Development of a Lyophilization Process for Long-Term Storage of Albumin-Based Perfluorodecalin-Filled Artificial Oxygen Carriers

Lipid nanocarrier-based bigel of Piper betel oil for analgesic and anti-inflammatory applications

Present study reports analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential of Piper betel (L.) leaf oil loaded lipid nanocarrier (BLNs)-embedded bigel. BLNs were developed by solvent evaporation technique and were characterised by FESEM, Cryo-TEM, mean diameter, zeta potential, loading efficiency, etc. BLNs embedded bigel (BLNs-G) was evaluated for analgesic and anti-inflammatory efficacy in rat model. Data showed spherical BLNs with intact lamellarity, 138.2 ± 1.08 nm mean diameter, 0.182 PDI, -46.6 ± 0.61 mV zeta potential, 76.2 ± 2.1% (w/w) loading efficiency and a sustained release in vitro. BLNs-G was homogenous with satisfied viscosity (40 734 ± 1.7 cps), spreadability (8.3 ± 1.5 g.cm sec-1), extrudability (91.33 ± 1.3% w/w) along with a sustained permeation ex vivo. Significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory action were depicted by BLNs-G (1% w/w) in rat model (p ˂ 0.05) within 30 minutes post topical application. In silico docking study revealed high affinity of major phytoactive components with key analgesic/inflammatory mediators. Further pre-clinical investigations are warranted for futuristic clinical application of BLNs-G.

Development of a screening platform for the formulation of poorly water-soluble drugs as albumin-stabilized nanosuspensions using nab™ technology

The nanoparticle albumin bound™ (nab™) technology generally offers great potential for the formulation of poorly water-soluble drugs as albumin-stabilized nanosuspensions for intravenous use while avoiding solubilizers and cross-linking agents. The nab™ technology is a three-step process consisting of emulsification, high-pressure homogenization and solvent evaporation. Within this work, a screening approach was developed to predict whether active pharmaceutical ingredients are suitable for nab™ formulations. A design of experiments approach was used to investigate the effects of ultrasonic homogenization on an albumin-stabilized itraconazole nanosuspension. Based on this, a screening platform was developed, and subsequently evaluated and applied to a selection of poorly water-soluble drugs. The screening process to produce albumin-stabilized nanosuspensions consists of two process steps: Ultrasonic treatment, which combined emulsification and homogenization, followed by solvent evaporation. The results of the screening process were fully transferable to the standard three-step process of nab™ technology. In addition, based on drug screening, drug properties were highlighted that are important for the development of nab™ formulations. All in all, the nab™ technology is a promising but not universal formulation platform for poorly water-soluble drugs. Nevertheless, for some poorly soluble drugs it offers a valuable approach for the formulation of nanosuspensions for intravenous use.

Controlled oxygen delivery to power tissue regeneration

Oxygen plays a crucial role in human embryogenesis, homeostasis, and tissue regeneration. Emerging engineered regenerative solutions call for novel oxygen delivery systems. To become a reality, these systems must consider physiological processes, oxygen release mechanisms and the target application. In this review, we explore the biological relevance of oxygen at both a cellular and tissue level, and the importance of its controlled delivery via engineered biomaterials and devices. Recent advances and upcoming trends in the field are also discussed with a focus on tissue-engineered constructs that could meet metabolic demands to facilitate regeneration.

A mucoadhesive nanolipo gel containing Aegle marmelos gum to enhance transdermal effectiveness of linezolid for vaginal infection: In vitro evaluation, in vitro-ex vivo correlation, pharmacokinetic studies

