Formulation, development, and optimization of a novel octyldodecanol-based nanoemulsion for transdermal delivery of ceramide IIIB

Atopic Dermatitis: The Relationship Between Immune Mediators and Skin Lipid Barrier

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that is prevalent worldwide with complex etiology. Skin barrier defects and abnormal immune activation are crucial in the occurrence and development of AD. In the classic model of the skin barrier, lipids are essential for the formation and maintenance of this barrier as a "mortar" component. However, abnormally activated immune responses promote the lipid barrier deficiency through the secretion of various types of immune mediators directly or indirectly. In this review, we first introduce the skin lipid barrier (SLB) under both normal and abnormal conditions, highlighting the contributions of lipids derived from keratinocytes and sebaceous glands (SGs). Subsequently, the relationships between the immune mediators of Th1, Th2, Th17, Th22, and other types (adipokines, prostaglandins, leukotrienes) and SLB are elaborated in turn. Finally, the therapies for restoring SLB to treat AD are summarized, with a focus on the restoration effect of dupilumab on SLB. We hope that this review will offer a comprehensive perspective for understanding the pathogenesis of lipid metabolism disorders and SLB deficiency caused by immune mediators in AD. It also aims to provide guidance for further research on targeting inflammatory mediators to restore SLB.

Nanocomposite alginate hydrogel loaded with propranolol hydrochloride kolliphor® based cerosomes as a repurposed platform for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus-(MRSA)-induced skin infection; in-vitro, ex-vivo, in-silico, and in-vivo evaluation

Nanocomposite alginate hydrogel containing Propranolol hydrochloride (PNL) cerosomes (CERs) was prepared as a repurposed remedy for topical skin Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. CERs were formed via an ethanol injection technique using different ceramides, Kolliphores® as a surfactant, and Didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) as a positive charge inducer. CERs were optimized utilizing 13. 22 mixed-factorial design employing Design-Expert® software, the assessed responses were entrapment efficiency (EE%), particle size (PS), and zeta potential (ZP). The optimum CER, composed of 5 mg DDAB, ceramide VI, and Kolliphor® RH40 showed tubular vesicles with EE% of 92.91 ± 0.98%, PS of 388.75 ± 18.99 nm, PDI of 0.363 ± 0.01, and ZP of 30.36 ± 0.69 mV. Also, it remained stable for 90 days and manifested great mucoadhesive aspects. The optimum CER was incorporated into calcium alginate to prepare nanocomposite hydrogel. The ex-vivo evaluation illustrated that PNL was permeated in a more prolonged pattern from PNL-loaded CERs nanocomposite related to PNL-composite, optimum CER, and PNL solution. Confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed a perfect accumulation of fluorescein-labeled CERs in the skin. The in-silico investigation illustrated that the PNL was stable when mixed with other ingredients in the CERs and confirmed that PNL is a promising candidate for curing MRSA. Moreover, the PNL-loaded CERs nanocomposite revealed superiority over the PNL solution in inhibiting biofilm formation and eradication. The PNL-loaded CERs nanocomposite showed superiority over the PNL-composite for treating MRSA infection in the in-vivo mice model. Histopathological studies revealed the safety of the tested formulations. In conclusion, PNL-loaded CERs nanocomposite provided a promising, safe cure for MRSA bacterial skin infection.

Plant Oil Nano-Emulsions as a Potential Solution for Pest Control in Sustainable Agriculture

The increasing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly pest control methods has led to a growing interest in the development of novel, plant-based pesticides. In this study, we investigated the potential of nano-emulsions containing plant oils (Portulaca oleracea, Raphanus sativus, and Rosmarinus officinalis) as a new approach for controlling three major pests: Aphis gossypii, Spodoptera littoralis, and Tetranychus urticae. Using ultrasonication, we prepared stable and uniform nano-emulsions characterized by thermodynamic properties, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that the nano-emulsions were effective in controlling the three pests, with the most potent activity observed against Aphis gossypii. Our findings suggest that plant oil nano-emulsions have the potential to be used as a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional pesticides. The use of these nano-emulsions could provide a new approach to manage pest populations, reducing the environmental impact of pesticide use, and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Alopecia Management Potential of Rosemary-Based Nanoemulgel Loaded with Metformin: Approach Combining Active Essential Oil and Repurposed Drug

Introduction

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a multifactorial and age-related dermatological disease that affects both males and females, usually at older ages. Traditional hair repair drugs exemplified by minoxidil have limitations such as skin irritation and hypertrichosis. Thus, attention has been shifted to the use of repurposing drugs. Metformin is an anti-diabetic drug, that can promote hair follicle regeneration via upregulation of the hair-inductive capability. Hence, the current study aims to fabricate a safe and effective nanoemulsion to improve metformin efficacy in targeting AGA.

Methods

Rosemary oil was selected as the oily phase due to its ability to increase blood flow and hair growth. Rosemary-based nanoemulsions were statistically optimized by Box-Behnken experimental design, loaded with metformin, and incorporated into a hydrogel to form a nanoemulgel. Metformin-loaded nanoemulsions were assessed for their diametric size, uniformity, zeta potential, and metformin characteristics within the formulated nanosystem. The nanoemulgel was then evaluated in terms of its pH, percentage drug content, and in-vitro release performance. In-vivo study assessed the nanoemulgel's ability to augment hair growth in rats.

Results

The experimental design displayed that using 50%w/w, 20%w/w, and 10%w/w of Cremophor®, Labrafil®, and deionized water, respectively, resulted in nanoemulsion formulation with the smallest globule size (125.01 ± 0.534 nm), unimodal size distribution (PDI=0.103), negative surface charge (-19.9 ± 2.01 mV) with a spherical morphological structure. Rosemary-based nanoemulgel displayed acceptable physicochemical characterizations namely; a neutral pH value of 6.7±0.15, high drug content (92.9± 2.3%), and controlled metformin in-vitro release. Besides, the formulated nanoemulgel significantly increased the number of hair follicles in the animal model compared with other controls and tested groups.

Conclusion

The designed nanoemulgel is a promising approach for treating androgenic alopecia.

