Resolving acne with optimized adapalene microspongeal gel, in vivo and clinical evaluations

In our pursuit of enhancing acne treatment while minimizing side effects, we developed tailored Adapalene microsponges (MS) optimized using a Box-Behnken design 33. The independent variables, Eudragit RS100 percentage in the polymer mixture, organic phase volume, and drug to polymer percentage, were explored. The optimized formulation exhibited remarkable characteristics, with a 98.3% ± 1.6 production yield, 97.3% ± 1.64 entrapment efficiency, and a particle size of 31.8 ± 1.1 µm. Notably, it achieved a 24 h cumulative drug release of 75.1% ± 1.4. To delve deeper into its efficacy, we evaluated the optimized microspongeal-gel in vitro, in vivo, and clinically. It demonstrated impressive retention in the pilosebaceous unit, a target for acne treatment. Comparative studies between our optimized Adapalene microspongeal gel and marketed Adapalene revealed superior performance. In vivo studies on Propionibacterium acnes-infected mice ears showed a remarkable 97% reduction in ear thickness, accompanied by a significant decrease in inflammatory signs and NF-κB levels, as confirmed by histopathological and histochemical examination. Moreover, in preliminary clinical evaluation, it demonstrated outstanding effectiveness in reducing comedonal lesions while causing fewer irritations. This not only indicates its potential for clinical application but also underscores its ability to enhance patient satisfaction, paving the way for future commercialization.

Tackling acne vulgaris by fabrication of tazarotene-loaded essential oil-based microemulsion: In vitro and in vivo evaluation

This study aimed to formulate and optimize an anti-acne drug namely tazarotene (TZR) in essential oil-based microemulsion (ME) using either Jasmine oil (Jas) or Jojoba oil (Joj). TZR-MEs were prepared using two experimental designs (Simplex Lattice Design®) and characterized for droplet size, polydispersity index, and viscosity. Further in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo investigations were performed for the selected formulations. Results revealed that TZR-selected MEs exhibited suitable droplet size, homogenous dispersions, and acceptable viscosity, in addition to spherical-shaped particles in morphology. The ex vivo skin deposition study showed a significant TZR accumulation in all skin layers for the Jas-selected ME over the Joj one. Further, TZR didn't show any antimicrobial activity against P. acnes, however, it was boosted when it was incorporated into the selected MEs. The in vivo study results of the infected mice ears induced by P. acnes revealed that our selected MEs successfully reached a high level of ear thickness reduction of 67.1% and 47.4% for Jas and Joj selected MEs, respectively, versus only 4% for the market product. Finally, the findings confirmed the ability to use essential oil-based ME, particularly with Jas, as a promising carrier for topical TZR delivery in the treatment of acne vulgaris.

Screening of Adapalene Microsponges Fabrication Parameters with Insight on the In vitro Biological Effectiveness

PURPOSE

The objective of the present study was to scrutinize the microsponges (MS) as a carrier system using Adapalene (ADA) as a model drug.

METHODS

Data modelling was implemented using Plackett-Burman design to identify the main variables affecting the formulation of ADA-MS. The adopted method of preparation for MS was quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion method. The nominated independent variables were volume of organic phase, sonication time, stirring speed, drug percent, polymer type, emulsifier concentration, and method of organic phase addition. As for the dependent variables, they included entrapment efficiency (E.E.%), production yield (P.Y.%), particle size (P.S.) and morphology. Furthermore, selected ADA loaded microsponges (ADA-MS) were in vitro assayed for their biological activities via cytotoxicity, UVA irradiation and cell viability, and antimicrobial activity.