Effective treatment of vaginal infections with conventional antibiotics often faces challenges like unavoidable dose-related side effects with increased risk of bacterial resistance. The study aims to deliver linezolid through natural gum based mucoadhesive nano lipogel to improve therapeutic effectiveness against vaginal infections. The linezolid loaded nanoliposomes (LNLs) were developed by thin film hydration method and were characterized by FTIR, DSC, XRD, FESEM, particle size analysis, zeta potential, drug loading capacity, in vitro release study etc. Selected LNLs was loaded into suitable gel formulation containing Aegle marmelos gum (as the mucoadhesive agent) and evaluated for in vitro, in vivo potentiality. FTIR/DSC test confirmed absence of any major interaction between selected drug and excipients. XRD showed amorphization of the drug encapsulated in NLs. FESEM studies showed spherical LNLs having smooth surface. LNLs had nanosize (51.03 nm), negative surface charge (-25.7 mV), satisfied drug loading capacity (11.5 ± 0.7 %) with sustained drug release. The experimental LNLs loaded lipogel showed desired physico-chemical properties viz. viscosity (37000 cps), spreadability (6.5 gm.cmsec-1), mucoadhesion (21.9 gf) and 61.04 % release of drug across rabbit vaginal mucosal membrane. The nanolipo gel exhibited improved antimicrobial activity against E. coli and C. albicans with respect to the pure linezolid. A good correlation was observed in between in vitro drug release and ex vivo permeation. Improved pharmacokinetic parameters like AUC, AUMC, MRT, Vd was observed for experimental nanolipo gel Vs. marketed formulation. The experimental nanolipo gel could be explored further for futuristic clinical application.

Triglyceride-filled albumin-based nanocapsules: A promising new system to avoid discarding poorly water-soluble drug candidates

Even though current drug discovery provides a variety of potential drug candidates, many of those substances are difficult to formulate due to their poor water-solubility. To overcome this obstacle a technological formulation is crucial. Albumin-based nanocarriers are a possible intravenous delivery system which is already approved and commercially available. However, no universal carrier for poorly water-soluble substances is found yet. In the present study, new preparation processes for nanocapsules consisting of a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) core and a human serum albumin (HSA) shell were developed. The nanocarrier system exhibits desirable physicochemical properties with a hydrodynamic diameter of 150 nm and a polydispersity index of 0.1. Furthermore, the nanocapsules were stable towards the addition of electrolytes and also in basic to neutral pH range. The nanocapsules were storage stable for at least 7 months at 4 °C and could also be lyophilized to reach an even longer shelf life of at least 21 months. In addition, the nanocapsule system showed no cytotoxicity in cell culture. The developed system represents a suitable carrier for a variety of different poorly water-soluble drug substances (e.g., fenofibrate, naproxen, indomethacin) showing a high potential for a universal formulation platform for further lipophilic active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

Impact of formulation design and lyophilisation on the physicochemical characteristics of finasteride nanosystems

The fundamental purpose of this study was to develop a stable lyophilised finasteride nanosystem (FNS-NS) for topical delivery. The FNS-NS was fabricated using an ultrasonication technique. The impact of two different cryoprotectants on the physicochemical characteristics of FNS-NS before and after lyophilisation was thoroughly investigated. The lyophilised FNS-NS had spherical shape with particle size lied between 188.6 nm ± 4.4 and 298.7 nm ± 4.7, low PDI values (0.26 ± 0.02 to 0.32 ± 0.02) and zeta potential ranging from -38.3 to +53.3 mV. The confocal laser microscopy depicted a comparatively higher cellular internalisation achieved for undecorated FNS-NS with respect to its chitosan-decorated counterpart. The lyophilised FNS-NS was stable for 90 days at proper storage conditions. The FNS-NS with 15% trehalose had appropriate physicochemical attributes that could be a promising carrier for topical delivery to treat androgenic alopecia.

Lyophilization of Nanocapsules: Instability Sources, Formulation and Process Parameters

Polymeric nanocapsules have gained more and more interest in the medical sciences. Their core-shell structure offers numerous advantages, especially regarding their use as drug delivery systems. This review begins by presenting the different intrinsic sources of the instability of nanocapsules. The physical and chemical potential instabilities of nanocapsules reduce their shelf-life and constitute a barrier to their clinical use and to their commercialization. To overcome these issues, lyophilization is often used as a process of choice in the pharmaceutical industry especially when labile compounds are used. The state of the art of lyophilization nanocapsules is reviewed. The formulation properties and the process parameters are discussed for a complete understanding of their impact on the stability and storage of the final dried product. To assess the quality of the dried product, various characterization methods are also discussed.