Formulation and evaluation of cholesterol-rich nanoemulsion (LDE) for drug delivery potential of cholesteryl-maleoyl-5-fluorouracil

Amphotericin B loaded nanoemulsion: Optimization, characterization and in-vitro activity against L. donovani promastigotes

The present work aimed to develop and evaluate AmB-loaded nano-emulsion (AmB-NE) which will augment the solubility of AmB and lead to enhanced anti-leishmanial activity. The composition of AmB-NE was optimized by systematic screening followed by DoE-extreme vertices mixture design. The optimized NE revealed mean droplet size and PDI of 44.19 ± 5.5 nm, 0.265 ± 0.0723, respectively. The NE could efficiently encapsulate AmB with drug content and efficiency 83.509 ± 0.369% and 81.659 ± 0.013%, respectively. The presence of cholesterol and stearyl amine retarded the release (P < 0.0001) of AmB significantly compared to AmB suspension. The AmB-NE and pure AmB suspension demonstrated the IC50 of 0.06309 μg/mL and 0.3309 μg/mL against L.donovani promastigotes after 48 h incubation. The formulation was robust at all exaggerated stability conditions such as freeze-thaw and centrifugation. These findings indicate that AmB-NE is an attractive approach to treat visceral leishmaniasis with improved activity.

A novel 5-Fluorocuracil multiple-nanoemulsion used for the enhancement of oral bioavailability in the treatment of colorectal cancer

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a drug of choice for colorectal-cancer. But oral therapeutic efficacy of 5-FU is restricted due to their very little bioavailability because of poor membrane permeability and GIT-absorption. We have developed a multiple nanoemulsion (w/o/w i.e. 5-FU-MNE) in which 5-FU incorporated to improve their oral-absorption. Globule-size of opt-5-FU-MNE was 51.64 ± 2.61 nm with PDI and ZP 0.101 ± 0.001 and −5.59 ± 0.94, respectively. In vitro 5-FU-release and ex vivo permeation studies exhibited 99.71% release and 83.64% of 5-FU from opt-nanoformulation. Cytotoxic in vitro studies-exhibited that 5-FU in opt-5-FU-MNE was 5-times more potent than 5-FU-S on human-colon-cancer-cell-lines (HT-29). The enhanced C_max with AUC_0-8h with opt-5-FU-MNE was shown extremely significant (p < 0.001) in wistar rat’s plasma in the comparison of oral and i.v. treated group of 5-FU-S by PK-observations. Furthermore, opt-5-FU-MNE was showed much more significant (p < 0.001) results as compared to 5-FU-S (free) on cell lines for human colon cancer (HT-29).

Intranasal delivery of Clozapine using nanoemulsion-based in-situ gels: An approach for bioavailability enhancement

Limited solubility and hepatic first-pass metabolism are the main causes of low bioavailability of anti-schizophrenic drug, Clozapine (CZP). The objective of the study was to develop and validate nanoemulsion (NE) based in-situ gel of CZP for intranasal administration as an approach for bioavailability enhancement. Solubility of CZP was initially investigated in different oils, surfactants and co-surfactants, then pseudoternary phase diagrams were constructed to select the optimized ratio of oil, surfactant and co-surfactant. Clear and transparent NE formulations were characterized in terms of droplet size, viscosity, solubilization capacity, transmission electron microscopy, in-vitro drug release and compatibility studies. Selected NEs were incorporated into different in-situ gel bases using combination of two thermosensitive polymers; Pluronic® F-127 (PF127) and F-68 (PF68). NE-based gels (NG) were investigated for gelation temperature, viscosity, gel strength, spreadability and stability. Moreover, selected NGs were evaluated for ex-vivo permeation, mucoadhesive strength and nasal ciliotoxicity. Peppermint oil, tween 80 and transcutol P were chosen for NE preparation owing to their maximum CZP solubilization. Clear NE points extrapolated from tween 80:transcutol P (1:1) phase diagram and passed dispersibility and stability tests, demonstrated globule size of 67.99 to 354.96 nm and zeta potential of −12.4 to −3.11 mV with enhanced in-vitro CZP release (>90% in some formulations). After incorporation of the selected N3 and N9 formulations of oil:Smix of 1:7 and 2:7, respectively to a mixture of PF127 and PF68 (20:2% w/w), the resultant NG formulations exhibited optimum gelation temperature and viscosity with enhanced CZP permeation and retention through sheep nasal mucosa. Ciliotoxicity examinations of the optimum NGs displayed no inflammation or damage of the lining epithelium and the underlying cells of the nasal mucosa. In conclusion, NE-based gels may be a promising dosage form of CZP for schizophrenia treatment.

