Hesperidin gastroresistant microparticles by spray-drying: preparation, characterization, and dissolution profiles

An updated and comprehensive review of the health benefits and pharmacological activities of hesperidin

OBJECTIVES

This review aims to comprehensively assess the health benefits and pharmacological activities of hesperidin, a flavonoid commonly found in citrus fruits. It consolidates recent research findings to provide insights into hesperidin's diverse health-promoting effects.

KEY FINDINGS

Hesperidin has gained significant attention recently for its notable pharmacological activities and potential health benefits. Studies reveal its antioxidant properties, protecting cells from oxidative damage, and its anti-inflammatory effects, inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines and enzymes. Also, hesperidin shows promise in cardiovascular health by reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels and enhancing endothelial function. It also exhibits anticancer potential by hindering cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis, and suppressing tumour growth. Moreover, hesperidin demonstrates neuroprotective effects, potentially mitigating neuroinflammation and oxidative stress associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, it displays beneficial effects in metabolic disorders such as diabetes, obesity, and fatty liver disease by influencing glucose metabolism, lipid profile, and insulin sensitivity.

SUMMARY

Hesperidin exhibits a wide range of health benefits and pharmacological activities, making it a promising candidate for therapeutic interventions in various diseases. Its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular, anticancer, neuroprotective, and metabolic effects underscore its potential as a valuable natural compound for promoting health and preventing chronic diseases.

Hesperidin-loaded cubogel as a novel therapeutic armamentarium for full-thickness wound healing

Wounds are a physical manifestation of injury to the skin causing it to rupture or tear. The process of wound healing naturally restores skin integrity while minimizing the extent of the damage. Hesperidin (HPN) is a natural polyphenolic flavonoid and is effective in treating wounds due to its ability to reduce inflammation and stimulate angiogenesis. However, its use is limited by its poor physicochemical attributes such as poor solubility in water. Recently, nanoparticles, particularly Cubosomes, are found to be promising candidates for advancing wound-healing therapies, owing to their unique properties. The present study was conducted to develop a hydrogel system based on Cubosomes encapsulating HPN (HPN-Cubogel), with the potential to mitigate full-thickness wounds. The therapeutic efficacy of the formulation assessed in the animal model showed that the HPN-Cubogel formulation group exhibited a wound closure rate of 98.96 ± 1.50% after 14 days post-wounding compared to 89.12 ± 2.6% in the control group suggesting superior wound contraction activity. Collagen synthesis was superior in the formulation compared to the control group, as determined through MT staining. In summary, the HPN-Cubogel formulation was found to be the most effective in enhancing full-thickness wound healing.

Lipid Nanoparticles: An Effective Tool to Improve the Bioavailability of Nutraceuticals

Nano-range bioactive colloidal carrier systems are envisaged to overcome the challenges associated with treatments of numerous diseases. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), one of the extensively investigated drug delivery systems, not only improve pharmacokinetic parameters, transportation, and chemical stability of encapsulated compounds but also provide efficient targeting and reduce the risk of toxicity. Over the last decades, nature-derived polyphenols, vitamins, antioxidants, dietary supplements, and herbs have received more attention due to their remarkable biological and pharmacological health and medical benefits. However, their poor aqueous solubility, compromised stability, insufficient absorption, and accelerated elimination impede research in the nutraceutical sector. Owing to the possibilities offered by various LNPs, their ability to accommodate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules and the availability of various preparation methods suitable for sensitive molecules, loading natural fragile molecules into LNPs offers a promising solution. The primary objective of this work is to explore the synergy between nature and nanotechnology, encompassing a wide range of research aimed at encapsulating natural therapeutic molecules within LNPs.