Artemisinin emulgel ameliorates cartilage degradation in knee osteoarthritis: in vitro and in vivo studies

Aim: Laboratory scale-up of artemisinin-loaded emulgel (ART-emulgel) was carried out and characterized for therapeutic performance in osteoarthritis (OA).Materials & methods: The solubility of ART in various oils, surfactants and co-surfactants were screened for construction of pseudo ternary phase diagram (TPD), followed by scale-up of artemisinin loaded nanoemulsion (ART-NE). ART-NE was amalgamated with Carbopol Ultrez 10-NF to prepare ART-emulgel that was later characterized in vitro and in vivo to analyze therapeutic efficacy in monosodium-iodoacetate (MIA) induced knee OA.Results: The droplet diameter of ART-NE was estimated to be 104.3 ± 2.593 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.245 ± 0.019 in addition to ζ-potential of 0.434 ± 0.028 mV. Steady-state flux and permeability coefficient for ART-emulgel were estimated to be 0.651 ± 0.031 µg.cm2/h and 0.245 ± 0.011 cm/h, respectively. ART-emulgel demonstrated 43.18% reduction in COX-2 level; 52.28% drop in IL-1β, and 88.78% alleviation of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) level when compared with monosodium-iodoacetate induced OA rats. ART-emulgel and injectable ART (intra-articular; I.A) portrayed minor synovial erosion compared with blank and diclofenac emulgel. Histopathological evidences indicated restoration of cartilage integrity followed by reduction of OARSI scores in ART-emulgel when compared with disease control animals.Conclusion: ART-emulgel is a potential dosage form for translating into a clinically viable product for the management of OA.

Sonophoresis mediated diffusion of caffeine loaded Transcutol® enriched cerosomes for topical management of cellulite

The goal of this research was to augment the deposition of caffeine loaded Transcutol® enriched cerosomes (TECs) gel for efficient topical treatment of cellulite utilizing the sonophoresis technique. Caffeine-loaded TECs were prepared using thin film hydration method applying 23 factorial design to study the impact of different factors, each with two levels on the entrapment efficiency (EE%), particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential (ZP) of the formulated TECs. The studied factors were cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) amount (mg) (X1), phosphatidylcholine (PC) amount (mg) (X2), and Transcutol® amount (mg) (X3). Design-Expert® software was utilized to determine the optimum TECs formulation. Afterward, the optimum TECs formulation was loaded into a gel and subjected to extra investigations. The optimum TECs formulation was (TEC5) which was prepared using 10 mg of CTAB, 150 mg of PC, and 10 mg of Transcutol®. TEC5 presented EE% of 87.44 ± 0.14 %, PS of 308.60 ± 13.38 nm, PDI of 0.455 ± 0.030, and ZP of 50.20 ± 1.55 mV. TEC5 had a fiber-like morphology, with elongated tubules of ceramide. Further, the optimum TECs formulation showed a high stability profile. Moreover, an in vivo dermatokinetic study showed superior deposition of caffeine from TEC5 gel coupled with the sonophoresis on rat skin compared to TEC5 gel and caffeine gel. Moreover, the histopathological study of TEC5 on rat skin confirmed the non-irritant nature of TEC 5 gel mediated by ultrasonic waves through the skin. Overall, the outcomes exposed the obvious superiority of sonophoresis delivered TECs-gel for topical delivery of caffeine for cellulite management.

Physical and biological properties of alginate-based cinnamon essential oil nanoemulsions: Study of two different production strategies

Nanoemulsions are a promising alternative for essential oil incorporation into active coatings. The influence of the preparation steps order on nanoemulsions' physical properties is still little explored. This study aimed to analyze the effect of the sequence of preparation steps and of the oil and polymer concentration on the stability, physical properties, and antifungal activity of alginate-based cinnamon essential oil nanoemulsions. The nanoemulsions were produced by two strategies: (I) preparation directly into an alginate solution (Ultra-Turrax at 10,000 rpm for 5 min + Ultrasound 150 W for 3 min); and (II) preparation in water (Ultra-Turrax at 10,000 rpm for 5 min + Ultrasound 150 W for 3 min) followed by homogenization with a sodium alginate solution (Ultra-Turrax at 10,000 rpm for 1, 3 or 5 min). The nanoemulsion prepared by the second strategy showed better stability, physical properties, and antifungal activity. In general, the presence of alginate hindered the cavitation effects of ultrasound, leading to the increase of droplets size and consequently affecting emulsions stability, turbidity, and antifungal properties.

Application of sphingolipid-based nanocarriers in drug delivery: an overview

Sphingolipids (SL) are well recognized for their cell signaling through extracellular and intracellular pathways. Based on chemistry different types of SL are biosynthesized in mammalian cells and have specific function in cellular activity. SL has an ampiphilic structure with have hydrophobic body attached to the polar head enables their use as a drug delivery agent in the form of nanocarriers. SL-based liposomes can improve the solubility of lipophilic drugs through host and drug complexes and are more stable than conventional liposomal formulations. Preclinical studies of SL nanocarriers are reported on topical delivery, oral delivery, ocular delivery, chemotherapeutic delivery, cardiovascular delivery and Alzheimer's disease. The commercial challenges and patents related to SL nanoformulations are highlighted in this article.

Fabrication of Eco-Friendly Hydrolyzed Ethylene-Maleic Anhydride Copolymer-Avermectin Nanoemulsion with High Stability, Adhesion Property, pH, and Temperature-Responsive Releasing Behaviors

In this study, novel amphiphilic polymer emulsifiers for avermectin (Avm) were synthesized facilely via the hydrolysis of ethylene-maleic anhydride copolymer (EMA) with different agents, and their structures were confirmed by various techniques. Then, water-based Avm-nanoemulsions were fabricated with the emulsifiers via phase inversion emulsification process, and superior emulsifier was selected via the emulsification effects. Using the superior emulsifier, an optimal Avm-nanoemulsion (defined as Avm@HEMA) with satisfying particle size of 156.8 ± 4.9 nm, encapsulation efficiency (EE) of 69.72 ± 4.01% and drug loading capacity (DLC) of 54.93 ± 1.12% was constructed based on response surface methodology (RSM). Owing to the emulsifier, the Avm@HEMA showed a series of advantages, including high stability, ultraviolet resistance, low surface tension, good spreading and high affinity to different leaves. Additionally, compared to pure Avm and Avm-emulsifiable concentrate (Avm-EC), Avm@HEMA displayed a controlled releasing feature. The encapsulated Avm was released quite slowly at normal conditions (pH 7.0, 25 °C or 15 °C) but could be released at an accelerated rate in weak acid (pH 5.5) or weak alkali (pH 8.5) media or at high temperature (40 °C). The drug releasing profiles of Avm@HEMA fit the Korsmeyer-Peppas model quite well at pH 7.0 and 25 °C (controlled by Fickian diffusion) and at pH 7.0 and 10 °C (controlled by non-Fickian diffusion), while it fits the logistic model under other conditions (pH 5.5 and 25 °C, pH 8.5 and 25 °C, pH 7.0 and 40 °C).