RESULTS

The study indicated that the drug percent, polymer type and surfactant concentration have the key significant effect on E.E.% and P.Y.%, while, the drug percent, stirring speed and volume of organic phase have had a significant effect on P.S. and their morphology. Furthermore, ADA-MS had a momentous cytotoxic effect on A431 and M10 cell-lines with exceptional enrichment when the polymer Eudragit RS100 was used. Also, the ADA-MS increased the cell viability after UVA irradiation on HFB-4 cell-line by 14% to 43%, especially when using Ethyl Cellulose as a polymer. Lastly, the antimicrobial activity of ADA against Propionibacterium acnes was boosted when incorporated into MS.

CONCLUSION

The Plackett-Burman design proved its impact in discerning preparation variables affecting the quality of ADA-MS formulation, with heightening of the in vitro biological activities of ADA. Thus, MS was presumed to be an auspicious carrier system for ADA.

Assessment of antifungal efficacy of itraconazole loaded aspasomal cream: comparative clinical study

Topical conveyance of antifungal agents like itraconazole ITZ has been giving good grounds for expecting felicitous antifungal medicines. The defiance of topical delivery of this poorly water soluble and high-molecular-weight drug, however, mightily entail an adequate vehiculation. ITZ aspasomes, newer antioxidant generation of liposomes, have been designed and enclosed in a cream to ameliorate skin deposition. The proposed creams containing non-formulated ITZ or encapsulated in aspasomes (0.1% or 0.5%) were topically applied in patients with diagnosed diaper dermatitis complicated by candidiasis, tinea corporis (TC), and tinea versicolor (TVC). Placebos (void aspasomal cream and cream base) were also utilized. The obtained results for diaper rash revealed that aspasomal cream (0.5% ITZ) was eminent with respect to complete cure and negative candida culture after 10-day therapy relative to counterparts containing 0.1% ITZ aspasomes or non-formulated ITZ (0.1% and 0.5%). For tinea, the same trend was manifested in terms of ‘cleared’ clinical response in 90% of patients and absence of fungal elements after 4-week treatment. Relative to non-formulated ITZ, ITZ aspasomal cream was endorsed to be auspicious especially when ITZ concentration was lowered to half commercially available cream concentration (1%), pushing further exploitation in other dermal fungal infections.

Efficacy of pomegranate extract loaded solid lipid nanoparticles transdermal emulgel against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma

The purpose of this work was to incorporate an optimized pomegranate extract loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (PE-SLNs) formula in a transdermal emulgel to evaluate its anticancer effect. The prepared emulgel formulae were evaluated for their physicochemical properties. An ex vivo permeation study was done through mouse skin and the kinetic parameters were determined. Kinetic data showed that the ex vivo permeation of PE from SLNs transdermal emulgel through mouse skin followed non-Fickian diffusion transport. Further, in vivo study was done by applying the optimized PE-SLNs transdermal emulgel on mice skin bearing a solid form of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) as well as free PE, control, placebo, and standard groups for comparison. In addition, histopathological examinations of the samples obtained from the EAC mice model were performed. The results proved that application of the selected PE-SLNs emulgel formulation on the mice skin bearing solid tumor revealed statistically significant anticancer effects.

Management of recurrent aphthous ulcers exploiting polymer-based Muco-adhesive sponges: in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation

Recurrent aphthous ulcer (RAU) is a well-known painful, inflammatory disease with uncertain etiology for which local symptomatic therapy is only available. The aim of this study was to formulate and characterize muco-adhesive sponges containing a mixture of tenoxicam and miconazole nitrate to manage pain, inflammation and avoid candida infection that may accompany RAU due to poor oral hygiene. Two polymers at different concentrations were used to prepare sponges applying simple freeze-drying. Medicated chitosan (2%) sponges (mC2) showed acceptable physical appearance, surface pH (6.3 ± 0.042), porosity (25.7% ± 1.8), swelling index (5.7 ± 0.11), in-vivo and ex-vivo muco-adhesion time (115 min.±0.813 and 155 min.±1.537, respectively), ex-vivo muco-adhesion force (0.09 N ± 0.002) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. For concurrent clear-cut determination of tenoxicam and miconazole nitrate from mC2, a new UPLC method was developed and validated. mC2 sponges exhibited superior in-vitro drug release profiles where ∼100% of tenoxicam released within 5 min for fast pain relief with a more prolonged miconazole nitrate release. Furthermore, in-vivo animal study revealed that mC2 caused a significant decrease in the acetic acid-induced ulcer size in rats after 6 days of treatment (p < .0001) compared to negative and positive controls. Additionally, histopathological examination showed faster healing with complete restoration of the normal oral histology in rats. The present study concludes that chitosan sponge loaded with a combination of tenoxicam and miconazole nitrate could improve healing of RAU cases.