Solubility of hesperidin drug in aqueous biodegradable acidic choline chloride-based deep eutectic solvents

Important efforts have been made over the past years to improve the drug acts, which leads to the discovery of novel drug preparations and delivery systems. The selection of suitable green solvents for novel drug discovery and drug delivery depends on a molecular-level understanding of the interaction between drug molecules and the solvents. Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are already used in sustainable extraction methods of natural products for their very high solvent power, high chemical and thermal stability, non-toxicity, and non-flammable. The thermodynamic investigation provides deep and complete knowledge of interactions and the choice of appropriate and suitable production compounds in pharmaceutical fields. Particularly, the analysis of drugs+DESs in aqueous media is a central issue in many types of research. This research is aimed to determine hesperidin (HES) solubility in water and DES solvents [choline chloride/citric acid (ChCl/CA), choline chloride/oxalic acid (ChCl/OA), choline chloride/malonic acid (ChCl/MA), and choline chloride/lactic acid (ChCl/LA)] at temperature range (298.15-313.15 K). Furthermore, the measured solubility data of HES in studied aqueous DESs solutions was fitted by models of Van't Hoff-Jouyban-Acree and Modified Apelblat-Jouyban-Acree. Finally, the Hansen solubility parameters as thermodynamic aspect for analyzing the dissolution processes for the four investigated aqueous DESs solutions were estimated.

Recent developments in citrus bioflavonoid encapsulation to reinforce controlled antioxidant delivery and generate therapeutic uses: Review

Citrus fruits contain numerous antioxidative biomolecules including phenolic acids, flavonols, flavanones, polymethoxyflavones (PMFs), and their derivatives. Previous in vitro and in vivo studies thoroughly investigated the antioxidant and therapeutic potential of bioflavonoids extracted from different citrus varieties and fruit fractions. Major bioflavonoids such as hesperidin, naringin, naringenin, and PMFs, had restricted their incorporation into food and health products due to their poor solubility, chemical stability and bioavailability. Considering these limitations, modern encapsulation methodologies such as hydrogelation, liposomal interactions, emulsifications, and nanoparticles have been designed to shield bioflavonoids with improved target distribution for therapeutic enhancements. The size, durability, and binding efficiency of bioflavonoid-loaded encapsulates were acquired by the optimized chemical and instrumental parameters such as solubility, gelation, dispersion, extrusion, and drying. Bioflavonoid-enriched encapsulates have been also proven to be effective against cancer, inflammation, neurodegeneration, and various other illnesses. However, in the future, newer natural binding agents with higher binding capacity might accelerate the encapsulating potential, controlled release, and enhanced bioavailability of citrus bioflavonoids. Overall, these modern encapsulation systems are currently leading to a new era of diet-based medicine, as demand for citrus fruit-based nutritional supplements and edibles grows.

Influences of Solubility and Vehicle Carriers on Eriodictyol Pharmacokinetics in Rats

In this study, the pharmacokinetics of oral doses of eriodictyol in 1% sodium carboxymethylcellulose and in saline/PEG400/Tween80 (75/20/5, v/v/v) in rats were compared. The pharmacokinetics of eriocitrin administered as a dissolved solution in water were also characterized. Metabolites of eriodictyol and eriocitrin in whole blood consisted mainly of eriodictyol, homoeriodictyol, and hesperetin glucuronides and ring-fission metabolites. In whole blood, no free nonconjugated flavanone aglycones were detected. Significant differences were observed in the pharmacokinetics of eriodictyol administered as a suspension in 1% sodium carboxymethylcellulose versus administration as a dissolved solution in saline/PEG400/Tween80 (75/20/5, v/v/v). At a dose of 25 mg kg^-1 eriodictyol administered with 1% sodium carboxymethylcellulose, a biphasic pharmacokinetic curve was observed, while only a single concentration peak was observed following an administration of 25 mg kg^-1 eriodictyol dissolved in saline/PEG400/Tween80 (75/20/5, v/v/v). For all trials, the pharmacokinetics of eriodictyol differed from those of eriocitrin dissolved in water.

Exploring the Potential Pharmacological Mechanism of Hesperidin and Glucosyl Hesperidin against COVID-19 Based on Bioinformatics Analyses and Antiviral Assays

