Enhanced oral bioavailability of magnolol via mixed micelles and nanosuspensions based on Soluplus®-Poloxamer 188

The Cardioprotective Effect of Magnolia officinalis and Its Major Bioactive Chemical Constituents

The genus Magnolia has been found to exhibit different biological properties, including antioxidant, anticancer, and others. For example, Magnolia officinalis is a classical traditional herb used in various Asian countries, especially China, South Korea, and Japan. Magnolia bark is the main medicinal part of this plant. This paper reviews the current state of knowledge regarding the M. officinalis bark and its active constituents, especially magnolol and honokiol, with a special emphasis on their cardioprotective activity in various models. This review paper also sheds new light on the cardioprotective mechanisms of magnolol and honokiol. However, their cardioprotective potential is limited to animal in vivo models and in vitro models. Only a single study has examined the cardiovascular properties of M. officinalis extract in obese mice. In addition, there is no clinical evidence for the absorption and bioavailability of M. officinalis extracts and their main bioactive compounds in humans. Moreover, there are no studies simultaneously comparing the activity of magnolol and honokiol. Therefore, there is a need for such studies. There are also no recommendations regarding their effective or safe doses for prophylaxis and the treatment of CVDs.

Controlled anti-solvent precipitation for enhanced dissolution rate and antiplatelet activity of ticagrelor

The goal of our study is to augment ticagrelor (TC)'s dissolution rate and antiplatelet activity via controlled antisolvent precipitation. A saturated ethanolic solution of TC was prepared in the absence and presence of poloxamer 188 or gelucire 44/14. Aerosil 200 was added before controlled precipitation using water or water-containing poloxamer (1% w/v). The resulting precipitate was dried and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and in vitro dissolution. FTIR showed hydrogen bonding after the processing of TC. DSC and PXRD reflected partial amorphization. A significant enhancement (p < 0.05) in dissolution efficiency and TC amount released after five minutes was also shown. The most effective composition was F6, which comprised TC, poloxamer, and Aerosil (5:5:2.5), or F9, utilizing gelucire instead of poloxamer at a similar ratio. Assessment of tail bleeding time (min) exhibited a significant (p < 0.05) prolongation for rat groups treated with F6 (24.71 ± 5.46) and F9 (30.06 ± 1.63) compared with negative control (3.43 ± 0.46) and unprocessed TC (5.78 ± 2.18). These results suggest an enhancement of TC's pharmacological activity probably due to enhanced bioavailability imparted with an enhanced dissolution rate. The study introduced controlled antisolvent precipitation as a simple tool for hastened TC's dissolution.

Pulsed cavitation ultrasound assisted delivery of cardamom, pistacia and laurel encapsulated micelles nanoparticles for sono-photodynamic lymphoma in vitro and in vivo treatment

Sono-photodynamic therapy (SPDT) has attracted a lot of interest as a cutting-edge therapeutic strategy in the field of cancer treatment. The essential part of SPDT is the sensitizer, which under laser photon and pulsed cavitation ultrasound sono-irradiation may transform sono and photo- energy into cytotoxic molecules. Photon absorption, targeting, penetration, and oxygen dependence remain challenges in sono- -photosensitizer (SPs) design. Rapid advancements in material science have prompted the creation of several SPs that create cytotoxic species with great selectivity, safety, and noninvasiveness for the treatment of tumors. The current study aims to provide an advanced method of activated cancer treatment by using pulsed cavitation to assist the delivery of cardamom, pistacia and laurel conjugated micelles nanoparticles (CPL-Micelle NP) for the sono-photodynamic lymphoma in vivo and in vitro treatment. Human lymphoma cells (U-937) were used in the in vitro study, and the in vivo application groups of the study protocol were Swiss albino mice treated with 9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-Benzanthracene (DMBA) only; they were not given any treatment to induce lymphoma. The study treatment protocol started only after lymphoma induction, and involved daily administration of CPL-Micelle NP as SPDT sensitizer whether or not to be exposed to photo- (IRL) or sono- (US) or a combination of them for three minutes for a period of two weeks. Indicated that Micelle NP is a useful CPL delivery mechanism that targets lymphoma cells directly. Furthermore, CPL-Micelle NP is a promising SPS that, when used in conjunction with SPDT, can be very effective in in vitro treating lymphoma-U-937 (in a dose-dependent manner cell viability declined, an increase in the cells population during the S and G2/M phases indicates that the cell cycle was arrested, and an increase in cell population in the Pre-G, autophagic cell death, as well as necrosis and early and late apoptosis, indicate that cell death was induced) and DMBA-Lymphoma-induced mice in vivo (induced antiproliferative genes, repressed antiangiogenic and antiapoptotic genes), successfully slowing the growth of tumors and even killing cancer cells, as well as lowering oxidative stress malondialdehyde (MDA), improving the functions of the kidneys, liver, and enzymatic and non enzymatic antioxidants. SPDT, the photo- or sono- chemical CPL activation mechanism, and the antioxidant capacity of non-activated CPL can all be linked to this process. On the bases of the findings, CPL-Micelle NP shows a great promise as a novel, efficient selective delivery system for localized SPDT-activated lymphoma treatment.