Pharmacodynamic Studies of Pravastatin Sodium Nanoemulsion Loaded Transdermal Patch for Treatment of Hyperlipidemia

Pravastatin sodium (PVS) is a hypolipidemic drug with poor oral bioavailability due to the first-pass effect. Therefore, this study aims to formulate and evaluate transdermal patches containing PVS-loaded nanoemulsions (PVS-NEs) to increase PVS's hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective activities. PVS-NEs were prepared using the aqueous titration method, where oleic acid was chosen as an oil phase, and span 80 and tween 80 were used as surfactant and cosurfactant respectively. Droplet size (DS), polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP), clarity, and thermodynamic stability of NEs were all characterized. Also, PVS-NEs (NE2) with 50% oil phase, 40% SC mix 2:1, and 10% water were selected as an optimum formula based on the results of DS (251 ± 16), PDI (0.4 ± 0.16), and ZP (-70 ± 10.4) to be incorporated into a transdermal patch, and PVS-NE2 loaded transdermal patches (PVS-NE2-TDPs) were prepared by solvent evaporation method. F1 patch with HPMC E15 and PVP K30 in a ratio of 3:1 represented satisfactory patch properties with good drug-excipients compatibility. Thus, it was selected as an optimum patch formula. The optimized F1 patch was characterized for thickness, moisture content, weight variation, and drug-excipients incompatibility. Therefore, it was subjected to ex vivo skin permeation and finally pharmacodynamic studies. Ex vivo permeation studies of F1 revealed that the cumulative amount of PVS permeated across rat skin was 271.66 ± 19 µg/cm2 in 72 h, and the pharmacodynamic studies demonstrated that the F1 patch was more effective in treating hyperlipidemia than PVS-TDP (control patch) based on both blood analysis and histopathological examination. .

A comprehensive review on recent nanosystems for enhancing antifungal activity of fenticonazole nitrate from different routes of administration

This review aims to comprehensively highlight the recent nanosystems enclosing Fenticonazole nitrate (FTN) and to compare between them regarding preparation techniques, studied factors and responses. Moreover, the optimum formulae were compared in terms of in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo studies in order to detect the best formula. FTN is a potent antifungal imidazole compound that had been used for treatment of many dangerous fungal infections affecting eye, skin or vagina. FTN had been incorporated in various innovative nanosystems in the recent years in order to achieve significant recovery such as olaminosomes, novasomes, cerosomes, terpesomes and trans-novasomes. These nanosystems were formulated by various techniques (ethanol injection or thin film hydration) utilizing different statistical designs (Box-Behnken, central composite, full factorial and D-optimal). Different factors were studied in each nanosystem regarding its composition as surfactant concentrations, surfactant type, amount of oleic acid, cholesterol, oleylamine, ceramide, sodium deoxycholate, terpene concentration and ethanol concentration. Numerous responses were studied such as percent entrapment efficiency (EE%), particle size (PS), poly-dispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP), and in vitro drug release. Selection of the optimum formula was based on numerical optimization accomplished by Design-Expert® software taking in consideration the largest EE %, ZP (as absolute value) and in vitro drug release and lowest PS and PDI. In vitro comparisons were done employing different techniques such as Transmission electron microscopy, pH determination, effect of gamma sterilization, elasticity evaluation and docking study. In addition to, ex vivo permeation, in vivo irritancy test, histopathological, antifungal activity and Kinetic study.

Multilamellar ceramide core-structured microvehicles with substantial skin barrier function recovery

This study introduces a multilamellar ceramide core-structured microvehicle platform for substantial skin barrier function recovery. Our approach essentially focused on fabricating bacterial cellulose nanofiber (BCNF)-enveloped ceramide-rich lipid microparticles (CerMPs) by solidifying BCNF-armored oil-in-water Pickering emulsions. The oil drops consisted of Ceramide NP (a phytosphingosine backbone N-acylated with a saturated stearic acid) and fatty alcohols (FAs) with a designated stoichiometry. The thin BCNF shell layer completely blocked the growth of ceramide molecular crystals from the CerMPs for a long time. The CerMP cores displayed a multilamellar structure wherein the interlayer distance and lateral packing could be manipulated using FAs with different alkyl chain lengths. The CerMPs remarkably lowered the trans-epidermal water loss while restoring the structural integrity of the epidermis in damaged skin. The results obtained herein highlight that the CerMP system provides a practical methodology for developing various types of skin-friendly formulations that can strengthen the skin barrier function.

Management of Brain Cancer and Neurodegenerative Disorders with Polymer-Based Nanoparticles as a Biocompatible Platform

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) serves as a protective barrier for the central nervous system (CNS) against drugs that enter the bloodstream. The BBB is a key clinical barrier in the treatment of CNS illnesses because it restricts drug entry into the brain. To bypass this barrier and release relevant drugs into the brain matrix, nanotechnology-based delivery systems have been developed. Given the unstable nature of NPs, an appropriate amount of a biocompatible polymer coating on NPs is thought to have a key role in reducing cellular cytotoxicity while also boosting stability. Human serum albumin (HSA), poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), Polylactide (PLA), poly (alkyl cyanoacrylate) (PACA), gelatin, and chitosan are only a few of the significant polymers mentioned. In this review article, we categorized polymer-coated nanoparticles from basic to complex drug delivery systems and discussed their application as novel drug carriers to the brain.

Formulation of Aucklandiae Radix Extract-Loaded Nanoemulsions and Its Characterization and Evaluations In Vitro and In Vivo

This study aimed to screen, design, and evaluate an optimal nanoemulsion formulation for Aucklandiae Radix extraction (ARE). A simple lattice design (SLD) method was used to determine the preparation process of Aucklandiae Radix extract-nanoemulsions (ARE-NEs). After optimization, the average particle size of ARE-NEs was 14.1 ± 1.1 nm, polydispersity index was 0.2376, and pH was 6.92. In vitro penetration tests verified that the permeability ratios of costunolide (CE), dehydrocostus lactone (DE), and ARE-NEs were approximately 6.33 times and 8.20 times higher, respectively, than those of the control group. The results of the pharmacokinetic study indicated that after topical administration, the content of the index components of ARE-NEs increased in vivo, with a longer release time and higher bioavailability in vivo than in vitro. The index components were CE and DE, respectively. In addition, a skin irritation test was conducted on normal and skin-damaged rabbits, aided by HE staining and scanning electron microscopy, to reveal the transdermal mechanism of ARE-NEs and proved that NEs are safe for topical application. ARE-NEs energetically developed the properties of skin and penetration through the transdermal route, which were secure when applied via the transdermal delivery system .