The development of anti-COVID-19 drugs has become the top priority since the outbreak of the epidemic, and Traditional Chinese medicine plays an important role in reducing mortality. Here, hesperidin and its glycosylation product, glucosyl hesperidin were selected to determine their antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 due to their structural specificity as reported. To be specific, their binding ability with ACE2, M, S, RBD and N proteins were verified with both in silico and wet lab methods, i.e., molecular docking and binding affinity tests, including biolayer interferometry assay (BLI) and isothermal titration calorimetry assay (ITC). Moreover, systematic pharmacological analysis was conducted to reveal their pharmacological mechanism in treating COVID-19. Finally, their antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 was determined in vitro in a biosafety level 3 (BSL3) laboratory. The results demonstrated their outstanding binding affinity with ACE2, M, S and RBD proteins, while showed barely unobserved binding with N protein, indicating their key roles in influencing the invasion and early replication phase of SARS-CoV-2. In addition, both hesperidin and glucosyl hesperidin were shown to have a great impact on immune, inflammation and virus infection induced by COVID-19 according to the systematic pharmacological analysis. Moreover, the IC50s of hesperidin and glucosyl hesperidin against SARS-CoV-2 were further determined (51.5 [Formula: see text]M and 5.5 mM, respectively) with cell-based in vitro assay, suggesting their great anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. All in all, present research was the first to verify the binding ability of hesperidin and glucosyl hesperidin with SARS-CoV-2 proteins with both in silico and wet-lab methods and proposed the possibility of applying hesperidin and glucosyl hesperidin to treat COVID-19.

A novel layered double hydroxide-hesperidin nanoparticles exert antidiabetic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in rats with diabetes

BACKGROUND

Incidence of diabetes has increased significantly worldwide over recent decades. Our objective was to prepare and characterize a novel nano-carrier of hesperidin to achieve a sustained release of hesperidin and to explore the potency of the novel formula as an antidiabetic agent compared to metformin in type 2 diabetic rats.

METHODS

Hesperidin was loaded on MgAl-layered double hydroxide (LDH). The formula was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering. The release profile of hesperidin and MgAl-LDH-Hesperidin were studied in vitro. The parameters studied in vivo were blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), insulin, lipid profile, and liver glycogen levels. We also investigated the levels of interleukin (IL)-17, tumor necrosis factor-Alfa (TNF-α), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase, and the mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 (NrF2).

RESULTS

There were variations in the XRD patterns and FTIR confirming the physical adsorption of hesperidin on the surface of LDH. The results indicated that the diabetic rats treated with administration of antidiabetic formula, MgAl-LDH-Hesperidin, showed a beneficial effect on the levels of blood glucose, insulin, HbA1c%, and lipid profile, comparing to diabetic control rats. The antidiabetic agent also showed a significant decrease in the levels of TNF-α, IL-17, and MDA, and an increase in the level of catalase. Marked upregulation of the expression levels of mRNA for PPARγ and NrF2 were recorded.

CONCLUSION

The novel nano-hesperidin formula MgAl-LDH-Hesperidin revealed a sustained release of hesperidin and exhibited antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, and also is a promising agent for effective delivery of drugs to treat type 2 diabetes.

Micronization and coating of bioflavonoids extracted from Citrus sinensis L. peels to preparation of sustained release pellets using supercritical technique

Abstract

Bioflavonoids such as hesperidin and hesperetin as anticancer and antioxidant agents are widely used in the formulation of many herbal drugs. Recently, promising evidence for the prevention and treatment of COVID 19 using these compounds has been reported. Unfortunately, these compounds are often insoluble in aqueous media and have low stability in gastric acid environment. These factors reduced the bioavailability of related oral dosage forms in digestive system. Reduction of particle size and controlled release delivery system can decline the mentioned problems. In the presented research, extraction of bioflavonoids from Citrus sinensis L. (sweet orange) peels was performed using supercritical carbon dioxide. Experimental central composite design was employed for determination of optimal conditions. Qualification analysis was performed using LC–MS, and hesperidin and hesperetin were identified in herbal extract. Micronization and coating of the flavonoids nanoparticles on sugar spheres have been performed using an inhouse developed supercritical technique. Characterization of coated nanoparticles was done using FESEM and ImageJ software. The in vitro antioxidant activity of coated samples was investigated by ferrous ion chelating activity. According to the extraction results, concentration of ethanol as organic co-solvent has the greatest effect on the extraction yield. Analysis of FESEM images illustrated that nanoparticles of extract components with particle size distribution of 5–100 nm were coated successfully. The solubility and antioxidant activity of nanoparticles in aqueous media have increased significantly compared to original form. This process led to increasing dissolution rate and improving the oral bioavailability of flavonoids.