Delivery of Magnolia bark extract in nanoemulsions formed by high and low energy methods improves the bioavailability of Honokiol and Magnolol

Honokiol (HK) and Magnolol (MG), isomers found in Magnolia officinalis bark extract (MBE), possess bioactive properties attributed to their biphenolic structure. However, their low polarity results in poor oral absorption, limiting their bioavailability. To enhance their systemic absorption after passing through the digestive tract, efficient carrier systems are essential. Nanoemulsions (NE) have been suggested to enhance their solubility in the oily core and enable passive diffusion through absorptive cells. Surfactants ensure stability by reducing surface tension between hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds. In this study we report the preparation of NE containing HK and MG using high and low-energy methods (SNEDDS); we aimed to improve their absorption after oral administration. Results demonstrated that NE enhanced their bioavailability significantly. Compared to the free forms, HK bioavailability increased by 3.47 times, and MG by 3.03 times. SNEDDS further increased HK bioavailability by 3.98 times and MG by 7.97 times compared to their free forms.

Soluplus®-Based Pharmaceutical Formulations: Recent Advances in Drug Delivery and Biomedical Applications

Poor water solubility remains a significant challenge in the pharmaceutical industry that limits the therapeutic efficacy and bioavailability of many active pharmaceuticals. Soluplus® (SLP), an amphiphilic graft copolymer made of polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl caprolactam, and polyvinyl acetate, has been gaining interest in recent years as it addresses these limitations by acting as a versatile carrier. Its ability to form stable amorphous dispersions and enhance drug solubility, as well as its physicochemical properties, support its role as a key excipient in advanced drug delivery systems. Recent investigations have demonstrated the adaptability of SLP in addressing drug delivery requirements, offering controlled release, improved targeting, and superior therapeutic outcomes. This review examines some key formulation methods that make use of SLP, including hot-melt extrusion, spray drying, electrospinning, drug-polymer layering, and capsule and tablet formulations, highlighting the capacity of SLP to overcome formulation challenges. Biomedical applications of SLP have also been explored, with a focus on its role in improving the delivery of antitumoral, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiparasitic drugs.

Amorphous Solid Dispersions of Glycyrrhetinic Acid: Using Soluplus, PVP, and PVPVA as the Polymer Matrix to Enhance Solubility, Bioavailability, and Stability

Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) possesses various pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-viral properties. However, its clinical application is limited by poor solubility and low oral bioavailability. Polymers play a crucial role in pharmaceutical formulations, particularly as matrices in excipients to enhance the solubility, bioavailability, and stability of active pharmaceutical ingredients. The amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) of GA were prepared with three different polymers (i.e., GA-S-ASD, GA-VA64-ASD, and GA-K30-ASD). The ASDs were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder X-ray diffractometry (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR spectroscopy), molecular docking, and contact angle measurement. Pharmacokinetics were evaluated in Beagle dogs, and long-term stability was examined. The solubility of GA increased with the rising weight of the polymer, and the optimal drug-to-carrier ratio was 1:5. In all ASDs, GA was amorphous, thus suggesting that a hydrogen bonding must have formed between GA and the polymers. The molecular docking showed that the binding energy was the highest and the hydrogen bonding was the strongest between GA and Soluplus. The dissolution of the ASDs was primarily driven by carrier-controlled dissolution, and there was minor influence from diffusion-limited release in the case of GA-S-ASD. The three ASDs significantly improved the bioavailability of GA. However, only GA-S-ASD passed the accelerated stability test. In the case of GA-VA64-ASD and GA-K30-ASD, due to serious moisture absorption, the originally fluffy ASDs became gels, and recrystallization occurred. Overall, GA-S-ASD presents promising potential for pharmaceutical applications due to its superior solubility, bioavailability, and stability.