Garlic and ginger essential oil-based neomycin nano-emulsions as effective and accelerated treatment for skin wounds' healing and inflammation: In-vivo and in-vitro studies

Skin, largest organ of human, is directly exposed to environment and hence is prone to high rates of injuries and microbial infections. Over the passage of time these microbes have developed resistance to antibiotics making them ineffective especially in lower doses and hence, higher dosages or new drugs are required. The current study deals with designing of nano-emulsion (NE) formulations composed of garlic and ginger oils (0.1 %) with neomycin sulphate used in different ratios (0.001, 0.01 and 0.1 %) and combinations. The resulting NEs were characterized for droplet size (145-304 nm), zetapotential (-3.0-0.9 mV), refractive index (1.331-1.344), viscosity (1.10-1.23cP), transmittance (96-99 %), FT-IR and HPLC and found stable over a period of three months. All NEs were also found effective against both gram positive and negative bacterial strains i.e., B. spizizenii, S. aureus, E. coli and S. enterica as compared to pure neomycin sulphate (NS) used as control with highest activity recorded for NE-2 and NE-4 against all strains showing zone of inhibition in range of 22-30 mm and 21-19 mm, respectively. NEs were also tested using rabbit skin excision wound model which potentiates that all the NEs resulted in early recovery with 86-100 % wound healing achieved in 9 days as compared to NS ointment (71 %). The studies confirmed that essential oils when used in combination with traditional drug can lead to much higher efficacies as compared to pure drugs.

Investigation of Factors Influencing Formation of Nanoemulsion by Spontaneous Emulsification: Impact on Droplet Size, Polydispersity Index, and Stability

Interest in nanoemulsion technology has increased steadily in recent years for its widespread applications in the delivery of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and cosmeceuticals. Rational selection of the composition and the preparation method is crucial for developing a stable nanoemulsion system with desired physicochemical characteristics. In the present study, we investigate the influence of intricate factors including composition and preparation conditions that affect characteristic parameters and the stability of the nanoemulsion formation prepared by the spontaneous emulsification method. Octanoic acid, capryol 90, and ethyl oleate were selected to represent oil phases of different carbon–chain lengths. We explored the impact of the addition mode of the oil–S_mix phase and aqueous phase, vortexing time, K_m (surfactant/cosurfactant) ratio, and the replacement of water by buffers of different pH as an aqueous system. The phase behavior study showed that the S_mix phase had a significant impact on the nanoemulsifying ability of the nanoemulsions composed of oil phases of varying carbon-chain lengths. The mode of mixing of the oil–S_mix phase to the aqueous phase markedly influenced the mean droplet size and size distribution of the nanoemulsions composed of oil phases as capryol 90. Vortexing time also impacted the mean droplet size and the stability of the generated nanoemulsion system depending on the varying carbon-chain length of the oil phase. The replacement of the water phase by aqueous buffers of pH 1.2, 5.5, 6.8, and 7.4 has altered the mean droplet size and size distribution of the nanoemulsion system. Further, the K_m ratio also had a significant influence on the formation of the nanoemulsion system. The findings of this investigation are useful in understanding how the formulation composition and process parameters of the spontaneous emulsification technique are responsible for affecting the physicochemical characteristics and stability of the nanoemulsion system composed of oil of varying carbon-chain (C₈-C₁₈) length.

Thiazole derivative based topical nanoemulgel for inhibition of bacterial virulence in surface infections

Objectives

Antimicrobial resistance emerged as a global challenge owing to limited therapeutic options to control infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an MDR pathogen already developed resistance against many conventional antibiotics. An "anti-virulence strategy" that targets bacterial virulence rather than growth proves effective against drug-resistant pathogens.

Materials and Methods

Here, we used a structure-based drug design approach to identify lead molecules using the LasR receptor protein of P. aeruginosa as a target responsible for virulence production in this bacterium. From the identified hits, we developed lead-based nanoformulation and investigated its effectiveness for treating the P. aeruginosa associated surface-infection in-vivo. First, TC-based nanoemulsions were fabricated by high-pressure homogenization and evaluated for various in vitro parameters. The optimized nanoemulsions were thereby utilized to prepare NEG.

Results

The nanoemulsion (F3) exhibited low droplet size (51.04±1.88 nm), PDI (0.065±1.14), and negative zeta potential (-33.65±0.82 mV). In animals, topical application of NEG-3 demonstrated significant improvement on skin permeability (459±10.17 µg), drug influx (18.99±0.76 μg/cm2 hr), and repressed the CFU of P. aeruginosa induced-surface infection (P≤ 0.001). The histology of rat skin demonstrated a significant effect for groups treated with TC-based NEGs as compared with a negative control group, whereas no significant effect was seen on rat liver indicating low systemic exposure to the drug. Also, NEG3 showed no significant changes under different stability conditions after 3 months.

Conclusion

TC-based NEGs open up the possibility of a more effective way to combat serious surface infections caused by P. aeruginosa.

Musa acuminata nanoemulgel: formulation, in vitro kinetics and antimicrobial studies

The study was intended to formulate nanoemulgel from the leaf extract of Musa acuminata. Ethanol and chloroform were used as solvents in the ratio of 1:8 (%w/v). DL-alpha-tocopherol, characterised by gas chromatography mass spectrometry, was identified to be the major component with potential biological activities. Based on a pseudo-ternary plot, the 1:1 S mix (surfactant:co-surfactant) ratio was optimised as it posed maximum regions of emulsion. The prepared nanoemulgel was evaluated for physical appearance, pH, spreadability and swelling index. The appearance was pale yellowish-white, translucent within a pH range of 5–5.8. Antimicrobial studies were performed against dandruff-causing microbes (Staphylococcus epidermidis and Malassezia furfur). In vitro studies were carried out for optimised formulations of EG2, EG4, CG2 and CG3. The drug release of 94.28% after 12 h with the Higuchi plot of R 2 value as 0.99 was observed for EG2. The kinetically optimised formulation, EG2, was found to have a good spreadability of 12.2 (g cm)/s and a swelling index of 64%.

Nanoemulsion-based dosage forms for the transdermal drug delivery applications: A review of recent advances

INTRODUCTION

Nanoemulsion-based drug delivery approaches have witnessed massive acceptance over the years and acquired a significant foothold owing to their tremendous benefits over the others. It has widely been used for transdermal delivery of hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs with solubility, lipophilicity, and bioavailability issues.

AREAS COVERED

The review highlights the recent advancements and applications of transdermal nanoemulsions. Their utilities and characteristics, clinical pertinence showcasing intellectual properties and advancements, potential in treating disorders accompanying liquid, semisolid, and solid dosage forms, the ability to modulate a drug's physicochemical properties, and regulatory status are thoroughly summarized.