Graphical abstract

Encapsulation and delivery of bioactive citrus pomace polyphenols: a review

Citrus pomace consists of the peel, pulp, and membrane tissues remaining after juice expression. Globally, around one million tons of citrus pomace are generated annually, which contains a variety of bioactive constituents that could be used as value-added functional ingredients in foods. However, the polyphenols in citrus pomace are not currently being utilized to their full potential, even though they can be used as nutraceuticals in functional foods and beverages. Citrus phenolics face significant roadblocks to their successful incorporation into these products. In particular, they have poor water solubility, chemical stability, and bioavailability. This review describes the diverse range of colloidal systems that have been developed to encapsulate and deliver citrus phenolics. Examples of the application of these systems for the encapsulation, protection, and delivery of polyphenols from citrus pomace are given. The use of colloidal delivery systems has been shown to improve the stability, dispersibility, and bioaccessibility of encapsulated polyphenols from citrus pomace. The selection of an appropriate delivery system determines the handling, storage, shelf life, encapsulation efficiency, dispersibility, and gastrointestinal fate of the citrus polyphenols. Furthermore, the purity, solubility, and chemical structure of the polyphenols are key factors in delivery system selection.

Development and statistical optimization of alginate-Neusilin US2 micro-composite beads to elicit gastric stability and sustained action of hesperidin

The Alginate-Neusilin US2 micro-composite (MC) beads were fabricated and optimized for oral delivery of hesperidin (HES). A 32 full factorial design encompassing independent variables (factors) such as the concentration of sodium alginate (X1), and Neusilin US2 (X2) and dependant variables (response) such as particle size (Y1), entrapment efficiency (Y2), and swelling degree (Y3). Nine batches were prepared by formulation design employing statistical software JMP 13.2.1. The multiple regression analysis (MLRA) was carried to explore the influence of factor over responses. Further, a prediction profiler was used to trace the optimum concentration of factors based on desirable responses. The optimized beads (OF) were characterized for their morphology and size by motic microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. In vitro release, kinetic studies were performed in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies revealed better absorption of HES from optimized beads (OF) compared to HES suspension which could be due to the prevention of acidic degradation of HES in the stomach. The estimated shelf life of OF formulation was found to be 3.86 years suggested better stability after fabrication. In a nutshell, the developed micro-composite beads of HES could be a better alternative for promising oral sustained delivery of HES.

Solid self-microemulsifying nutraceutical delivery system for hesperidin using quality by design: assessment of biopharmaceutical attributes and shelf-life

AIM

The present study endeavours to develop a solid self-microemulsifying nutraceutical drug delivery system for hesperidin (HES) using quality by design (QbD) to improve its biopharmaceutical attributes.

METHODS

A 3² full factorial design was employed to study the influence of factors on selected responses. Risk assessment was performed by portraying Ishikawa fishbone diagram and failure mode effect analysis (FMEA). The in vivo antidiabetic study was carried on induced diabetic rats.

RESULTS

The optimised liquid SMEDDS-HES (OF) formulation showed emulsification time (Y ₁) = 102.5 ± 2.52 s, globule size (Y ₂) = 225.2 ± 3.40 nm, polydispersity index (Y ₃) = 0.294 ± 0.62, and zeta potential (Y ₄) = -25.4 ± 1.74 mV, respectively. The solid SMEDDS-HES (SOF-7) formulation was characterised by FTIR, PXRD, DSC, and SEM. The shelf life of SOF-7 was found to be 32.88 months. The heamatological and histopathological data of diabetic rats showed prominent antidiabetic activity.

CONCLUSIONS

The optimised formulation showed improved dissolution, desired stability, and promising antidiabetic activity.

Flavonoids from Aurantii Fructus Immaturus and Aurantii Fructus: promising phytomedicines for the treatment of liver diseases

Background

Liver diseases and related complications are major sources of morbidity and mortality, which places a huge financial burden on patients and lead to nonnegligible social problems. Therefore, the discovery of novel therapeutic drugs for the treatment of liver diseases is urgently required. Aurantii Fructus Immaturus (AFI) and Aurantii Fructus (AF) are frequently used herbal medicines in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulas for the treatment of diverse ailments. A variety of bioactive ingredients have been isolated and identified from AFI and AF, including alkaloids, flavonoids, coumarins and volatile oils.