Nanosuspension-Based Repaglinide Fast-Dissolving Buccal Film for Dissolution Enhancement

Drug solubility and dissolution remain a significant challenge in pharmaceutical formulations. This study aimed to formulate and evaluate repanglinide (RPG) nanosuspension-based buccal fast-dissolving films (BDFs) for dissolution enhancement. RPG nanosuspension was prepared by the antisolvent-precipitation method using multiple hydrophilic polymers, including soluplus®, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidine, poloxamers, and hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose. The nanosuspension was then directly loaded into BDFs using the solvent casting technique. Twelve formulas were prepared with a particle size range of 81.6-1389 nm and PDI 0.002-1 for the different polymers. Nanosuspensions prepared with soluplus showed a favored mean particle size of 82.6 ± 3.2 nm. The particles were spherical and non-aggregating, as demonstrated by SEM imaging. FTIR showed no interaction between soluplus and RPG. Faster dissolution occurred for the nanosuspension in comparison with pure RPG (complete release vs 60% within 30 min). The nanosuspension was successfully incorporated into BDFs. The optimum film formula showed 28 s disintegration time, and 97.3% RPG released within 10 min. Ex-vivo permeation profiles revealed improved RPG nanosuspension permeation with the cumulative amount of RPG permeated is103.4% ± 10.1 and a flux of 0.00275 mg/cm2/min compared to 39.3% ± 9.57 and a flux of 0.001058 mg/cm2/min for pure RPG. RPG was successfully formulated into nanosuspension that boosted drug dissolution and permeation. The selection of the ultimate NP formula was driven by optimal particle size, distribution, and drug content. Soluplus NPs were shown to be the successful formulations, which were further incorporated into a buccal film. The film was evaluated for ex-vivo permeation, confirming successful RPG formulation with improved performance compared to pure drugs.

Honokiol and magnolol: A review of structure-activity relationships of their derivatives

Honokiol (HK) and magnolol (MAG) are typical representatives of neolignans possessing a wide range of biological activities and are employed as traditional medicines in Asia. In the past few decades, HK and MAG have been proven to be promising chemical scaffolds for the development of novel neolignan drugs. This review focuses on recent advances in the medicinal chemistry of HK and MAG derivatives, especially their structure-activity relationships. In addition, it also presents a comprehensive summary of the pharmacology, biosynthetic pathways, and metabolic characteristics of HK and MAG. This review can provide pharmaceutical chemists deeper insights into medicinal research on HK and MAG, and a reference for the rational design of HK and MAG derivatives.

Improving cellular uptake and synergetic anti-tumor effects of magnolol and Brucea javanica oil through self-microemulsion

OBJECTIVE

Magnolol (MG) and Brucea javanica (L.) Merr. oil (BJO) possess synergetic anti-tumor effects, but have poor water solubility and stability, which results in low oral bioavailability.

SIGNIFICANCE

The MG loaded self-microemulsion drug delivery system (MG-SMDDS) with BJO as oil phase component was utilized to improve the cellular uptake and synergetic anti-tumor effects.

METHODS

Compatibility study and pseudoternary phase diagram (PTPD) were respectively employed to screen for the composition and proportion of oil phase in the formulation. Central composite design-effect surface method was applied to optimize proportion of each formulation condition. The droplet size, ζ-potential, colloid stability, encapsulation rate (ER) and in vitro dissolution rate of MG-SMDDS were evaluated. Furthermore, cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of the microemulsion on HepG2 cells were assessed.

RESULTS

The optimal composition of MG-SMDDS was: MG (9.09%), castor oil (7.40%), BJO (2.47%), Cremophor EL 35 (54.04%) and 1, 2-propanediol (27.01%). The MG-SMDDS exhibited satisfactory droplet size, ζ-potential, colloid stability and ER, as well as faster dissolution rate than free MG. More importantly, SMEDDS containing BJO could enhance the cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of free BJO and free MG on tumor cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The BJO self-microemulsion delivery technique can provide an idea for design of oral delivery vehicles based on BJO.

