Silver Nanoparticles Conjugate Attenuates Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy-Induced Hippocampal Nissl Substance and Cognitive Deficits in Diabetic Rats

BACKGROUND

The application of nanomedicine to antiretroviral drug delivery holds promise in reducing the comorbidities related to long-term systemic exposure to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). However, the safety of drugs loaded with silver nanoparticles has been debatable. This study is aimed at evaluating the effects of HAART-loaded silver nanoparticles (HAART-AgNPs) on the behavioural assessment, biochemical indices, morphological, and morphometric of the hippocampus in diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats.

METHODS

Conjugated HAART-AgNPs were characterized using FTIR spectroscopy, UV spectrophotometer, HR-TEM, SEM, and EDX for absorbance peaks, size and morphology, and elemental components. Forty-eight male SD rats (250 ± 13 g) were divided into nondiabetic and diabetic groups. Each group was subdivided into (n = 8) A (nondiabetic+vehicle), B (nondiabetic+HAART), C (nondiabetic+HAART-AgNPs), D (diabetic+vehicle), E (diabetic+HAART), and F (diabetic+HAART-AgNPs). Morris water maze, Y-maze test, and weekly blood glucose levels were carried out. Following the last dose of 8-week treatment, the rats were anaesthetized and euthanized. Brain tissues were carefully removed and postfixed for Nissl staining histology.

RESULTS

1.5 M concentration of HAART-AgNPs showed nanoparticle size 20.3 nm with spherical shape. HAART-AgNPs revealed 16.89% of silver and other elemental components of HAART. The diabetic control rats showed a significant increase in blood glucose, reduced spatial learning, positive hippocampal Nissl-stained cells, and a significant decrease in GSH and SOD levels. However, administration of HAART-AgNPs to diabetic rats significantly reduced blood glucose level, improved spatial learning, biochemical indices, and enhanced memory compared to diabetic control. Interestingly, diabetic HAART-AgNP-treated rats showed a significantly improved memory, increased GSH, SOD, and number of positive Nissl-stained neurons compared to diabetic-treated HAART only.

CONCLUSION

Administration of HAART to diabetic rats aggravates the complications of diabetes and promotes neurotoxic effects on the experimental rats, while HAART-loaded silver nanoparticle (HAART-AgNP) alleviates diabetes-induced neurotoxicity.

Effect of High-Energy Milling on the Dissolution of Anti-HIV Drug Efavirenz in Different Solvents

The anti-HIV drug efavirenz (EFV) displays low and variable bioavailability because of its poor aqueous solubility. Ball milling is a simple and cost-effective alternative to traditional micronization to improve the solubility and dissolution rate of EFV. A multibody dynamics model was employed to optimize the milling process parameters, while the motion of the balls in the mill jar was monitored in operando. This led to a better understanding of the milling dynamics for efficient comminution and enhancement of EFV dissolution. The variability of results for different EFV batches was also considered. Depending on the EFV batch, there were intrinsic differences in how the milling affected the dissolution behavior and inhibition of HIV-1 infection. High-energy grinding is more effective on EFV materials containing an amorphous fraction; it helps to remove agglomeration and enhances dissolution. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) addition improves the dissolution by forming a hydrophilic layer on the EFV surface, thereby increasing the drug wettability. Polymorphism also affects the quality, dosage, and effectiveness of the drug. The mechanical stress effect and PVP addition on the EFV polymorphic transformation were monitored by X-ray powder diffraction, while the residual of ground EFV was collected after dissolution, analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, and provided insights into the morphological changes.

A Comprehensive Approach to Compatibility Testing Using Chromatographic, Thermal and Spectroscopic Techniques: Evaluation of Potential for a Monolayer Fixed-Dose Combination of 6-Mercaptopurine and Folic Acid

In this work, a systematical compatibility investigation of 6-mercaptopurine and folic acid, two commonly used medications in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, for the needs of a fixed-dose combination development strategy is shown. Various techniques and approaches, such as differential scanning calorimetry, isothermal stress testing, attenuated total reflectance–Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, dissolution medium stability and forced degradation studies, were used to elucidate the possible interactions from different aspects. The results predominantly point to the absence of physicochemical interactions between the examined substances in a variety of possible conditions. However, the forced degradation of the blend of substances and excipients in basic conditions showed a drastic degradation of 6-mercaptopurine, signifying that attention needs to be directed to the careful selection of the excipients for the formulation. To sum up, our findings indicate that a fixed-dose combination of 6-mercaptopurine and folic acid could be produced using one formulation blend, immensely simplifying its manufacture.