Main body

Emerging evidence suggests that flavonoids, especially hesperidin (HD), naringenin (NIN), nobiletin (NOB), naringin (NRG), tangeretin (TN), hesperetin (HT) and eriodictyol (ED) are major representative bioactive ingredients that alleviate diseases through multi-targeting mechanisms, including anti-oxidative stress, anti-cytotoxicity, anti-inflammation, anti-fibrosis and anti-tumor mechanisms. In the current review, we summarize the recent progress in the research of hepatoprotective effects of HD, NIN, NOB, NRG, TN, HT and ED and highlight the potential underlying molecular mechanisms. We also point out the limitations of the current studies and shed light on further in-depth pharmacological and pharmacokinetic studies of these bioactive flavonoids.

Conclusion

This review outlines the recent advances in the literature and highlights the potential of these flavonoids isolated from AFI and AF as therapeutic agents for the treatment of liver diseases. Further pharmacological studies will accelerate the development of natural products in AFI and AF and their derivatives as medicines with tantalizing prospects in the clinical application.

Review of Evidence Available on Hesperidin-Rich Products as Potential Tools against COVID-19 and Hydrodynamic Cavitation-Based Extraction as a Method of Increasing Their Production

Based on recent computational and experimental studies, hesperidin, a bioactive flavonoid abundant in citrus peel, stands out for its high binding affinity to the main cellular receptors of SARS-CoV-2, outperforming drugs already recommended for clinical trials. Thus, it is very promising for prophylaxis and treatment of COVID-19, along with other coexistent flavonoids such as naringin, which could help restraining the proinflammatory overreaction of the immune system. Controlled hydrodynamic cavitation processes showed the highest speed, effectiveness and efficiency in the integral and green aqueous extraction of flavonoids, essential oils and pectin from citrus peel waste. After freeze-drying, the extracted pectin showed high quality and excellent antioxidant and antibacterial activities, attributed to flavonoids and essential oils adsorbed and concentrated on its surface. This study reviews the recent evidence about hesperidin as a promising molecule, and proposes a feasible and affordable process based on hydrodynamic cavitation for the integral aqueous extraction of citrus peel waste resulting in hesperidin-rich products, either aqueous extracts or pectin tablets. The uptake of this process on a relevant scale is urged, in order to achieve large-scale production and distribution of hesperidin-rich products. Meanwhile, experimental and clinical studies could determine the effective doses either for therapeutic and preventive purposes.

Interaction of natural flavonoid eriocitrin with β-cyclodextrin and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin: an NMR and molecular dynamics investigation

Eriocitrin's binding to β-cyclodextrin and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin was elucidated using mono/bidimensional NMR experiments and all-atom MD (Glycam06).

Loading lime by-product into derivative cellulose carrier for food enrichment

The objective here is to enrich orange juice through encapsulated lime by-product extract (LBE) through freeze-drying, in order to increase lime by-product consumption, in addition to increasing nutrition value of orange juice. The properties of both the LBE and microparticles are measured. The total polyphenolic compound (TPC) was measured to be 34.5 ± 0.5 (mg gallic acid/g LBE). The obtained value of encapsulation efficiency (EE) was within the 55%-70% range. The encapsulation method was satisfactory. The particle size is within 10-21 μm range, and differences between all treatments were statistically notable (p < 0.05). The lack of melting peaks in the thermal profiles by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) of microparticles confirmed that hesperidin was well embedded in the polymeric cover. According to the sensory evaluations of orange juice which was enriched with LBE microparticles, the bitter taste was not perceived in some treatments.

Lawsone-loaded Niosome and its antitumor activity in MCF-7 breast Cancer cell line: a Nano-herbal treatment for Cancer

Phytochemicals like Lawsone have some drawbacks that stem from their poor solubility. Low solubility in aqueous mediums results in low bioavailability, poor permeability and instability of phytochemical compounds in biological environments. The aim of this study was to design nanoniosomes containing Lawsone (Law) using non-ionic surfactants and cholesterol. Niosomes were prepared by thin film hydration method (TFH). Then, they were loaded with Henna extract (HLaw) and standard Lawsone (SLaw), and two resulted formulations were compared. The henna extract was analyzed by mass gas chromatography. Size, zeta potential, polydispersity index (PDI) and morphology of the loaded formulations were evaluated by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron spectroscopy (SEM). The incorporation and release rate of Law from niosome bilayers were evaluated by UV-Vis spectroscopy. In vitro experiments were carried out to evaluate antitumor activity in MCF-7 cell line. The results showed distinct spherical shapes and particle sizes were about 250 nm in diameter and have negative zeta potentials. Niosomes were stable at 4 °C for 2 months. Entrapment efficiently of both formulations was about 70% and showed a sustained release profile. In vitro study exhibited that using of niosome to encapsulating Law can significantly increase antitumor activity of formulation in MCF-7 cell line compared to Law solution (free Law). Thus, niosomes are a promising carrier system for delivery of phytochemical compounds that have poor solubility in biological fluids. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