Clinical comparative study of optimized metronidazole loaded lipid nanocarrier vaginal emulgel for management of bacterial vaginosis and its recurrence

The main focus of the current work was to design, evaluate and clinically compare the efficiency of novel metronidazole (MTD) loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) vaginal emulgel with the marketed vaginal gel (Metron^®) against Bacterial vaginosis (BV). Eight formulations were fabricated using 2³ full factorial design and prepared by stearic acid and tween 80 as solid lipid and surfactant, respectively. Lipid and surfactant concentrations in addition to sonication amplitude were chosen as the independent variables (X₁–X₃). Then, the prepared MTD loaded SLNs were evaluated based on the dependent variables which were particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, and cumulative % drug release for 24 h (Y₁–Y₅). The in vitro release study exhibited a sustained release of MTD from the SLNs up to 24 h. The optimal MTD loaded SLNs showed nanosized particles (256 nm) with EE% (52%), and an acceptable ZP value (−29.5 mV). Also, the optimized MTD-SLNs formulation was incorporated into Carbopol emulgel and investigated clinically for its effect against BV. Clinical studies recorded significant enhancement in therapeutic response of MTD from optimized SLNs vaginal emulgel formulation regarding the clinical treatment (p < .05) and low recurrence rate (p < .001) against the marketed product. In conclusion, our findings recommend that the fabricated MTD loaded SLNs vaginal emulgel have significant therapeutic effect in terms of BV management over commercially obtainable marketed vaginal gel (Metron^®).

Augmented cytotoxicity using the physical adsorption of Poloxamer 188 on allicin-loaded gelatin nanoparticles

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this work was to study the effect of the physically adsorbed Poloxamer 188 coating polymer on the cytotoxic activity of allicin-loaded gelatin nanoparticles.

METHODS

The double desolvation method was utilised to prepare the nanoparticles which were characterised for particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PDI) and zeta potential and visualised using transmission electron microscopy. The coating density of the used polymer was determined using 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR); 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity on HepG-2 cell lines.

KEY FINDINGS

The particles were spherical possessing a PS of 714 ± 25.21 nm and a PDI of 0.663 ± 0.143. These results together with the 1H-NMR results analysis confirmed the efficient coating of Poloxamer 188. The coating of particles rendered them more cytotoxic, scoring an IC50 of 6.736 µm (2-folds lower than the uncoated counter parts and 4-folds lesser than the allicin solution), and apt for cancer-targeting. Moreover, the prepared nanoparticles were stable to gamma-sterilisation and to a storage of 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Augmented cytotoxicity on HepG-2 cell lines was obtained using the physical adsorption of an abundant and relatively cheap material, Poloxamer 188, on allicin-loaded gelatin nanoparticles.