Characterization of herpetrione amorphous nanoparticles stabilized by hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose and its absorption mechanism in vitro

Herpetrione(HPE) is an effective compound that has been used in the treatment of liver diseases. To improve its dissolution and absorption, herpetrione nanosuspensions was prepared. Nanosuspensions were proved to achieve intact absorption in vivo. However, the transport mechanisms are not fully understood, especially lack of direct evidence of translocation of particulates. In this study, an environment-responsive dye, P4, was loaded into herpetrione amorphous nanoparticles (HPE-ANPs) to elucidate the absorption and transport mechanism of the nanoparticles. And the amount of HPE and nanoparticles in the samples were quantified using HPLC/LC-MS/MS and IVIS with the model of Caco-2 and Caco-2/HT29-MTX. Results demonstrated that HPE is mainly taken up by passive diffusion in the form of free drugs, while HPE-ANPs are internalized by an energy dependent active transport pathway or intracellular endocytosis. It is speculated that HPE-ANPs may change the original entry pathway of drug molecules. Furthermore, the presence of mucus layer and the use of HPMC E15 may contribute to drug absorption to some extent. Transcellular transport study indicates that HPE-ANPs has a poor absorption. In conclusion, the differences in the absorption behavior trends of HPE-ANPs are caused by the difference in particle properties and the form of existence of the drug.

Construction of Magnolol Nanoparticles for Alleviation of Ethanol-Induced Acute Gastric Injury

Ethanol (EtOH) has been identified as a potential pathogenic factor in gastric ulcer development primarily due to its association with gastric injury and excessive production of reactive oxygen species. Magnolol (Mag), the principal active compound in Magnolia officinalis extract, is well studied for its notable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, its limited solubility, propensity for agglomeration, and low absorption and utilization rates significantly restrict its therapeutic use. This study aims to overcome these challenges by developing a Mag nanoparticle system targeting the treatment and prevention of EtOH-induced gastric ulcers in mice. Utilizing a click chemistry approach, we successfully synthesized this system by reacting thiolated bovine serum albumin (BSA·SH) with Mag. The in vitro analysis revealed effective uptake of the BSA·SH-Mag nanoparticle system by human gastric epithelial cells (GES-1), showcasing its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities. Additionally, BSA·SH-Mag exhibited gradual disintegration and release in simulated gastric fluid, resulting in a notable reduction of oxidative stress in gastric tissues and mucosal tissue repair and effectively reducing inflammatory expression. Furthermore, BSA·SH-Mag attenuated EtOH-induced gastric inflammation by decreasing the level of NOX4 protein expression and augmenting the level of Nrf2 protein expression. In conclusion, our findings indicate that BSA·SH-Mag represents a promising candidate as an oral therapeutic for gastric ulcer treatment.

Influence of Poloxamer 188 on Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Effects of Diclofenac-Loaded Nanoemulsion: Formulation, Optimization and in Vitro/in Vivo Evaluation

In this study, a polymer-stabilized nanoemulsion (PNE) was developed to improve the inflammatory and analgesic activities of diclofenac (DA). DA-PNEs were prepared from sesame oil and poloxamer 188 (P188), polysorbate 80, and span 80 as emulsifiers and optimized by a systematic multi-objective optimization method. The developed DA-PNEs exhibited thermodynamical stability with low viscosity. The mean diameter, PDI, surface charge, and entrapment efficiency of DA-PNEs were 122.49±3.42 nm, 0.226±0.08, -47.3 ± 3.6 mV, and 93.57±3.4 %, respectively. The cumulative in vitro release profile of DA-PNEs was significantly higher than the neat drug in simulated gastrointestinal fluids. The anti-inflammatory activities of DA-PNEs were evaluated in the λ-carrageenan-induced paw edema model. To investigate the effect of P188 on analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities, a formulation without P188 was also prepared and named DA-NEs. Following oral administration, DA-PNEs showed a significantly higher (p<0.05) effect in reducing pain and inflammation symptoms as compared to free diclofenac and DA-NEs. Moreover, histopathological examination confirmed that DA-PNEs meaningfully reduced the extent of paw edema, comparable to that of DA. Taken together, the findings of the in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that diclofenac-loaded P188-stabilized nanoemulsion can be considered a potential drug delivery system for treating and controlling inflammatory disorders and alleviating pains.