EXPERT OPINION

Despite tremendous therapeutic utilities and extensive investigations, this field of transdermal nanoemulsion-based technologies yet tackles several challenges such as optimum use of surfactant mixtures, economic burden due to high energy consumption during production, lack of concrete regulatory requirement, etc. Provided with the concrete guidelines on the safe use of surfactants, stability, use of scalable and economical methods, and the use of NE as a transdermal system would solve the purpose best as nanoemulsion shows remarkable improvement in drug release profiles and bioavailability of many drugs. Nevertheless, a better understanding of nanoemulsion technology holds a promising outlook and would land more opportunities and better delivery outcomes.

Nanodelivery Strategies for Skin Diseases with Barrier Impairment: Focusing on Ceramides and Glucocorticoids

The human epidermis has a characteristic lipidic composition in the stratum corneum, where ceramides play a crucial role in the skin barrier homeostasis and in water-holding capacity. Several skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, exhibit a dysfunction in the lipid barrier with altered ceramide levels and increased loss of transepidermal water. Glucocorticoids are normally employed in the therapeutical management of these pathologies. However, they have shown a poor safety profile and reduced treatment efficiency. The main objective of this review is to, within the framework of the limitations of the currently available therapeutical approaches, establish the relevance of nanocarriers as a safe and efficient delivery strategy for glucocorticoids and ceramides in the topical treatment of skin disorders with barrier impairment.

The technology of transdermal delivery nanosystems: from design and development to preclinical studies

Transdermal administration has gained much attention due to the remarkable advantages such as patient compliance, drug escape from first-pass elimination, favorable pharmacokinetic profile and prolonged release properties. However, the major limitation of these systems is the limited skin penetration of the stratum corneum, the skin's most important barrier, which protects the body from the insertion of substances from the environment. Transdermal drug delivery systems are aiming to the disruption of the stratum corneum in order for the active pharmaceutical ingredients to enter successfully the circulation. Therefore, nanoparticles are holding a great promise because they can act as effective penetration enhancers due to their small size and other physicochemical properties that will be analyzed thoroughly in this report. Apart from the investigation of the physicochemical parameters, a comparison between the different types of nanoparticles will be performed. The complexity of skin anatomy and the unclear mechanisms of penetration should be taken into consideration to reach some realistic conclusions regarding the way that the described parameters affect the skin permeability. To the best of the authors knowledge, this is among the few reports on the literature describing the technology of transdermal delivery systems and how this technology affects the biological activity.

TES Nanoemulsions: A Review of Thermophysical Properties and Their Impact on System Design

Thermal energy storage materials (TES) are considered promising for a large number of applications, including solar energy storage, waste heat recovery, and enhanced building thermal performance. Among these, nanoemulsions have received a huge amount of attention. Despite the many reviews published on nanoemulsions, an insufficient number concentrate on the particularities and requirements of the energy field. Therefore, we aim to provide a review of the measurement, theoretical computation and impact of the physical properties of nanoemulsions, with an integrated perspective on the design of thermal energy storage equipment. Properties such as density, which is integral to the calculation of the volume required for storage; viscosity, which is a decisive factor in pressure loss and for transport equipment power requirements; and thermal conductivity, which determines the heating/cooling rate of the system or the specific heat directly influencing the storage capacity, are thoroughly discussed. A comparative, critical approach to all these interconnected properties in pertinent characteristic groups, in close association with the practical use of TES systems, is included. This work aims to highlight unresolved issues from previous investigations as well as to provide a summary of the numerical simulation and/or application of advanced algorithms for the modeling, optimization, and streamlining of TES systems.

Utilization of PEGylated cerosomes for effective topical delivery of fenticonazole nitrate: in-vitro characterization, statistical optimization, and in-vivo assessment

In this investigation, we focused on ceramide IIIB, a skin component whose depletion tends to augment multiple skin disorders and fungal infections. Ceramide IIIB was included into PEGylated surfactant-based vesicular phospholipid system to formulate 'PEGylated cerosomes' (PCs) loaded with fenticonazole nitrate (FTN). FTN is a potent antifungal agent adopted in the treatment of mixed mycotic and bacterial infections. The ceramide content of the vesicles may provide protective and regenerative skin activity whereas Brij®; the PEGylated surfactant, can enhance drug deposition and skin hydration. Both components are expected to augment the topical effect of FTN. PCs were prepared by thin-film hydration technique. A 23 full-factorial design was applied to study the effect of ceramide amount (X1), Brij type (X2) and Brij amount (X3) on the physicochemical properties of the formulated PCs namely; entrapment efficiency (EE%;Y1), particle size (PS;Y2), polydispersity index (PDI;Y3) and zeta potential (ZP;Y4). The optimal formula was selected for further in-vivo dermatokinetic and histopathological study. The optimal FTN-loaded PC (PC6) showed nanosized cerosomes (551.60 nm) with high EE% (83.00%w/w), and an acceptable ZP value of 20.90 mV. Transmission electron micrographs of the optimal formula illustrated intertwined tubulation form deviated from the conventional spherical vesicles. Finally, the dermatokinetic study of PC6 showed higher drug concentration and localization of FTN in skin layers when compared with FTN suspension and the histopathological study confirmed its safety for topical application. The overall findings of our study verified the effectiveness of utilizing PEGylated cerosomes to augment the activity of FTN as a topical antifungal agent.

Polysorbate-Based Drug Formulations for Brain-Targeted Drug Delivery and Anticancer Therapy

Polysorbates (PSs) are synthetic nonionic surfactants consisting of polyethoxy sorbitan fatty acid esters. PSs have been widely employed as emulsifiers and stabilizers in various drug formulations and food additives. Recently, various PS-based formulations have been developed for safe and efficient drug delivery. This review introduces the general features of PSs and PS-based drug carriers, summarizes recent progress in the development of PS-based drug formulations, and discusses the physicochemical properties, biological safety, P-glycoprotein inhibitory properties, and therapeutic applications of PS-based drug formulations. Additionally, recent advances in brain-targeted drug delivery using PS-based drug formulations have been highlighted. This review will help researchers understand the potential of PSs as effective drug formulation agents.

The Potential Synergistic Activity of Zolmitriptan Combined in New Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery Systems: ATR-FTIR Real-Time Fast Dissolution Monitoring and Pharmacodynamic Assessment

Purpose

The current work aimed to overcome the poor permeability and undesirable adverse effects of Zolmitriptan (ZMT) and to increase its efficacy in the treatment of acute migraine by exploiting the synergistic effect of the essential oil, lavender, to fabricate ZMT self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (ZMT-SNEDDS).