An Alginate/Cyclodextrin Spray Drying Matrix to Improve Shelf Life and Antioxidant Efficiency of a Blood Orange By-Product Extract Rich in Polyphenols: MMPs Inhibition and Antiglycation Activity in Dysmetabolic Diseases

Alginate and β-cyclodextrin were used to produce easily dosable and spray-dried microsystems of a dried blood orange extract with antidysmetabolic properties, obtained from a by-product fluid extract. The spray-dried applied conditions were able to obtain a concentrate dried extract without the loss of AOA and with TPC and TMA values of 35–40% higher than that of the starting material. They were also effective in producing microparticles with 80–100% of encapsulation efficiency. The 2% sodium alginate was capable of improving the extract shelf life, while the beta-cyclodextrin (1 : 1 molar ratio with dried extract) prolonged the extract antioxidant efficiency by 6 hours. The good inhibition effect of the dried extract on the AGE formation and the MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity is presumably due to a synergic effect exerted by both anthocyanin and bioflavonoid extract compounds and was improved by the use of alginate and cyclodextrin.

Natural antioxidant polyphenols on inflammation management: Anti-glycation activity vs metalloproteinases inhibition

The diet polyphenols are a secondary metabolites of plants able to act on inflammation process. Their anti-inflammatory activity is articulated through several mechanisms that are related to their antioxidative and radical scavengers properties. Our work is focused on a novel approach to inflammatory disease management, based on anti-glycative and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) inhibition effects, as a connected phenomena. To better understand these correlation, polyphenols Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) studies were also reported. The antioxidant polyphenols inhibit the AGEs at different levels of the glycation process in the following ways: (1) prevention of Amadori adduct oxidation; (2) trapping reactive dycarbonyl compounds; (3) attenuation of receptor for AGEs (RAGE) expression. Moreover, several flavonoids with radical scavenging property showed also MMPs inhibition interact directly with MMPs or indirectly via radical scavengers and AGEs reduction. The essential polyphenols features involved in these mechanisms are C2-C3 double bond and number and position of hydroxyl, glycosyl and O-methyl groups. These factors induce a change in molecular planarity interfering with the hydrogen bond formation, electron delocalization and metal ion chelation. In particular, C2-C3 double bond improve the antioxidant and MMPs inhibition, while the hydroxylation, glycosylation and methylation induce a positive and negative correlation, respectively.

CapsMorph® technology for oral delivery--theory, preparation and characterization

The CapsMorph(®) technology prepares amorphous drugs for oral delivery by encapsulating them into porous materials. Hesperidin as model compound was loaded onto AEROPERL(®) 300 Pharma using the wetness impregnation method. Hesperidin was dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and alternatively in DMSO with addition of Tween 80. The drug solutions were added dropwise to the porous material and subsequently DMSO was evaporated. The AEROPERL(®) 300 Pharma could be loaded with about 30% hesperidin in the amorphous form. Amorphous state was verified by X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. The CapsMorph(®) formulation was compared regarding properties determining oral bioavailability, i.e., kinetic saturation solubility and dissolution rate to raw drug powder and hesperidin nanocrystals. The saturation solubility of CapsMorph(®) without Tween 80 was 654 μg/ml, which is 36-fold higher than the raw drug powder (18 μg/ml) and about 20 times higher than nanocrystals (30 μg/ml). In vitro release was faster (100% in 10 min at pH 6.8) compared to dissolution of nanocrystals with about 15%. Addition of Tween 80 to CapsMorph(®) lowered the solubility (168 μg/ml) and slowed down the release, but provided longer times of supersaturation without precipitation of drug. Based on these data, it appears that drug loaded porous materials provide better formulations compared to nanocrystals for poorly soluble drugs.