Nanosuspensions as carriers of active ingredients: Chemical composition, development methods, and their biological activities

Nanosuspensions (NSps) are colloidal dispersions of particles that have the potential to solve the delivery problems of active ingredients associated with their low solubility in water or instability due to environmental factors. It is essential to consider their chemical composition and preparation methods because they directly influence drug loading, size, morphology, solubility, and stability; these characteristics of nanosuspensions influence the delivery and bioavailability of active ingredients. NSps provides high loading of drugs, protection against degrading agents, rapid dissolution, high particle stability, and high bioavailability of active ingredients across biological membranes. In addition, they provide lower toxicity compared to other nanocarriers, such as liposomes or polymeric nanoparticles, and can modify the pharmacokinetic profiles, thus improving their safety and efficacy. The present review aims to address all aspects related to the composition of NSps, the different methods for their production, and the main factors affecting their stability. Moreover, recent studies are described as carriers of active ingredients and their biological activities.

Combination of Nanodelivery Systems and Constituents Derived from Novel Foods: A Comprehensive Review

Novel Food is a new category of food, regulated by the European Union Directive No. 2015/2283. This latter norm defines a food as "Novel" if it was not used "for human consumption to a significant degree within the Union before the date of entry into force of that regulation, namely 15 May 1997". Recently, Novel Foods have received increased interest from researchers worldwide. In this sense, the key areas of interest are the discovery of new benefits for human health and the exploitation of these novel sources of materials in new fields of application. An emerging area in the pharmaceutical and medicinal fields is nanotechnology, which deals with the development of new delivery systems at a nanometric scale. In this context, this review aims to summarize the recent advances on the design and characterization of nanodelivery systems based on materials belonging to the Novel Food list, as well as on nanoceutical products formulated for delivering compounds derived from Novel Foods. Additionally, the safety hazard of using nanoparticles in food products, i.e., food supplements, has been discussed in view of the current European regulation, which considers nanomaterials as Novel Foods.

Nanostructures in Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) for potential therapy

With its long clinical history, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has gained acceptance for its specific efficacy and safety in the treatment of multiple diseases. Nano-sized materials study of Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) leads to an increased understanding of assessing TCM therapies, which may be a promising way to illustrate the material basis of CHMs through their processing and extraction. In this review, we provide an overview of the nanostructures of natural and engineered CHMs, including extracted CHMs, polymer nanoparticles, liposomes, micelles, and nanofibers. Subsequently, the applications of these CHM-derived nanostructures to particular diseases are summarized and discussed. Additionally, we discuss the advantages of these nanostructures for studying the therapeutic efficacy of CHMs. Finally, the key challenges and opportunities for the development of these nanostructures are outlined.

Impact of nanotechnology on the oral delivery of phyto-bioactive compounds

Nanotechnology is an advanced field that has remarkable nutraceutical and food applications. Phyto-bioactive compounds (PBCs) play critical roles in promoting health and disease treatment. However, PBCs generally encounter several limitations that delay their widespread application. For example, most PBCs have low aqueous solubility, poor biostability, poor bioavailability, and a lack of target specificity. Moreover, the high concentrations of effective PBC doses also limit their application. As a result, encapsulating PBCs into an appropriate nanocarrier may increase their solubility and biostability and protect them from premature degradation. Moreover, nanoencapsulation could improve absorption and prolong circulation with a high opportunity for targeted delivery that may decrease unwanted toxicity. This review addresses the main parameters, variables, and barriers that control and affect oral PBC delivery. Moreover, this review discusses the potential role of biocompatible and biodegradable nanocarriers in improving the water solubility, chemical stability, bioavailability, and specificity/selectivity of PBCs.

Pterostilbene-Loaded Soluplus/Poloxamer 188 Mixed Micelles for Protection against Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Liver Injury