Methods

ZMT-SNEDDS were fabricated based on full factorial design (3²) to statistically assess the impact of oil and surfactant concentrations on the nanoemulsion globule size, zeta potential and percentage drug dissolution efficiency. An ATR-FTIR method was developed and validated for continuous real-time monitoring of ZMT dissolution and permeation. The dose of the optimized ZMT-SNEDDS used in the efficacy study was selected according to the acute toxicity study. The efficacy study was performed on migraineous rats induced by nitroglycerin and was evaluated by the activity cage and thermal tests, electroencephalogram, electroconvulsive stimulation, and biochemical analysis of brain tissue. Finally, histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations of the cerebra were carried out.

Results

Upon dilution, the optimized ZMT-SNEDDS (F5) exhibited nanosized spherical droplets of 19.59±0.17 nm with narrow size distribution, zeta potential (-23.5±1.17mV) and rapid emulsification characteristics. ATR-FTIR spectra elucidated the complete time course of dissolution and permeation, confirming F5 superior performance. Moreover, ZMT-SNEDDS (F5) showed safety in an acute toxicity study. ZMT concentration in rat brain tissues derived from F5 was lower compared to that of ZMT solution, yet its effect was better on the psychological state, algesia, as well as maintaining normal brain electrical activity and delayed convulsions. It counteracted the cerebral biochemical alternations induced by nitroglycerin, which was confirmed by histopathological examination.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, these findings corroborated the remarkable synergistic efficacy and the high potency of lavender oil-based ZMT-SNEDDS in migraine management compared to the traditional zolmitriptan solution.

Hypericin-loaded oil-in-water nanoemulsion synthesized by ultrasonication process enhances photodynamic therapy efficiency

Hypericin (Hy) is a hydrophobic photosensitizer used in photodynamic therapy for cancer therapeutic. In this study, Hy-loaded oil-in-water (O/W) nanoemulsions (NEs) were produced by the ultrasonication method combing different biocompatible oils and surfactants to enhance Hy aqueous solubility and bioavailability. Experimental parameters were optimized by the characterization of droplet size, zeta potential, and physicochemical properties. In vitro studies based on the release profile, cytotoxicity, cell morphology, and Hy intracellular accumulation were assayed. Hy at 100 mg L^-1 was incorporated into the low viscosity (~0.005 Pa s) NEs with spherical droplets averaging 20-40 nm in size and polydispersity index <0.02. Hy release from the NE was significantly higher (4-fold) than its suspension (p < 0.001). The NEs demonstrated good physical stability during storage at 5 °C for at least six months. The Hy-loaded NEs exhibited an IC50 value 6-fold lower than Hy suspension during PDT against breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7). Cell microscopy imaging confirmed the increased cytotoxic effects of Hy-loaded NEs, showing damaged and apoptotic cells. Confocal laser scanning microscopy evidenced greater Hy delivery through NE into MCF-7 cells followed by improved intracellular ROS generation. Our results suggest that the Hy-loaded NEs can improve hypericin efficacy and assist Hy-PDT's preclinical development as a cancer treatment.

Optimization and Development of Methotrexate- and Resveratrol-Loaded Nanoemulsion Formulation Using Box-Behnken Design for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Methotrexate (MTX) is the first line of choice for the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and has been reported for its low bioavailability and side effects. Combination therapy has been widely investigated to overcome bioavailability issues and to reduce adverse effects associated with monotherapy. Various phytoconstituents such as resveratrol (RSV) and curcumin have been found to possess potent anti-inflammatory activity via downregulating the signaling of cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha) and nuclear factor kappa B signaling. The prime objective of this study was to develop transdermal gel containing MTX-RSV loaded nanoemulsions (NEs) to overcome bioavailability issues and adverse effects of RA monotherapy. The NEs optimized by using Box-Behnken Design were incorporated within gel, and an in vitro skin permeation study performed on rat skin by using vertical Franz diffusion cells exhibited controlled drug release up to 48 h. Subsequently, anti-inflammatory and potential anti-arthritic activities of the combination in nanocarrier were assessed in rats and showed 78.76 ± 4.16% inhibition in inflammation and better anti-arthritic effects. Consequently, integration of dual delivery with nanotechnology can hopefully produce successful therapeutic options for rheumatic diseases.

Modeling the Effect of Composition on Formation of Aerosolized Nanoemulsion System Encapsulating Docetaxel and Curcumin Using D-Optimal Mixture Experimental Design

The synergistic anticancer effect of docetaxel (DTX) and curcumin (CCM) has emerged as an attractive therapeutic candidate for lung cancer treatment. However, the lack of optimal bioavailability because of high toxicity, low stability, and poor solubility has limited their clinical success. Given this, an aerosolized nanoemulsion system for pulmonary delivery is recommended to mitigate these drawbacks. In this study, DTX- and CCM-loaded nanoemulsions were optimized using the D-optimal mixture experimental design (MED). The effect of nanoemulsion compositions towards two response variables, namely, particle size and aerosol size, was studied. The optimized formulations for both DTX- and CCM-loaded nanoemulsions were determined, and their physicochemical and aerodynamic properties were evaluated as well. The MED models achieved the optimum formulation for DTX- and CCM-loaded nanoemulsions containing a 6.0 wt% mixture of palm kernel oil ester (PKOE) and safflower seed oils (1:1), 2.5 wt% of lecithin, 2.0 wt% mixture of Tween 85 and Span 85 (9:1), and 2.5 wt% of glycerol in the aqueous phase. The actual values of the optimized formulations were in line with the predicted values obtained from the MED, and they exhibited desirable attributes of physicochemical and aerodynamic properties for inhalation therapy. Thus, the optimized formulations have potential use as a drug delivery system for a pulmonary application.

Development of nanoemulsion gel drug delivery systems of cetirizine; factorial optimisation of composition, in vitro evaluation and clinical study

Aim: This work aimed to develop topical nanoemulsion gels of cetirizine, a second-generation antihistamine, to avoid its oral intake drawbacks and enhance skin permeation.Methods: Cetirizine nanoemulsions were formulated and characterised for their particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, drug release and drug permeation through rat skin. The optimised formulation, obtained using 2³ full factorial design, was incorporated in carbopol and chitosan gels and evaluated clinically for urticaria treatment.Results: The optimised formulation had particle size of 32.015 ± 1.87 nm, polydispersity index of 0.29 ± 0.04, zeta potential of -19.31 ± 0.43 mV, cetirizine percent released of 98.50 ± 1.23% and permeability coefficient of 7.65 cm.h^-1. Cetirizine nanoemulsion gels were more effective than their control gels in urticaria treatment with significant decrease in the degree of wheals and itching and higher recovery percent.Conclusion: Cetirizine nanoemulsion topical gels are expected to be a rational and effective tool for avoiding cetirizine oral side effects and targeting the affected skin.

