Preliminary Study on the Development of Nanoemulsions for Carbamazepine Intravenous Delivery: An Investigation of Drug Polymorphic Transition

An overview of the neuroprotective potential of rosmarinic acid and its association with nanotechnology-based delivery systems: A novel approach to treating neurodegenerative disorders

Neurodegenerative disorders (ND) are characterized by slow and progressive neuronal dysfunction induced by the degeneration of neuronal cells in the central nervous system (CNS). Recently, the neuroprotective effects of natural compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities has been clearly demonstrated. This appears to be an attractive therapeutic approach for ND, particularly regarding the use of polyphenols. In this review, we present an overview of the neuroprotective potential of rosmarinic acid (RA) and discuss the use of nanotechnology as a novel approach to treating ND. RA presents a variety of biological important activities, i.e. the modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, prevention of neurodegeneration and damage reduction. However, its poor bioavailability represents a limitation in terms of pharmacodynamics. In this sense, nanotechnology-based carriers could allow for the administration of higher but still safe amounts of RA, aiming for CNS delivery. Nasal administration could be a pleasant route for delivery to the CNS, as this represents a direct route to the CNS. With these advantages, RA-loaded nanotechnology-based therapy through the nasal route could be promising approach for the treatment of ND.

Pharmacotherapy for Status Epilepticus

Status epilepticus (SE) represents the most severe form of epilepsy. It is one of the most common neurologic emergencies, with an incidence of up to 61 per 100,000 per year and an estimated mortality of 20 %. Clinically, tonic-clonic convulsive SE is divided into four subsequent stages: early, established, refractory, and super-refractory. Pharmacotherapy of status epilepticus, especially of its later stages, represents an "evidence-free zone," due to a lack of high-quality, controlled trials to inform clinical decisions. This comprehensive narrative review focuses on the pharmacotherapy of SE, presented according to the four-staged approach outlined above, and providing pharmacological properties and efficacy/safety data for each antiepileptic drug according to the strength of scientific evidence from the available literature. Data sources included MEDLINE and back-tracking of references in pertinent studies. Intravenous lorazepam or intramuscular midazolam effectively control early SE in approximately 63-73 % of patients. Despite a suboptimal safety profile, intravenous phenytoin or phenobarbital are widely used treatments for established SE; alternatives include valproate, levetiracetam, and lacosamide. Anesthetics are widely used in refractory and super-refractory SE, despite the current lack of trials in this field. Data on alternative treatments in the later stages are limited. Valproate and levetiracetam represent safe and effective alternatives to phenobarbital and phenytoin for treatment of established SE persisting despite first-line treatment with benzodiazepines. To date there are no class I data to support recommendations for most antiepileptic drugs for established, refractory, and super-refractory SE. Limiting the methodologic heterogeneity across studies is required and high-class randomized, controlled trials to inform clinicians about the best treatment in established and refractory status are needed.

Preparation and crystallographic analysis of gliclazide polymorphs

Since the introduction of gliclazide in the pharmaceutical industry, a large number of research groups have been engaged in various investigations aiming to enhance its biomedical application. But, very limited efforts have been made to study polymorphism of gliclazide. Therefore, this study focuses on solvent-induced polymorphism of gliclazide and its characterization by thermal methods. Three polymorphs namely, Form-I, II and III and an amorphous powder were produced from different solvents and solvent mixtures. Crystals were analyzed using infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray powder diffraction and single crystal x-ray diffraction. Polymorph Form-I is found to exist in centro-symmetric triclinic P-1 space group and has endothermic peak at 162.93°. Form-II has endothermic peak from 171.2° to 172.35° and exists in centro-symmetric monoclinic P2₁/a space group while Form-III has endothermic peak from 168.93° to 169.86° and exists in centro-symmetric monoclinic P2₁/n space group. The equilibrium solubility values of Form-I, II, III and the amorphous form were 0.4825±0.025, 0.2341±0.042, 0.2581±0.038 and 0.5213±0.072 mg/ml, respectively. The Form-I has relatively higher solubility and similar to that of amorphous gliclazide. Form-II and Form-III are relatively most stable and least soluble. However, there was no remarkable difference in their aqueous solubility under the conditions in which study was conducted.

Carbamazepine parenteral nanoemulsions prepared by spontaneous emulsification process

Carbamazepine (CBZ), a widely used anticonvulsant drug, is a poorly soluble drug with no parenteral treatment available for patients. This study was aimed at developing a nanoemulsion for CBZ intravenous delivery. The spontaneous emulsification method was used to prepare different formulations containing 2mg/mL CBZ. Likewise, a 2(2) full factorial experimental design was applied to study the influence of two independent variables (type of oil and type of lipophilic emulsifier) on emulsion physicochemical characteristics. The nanoemulsions were evaluated concerning droplet size, zeta potential, viscosity, drug content and association to oily phase. The formulation, which presented the best characteristics required for intravenous administration was selected and refined with respect to the lipophilic emulsifier content (increase from 5% to 6% of soy lecithin). This formulation was characterized and kept its properties in a satisfactory range over the evaluated period (3 months), i.e. droplet size around 150 nm, drug content around 95% and zeta potential around -40 mV. The transmission electron microscopy revealed emulsion droplets almost spherical in shape with an amorphous core, whereas the in vitro release profile assessed by dialysis bags demonstrated a release kinetics square root time dependent, with 95% of ca. having been released within 11h.