Econazole Nitrate-Loaded MCM-41 for an Antifungal Topical Powder Formulation

Efficacy of 1% Clotrimazole Powder Monotherapy for Treating Tinea Cruris: A Comparative Randomized Study

INTRODUCTION

A rise in tinea cruris among Thai Naval Cadets has been observed. Clotrimazole powder has been shown to be effective as an adjunct treatment for tinea cruris; however, its efficacy as a monotherapy is limited.

OBJECTIVES

The aim is to determine the efficacy of 1% clotrimazole cream versus 1% clotrimazole powder in treating tinea cruris.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A randomized trial was conducted at the Thai Naval Rating School, Chonburi, Thailand. Naval rating cadets with suspected tinea cruris were randomly assigned to one of two groups: 1% clotrimazole cream or 1% clotrimazole powder, and they were instructed to apply the related medication to the affected lesion twice daily for 4 weeks. Clinical and symptomatic evaluations were carried out at 4 and 8 weeks.

RESULTS

All 17 and 14 participants who received 1% clotrimazole cream and powder, respectively, were included. After 4 weeks, the clinical cure rates were 76.5% in the cream group and 85.7% in the powder group (P = .664). All participants were clinically cured within 8 weeks. The self-evaluation of itch severity using a visual analog scale (VAS) revealed no significant difference between the two groups (P = .343). The dermatology quality of life index decreased as clinical improvement was achieved in both the clotrimazole cream and powder groups (6.0 vs. 7.5 score reductions, respectively; P = .765). The score for sweat reduction was higher in the 1% clotrimazole powder group compared to the cream group (5.0 vs. 4.0, respectively; P = .006).

CONCLUSION

Monotherapy with 1% clotrimazole powder showed comparable efficacy to 1% clotrimazole cream. Furthermore, the powder treatment reduced sweat more effectively compared to the cream.

The Use of Nanoneedles in Drug Delivery: an Overview of Recent Trends and Applications

Nanoneedles (NN) are growing rapidly as a means of navigating biological membranes and delivering therapeutics intracellularly. Nanoneedle arrays (NNA) are among the most potential resources to achieve therapeutic effects by administration of drugs through the skin. Although this is based on well-established approaches, its implementations are rapidly developing as an important pharmaceutical and biological research phenomenon. This study intends to provide a broad overview of current NNA research, with an emphasis on existing approaches, applications, and types of compounds released by these systems. A nanoneedle-based delivery device with great spatial and temporal accuracy, minimal interference, and low toxicity could transfer biomolecules into living organisms. Due to its vast potential, NN has been widely used as a capable transportation system of many therapeutic active substances, from cancer therapy, vaccine delivery, cosmetics, and bio-sensing nanocarrier drugs to genes. The use of nanoneedles for drug delivery offers new opportunities for the rapid, targeted, and exact administration of biomolecules into cell membranes for high-resolution research of biological systems, and it can treat a wide range of biological challenges. As a result, the literature has analyzed existing patents to emphasize the status of NNA in biological applications.

Fabrication, Characterization and Biomedical Evaluation of a Statistically Optimized Gelatin Scaffold Enriched with Co-Drugs Loaded into Controlled-Release Silica Nanoparticles