Excessive acetaminophen (APAP) induces excess reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to liver damage. Pterostilbene (PTE) has excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, but poor solubility limits its biological activity. In this study, we prepared PTE-loaded Soluplus/poloxamer 188 mixed micelles (PTE-MMs), and the protective mechanism against APAP-induced liver injury was investigated. In vitro results showed that PTE-MMs protected H₂O₂-induced HepG2 cell proliferation inhibition, ROS accumulation, and mitochondrial membrane potential destruction. Immunofluorescence results indicated that PTE-MMs significantly inhibited H₂O₂-induced DNA damage and cGAS-STING pathway activation. For in vivo protection studies, PTE-MMs (25 and 50 mg/kg) were administered orally for 5 days, followed by APAP (300 mg/kg). The results showed that APAP significantly induced injury in liver histopathology as well as an increase in serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels. Moreover, the above characteristics of APAP-induced acute liver injury were inhibited by PTE-MMs. In addition, APAP-induced changes in the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD and GSH in liver tissue were also inhibited by PTE-MMs. Immunohistochemical results showed that PTE-MMs inhibited APAP-induced DNA damage and cGAS-STING pathway activation in liver tissues. For in vivo therapeutic effect study, mice were first given APAP (300 mg/kg), followed by oral administration of PTE-MMs (50 mg/kg) for 3 days. The results showed that PTE-MMs exhibited promising therapeutic effects on APAP-induced acute liver injury. In conclusion, our study shows that the Soluplus/poloxamer 188 MM system has the potential to enhance the biological activity of PTE in the protection and therapeutic of liver injury.

Nanosuspension: A Formulation Technology for Tackling the Poor Aqueous Solubility and Bioavailability of Poorly Soluble Drugs

The poor water solubility of numerous novel drug candidates presents significant challenges, particularly in terms of oral administration. This limitation can result in various undesirable clinical implications, such as inter-patient variability, poor bioavailability, difficulties in achieving a safe therapeutic index, increased costs, and potential risks of toxicity or inefficacy. Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) class II drugs face particular hurdles due to their limited solubility in the aqueous media of the gastrointestinal tract. In such cases, parenteral administration is often employed as an alternative strategy. To address these challenges, nanosuspension techniques offer a promising solution for enhancing drug solubility and overcoming oral delivery obstacles. This technique has the potential to bridge the gap between drug discovery and preclinical use by resolving problematic solubility. This literature review has delved into contemporary nanosuspension preparation technologies and the incorporation of stabilizing ingredients within the formulation. Furthermore, the manuscript explores nanosuspension strategies for both oral and parenteral/other delivery routes, and separate discussions have been presented to establish a suitable flow that addresses the challenges and strategies relevant to each administration method.

Cell death regulation: A new way for natural products to treat osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a common metabolic bone disease that results from the imbalance of homeostasis within the bone. Intra-bone homeostasis is dependent on a precise dynamic balance between bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by mesenchymal lineage osteoblasts, which comprises a series of complex and highly standardized steps. Programmed cell death (PCD) (e.g., apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis) is a cell death process that involves a cascade of gene expression events with tight structures. These events play a certain role in regulating bone metabolism by determining the fate of bone cells. Moreover, existing research has suggested that natural products derived from a wide variety of dietary components and medicinal plants modulate the PCDs based on different mechanisms, which show great potential for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, thus revealing the emergence of more acceptable complementary and alternative drugs with lower costs, fewer side effects and more long-term application. Accordingly, this review summarizes the common types of PCDs in the field of osteoporosis. Moreover, from the perspective of targeting PCDs, this review also discussed the roles of currently reported natural products in the treatment of osteoporosis and the involved mechanisms. Based on this, this review provides more insights into new molecular mechanisms of osteoporosis and provides a reference for developing more natural anti-osteoporosis drugs in the future.

A new nanosuspension prepared with wet milling method for oral delivery of highly variable drug Cyclosporine A: Development, optimization and in vivo evaluation

Cyclosporine A (CsA) is a cyclic polypeptide, that has been widely used for immunosuppression. This study aims to develop nanosuspension for oral administration of CsA using the wet milling (WM) method one of the top-down technologies. The WM method was optimized by studying the effects of critical process parameters for WM on the particle size (PS), particle size distribution (PDI), and zeta potential (ZP) of nanosuspensions using the Design of Experiment (DoE) approach. Nanosuspension was developed using hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and in vitro characterization studies were performed. In vitro dissolution and in vivo pharmacokinetic studies were conducted with biorelevant media (fasted and fed state simulated fluids) and fasted and fed states in rats, respectively. In vivo immunological studies were also performed. PS, PDI, and ZP values for nanosuspension were approximately 600 nm, 0.4, -25 mV, respectively. The solubility of CsA was increased by 4.5-folds by nanosuspensions. Dissolution studies showed that nanosuspension had higher dissolution than the commercial product in the FeSSIF medium. The pharmacokinetic study indicated that AUC_0-24 values of CsA nanosuspension were to be 2.09 and 5.51-fold higher than coarse powder in fasted and fed conditions, respectively. Immunological studies were carried out after oral administration of nanosuspension for 21 days, the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ was found to be more acceptable than the commercial product. These results demonstrated that nanosuspension is a promising approach for increasing the bioavailability and avoiding the food effect on absorption of CsA which one of the highly variable drugs.