Preparation and in vitro and in vivo Study of Asiaticoside-Loaded Nanoemulsions and Nanoemulsions-Based Gels for Transdermal Delivery

Purpose

Asiaticoside (ASI), a compound of triterpene pentacyclic saponins, has apparently therapeutic efficacy on human hypertrophic scar. However, the characteristics of large molecular weight, low water solubility and poor lipophilicity do not favor the diffusion through the stratum corneum (SC). Therefore, it is expected that the development of a transdermally delivered formulation may enhance the permeability ratio (Qn) of ASI for its clinical application. In this study, we designed asiaticoside-loaded nanoemulsions (ASI-NEs) and nanoemulsions-based gels (ASI-NBGs) and studied their mechanism for transdermal delivery.

Methods

The preparation of ASI-NEs was optimized by simplex lattice design (SLD). The ex vivo transdermal penetration and the in vivo pharmacokinetics studies were studied, respectively. The skin irritation of ASI-NEs and ASI-NBGs was measured on normal and damaged skin in rabbits, and the transcutaneous mechanisms of ASI-NEs and ASI-NBGs were determined by HE stained and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM).

Results

The mean particle size of ASI-NEs was 132±5.84nm. The ex vivo skin permeation study verified that the Qn of the optimized ASI-NEs and ASI-NBGs was about 13.65 times and 5.05 times higher than that of the ordinary ASI-G group. In vivo, the pharmacokinetics studies showed that ASI-NEs and ASI-NBGs reached the peak value in the skin quickly and maintained stable release for a long time with high bioavailability. ASI-NEs and ASI-NBGs were proved to be safe when applied for topical skin usage, and they could play a therapeutic role through the skin mainly by acting on the microstructure of the SC and by means of the skin adnexal pathways.

Conclusion

ASI-NEs and ASI-NBGs were effectively developed to overcome the barrier properties of the skin and show high drug penetration through the transdermal route. In addition, we found that ASI-NEs and ASI-NBGs are safe when applied through transdermal delivery system.

Nanoemulgel for Improved Topical Delivery of Retinyl Palmitate: Formulation Design and Stability Evaluation

Retinyl palmitate is a vitamin A ester belonging to the family of endogenous natural retinoid and used to treat various skin disorders like acne, skin aging, wrinkles, and dark spots, as well as to protect against psoriasis. Despite the known therapeutic benefits of retinyl palmitate, the conventional topical delivery of retinyl palmitate commonly associated with adverse reactions such as skin irritation, redness, excessive peeling, and dryness. Therefore, the current study aims to encapsulate the retinyl palmitate in nanoemulsion then incorporate it into a hydrogel system to improve the topical delivery and stability. Low-energy emulsification method was used for the nano-encapsulation of retinyl palmitate. The phase behavior study was used for the investigation and the optimization of the formulation. The droplet size of the optimized nanoemulsion was in nano dimension (16.71 nm) with low polydispersity index (PdI) (0.015), negative zeta potential (-20.6 mV). It demonstrated the influence of vortexing on droplet size and PdI during nanoemulsion preparation. The retinyl palmitate loaded nanoemulgel delivery system exhibited significant improvement (p < 0.05) in skin permeability after topical application. Employment of the nano-encapsulation approach afterward dispersion into hydrogel system for the development of a topical delivery system of retinyl palmitate resulted in improvement in its UV and storage stability as well.

Recent Advances on Topical Application of Ceramides to Restore Barrier Function of Skin

Human skin is the largest organ of the body and is an effective physical barrier keeping it from environmental conditions. This barrier function of the skin is based on stratum corneum, located in the uppermost skin. Stratum corneum has corneocytes surrounded by multilamellar lipid membranes which are composed of cholesterol, free fatty acids and ceramides (CERs). Alterations in ceramide content of the stratum corneum are associated with numerous skin disorders. In recent years, CERs have been incorporated into conventional and novel carrier systems with the purpose of exogenously applying CERs to help the barrier function of the skin. This review provides an overview of the structure, function and importance of CERs to restore the barrier function of the skin following their topical application.

Role of Ceramides in Drug Delivery

Ceramides belong to the sphingolipid group of lipids, which serve as both intracellular and intercellular messengers and as regulatory molecules that play essential roles in signal transduction, inflammation, angiogenesis, and metabolic disorders such as diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer cell degeneration. Ceramides also play an important structural role in cell membranes by increasing their rigidity, creating micro-domains (rafts and caveolae), and altering membrane permeability; all these events are involved in the cell signaling. Ceramides constitute approximately half of the lipid composition in the human skin contributing to barrier function as well as epidermal signaling as they affect both proliferation and apoptosis of keratinocytes. Incorporation of ceramides in topical preparations as functional lipids appears to alter skin barrier functions. Ceramides also appear to enhance the bioavailability of drugs by acting as lipid delivery systems. They appear to regulate the ocular inflammation signaling, and external ceramides have shown relief in the anterior and posterior eye disorders. Ceramides play a structural role in liposome formulations and enhance the cellular uptake of amphiphilic drugs, such as chemotherapies. This review presents an overview of the various biological functions of ceramides, and their utility in topical, oral, ocular, and chemotherapeutic drug delivery.

Nanoemulsion: A Review on Mechanisms for the Transdermal Delivery of Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Drugs

Nanoemulsions (NEs) are colloidal dispersions of two immiscible liquids, oil and water, in which one is dispersed in the other with the aid of a surfactant/co-surfactant mixture, either forming oil-in-water (o/w) or water-in-oil (w/o) nanodroplets systems, with droplets 20–200 nm in size. NEs are easy to prepare and upscale, and they show high variability in their components. They have proven to be very viable, non-invasive, and cost-effective nanocarriers for the enhanced transdermal delivery of a wide range of active compounds that tend to metabolize heavily or suffer from undesirable side effects when taken orally. In addition, the anti-microbial and anti-viral properties of NE components, leading to preservative-free formulations, make NE a very attractive approach for transdermal drug delivery. This review focuses on how NEs mechanistically deliver both lipophilic and hydrophilic drugs through skin layers to reach the blood stream, exerting the desired therapeutic effect. It highlights the mechanisms and strategies executed to effectively deliver drugs, both with o/w and w/o NE types, through the transdermal way. However, the mechanisms reported in the literature are highly diverse, to the extent that a definite mechanism is not conclusive.