The current study focused on the fabrication of a well-designed, biocompatible, physically stable, non-irritating and highly porous gelatin scaffold loaded with controlled-release triamcinolone acetonide (TA) and econazole nitrate (EN) co-loaded into mesoporous silica nanoparticles (EN-TA-loaded MSNs) to provide a better long-lasting antifungal therapeutic effect with minimal unfavorable effects. Optimization of the MSNs-loaded scaffold was performed using central composite rotatable design (CCRD), where the effect of gelatin concentration (X1), plasticizer (X2) and freezing time (X3) on the entrapment of EN (Y1) and TA (Y2) and on the release of EN (Y3) and TA (Y4) from the scaffold were studied. The significant compatibility of all formulation ingredients with both drugs was established from XRD, DSC and FT-IR spectra analyses while SEM and zeta studies represented a very precise unvarying distribution of the loaded MSNs in the porous structure of the scaffold. The stability of the optimized scaffold was confirmed from zeta potential analysis (-16.20 mV), and it exhibited higher entrapment efficiency (94%) and the slower (34%) release of both drugs. During in vitro and in vivo antifungal studies against Candida albicans, the MSNs-loaded scaffold was comparatively superior in the eradication of fungal infections as a greater zone of inhibition was observed for the optimized scaffold (16.91 mm) as compared to the pure drugs suspension (14.10 mm). Similarly, the MSNs-loaded scaffold showed a decreased cytotoxicity because the cell survival rate in the scaffold presence was 89% while the cell survival rate was 85% in the case of the pure drugs, and the MSNs-loaded scaffold did not indicate any grade of erythema on the skin in comparison to the pure medicinal agents. Conclusively, the scaffold-loaded nanoparticles containing the combined therapy appear to possess a strong prospective for enhancing patients' adherence and therapy tolerance by yielding improved synergistic antifungal efficacy at a low dose with abridged toxicity and augmented wound-healing impact.

Milling-Assisted Loading of Drugs into Mesoporous Silica Carriers: A Green and Simple Method for Obtaining Tunable Customized Drug Delivery

Mesoporous silica (MPS) carriers are considered as a promising strategy to increase the solubility of poorly soluble drugs and to stabilize the amorphous drug delivery system. The development by the authors of a solvent-free method (milling-assisted loading, MAL) made it possible to manipulate the physical state of the drug within the pores. The present study focuses on the effects of the milling intensity and the pore architecture (chemical surface) on the physical state of the confined drug and its release profile. Ibuprofen (IBP) and SBA-15 were used as the model drug and the MPS carrier, respectively. It was found that decreasing the milling intensity promotes nanocrystallization of confined IBP. Scanning electron microscopy and low-frequency Raman spectroscopy investigations converged into a bimodal description of the size distribution of particles, by decreasing the milling intensity. The chemical modification of the pore surface with 3-aminopropyltriethoxisylane also significantly promoted nanocrystallization, regardless of the milling intensity. Combined analyses of drug release profiles obtained on composites prepared from unmodified and modified SBA-15 with various milling intensities showed that the particle size of composites has the greatest influence on the drug release profile. Tuning drug concentration, milling intensity, and chemical surface make it possible to easily customize drug delivery.

Nanoplatforms for Irinotecan Delivery Based on Mesoporous Silica Modified with a Natural Polysaccharide

Natural compounds are an important source of beneficial components that could be used in cancer therapy along with well-known cytostatic agents to enhance the therapeutic effect while targeting tumoral tissues. Therefore, nanoplatforms containing mesoporous silica and a natural polysaccharide, ulvan, extracted from Ulva Lactuca seaweed, were developed for irinotecan. Either mesoporous silica-ulvan nanoplatforms or irinotecan-loaded materials were structurally and morphologically characterized. In vitro drug release experiments in phosphate buffer solution with a pH of 7.6 emphasized the complete recovery of irinotecan in 8 h. Slower kinetics were obtained for the nanoplatforms with a higher amount of natural polysaccharide. Ulvan extract proved to be biocompatible up to 2 mg/mL on fibroblasts L929 cell line. The irinotecan-loaded nanoplatforms exhibited better anticancer activity than that of the drug alone on human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (HT-29), reducing their viability to 60% after 24 h. Moreover, the cell cycle analysis proved that the irinotecan loading onto developed nanoplatforms caused an increase in the cell number trapped at G0/G1 phase and influenced the development of the tumoral cells.

