Nanostructured Valsartan Microparticles with Enhanced Bioavailability Produced by High-Throughput Electrohydrodynamic Room-Temperature Atomization

Particulate atomisation design methods for the development and engineering of advanced drug delivery systems: A review

The role and opportunities presented by particulate technologies (due to novel processing methods and advanced materials) have multiplied over the last few decades, leading to promising and ideal properties for drug delivery. For example, the dissolution and bioavailability of poorly soluble drug substances and achieving site- specific drug delivery with a desired release profile are crucial aspects of forming (to some extent) state-of-the-art platforms. Atomisation techniques are intended to achieve efficient control over particle size, improved processing time, improved drug loading efficiency, and the opportunity to encapsulate a broad range of viable yet sensitive therapeutic moieties. Particulate engineering through atomization is accomplished by employing various mechanisms such as air, no air, centrifugal, electrohydrodynamic, acoustic, and supercritical fluid driven processes. These driving forces overcome capillary stresses (e.g., liquid viscosity, surface tension) and transform formulation media (liquid) into fine droplets. More frequently, solvent removal, multiple methods are included to reduce the final size distribution. Nevertheless, a thorough understanding of fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat, and mass transfer is imperative to appreciate and predict outputs in real time. More so, in recent years, several advancements have been introduced to improve such processes through complex particle design coupled with quality by-design (QbD) yielding optimal particulate geometry in a predictable manner. Despite these valuable and numerous advancements, atomisation techniques face difficulty scaling up from laboratory scales to manufacturing industry scales. This review details the various atomisation techniques (from design to mechanism) along with examples of drug delivery systems developed. In addition, future perspectives and bottlenecks are provided while highlighting current and selected seminal developments in the field.

One-pot Ugi-azide and Heck reactions for the synthesis of heterocyclic systems containing tetrazole and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline

A new method for the synthesis of heterocyclic systems containing tetrazole and tetrahydroisoquinoline is developed via the performance of one-pot Ugi-azide and Heck cyclization reactions. The integration of the multicomponent and post-condensation reactions in one-pot maximizes the pot-, atom-, and step-economy (PASE).

Development and optimization of kaempferol loaded ethosomes using Box-Behnken statistical design: In vitro and ex-vivo assessments

Kaempferol (KMP) belong to flavonoid class have developed in ethosomal formulation and were evaluated for their potential to treat diabetic foot ulcers. Even though ethosomes are highly deformable, they can pass through human skin intact. KMP ethosomes were formulated using the cold method and optimized by Box-Behnken design (BBD) (three-factor, three-level (33 )). The formulation variables used for optimization are drug concentration of KMP, soylecithin content, and ethanol percentage. The optimized formulation was examined using transmission electronic microscopy (TEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, in-vitro release, ex-vivo permeation studies, and storage stability. The optimized KMP ethosomes was found to have vesicle size (VS) of 283 ± 0.3 nm and zeta potential (ZP) of -29.67 ± 0.3 mV, polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.36, % entrapment efficiency (%EE) of 91.02 ± 0.21%, drug loading (%) of 46.23 ± 2.5% followed by good storage stability at 4°C/60 ± 5% RH. In vitro drug release of optimized KMP ethosomes was 88.2 ± 2.75%, which was approximately double when compared with pure KMP release, that is 49.9 ± 1.89%. The release kinetics for optimized KMP ethosomes follows the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. An apparent permeation coefficient of 356.25 ± 0.5 μg/cm2 was determined and compared with pure KMP (118.46 ± 0.3 μg/cm2 ) for 24 h. According to the study, ethosomes can be a cutting-edge strategy that offers a new delivery method for prolonged and targeted distribution of KMP in a variety of dosage forms including oral, topical, transdermal, and so forth.

Non-emulsion-based encapsulation of fish oil by coaxial electrospraying assisted by pressurized gas enhances the oxidative stability of a capsule-fortified salad dressing

The influence of the encapsulation technology (spray-drying, mono- or coaxial electrospraying assisted by pressurized gas, EAPG) and the oil load (13, 26 or 39 wt%) on the oxidative stability of: i) fish oil-loaded capsules, and ii) capsule-fortified salad dressings were investigated. The highest encapsulation efficiency (EE > 83%) was achieved by the emulsion-based encapsulation methods (e.g., spray-drying and monoaxial EAPG), irrespective of the oil load. Nonetheless, monoaxially EAPG capsules were the most oxidized during storage due to their increased surface-to-volume ratio. On the contrary, non-emulsion-based coaxial EAPG resulted in low lipid oxidation after processing and subsequent storage. The oxidative stability of the capsule-fortified salad dressings correlated well with that of the encapsulates, with the dressing fortified with the coaxially EAPG capsules showing significantly lower levels of oxidation. Our results show that the fortification approach (e.g., emulsion or non-emulsion-based delivery systems) significantly influenced the oxidative stability of the enriched food matrix.

