Developed meloxicam loaded microparticles for colon targeted delivery: Statistical optimization, physicochemical characterization, and in-vivo toxicity study

Potential role of NSAIDs loaded nano-formulations to treat inflammatory diseases

Inflammation is a necessary immunological response that promotes survival and preserves tissue homeostasis, a common characteristic linked to various diseases. However, in some circumstances, the inflammatory response is deleterious and contributes to disease pathogenesis. Anti-inflammatory substances have poor affinity for inflamed tissues, resulting in low concentrations in the target tissue and a higher incidence of severe adverse effects. To address this issue, several potential approaches have been proposed, such as chemical modification of drug molecules and the development of nanocarriers for drug delivery. Since the development of nanotechnology at the beginning of the twenty-first century, researchers have been using the pathophysiological characteristics of inflammation, primarily leaky vasculature, and biomarker overexpression to develop nanomedicines that can deliver therapeutics via passive and active targeting mechanisms to sites of inflammation and produce therapeutic effects. Drug carriers based on nanoparticles can enhance the safety and efficacy of drugs by increasing their capacity, enhancing their solubility, combining several drugs, protecting them from metabolism, and regulating their release. An approach that shows promise in the treatment of various inflammatory diseases is the application of nanomedicines. Nanomedicine involves nanoparticles that have been loaded with a therapeutically active component. Nanomedicines can target inflammation by recognizing molecules highly expressed on endothelial cells or activated macrophage surfaces, enhancing the permeability of vessels, or even by biomimicry. A review of the research findings shows significant potential for the use of nanotechnology to enhance the quality of life for people using NSAIDs for chronic disorders by minimizing drug side effects or the duration of administration. After a brief introduction to inflammation, its various forms- acute and chronic inflammation, and the pathophysiology of inflammation, this review highlights the main innovative nanocarriers utilized for carrying various nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that have been utilized in treating various inflammatory disorders.

Implementation of the Box-Behnken Design in the Development and Optimization of Methotrexate-Loaded Microsponges for Colon Cancer

Methotrexate (MTX) is an effective anticancer agent with limited water solubility, resulting in lower absorption in the gastrointestinal tract when administered orally. The present aim of the study is to construct sustained-release formulation of MTX-loaded microsponges with enhanced intestinal absorption and bioavailability using a quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion method. The Box-Behnken design (BBD) was adopted for this purpose. Particle size, encapsulation efficiency (EE), Q 2 h % (% drug release in 2 h), and Q 24 h % (% drug release in 24 h) were used as dependent factors, and polyvinyl alcohol, solvent, and stirring speed were used as independent factors. The prepared microsponges were characterized to assess their particle size and encapsulation efficacy (%). Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry were used to verify the compatibility study. Moreover, the cytotoxicity study was conducted on the HT-29 cell line. The optimized formulation exhibited a % encapsulation efficacy of 87.191% and a particle size of 2.176 µm. Furthermore, the optimized formulation demonstrated sustained drug release (85.71%) in Simulated Gastric Fluid (SGF) fluid at different pHs 1.2, 6.8, and 7.4. The stability study of the optimized formulation revealed good stability in terms of drug release, % encapsulation efficacy, and particle size. The results of the optimized formulation demonstrated that the viability of HT-29 colon cancer (CC) cells was dose-dependently decreased by MTX-loaded microsponges. BBD was successfully employed for the development and optimization of MTX microsponges filled in Eudragit S-100-coated hard gelatin capsule, depicting their potential release of MTX from microsponges capsule only at the colonic region and found to be potential carrier system for CC.

Optimizing lornoxicam-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and (polyethylene glycol) nanoparticles for transdermal delivery: ex vivo/in vivo inflammation evaluation

Aim: This study focused on developing a topical gel incorporating lornoxicam-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and polyethylene glycol (PLGA-PEG) blend nanoparticles to mitigate gastrointestinal (GIT) side effects and enhance therapeutic efficacy. Materials & methods: Synthesized nanoparticles were subjected to in vitro characterization, ex vivo permeation studies, and acute oral toxicity analysis post-incorporation into the gel using a S/O/W double emulsion solvent. Results & conclusion: The nanoparticles displayed a smooth, spherical morphology (170-321 nm) with increased entrapment efficiency (96.2%). LOX exhibited a permeation rate of 70-94% from the nanoparticle-infused gel, demonstrating favorable biocompatibility at the cellular level. The formulated gel, enriched with nanoparticles, holds promising prospects for drug-delivery systems and promising improved therapeutic outcomes for LOX.

Obliteration of H. pylori infection through the development of a novel thyme oil laden nanoporous gastric floating microsponge

Thyme oil (TO) is a valuable essential oil believed to possess a variety of bioactivities, including antibacterial, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. These attributes grant TO the excellent capability to treat a wide range of diseases, particularly the effective eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection in the stomach. However, its practical use is limited by its low stability under atmospheric conditions. Our current research aims to encapsulate TO in eudragit (EGT) microsponges to enhance its stability and improve its effectiveness against H. pylori. The TO microsponges were prepared using EGT as a polymer, polysorbate 80 as a stabilizer, and dichloromethane (DCM) as a solvent via the quasi-emulsion solvent evaporation method. The product yield, particle size, surface morphology, entrapment efficiency, drug-polymer interaction, in-vitro floating, and in-vitro drug release of the microsponges were evaluated. The most promising microsponge was tested against H. pylori ATCC 43504 strains. The results showed that the microsponges exhibited a high product yield (ranging from 41 % ± 0.75-81.27 % ± 1.13), excellent entrapment efficiency (ranging from 63.01 % ± 0.79-88.64 % ± 0.98), prolonged in-vitro floating time (more than 12 h) and sustained in-vitro drug release for 18 h (81.53 %). Scanning electron microscopy results indicated that the microsponges were spherical in shape with a spongy surface. The average particle size of the selected microsponges was determined to be 49.79 ± 1.4 μm, and their average pore size was measured to be 0.81 ± 0.14 μm. DSC study results revealed that TO was physically entrapped in the microsponges. In-vitro anti-H. pylori activity studies demonstrated that TO in microsponge was more effective against H. pylori than pure TO. In conclusion, the developed microsponges containing thyme oil provide a promising alternative for the efficient targeting and eradication of H. Pylori infection.

Formulation and in vitro evaluation of meloxicam as a self-microemulsifying drug delivery system

Background: The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication meloxicam (MLX) belongs to the oxicam family and is used to reduce inflammation and pain. The aim of this study was to improve MLX's dispersibility and stability by producing it as a liquid self-microemulsifying drug delivery system since it is practically insoluble in water. Methods: Five different formulations were made by adjusting the amounts of propylene glycol, Transcutol P, Tween 80, and oleic acid oil and establishing a pseudo-ternary diagram in ratios of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, and 3:4, respectively. All of the prepared formulations were tested for a variety of properties, including thermodynamic stability, polydispersity index, particle size distributions, dilution resistance, drug contents, dispersibility, in vitro solubility of the drug, and emulsification time. Results: F5 was chosen as the optimal MLX liquid self-microemulsion due to its higher drug content (99.8%), greater in vitro release (100% at 40 min), smaller droplet size (63 nm), lower polydispersity index (PDI) value (0.3), and higher stability (a zeta potential of -81 mV). Conclusions: According to the data provided here, the self-microemulsifying drug delivery system is the most practical method for improving the dispersibility and stability of MLX.