Enhanced Antifungal and Wound Healing Efficacy of Statistically Optimized, Physicochemically Evaluated Econazole-Triamcinolone Loaded Silica Nanoparticles

Co-encapsulated econazole nitrate-triamcinolone acetonide loaded biocompatible, physically stable, and non-irritating mesoporous silica nanoparticles (EN-TA–loaded MSNs) were prepared and optimized by using a central composite rotatable design (CCRD) for providing better therapeutic efficacy against commonly prevailed resistant fungal infections. These drugs loaded MSNs can significantly overcome the deficiencies and problems like short duration of action, requirement of frequent administration, erythema, and burning sensation and irritation associated with conventional drug delivery systems. The stability of optimized drugs loaded MSNs prepared with 100 gm of oil at pH 5.6 with a stirring time of 2 h was confirmed from a zeta potential value of −25 mV. The remarkable compatibility of formulation ingredients was depicted by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and size analysis represented a very fine size distribution of nanoparticles ranging from 450–600 nm. The CCRD clearly predicted that the optimized parameters of drugs loaded MSNs have better values of percentage yield (85%), EN release (68%), and TA release (70%). Compared to pure drugs, the decreased cytotoxicity of EN-TA–loaded MSNs was quite evident because they showed a cell survival rate of 90%, while in the case of pure drugs, the survival rate was 85%. During in vivo antifungal testing against Candida albicans performed on three different groups, each consisting of six rabbits, the EN-TA–loaded MSNs were relatively superior in eradicating the fungal infection as a single animal exhibited a positive culture test. Rapid recovery of fungal infection and a better therapeutic effect of EN-TA–loaded MSN were quite evident in wound healing and histopathology studies. Likewise, on the 14th day, a larger inhibitory zone was measured for optimized nanoparticles (15.90 mm) compared to the suspension of pure drugs (13.90 mm). In skin irritation studies, MSNs did not show a grade of erythema compared to pure drugs, which showed a four-fold grade of erythema. As a result, MSNs loaded with combination therapy seem to have the potential of improving patient compliance and tolerability by providing enhanced synergistic antifungal effectiveness at a reduced dose with accelerated wound healing and reduced toxicity of therapeutics.

Preparation, characterizations and in vitro evaluation of Econazole-Btamethasone loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs)

Tremendous increase of fungal infections in hospitalized or immune compromised patients has been reported from the last two decades. These infections are commonly treated using econazole and miconazole that have shorter half-life and produce severe side effects. All such issues can be addressed using targeted drug delivery. We developed SNLs based formulation for the treatment of mycosis. The high pressure homogenization method was employed for formulation followed by characterization, assay for antifungal activity, in vitro drug release and ex vivo permeation. The particle size of Econazole-Betamethasone-loaded SLNs, Econazole-loaded SLNs, Betamethasone-loaded SLNs and Blank SLNs were 377.4±23 nm, 298.7±9 nm, 177.7±15 nm and 113.4±6 nm respectively. The SEM images displayed that droplets are uniform and spherical in shape which ranged from 113.4±6 to 377.4±23 nm. In DSC, the SLNs formulation showed endothermic peak at 185.2 °C±0.9. Drug content of Econazole loaded SLNs was 82±0.1 and its entrapment efficiency was approximately 90.4±0.2. Betamethasone SLNs displayed highest drug content which was 83.5±0.4 while encapsulation efficiency of same formulation was 94.2±0.4. The Econazole and Betamethasone combined SLNs exhibited drug content of 80±0.3 while its encapsulation efficiency was 93.1±0.5. E-SLNs have significantly high drug release (p <  0.05) as compared to other formulation B-SLNs and EB-SLNs.The Econazole loaded formulations displayed antifungal activity with no synergistic or antagonistic effect with each other. Drug permeation from Econazole SLNs, Betamethasone SLNs and combined Econazole and Betamethasone SLNs was 45%, 40% and 38% respectively. Overall, SLN’s are an effective carrier for topical delivery of antifungals agents and that may be helpful in bypassing the serious side effects associated with oral delivery.

