Micro-emulsion based emulgel: a novel topical drug delivery system

Design and Evaluation of Microemulsion-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Biofilm-Based Infection in Burns

Normal skin is the first line of defense in the human body. A burn injury makes the skin susceptible to bacterial infection, thereby delaying wound healing and ultimately leading to sepsis. The chances of biofilm formation are high in burn wounds due to the presence of avascular necrotic tissue. The most common pathogen to cause burn infection and biofilm is Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The purpose of this study was to create a microemulsion (ME) formulation for topical application to treat bacterial burn infection. In the present study, tea tree oil was used as the oil phase, Tween 80 and transcutol were used as surfactants, and water served as the aqueous phase. Pseudo ternary phase diagrams were used to determine the design space. The ranges of components as suggested by the design were chosen, optimization of the microemulsion was performed, and in vitro drug release was assessed. Based on the characterization studies performed, it was found that the microemulsion were formulated properly, and the particle size obtained was within the desired microemulsion range of 10 to 300 nm. The I release study showed that the microemulsion followed an immediate release profile. The formulation was further tested based on its ability to inhibit biofilm formation and bacterial growth. The prepared microemulsion was capable of inhibiting biofilm formation.

Quality-by-design-based microemulsion of disulfiram for repurposing in melanoma and breast cancer therapy

Aim: The current study aims to develop and optimize microemulsions (ME) through Quality-by-Design (QbD) approach to improve the aqueous solubility and dissolution of poorly water-soluble drug disulfiram (DSF) for repurposing in melanoma and breast cancer therapy.Materials & methods: The ME was formulated using Cinnamon oil & Tween® 80, statistically optimized using a D-optimal mixture design-based QbD approach to develop the best ME with low vesicular size (Zavg) and polydispersity index (PDI).Results: The DSF-loaded optimized stable ME showed enhanced dissolution, in-vitro cytotoxicity and improved cellular uptake in B16F10 and MCF-7 cell lines compared with their unformulated free DSF.Conclusion: Our investigations suggested the potential of the statistically designed DSF-loaded optimized ME for repurposing melanoma and breast cancer therapy.

Ectoine gel transdermal formulation as a novel therapeutic approach in melanoma using 3D printed microneedles

A 7%w/w ectoine formula, from natural source, is formulated to reduce melanomagenesis, enhance penetration by 3D printed microneedles (MNs), with specified length, diameter and tip to ensure painless effect. Ectoine gel formulations were prepared using Carbopol 940 and Pluronic (F127). The effect of the polymers on pH, viscosity, spreadability, and the in vitro, ex vivo release profiles was obtained. The physiochemical investigation showed uniform gel formulations. The formulations' in vitro and ex vivo drug release displayed a controllable drug release pattern, reaching 63.7-96% and 73-94.7% after 24 h. The permeation study of the in vitro and ex vivo release revealed that the drug release from gels followed diffusion mechanism. The selected formula was used, 3D printed MN array was applied to treat melanoma. Male rats were used for induction of melanoma using 0.5% of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene three times weekly for 12 weeks, histopathology was applied to ensure development of carcinoma then rats were treated using the selected formula. Following treatment for continuous 6 weeks, histopathology showed a change in anatomy of skin, which started to return to its normal structure. The anti-melanogenesis activity of optimum formula of ectoine gel, enhanced by 3D printed MN, was found to be effective in reducing the severity of skin cancer reinforcing the efficacy of the promising treatment.

In Vitro, Ex Vivo, and In Vivo Evaluation of Nanoparticle-Based Topical Formulation Against Candida albicans Infection

Ketoconazole is commonly used in the treatment of topical fungal infections. The therapy requires frequent application for several weeks. Systemic side effects, allergic reactions, and prolonged treatment are often associated with non-compliance and therapy failure. Hence, we developed an optimized topical antifungal gel that can prolong the release of drug, reduce systemic absorption, enhance its therapeutic effect, and improve patient compliance. Ketoconazole-loaded PLGA nanoparticles were prepared by the emulsion/solvent evaporation method and were characterized with respect to colloidal properties, surface morphology, and drug entrapment efficiency. The optimized ketoconazole-loaded PLGA nanoparticles and commercially available silver nanoparticles were incorporated into a Carbopol 934P-NF gel base. This arrangement was characterized and compared with commercially available 2% ketoconazole cream to assess physical characteristics of the gel, in vitro drug release, ex vivo skin permeation and retention, and in vivo studies on Wister male albino rats. The results showed that polymeric PLGA nanoparticles were very effective in extending the release of ketoconazole in our optimized formulation. Nanoparticles were smooth, spherical in shape, and below 200 nm in size which is consistent with the data obtained from light scattering and SEM images. The ex vivo data showed that our gel formulation could strongly reduce drug permeation through the skin, and more than 60% of the drug was retained on the upper surface of the skin in contrast to 38.42% of the commercial cream. The in vivo studies showed that gel formulation could effectively treat the infection. This study demonstrates that our topical gel could be effective in sustaining the release of drug and suggests its potential use as a possible strategy to combat antifungal-resistant Candida albicans.