Pharmaceutical suspension containing both immediate/sustained-release amoxicillin-loaded gelatin nanoparticles: preparation and in vitro characterization

Pharmaceutical suspension containing oral dosage forms delivering both immediate-release and sustained-release amoxicillin was developed as a new dosage form to eradicate Helicobacter pylori. Amoxicillin-loaded gelatin nanoparticles are able to bind with the mucosal membrane after delivery to the stomach and could escalate the effectiveness of a drug, providing dual release. The objective of this study was to develop amoxicillin nanoparticles using innovative new technology – the Büchi Nano Spray Dryer B-90 – and investigate such features as drug content, particle morphology, yield, in vitro release, flow properties, and stability. The nanoparticles had an average particle size of 571 nm. The drug content and percentage yield was 89.2% ± 0.5% and 93.3% ± 0.6%, respectively. Angle of repose of nanoparticle suspension was 26.3° and bulk density was 0.59 g/cm³. In vitro drug release of formulations was best fitted by first-order and Peppas models with R² of 0.9841 and 0.9837 respectively; release profile was 15.9%, while; for the original drug, amoxicillin, under the same conditions, 90% was released in the first 30 minutes. The nanoparticles used in this study enabled sustained release of amoxicillin over an extended period of time, up to 12 hours, and were stable for 12 months under accelerated storage conditions of 25°C ± 2°C and 60% ± 5% relative humidity.

Formulation of microspheres containing Crataegus monogyna Jacq. extract with free radical scavenging activity

Extracts of Crataegus monogyna Jacq. (hawthorn) show an interesting free radical scavenging (FRS) effect, related to their flavonoids content. Unfortunately, their oral administration is affected by their low bioavailability. The aim of this work is to obtain a multiparticulate drug delivery system for hawthorn extracts for oral administration. The extracts from flowering tops (FL) or fruits (FR) of hawthorn were obtained with maceration, using ethanol as an extraction solvent, and their antioxidant activity was evaluated. FL extract showed the highest FRS activity (EC50 3.72 ± 1.21 µg/ml), so it was selected to prepare microparticulate systems by a spray-drying technique, which were characterized by granulometric analysis, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, confocal fluorescence microscopy and hyperoside content. Antioxidant activity was evaluated before and after gastrointestinal transit in vitro simulation. Results indicate that the microparticulate systems maintained the antioxidant activity of hawthorn also after gastrointestinal transit in vitro simulation, exhibiting properties suitable for oral administration.

Pharmaceutical spray drying: solid-dose process technology platform for the 21st century

Requirement for precise control of solid-dosage particle properties created with a scalable process technology are continuing to expand in the pharmaceutical industry. Alternate methods of drug delivery, limited active drug substance solubility and the need to improve drug product stability under room-temperature conditions are some of the pharmaceutical applications that can benefit from spray-drying technology. Used widely for decades in other industries with production rates up to several tons per hour, pharmaceutical uses for spray drying are expanding beyond excipient production and solvent removal from crystalline material. Creation of active pharmaceutical-ingredient particles with combinations of unique target properties are now more common. This review of spray-drying technology fundamentals provides a brief perspective on the internal process ‘mechanics’, which combine with both the liquid and solid properties of a formulation to enable high-throughput, continuous manufacturing of precision powder properties.

Particle-stabilizing effects of flavonoids at the oil-water interface

It has been shown that some common food flavonoids can act as excellent stabilizers of oil-in-water emulsions through their adsorption as water-insoluble particles to the surface of the oil droplets, i.e., Pickering emulsions are formed. Flavonoids covering a wide range of octanol-water partition coefficients (P) were screened for emulsification behavior by low shear mixing of flavonoid+n-tetradecane in a vortex mixer. Most flavonoids with very high or very low P values were not good emulsifiers, although there were exceptions, such as tiliroside, which is very insoluble in water. When a high shear jet homogenizer was used with 20 vol% oil in the presence of 1 mM tiliroside, rutin, or naringin, much finer emulsions were produced: the average droplet sizes (d32) were 16, 6, and 5 μm, respectively. These results may be highly significant with respect to the delivery of such insoluble compounds to the gut, as well as their digestion and absorption.