Nanotechnology-Based Strategies for Extended-Release Delivery of Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs): A Comprehensive Review

There has been a significant shift in the perception of hypertension as an important contributor to the global disease burden. Approximately 6 % and 8 % of pregnancies are affected by hypertension, which can adversely affect the mother and the fetus. Furthermore, a hypertensive individual is at increased risk of developing kidney disease, arterial hardening, eye damage, and strokes. Using angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) is widespread in treating hypertension, heart failure, coronary artery disease, and diabetic nephropathy. Despite this, some ARBs have limited use due to their poor oral bioavailability and water solubility. To tackle this, a variety of nanoparticle (NP)-based systems, such as polymeric NPs (i. e., dendrimers), polymeric micelles, polymer-drug conjugates, lipid NPs, nanoemulsions, self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS), solid lipid NPs (SLNs), nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), carbon-based nanocarriers, inorganic NPs, and nanocrystals, have been recently developed for efficient delivery of losartan, Valsartan (Val), Olmesartan (OLM), Telmisartan (TEL), Candesartan, Eprosartan, Irbesartan, and Azilsartan to target cells. This review article provides a literature-based comparison of the various classes of ARBs, their mechanisms of action, and an overview of the nanoformulations developed for ARB delivery and successfully applied to managing hypertension, diabetic complications, and other conditions.

Cheminformatics approach for identification of N-HyMenatPimeMelly as a novel potential ligand against RAS and renal chloride channel

Some angiotensin receptor (AR) blockers interfere with the renal chloride channel (ClC-K), which plays an important role in urine concentration. Identifying ligands targeting this channel, whether activating or blocking, is highly desirable because it could open the way for interventions that modulate their activity. In this study, the Asinex (BioDesign) complete library was screened to identify a compound with favorable physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties, which have both AR blocking and ClC-Ka-modulating activities to present it as a novel potential oral candidate which could be useful for treatment of salt-sensitive hypertension without major ClC-K affection. A compound, N-{[4-Hydroxy-1-(2-methyl-1,6-naphthyridin-4-yl)-4-piperidinyl]methyl}-N-methyl-L-lysinamide (N-HyMenatPimeMelly) (Chem Spider ID 68416221), was identified as a potent potential oral ligand of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and ClC-Ka with docking scores ranging from -10.978 to -7.324 with the four selected proteins (4YAY: AR type 1, 2PFI: Cytoplasmic domain of ClC-Ka, 6JOD: AR type 2 and 6M0J: Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2). The protein-ligand complex was used to perform molecular dynamics (MD) simulation for 100 ns. The QikProp and SwissADME tools' results showed that the compound has ADME/T and drug-likeness properties, which are within the permissible ranges for 95% of known drugs. The density functional theory (DFT) analysis and MD simulation extended the study toward computational validation. Throughout the study, N-HyMenatPimeMelly has shown good interactions and stable performance in MD simulation and DFT analysis. The whole analysis has produced promising results, and N-HyMenatPimeMelly can be treated as a novel potential RAS and ClC-K oral ligand, however, experimental validation is needed before human use.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Pharmaceutical Methods for Enhancing the Dissolution of Poorly Water-Soluble Drugs

Low water solubility is the main hindrance in the growth of pharmaceutical industry. Approximately 90% of newer molecules under investigation for drugs and 40% of novel drugs have been reported to have low water solubility. The key and thought-provoking task for the formulation scientists is the development of novel techniques to overcome the solubility-related issues of these drugs. The main intention of present review is to depict the conventional and novel strategies to overcome the solubility-related problems of Biopharmaceutical Classification System Class-II drugs. More than 100 articles published in the last 5 years were reviewed to have a look at the strategies used for solubility enhancement. pH modification, salt forms, amorphous forms, surfactant solubilization, cosolvency, solid dispersions, inclusion complexation, polymeric micelles, crystals, size reduction, nanonization, proliposomes, liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, microemulsions, and self-emulsifying drug delivery systems are the various techniques to yield better bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs. The selection of solubility enhancement technique is based on the dosage form and physiochemical characteristics of drug molecules.

