrix and amount of crosslinker added were increased, while it increased with the increase of the IBU/polymer ratio.

Mini-review: Antimicrobial central venous catheters--recent advances and strategies

Central venous catheters (CVCs) nowadays constitute critical devices used in medical care, namely in intensive care units. However, CVCs also represent one of the indwelling medical devices with enhanced risk of nosocomial device-related infection. Catheter-related infections (CRIs) are a major cause of patient morbidity and mortality, often justifying premature catheter removal and an increase in costs and use of resources. Adhesion and subsequent biofilm formation on the surfaces of indwelling catheters is elemental to the onset of pathogenesis. Seeking the prevention of CVC colonisation and CRI, a variety of approaches have been studied, tested and, in some cases, already applied in clinical practice. This review looks at the current preventive strategies often used to decrease the risk of CRIs due to colonization and biofilm formation on catheter surfaces, as well as at the more recent approaches under investigation.