Enhanced Allicin Cytotoxicity on HEPG-2 Cells Using Glycyrrhetinic Acid Surface-Decorated Gelatin Nanoparticles

The cytotoxic potential of allicin was evaluated on different cancer cell lines, particularly, hepatic (HepG-2), breast (MCF-7), lung (A-549), and prostatic (PC-3), where allicin scored an IC₅₀ score of 19.26 μM on HepG-2. In order to increase the cell uptake, optimized allicin-loaded gelatin nanoparticles (GNPs) were prepared where the optimum formulation was surface-conjugated to glycyrrhetinic acid. GNPs were optimized using a D-optimal design. The optimum formulation had a particle size of 370.7 ± 6.78 nm and polydispersity index of 0.0363 ± 0.009 and 39.13 ± 2.38% of drug entrapment. The conjugation of the ligand, glycyrrhetinic acid with allicin-loaded GNPs, was confirmed utilizing ¹H NMR. Drug release profiles in the presence/absence of collagenase were obtained. Finally, a cytotoxicity study on HepG-2 was performed for the unconjugated and conjugated allicin-loaded GNPs scoring IC₅₀ of 10.95 and 5.046 μM, revealing two- and fourfold enhancements in allicin cytotoxicity, respectively. To our knowledge, the ligand-carrier pair, glycyrrhetinic acid-gelatin, was not explored before, and the developed system poses a successful liver cancer therapy.

Pomegranate extract-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles: design, optimization, and in vitro cytotoxicity study

Background

Pomegranate extract (PE) is a natural product with potent antioxidant and anticancer activity because of its polyphenols content. The main purpose of this study was to maximize the PE chemotherapeutic efficacy by loading it in an optimized solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) formula.

Materials and methods

The influence of independent variables, which were lipid concentration (X₁), surfactant concentration (X₂) and cosurfactant concentration (X₃), on dependent ones, which were particle size (Y₁), polydispersity index (Y₂), zeta potential (Y₃), entrapment efficiency (Y₄) and cumulative % drug release (Y₅), were studied and optimized using the Box–Behnken design. Fifteen formulations of PE-SLNs were prepared using hot homogenization followed by ultra-sonication technique. Response surface plots, Pareto charts and mathematical equations were produced to study the impact of independent variables on the dependent quality parameters. The anti-proliferative activity of the optimized formula was then evaluated in three different cancer cell lines, namely, MCF-7, PC-3 and HepG-2, in addition to one normal cell line, HFB-4.

Results

The results demonstrated that the particle sizes ranged from 407.5 to 651.9 nm and the entrapment efficiencies ranged from 56.02 to 65.23%. Interestingly, the 50% inhibitory concentration of the optimized formula had more than a 40-fold improved effect on the cell growth inhibition in comparison with its free counterpart. Furthermore, it was more selective against cancer cells than normal cells particularly in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Conclusion

These data proved that nanoencapsulation of PE enhanced its anticancer efficacy. Therefore, our results suggested that a PE-loaded SLNs optimized-formula could be a promising chemo therapeutic agent.

Anti-tumor efficacy of an integrated methyl dihydrojasmonate transdermal microemulsion system targeting breast cancer cells: In vitro and in vivo studies

Targeting solid tumors transdermally is an emerging approach that is currently under intense investigation. In this context, microemulsions are reported as one of the most favored carriers for successful transdermal drug delivery. Thereby, these nano-carriers were utilized in this study for the delivery of a phytochemical, namely methyl dihydrojasmonate (MDHJ), which has previously demonstrated an anticancer effect. Accordingly, pseudoternary phase diagrams were constructed using several combinations of oils, surfactants and co-surfactants and following the water titration method. Two systems were selected and an experimental design (Simplex Lattice Mixture Design) was utilized to select formulations for further investigation through an ex vivo permeation study through mouse skin. Transdermal fluxes were determined reaching a value of 0.07μlcm^-2h^-1. Cytotoxicity studies were carried out where the selected superlative formulation was further investigated on MCF-7 cell lines and scored an IC₅₀ of 42.2μl/ml (equivalent to 8.3μl/ml drug). Further, in vivo investigations were performed using Ehlirch solid carcinoma and histopathological examination of the tumor cells evaluating the tumor volume differences, tumor inhibition percentages and the necrotic effect of the formulation compared to control, placebo and pure drug. The obtained results showed significant anticancer effects of the selected formulation when applied on the tumor bearing mice skin.