Design, Formulation, and Characterization of Valsartan Nanoethosomes for Improving Their Bioavailability

The objective of this study was to formulate and evaluate valsartan (VLT) ethosomes to prepare an optimized formula of VLT-entrapped ethosomes that could be incorporated into a sustained release transdermal gel dosage form. The formulation of the prepared ethosomal gel was investigated and subjected to in vitro drug release studies, ex vivo test, and in vivo studies to assess the effectiveness of ethosomal formulation in enhancing the bioavailability of VLT as a poorly soluble drug and in controlling its release from the transdermal gel dosage form. The acquired results are as follows: Dependent responses were particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency. The optimized VLT-ETHs had a nanometric diameter (45.8 ± 0.5 nm), a negative surface charge (-51.4 ± 6.3 mV), and a high drug encapsulation (94.24 ± 0.2). The prepared VLT ethosomal gel (VLT-ethogel) showed a high peak plasma concentration and enhanced bioavailability in rats compared with the oral solution of valsartan presented in the higher AUC (0-∞). The AUC (0-∞) with oral treatment was 7.0 ± 2.94 (μg.h/mL), but the AUC (0-∞) with topical application of the VAL nanoethosomal gel was 137.2 ± 49.88 (μg.h/mL), providing the sustained release pattern of VLT from the tested ethosomal gel.

Effect of Whey Protein Purity on the Characteristics of Algae Oil-Loaded Encapsulates Obtained by Electrospraying Assisted by Pressurized Gas

In this paper, the effect of protein purity in three different whey protein grades on the characteristics of algae oil encapsulates obtained via room-temperature electrospraying assisted by pressurized gas (EAPG) encapsulation process was studied. Three different commercial grades of whey protein purity were evaluated, namely 35, 80, and 90 wt.%. Oil nanodroplets with an average size of 600 nm were homogeneously entrapped into whey protein microparticles 3 µm in size. However, the sphericity and the surface smoothness of the microparticles increased by increasing the protein purity in the grades of whey protein studied. The porosity of the microparticles was also dependent on protein purity as determined by nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, being smaller for larger contents of protein. Interestingly, the lowest extractable oil was obtained with WP35, probably due to the high content of lactose. The peroxide values confirmed the superior protective effect of the protein, obtaining the smallest peroxide value for WP90, a result that is consistent with its reduced porosity and with its lower permeability to oxygen, as confirmed by the fluorescence decay-oxygen consumption method. The accelerated stability assay against oxidation confirmed the higher protection of the WP80 and WP90. In addition, the increased content in protein implied a higher thermal stability according to the thermogravimetric analysis. These results further confirm the importance of the adequate selection of the composition of wall materials together with the encapsulation method.

The Nanostructure of Polymer-Active Principle Microparticles Produced by Supercritical CO2 Assisted Processing

Traditional and supercritical CO₂ assisted processes are frequently used to produce microparticles formed by a biopolymer containing an active principle to improve the bioavailability of the active principle. However, information about the internal organization of these microparticles is still scarce. In this work, a suspension of dextran + Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (model system) and a solution of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) + curcumin were used to produce spherical microparticles by supercritical CO₂ processing. Periodic dynamic light scattering measurements were used to analyze the evolution of the microparticles dissolution, size, and size distribution of the guest active principle in the polymeric matrix. It was found that curcumin was dispersed in the form of nanoparticles in the PVP microparticles, whose size largely depended on its relative concentration. These results were validated by transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy of the PVP microparticles and curcumin nanoparticles, before and after the dissolution tests.

Sustainable Stabilizer-Free Nanoparticle Formulations of Valsartan Using Eudragit® RLPO

The bioavailability of the antihypertensive drug valsartan can be enhanced by various microencapsulation methods. In the present investigation, valsartan-loaded polymeric nanoparticles were manufactured from Eudragit® RLPO using an emulsion-solvent evaporation method. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was found to be a suitable stabilizer for the nanoparticles, resulting in a monodisperse colloid system ranging in size between 148 nm and 162 nm. Additionally, a high encapsulation efficiency (96.4%) was observed. However, due to the quaternary ammonium groups of Eudragit® RLPO, the stabilization of the dispersion could be achieved in the absence of PVA as well. The nanoparticles were reduced in size (by 22%) and exhibited similar encapsulation efficiencies (96.4%). This more cost-effective and sustainable production method reduces the use of excipients and their expected emission into the environment. The drug release from valsartan-loaded nanoparticles was evaluated in a two-stage biorelevant dissolution set-up, leading to the rapid dissolution of valsartan in a simulated intestinal medium. In silico simulations using a model validated previously indicate a potential dose reduction of 60-70% compared to existing drug products. This further reduces the expected emission of the ecotoxic compound into the environment.