Crosstalk of low density lipoprotein and liposome as a paradigm for targeting of 5-fluorouracil into hepatic cells: cytotoxicity and liver deposition

This study aimed to utilize cholesterol conjugation of 5-fluorouracil (5-FUC) and liposomal formulas to enhance the partitioning of 5-FU into low density lipoprotein (LDL) to target hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Thus, 5-FU and 5-FUCwere loaded into liposomes. Later, the direct loading and transfer of 5-FU, and 5-FUC from liposomes into LDL were attained. The preparations were characterized in terms of particle size, zeta potential, morphology, entrapment efficiency, and cytotoxicity using the HepG2 cell line. Moreover, the drug deposition into the LDL and liver tissues was investigated. The present results revealed that liposomal preparations have a nanosize range (155 - 194 nm), negative zeta potential (- 0.82 to - 16 mV), entrapment efficiency of 69% for 5-FU, and 66% for 5-FUC. Moreover, LDL particles have a nanosize range (28-49 nm), negative zeta potential (- 17 to -27 mV), and the entrapment efficiency is 11% for 5-FU and 85% for 5-FUC. Furthermore, 5-FUC loaded liposomes displayed a sustained release profile (57%) at 24 h compared to fast release (92%) of 5-FU loaded liposomes. 5-FUC and liposomal formulas enhanced the transfer of 5-FUC into LDL compared to 5-FU. 5-FUC loaded liposomes and LDL have greater cytotoxicity against HepG2 cell lines compared to 5-FU and 5-FUC solutions. Moreover, the deposition of 5-FUC in LDL (26.87ng/mg) and liver tissues (534 ng/gm tissue) was significantly increased 5-FUC liposomes compared to 5-FU (11.7 ng/g tissue) liposomal formulation. In conclusion, 5-FUC is a promising strategy for hepatic targeting of 5-FU through LDL-mediated gateway.

Design and encapsulation of anticancer dual HSP27 and HER2 inhibitor into low density lipoprotein to target ovarian cancer cells

Tumor cells overexpress low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors (LDL-r). Hence, LDL is proposed as a targeting shuttle of anticancer drugs. Therefore, the objective of this study was to synthesize a dual inhibitor of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) conjugated with cholesterol and encapsulated into LDL for selective targeting of ovarian cancer cells. In the present study, the anticancer agent and its cholesterol conjugate were successfully prepared and characterized physically for color, shape, and melting point. Moreover, the compounds were chemically characterized for ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectra using FTIR and LCMS/MS. Our results revealed that the prepared anticancer agent and its cholesterol conjugate elicited dual HSP27 and HER2 inhibition, as confirmed using western blotting. The anticancer agent (compound D) entered cells and targeted the HSP27 function, thereby reducing HER2 expression. However, a cholesterol-conjugated anticancer agent (compound F) had high cellular uptake and inhibited the growth of SKOV3 cells after encapsulation into LDL. The obtained results concluded that the design of an LDL-encapsulated cholesterol-conjugated HSP27-HER2 dual inhibitor may be a promising approach to realize specific targeted achieve killing of ovarian cancer.

Heparin-appended polycaprolactone core/corona nanoparticles for site specific delivery of 5-fluorouracil

The aim of the present work is to formulate heparin-modified-polycaprolactone (HEP) core shell nanoparticles (NPs) of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). These NPs were characterized for various in vitro parameters like particle size, zeta potential, etc. HEP NPs were found to maintain comparatively slower drug release pattern (98.9% in 96 h) than PCL NPs. Cytotoxicity studies demonstrated a massive cytotoxic potential of 5-FU-loaded HEP NPs in A549, MDA-MD-435, and SK-OV-3 cancer cell lines. Pharmacokinetic parameters were also determined in blood after IV administration of HEP NPs: AUC, C_max, MRT, and T_max values are 6096.075 ± 5.90 μg h/mL, 144.38 ± 1.52 μg/L, 58.71 ± 0.25 h, 96 ± 0.50 h, respectively and 117.92 ± 1.78, 45.35 ± 3.00, 1.2 ± 0.25, 0.5 ± 0.02 in plain 5-FU solution.

Bioavailability enhancement and pharmacokinetic profile of an anticancer drug ibrutinib by self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system

Objective

The current studies were undertaken to enhance dissolution and bioavailability/pharmacokinetic profile of a newly approved anticancer drug ibrutinib (IBR) via encapsulation of drug into self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS).

Methods

Various SNEDDS formulations of IBR were developed by aqueous phase titration method using Capryol-PGMC (oil phase), Tween-20 (surfactant), Carbitol (cosurfactant) and water (aqueous phase). Developed SNEDDS of IBR was evaluated in vitro for various physicochemical properties and drug release profile.

Key findings

Based on lowest droplet size (28.7 ± 3.2 nm), least polydispersity (0.123), optimal values of zeta potential (−32.8 mV) and refractive index (1.336), highest % transmittance (98.7 ± 0.2%), highest drug release profile via dialysis membrane (98.9 ± 8.2% after 48 h) and the presence of lowest concentration of Capryol-PGMC (12% w/w), SNEDDS I1 was selected for in-vivo pharmacokinetic/bioavailability studies in female Wistar rats. In-vivo pharmacokinetic studies in rats showed that optimized SNEDDS I1 controlled the absorption of IBR compared with IBR suspension. The bioavailability of IBR from optimized SNEDDS I1 was enhanced around 2.64 times in comparison with IBR suspension.

Conclusion

These results indicated the potential of developed SNEDDS as an alternative drug delivery system for IBR to enhance its bioavailability and anticancer efficacy.