Studies on olive-and silicone-oils-based Janus macroemulsions containing ginger to manage primary dysmenorrheal pain

Ginger (GIN) powder-loaded oil-in-water (o/w) macroemulsions were prepared based on olive-and silicone-oils. The dispersed oil droplets with paired-beans structure were evident and thus the final emulsion can be termed as Janus macroemulsions. The objectives of the present study are (1) to identify the marker compound present in GIN powder via HPLC analysis, (2) to process the GIN powder via anti-solvent precipitation technique, (3) to see the solubility of GIN powder in various single oils or oil combination, (4) to optimize the GIN-loaded o/w macroemulsions using the central composite design (CCD) with respect to mean particle size of dispersed oil droplets and highest percentage drug entrapment efficiency values (DEE) and (5) to evaluate the pain reducing activity of optimized GIN-loaded macroemulsion via in vivo primary dysmenorrhea (PD) mice model. Both predicted and obtained values of percentage DEE (76.29 Vs.76.09) and mean particle size (245.99 Vs. 272.51 μm) were almost the same indicating the CCD statistical design applicability. The optimized Janus macroemulsion was stable at 4 °C for over a period of 90 days. Using the PD mice model, the counting of writhing reaction produced by the tested GIN-loaded macroemulsions at low and high doses did not reveal significant difference in comparison to the positive control (aspirin treated). Only the high dose of GIN-loaded macroemulsion was able to restore the uterine tissue's normal histomorphological structure after the H & E staining. Nevertheless, the paired beans structure should be tested for entrapping the plant-derived drugs having dissimilar physicochemical characteristics but similar therapeutic activity.

Developing Cream Formulations: Renewed Interest in an Old Problem

This work aimed at establishing a framework to screen and understand the product variability deeming from factors that affect the quality features of cream formulations. As per Quality by Design - based approach, cream quality target profile and critical quality attributes were identified, and a risk assessment analysis was conducted to qualitatively detect the most critical variables for cream design and development. A Plackett-Burman design was used to screen out unimportant factors, avoiding collecting large amounts of data. Accordingly, 2 designs of experiments (DoE-1 and DoE-2) were performed, and the effects of independent variables on the cream formulations responses were estimated. At different factor combinations, significant variability was observed in droplet size, consistency, hardness, compressibility, and adhesiveness with values ranging from 2.6 ± 0.9 to 10 ± 6 μm, 7.93 ± 0.05 to 13.53 ± 0.14 mm, 27.6 ± 0.3 to 58.4 ± 1.1 g, 38 ± 6 to 447 ± 37 g.s, and 25.7 ± 2.1 to 286 ± 33 g.s, respectively. The statistical analysis allowed determining the most influent factors. This study revealed the potential of Quality by Design methodology in understanding product variability, recognizing the most critical independent variables for the final product quality. This systematic approach in the pharmaceutical field will yield more robust products and processes, provisioning time and cost effective developments.

Carvacrol encapsulated nanocarrier/ nanoemulsion abrogates angiogenesis by downregulating COX-2, VEGF and CD31 in vitro and in vivo in a lung adenocarcinoma model

Nanoemulsion-based synthesis has been introduced to enhance the bioavailability of natural compounds at target sites for their various biomedical applications. In this study, we synthesized carvacrol nanoemulsion (CN) an oil-in-water (O/W) as a nano-emulsion vehicle system by using ultrasonication emulsification for anti-angiogenesis therapy formulated by combining MCT, lecithin, and polysorbate 80 at the O/W interface called carvacrol encapsulated nanoemulsion (CEN). The diameter of CEN determined by TEM analysis was 105.32 nm. The hydrodynamic droplet size was 101.0 nm with a -39.38-mV zeta potential. The stability of the synthesized CEN was approved till 100 days without any change in diameter size distribution and encapsulation efficiency. We evaluated the role of CEN on angiogenesis in lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells both in vitro and in vivo and observed that it reduced the growth and MMP levels of A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Exposure to CEN decreased the activation of MAPK p38 as well as ERK. Moreover, we found that CEN reduced the expression of VEGF and CD31 in A549 cells both in vitro and in vivo. Our in-silico study also indicated the binding of carvacrol to COX-2 and VEGF at the active and allosteric sites of CD31 with low binding energy. Overall, CEN induced anti-angiogenic effects in A549 cells in vitro, in silico, and in vivo, thereby establishing its potential as targeted drug delivery vehicle against angiogenesis.

A practical framework for implementing Quality by Design to the development of topical drug products: Nanosystem-based dosage forms

Skin has been increasingly recognized as an important drug administration route with topical formulations, offering a targeted approach for the treatment of several dermatological disorders. The effectiveness of this route is hampered by its natural barrier, the stratum corneum (SC), and hence, different strategies have been investigated to improve percutaneous drug transport. The design of nanodelivery systems, aiming at solving skin delivery issues, have been largely explored, due to their potential to revolutionize dermal therapies, improving therapeutic effectiveness and reducing side effects. Apart from nanosystem benefits, the fulfilment of the reproducibility requirements and quality standards still limit their industrial production. The optimization of nanosystem formulation and manufacturing process is complex, usually involving a large number of variables. Therefore, a science- and risk-oriented approach, such as Quality by Design (QbD) will provide a comprehensive and noteworthy knowledge, yielding high quality drug products without extensive regulatory burden. This review aims to set up the basis for QbD development approach, encompassing preliminary and systematic risk assessments, with critical process parameters (CPPs) and critical material attributes (CMAs) identification, of different nanosystems potentially used in dermal therapies.

A Tutorial for Developing a Topical Cream Formulation Based on the Quality by Design Approach

The pharmaceutical industry has entered in a new era, as there is a growing interest in increasing the quality standards of dosage forms, through the implementation of more structured development and manufacturing approaches. For many decades, the manufacturing of drug products was controlled by a regulatory framework to guarantee the quality of the final product through a fixed process and exhaustive testing. Limitations related to the Quality by Test system have been widely acknowledged. The emergence of Quality by Design (QbD) as a systematic and risk-based approach introduced a new quality concept based on a good understanding of how raw materials and process parameters influence the final quality profile. Although the QbD system has been recognized as a revolutionary approach to product development and manufacturing, its full implementation in the pharmaceutical field is still limited. This is particularly evident in the case of semisolid complex formulation development. The present review aims at establishing a practical QbD framework to describe all stages comprised in the pharmaceutical development of a conventional cream in a comprehensible manner.