Synthesis and characterization of new functionalized chitosan and its antimicrobial and in-vitro release behavior from topical gel

Recently, chitosan and its derivatives have been gaining more attention due to their high integration into various biomedical applications. Herein, a new chitosan derivative was prepared by linking the chitosan (Cs) with a novel heterocyclic compound, Benzoimidazolyl-thiadiazole (BzimTD) to form Cs-BzimTD. The synthesis of the new chitosan derivative was confirmed by Fourier-Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR), thermogravimetric (TGA-DTG) analysis, elemental analysis, and UV-Visible spectrophotometer. Data showed the high efficacy of functionalized Cs-BzimTD to inhibit the growth of pathogenic microbes, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans, with inhibition zones of 15.3 ± 0.6 - 9.2 ± 0.3 mm. Also, Cs-BzimTD was applied in a topical gel formulation by using two different polymers, Carbopol 940 (CP) and Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) to form three gel formulations: Cs-BzimTD-CP, Cs-BzimTD-CMC, and Cs-BzimTD-CP-CMC. The new gels were checked for physical appearance, viscosity, Cs-BzimTD release, pH, spread-ability, and drug content. The results showed that all formulations were clear, transparent, and homogeneous with non-irritant pH values for skin (6.4 - 6.8). The spread-ability was found in the range of 7.1 - 9.4 g.cm/s. The Cs-BzimTD-CP formula showed the maximal Cs-BzimTD content percentage (86.5%) and the Cs-BzimTD release varied from 89.9 to 81.6% after 8 h depending on the gel formulation, with a maximum release achieved for Cs-BzimTD-CMC.

Rice bran oil emulgel as a pork back fat alternate for semi-dried fish sausage

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of rice bran oil emulsion filled gels (EG) substitution for pork back fat on the characteristics of Chinese style semi-dried tilapia sausage (CFS). EG prepared using different gelling agents and processing conditions were used as pork back fat alternate in the CFS. From the results, physical, chemical and microstructural qualities of CFS were governed by the type of EG incorporated. Regarding the overall quality, CFS formulated with carrageenan-EG was classified as an optimal formula. CFS added with carrageenan-EG showed a superior oxidative stability, color preservation, and water holding capacity compared to the control during vacuum packaged storage at room temperature for 20 days. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and microbial quality of both formulae remained in the acceptable level (TBARS < 1 mg/kg and total plate count < 4 log CFU/g) throughout the storage. Therefore, the carrageenan based EG substitution for pork back fat is a promising avenue for the production of the CFS where a high saturated animal fat was substituted by vegetable oil.

Study of In Vitro and In Vivo Carbamazepine Release from Coarse and Nanometric Pharmaceutical Emulsions Obtained via Ultra-High-Pressure Homogenization

In the past decade, pharmaceutical nanotechnology has proven to be a promising alternative for improving the physicochemical and biopharmaceutical features for conventional pharmaceutical drug formulations. The goal of this study was to develop, characterize, and evaluate the in vitro and in vivo release of the model drug carbamazepine (CBZ) from two emulsified formulations with different droplet sizes (coarse and nanometric). Briefly, oil-in-water emulsions were developed using (i) Sacha inchi oil, ultrapure water, TweenTM 80, and SpanTM 80 as surfactants, (ii) methyl-paraben and propyl-paraben as preservatives, and (iii) CBZ as a nonpolar model drug. The coarse and nanometric emulsions were prepared by rotor-stator dispersion and ultra-high-pressure homogenization (UHPH), respectively. The in vitro drug release studies were conducted by dialysis, whereas the in vivo drug release was evaluated in New Zealand breed rabbits. The results showed that nanoemulsions were physically more stable than coarse emulsions, and that CBZ had a very low release for in vitro determination (<2%), and a release of 20% in the in vivo study. However, it was found that nanoemulsions could significantly increase drug absorption time from 12 h to 45 min.

Development and Antimicrobial Evaluation of Eruca Sativa Oil Nanoemulgel with Determination of the Oil Antioxidant, Sun Protection Factor and Elastase Inhibition

OBJECTIVES

This project aims to develop a bio-natural nano-product with Cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical applications.

METHODS

E. sativa oil was evaluated for its anti-oxidant, sun protection factor and elastase inhibition. Then, nanoemulgel formulations were prepared for E. sativa oil through the combination of nanoemulsion with hydrogel. E. sativa nanoemulsion formulations were prepared by the help of a selfemulsification technique. After this, the optimum formulation was mixed with Carbopol to produce the nanoemulgel. Anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activities were evaluated.

RESULTS

Nanoemulsion occurred when the size of the droplets was 195.29 nm with the lowest polydispersibility index 0.207. The results of antioxidant, anti-elastase and SPF activities for E. sativa oil were 2.10 µg/ml, 25.1 µg/ml and an SPF value of 5.57, respectively. In addition, in the anti-bacterial test for Staphylococcus aureus, it was found that nanoemulgel has an inhibition zone of 2.1 cm in diameter. According to the MRSA, the inhibition zone was 1.5 cm.

CONCLUSION

E. Sativa oil could be a promising candidate in cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical preparations.

Palm Oil in Lipid-Based Formulations and Drug Delivery Systems

Palm oil is natural oil packed with important compounds and fatty acids ready to be exploited in lipid-based formulations and drug delivery. Palm oil and palm kernel oil contain long-chain and medium-chain triglycerides, respectively, including phytonutrients such as tocotrienol, tocopherol and carotenes. The exploitation of these compounds in a lipid-based formulation would be able to address hydrophobicity, lipophilicity, poor bioavailability and low water-solubility of many current drugs. The utilisation of palm oil as part of the drug delivery system seemed to improve the bioavailability and solubility of the drug, stabilising emulsification of formulation between emulsifier and surfactant, promoting enhanced drug permeability and performance, as well as extending the shelf-life of the drug. Despite the complexity in designing lipid-based formulations, palm oil has proven to offer dynamic behaviour in providing versatility in drug design, form and delivery. However, the knowledge and application of palm oil and its fractions in lipid-based formulation are scarce and interspersed. Therefore, this study aims to focus on the research and outcomes of using palm oil in lipid-based formulations and drug delivery systems, due to the importance of establishing its capabilities and benefits.

Microstructural, rheological, and antibacterial properties of cross-linked chitosan emulgels

Antimicrobial emulgels were fabricated by cross-linking chitosan using cinnamaldehyde (CA) nanoemulsions.