Formulation optimization of PVA/HPMC cryogel of Diltiazem HCl using 3-level factorial design and evaluation for ex vivo permeation

Leveraging machine learning to predict drug permeation: impact of menthol and limonene as enhancers

The present study aimed to develop robust machine learning (ML) models to predict the skin permeability of poorly water-soluble drugs in the presence of menthol and limonene as penetration enhancers (PEs). The ML models were also applied in virtual screening (VS) to identify hydrophobic drugs that exhibited better skin permeability in the presence of permeation enhancers i.e. menthol and limonene. The drugs identified through ML-based VS underwent experimental validation using in vitro skin penetration studies. The developed model predicted 80% probability of permeability enhancement for Sumatriptan Succinate (SS), Voriconazole (VCZ), and Pantoprazole Sodium (PS) with menthol and limonene. The in vitro release studies revealed that menthol increased penetration by approximately 2.49-fold, 2.25-fold, and 4.96-fold for SS, VCZ, and PS, respectively, while limonene enhanced permeability by approximately 1.32-fold, 2.27-fold, and 3.7-fold for SS, VCZ, and PS. The results from in silico and in vitro studies were positively correlated, indicating that the developed ML models could effectively reduce the need for extensive in vitro and in vivo experimentation.

A pH and magnetic dual-response hydrogel for synergistic chemo-magnetic hyperthermia tumor therapy

To overcome the toxicity of chemotherapy, increasing attention has been paid to local drug delivery systems (DDSs). pH-Sensitive hydrogels have emerged as promising DDS materials in the biomedical field due to their remarkable characteristics. However, the pH environment in tumor varies from person to person, which makes the applicability of systems based on pH challenging. In this study, we developed a contractible hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC)/Fe₃O₄ hydrogel with dual-response pH and magnetic properties aiming to overcome the limitations of pH-sensitive hydrogel drug delivery systems and further increase their efficiency in tumor therapy. The HPMC/Fe₃O₄ hydrogel could act as a drug delivery system that combines pH-sensitive triggering and magnetic dual-response drug release for synergistic chemo-magnetic hyperthermia therapy. The drug delivery profile of the HPMC/Fe₃O₄/doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) hydrogel was determined in vitro and revealed a remarkable pH-sensitive performance. After synergistic chemo-magnetic hyperthermia treatment, mice with 4T1 breast cancer xenografts recovered without any recurrence or metastasis, demonstrating the synergistic effect of chemotherapy and magnetic hyperthermia therapy. Meanwhile, reduced toxicity and superior anticancer effects were achieved due to the combined effect of the pH and magnetic hyperthermia response properties. This study demonstrated the high efficacy and low toxicity of the improved design of HPMC/Fe₃O₄ for drug delivery, which may provide a promising approach for the application of chemo-magnetic hyperthermia cancer therapy.

A pH and magnetic dual-responsive hydrogel highly sensitive to tumor acid microenvironment and efficient responsive magnetic-hyperthermia cancer eradication.

Injectable and thermally contractible hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose/Fe3O4 for magnetic hyperthermia ablation of tumors

The development of efficient strategies for the magnetic hyperthermia ablation of tumors remains challenging. To overcome the significant safety limitations, we developed a thermally contractible, injectable and biodegradable material for the minimally invasive and highly efficient magnetic hyperthermia ablation of tumors. This material was composed of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and Fe₃O₄. The thermal contractibility of HPMC/Fe₃O₄ was designed to avoid damaging the surrounding normal tissue upon heating, which was confirmed by visual inspection, ultrasound imaging and computed tomography (CT). The efficient injectability of HPMC/Fe₃O₄ was proven using a very small needle. The biosafety of HPMC/Fe₃O₄ was evaluated by MTT and biochemical assays as well as flow cytometry (FCM). All the aforementioned data demonstrated the safety of HPMC/Fe₃O₄. The results of in vitro and ex vivo experiments showed that the temperature and necrotic volume of excised bovine liver were positively correlated with the HPMC/Fe₃O₄ weight, iron content and heating duration. The in vivo experimental results showed that the tumors could be completely ablated using 0.06 ml of HPMC/60%Fe₃O₄ after 180 s of induction heating. We believe that this novel, safe and biodegradable material will promote the rapid bench-to-bed translation of magnetic hyperthermia technology, and it is also expected to bring a new concept for the biomaterial research field.