Computational and Experimental Assessments of Magnolol as a Neuroprotective Agent and Utilization of UiO-66(Zr) as Its Drug Delivery System

The phenolic natural product magnolol exhibits neuroprotective properties through β-amyloid toxicity in PC-12 cells and ameliorative effects against cognitive deficits in a TgCRND8 transgenic mice model. Its bioavailability and blood-brain barrier crossing ability have been significantly improved using the metal-organic framework (MOF) UiO-66(Zr) as a drug delivery system (DDS). To investigate the neuroprotective effects of the Zr-based DDS, magnolol and magnolol-loaded-UiO-66(Zr) (Mag@UiO-66(Zr)) were evaluated for inhibitory activity against β-secretase and AlCl₃-induced neurotoxicity. Due to the moderate inhibition observed for magnolol in vitro, in silico binding studies were explored against β-secretase along with 11 enzymes known to affect Alzheimer's disease (AD). Favorable binding energies against CDK2, CKD5, MARK, and phosphodiesterase 3B (PDE3B) and dynamically stable complexes were noted through molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation experiments, respectively. The magnolol-loaded DDS UiO-66(Zr) also showed enhanced neuroprotective activity against two pathological indices, namely, neutrophil infiltration and apoptotic neurons, in addition to damage reversal compared to magnolol. Thus, MOFs are promising drug delivery platforms for poorly bioavailable drugs.

Pharmacology, Toxicity, Bioavailability, and Formulation of Magnolol: An Update

Magnolol (MG) is one of the primary active components of Magnoliae officinalis cortex, which has been widely used in traditional Chinese and Japanese herbal medicine and possesses a wide range of pharmacological activities. In recent years, attention has been drawn to this component due to its potential as an anti-inflammatory and antitumor drug. To summarize the new biological and pharmacological data on MG, we screened the literature from January 2011 to October 2020. In this review, we provide an actualization of already known anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular protection, antiangiogenesis, antidiabetes, hypoglycemic, antioxidation, neuroprotection, gastrointestinal protection, and antibacterial activities of MG. Besides, results from studies on antitumor activity are presented. We also summarized the molecular mechanisms, toxicity, bioavailability, and formulations of MG. Therefore, we provide a valid cognition of MG.

Poloxamer-188 and d-α-Tocopheryl Polyethylene Glycol Succinate (TPGS-1000) Mixed Micelles Integrated Orodispersible Sublingual Films to Improve Oral Bioavailability of Ebastine; In Vitro and In Vivo Characterization

Orodispersible sublingual films (OSFs) composed of hydrophilic polymers were loaded with poloxamer-188 and d-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS-1000) mixed micelles to improve the oral bioavailability of a poorly soluble drug, ebastine (EBT). Mixed micelles formed by thin-film hydration method were incorporated into orodispersible sublingual film, consisting of HPMC and glycerol, using solvent casting technique. The mixed micelles and films were thoroughly evaluated for physicochemical characterization (size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, thickness, weight, surface pH studies, disintegration time, swelling indices, mechanical properties, FTIR, PXRD, DSC, SEM, AFM, in vitro drug release, in vivo bioavailability, and toxicological studies). The results showed that the average particle size of mixed micelles was 73 nm. The mean zeta potential and PDI of the optimal mixed micelles formulation were -26 mV and 0.16, respectively. Furthermore, the maximum entrapment efficiency 82% was attained. The film's disintegration time was in the range of 28 to 102 s in aqueous media. The integrity of micelles was not affected upon incorporation in films. Importantly, the micelles-loaded films revealed rapid absorption, high permeability, and increased bioavailability of EBT as compared to the pure drug. The existence of ebastine loaded mixed micelles in the films enhanced the bioavailability about 2.18 folds as compared to pure drug. Further, the results evidently established in-vitro and in-vivo performance of bioavailability enhancement, biocompatibility, and good safety profile of micelles-loaded orodispersible EBT films. Finally, it was concluded that film loaded with poloxamer-188/TPGS-1000 mixed micelles could be an effective carrier system for enhancing the bioavailability of ebastine.