Tacrolimus encapsulated mesoporous silica nanoparticles embedded hydrogel for the treatment of atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a repetitive inflammatory skin disorder with limited treatment options. Innovative targeted therapies are gaining significant interest and momentum towards disease control including better ways to deliver drugs topically. Tacrolimus is one such compound which is used to manage moderate to severe AD without causing atrophy which is one of the common side effects of steroids. However, Tacrolimus suffers from poor solubility and retention in the skin when used alone in hydrogel. Therefore, we have prepared Tacrolimus loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (TMSNs) to overcome the issues related to its solubility and effective topical delivery. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were synthesized using sol gel technique and surface functionalized using amino (-NH₂⁺) and phosphonate (-PO₃^-) groups. Tacrolimus was loaded into MSNs and the particles were characterized for particle size (TEM and DLS), zeta potential (DLS), solubility studies, FTIR, TGA, XRD, BET and cytotoxicity studies. Water solubility of Tacrolimus was increased by 7 folds with phosphonate functionalized MSNs compared to free Tacrolimus. Further the TMSNs were incorporated in to carbopol gel, and the gel formulation was evaluated for various gel characterization tests (pH, spreadability, viscosity), in vitro tests (drug release, permeability studies) and in vivo tests (skin irritation study and efficacy studies) using 1-Fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNFB) induced dermatitis in Balb/c mice. Results of in vitro and in vivo study showed that TMSNs loaded gel showed significantly higher amount of Tacrolimus retained (ex vivo - rat skin) and much higher reduction in ear thickness and improved histology (in vivo - in mice). Our data collectively suggest that MSNs incorporated hydrogel as a promising new formulation strategy for topical delivery of poorly soluble drugs.

Mesoporous Silica Particles as Drug Delivery Systems-The State of the Art in Loading Methods and the Recent Progress in Analytical Techniques for Monitoring These Processes

Conventional administration of drugs is limited by poor water solubility, low permeability, and mediocre targeting. Safe and effective delivery of drugs and therapeutic agents remains a challenge, especially for complex therapies, such as cancer treatment, pain management, heart failure medication, among several others. Thus, delivery systems designed to improve the pharmacokinetics of loaded molecules, and allowing controlled release and target specific delivery, have received considerable attention in recent years. The last two decades have seen a growing interest among scientists and the pharmaceutical industry in mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) as drug delivery systems (DDS). This interest is due to the unique physicochemical properties, including high loading capacity, excellent biocompatibility, and easy functionalization. In this review, we discuss the current state of the art related to the preparation of drug-loaded MSNs and their analysis, focusing on the newest advancements, and highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of different methods. Finally, we provide a concise outlook for the remaining challenges in the field.

Silica-based nanosystems for therapeutic applications in the skin

Aging, exposure to oxidants, infectious pathogens, inflammogens, ultraviolet radiation and other environmental and genetic factors can result in the development of various skin disorders. Despite immense progress being made in dermatological treatments, many skin-associated problems still remain difficult to treat and various therapies have limitations. Progress in silica-based nanomaterials research provides an opportunity to overcome these drawbacks and improve therapies and is a promising tool for inclusion in clinical practice to treat skin diseases. This review focuses on the use of various types of silica nanoparticles with therapeutic applications in various skin disorders. These nanosystems improve treatment efficacy by maintaining or enhancing the effect of several drugs and are useful tools for nanomedicine, pharmaceutical sciences and future clinical applications.

Mesoporous silica materials: From physico-chemical properties to enhanced dissolution of poorly water-soluble drugs

New approaches in pharmaceutical chemistry have resulted in more complex drug molecules in the quest to achieve higher affinity to their targets. However, these 'highly active' drugs can also suffer from poor water solubility. Hence, poorly water soluble drugs became a major challenge in drug formulation, and this problem is increasing, as currently about 40 of the marketed drugs and 90% of drug candidates are classified as poorly water soluble. Various approaches exist to circumvent poor water solubility and poor dissolution rate in aqueous environment, however, each having disadvantages and certain limitations. Recently, mesoporous silica materials (MSMs) have been proposed to be used as matrices for enhancing the apparent solubility and dissolution rate of different drug molecules. MSMs are ideal candidates for this purpose, as silica is a "generally regarded as safe" (GRAS) material, is biodegradable, and can be readily surface-modified in order to optimize drug loading and subsequent release in the human body. The major advantage of mesoporous silica as drug delivery systems (DDSs) for poorly water soluble drugs lies in their pore size, pore morphology, and versatility in alteration of the surface groups, which can result in optimized interactions between a drug candidate and MSM carrier by modifying the pore surfaces. Furthermore, the drug of interest can be loaded into these pores in a preferably amorphous state, which can increase the drug dissolution properties dramatically. The highlights of this review include a critical discussion about the modification of the physico-chemical properties of MSMs and how these physico-chemical modifications influence the drug loading and the subsequent dissolution of poorly water soluble drugs. It aims to further promote the use of MSMs as alternative strategy to common methods like solubility enhancement by cyclodextrins, micronization, or microemulsion techniques. This review can provide guidance on how to tailor MSMs to achieve optimized drug loading and drug dissolution.

Porous Inorganic Drug Delivery Systems-a Review

Innovative methods and materials have been developed to overcome limitations associated with current drug delivery systems. Significant developments have led to the use of a variety of materials (as excipients) such as inorganic and metallic structures, marking a transition from conventional polymers. Inorganic materials, especially those possessing significant porosity, are emerging as good candidates for the delivery of a range of drugs (antibiotics, anticancer and anti-inflammatories), providing several advantages in formulation and engineering (encapsulation of drug in amorphous form, controlled delivery and improved targeting). This review focuses on key selected developments in porous drug delivery systems. The review provides a short broad overview of porous polymeric materials for drug delivery before focusing on porous inorganic materials (e.g. Santa Barbara Amorphous (SBA) and Mobil Composition of Matter (MCM)) and their utilisation in drug dosage form development. Methods for their preparation and drug loading thereafter are detailed. Several examples of porous inorganic materials, drugs used and outcomes are discussed providing the reader with an understanding of advances in the field and realistic opportunities.

Enhanced antifungal efficacy of tebuconazole using gated pH-driven mesoporous nanoparticles

pH-sensitive gated mesoporous silica nanoparticles have been synthesized. Increased extracellular pH and internalization into living yeast cells triggered molecular gate aperture and cargo release. Proper performance of the system was demonstrated with nanodevices loaded with fluorescein or with the antifungal agent tebuconazole. Interestingly, nanodevices loaded with tebuconazole significantly enhanced tebuconazole cytotoxicity. As alterations of acidic external pH are a key parameter in the onset of fungal vaginitis, this nanodevice could improve the treatment for vaginal mycoses.

Comprehensive review on additives of topical dosage forms for drug delivery

Skin is the largest organ of the human body and plays the most important role in protecting against pathogen and foreign matter. Three important modes such as topical, regional and transdermal are widely used for delivery of various dosage forms. Among these modes, the topical dosage forms are preferred because it provides local therapeutic activity when applied to the skin or mucous membranes. Additives or pharmaceutical excipients (non-drug component of dosage form) are used as inactive ingredients in dosage form or tools for structuring dosage forms. The main use of topical dosage form additives are controling the extent of absorption, maintaining the viscosity, improving the stability as well as organoleptic property and increasing the bulk of the formulation. The overall goal of this article is to provide the clinician with information related to the topical dosage form additives and their current major applications against various diseases.

Use of SBA-15 for furosemide oral delivery enhancement

The objective of this research was to realize a new oral solid dosage form in order to improve the release of furosemide (FURO) in its preferential absorption region. In fact FURO is a drug labeled in class IV of the Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS) characterized by low and variable bioavailability due to both low solubility and low permeability and because of its weakly acid nature is preferentially absorbed in the stomach whereas its solubility is hampered. FURO was included in the mesoporous silica material SBA-15 obtaining an inorganic-organic compound fully characterized by: thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and nitrogen adsorption-desorption analysis and then submitted to in vitro dissolution. The results showed a remarkable dissolution rate improvement in comparison to the crystalline drug and to the marketed product Lasix®. The inclusion product was also submitted to physical stability studies that revealed the matrix ability to prevent re-organization in crystal nucleus of the drug molecules.