Exploring film forming ability and improving its bioadhesiveness by thiolation of mucilaginous polysaccharides from Cassia uniflora seeds for drug delivery application

The objectives of the present work were to explore film forming ability of mucilaginous polysaccharides obtained from Cassia uniflora seeds and improving its bioadhesive potential by thiolation for drug delivery and other applications. Thiolation was achieved by esterification reaction with thioglycolic acid. The modification was confirmed by performing and comparing its zeta potential, DSC, and spectrophotometric characterization by FTIR and NMR with unmodified mucilaginous polysaccharide. The modified mucilaginous polysaccharides FTIR spectra showed an additional absorption band at 2565 cm-1 and new shifts appeared in the 1H (δ 3.24 and at δ 3.44 ppm) and 13C NMR spectra's (21.56 ppm) confirming the esterification of mucilaginous polysaccharides. The prepared films of thiolated and unmodified mucilaginous polysaccharides were evaluated for various parameters like thickness, pH, and weight measurement, The film formulation had a thickness of 0.16 to 0.18 mm, pH in the range of 6.79 to 7.09 and weight uniformity 0.89 to 0.94 mg. The results reveal that the films based on thiolated material improved bioadhesive properties after thiolation. The SEM photographs revealed a smooth surface of film formulations. The diclofenac-loaded film of thiolated mucilaginous polysaccharide also showed >1.5-fold an increase in in-vitro drug release and exhibited non Fickian transport mechanism. These findings could increase the possible applications of chemically modified-thiolated mucilaginous polysaccharides of Cassia uniflora seeds in drug delivery.

Pharmacokinetics of vitamin dosage forms: A complete overview

Vitamins are crucial for sustaining life because they play an essential role in numerous physiological processes. Vitamin deficiencies can lead to a wide range of severe health issues. In this context, there is a need to administer vitamin supplements through appropriate routes, such as the oral route, to ensure effective treatment. Therefore, understanding the pharmacokinetics of vitamins provides critical insights into absorption, distribution, and metabolism, all of which are essential for achieving the desired pharmacological response. In this review paper, we present information on vitamin deficiencies and emphasize the significance of understanding vitamin pharmacokinetics for improved clinical research. The pharmacokinetics of several vitamins face various challenges, and thus, this work briefly outlines the current issues and their potential solutions. We also discuss the feasibility of enhanced nanocarrier-based pharmaceutical formulations for delivering vitamins. Recent studies have shown a preference for nanoformulations, which can address major limitations such as stability, solubility, absorption, and toxicity. Ultimately, the pharmacokinetics of pharmaceutical dosage forms containing vitamins can impede the treatment of diseases and disorders related to vitamin deficiency.

Surface decorated quantum dots: Synthesis, properties and role in herbal therapy

Quantum dots are the serendipitous outcome of materials research. It is the tiny carbonaceous nanoparticles with diameters ranging from 1 to 10 nm. This review is a brief discussion of the synthesis, properties, and biomedical applicability of quantum dots, especially in herbal therapy. As quantum dots are highly polar, they can be surface decorated with several kinds of polar functionalities, such as polymeric molecules, small functional molecules, and so on. The review also consists of the basic physical and optical properties of quantum dots and their excitation-dependent properties in the application section. We focus on therapeutics, where quantum dots are used as drugs or imaging probes. Nanoprobes for several diagnostics are quite new in the biomedical research domain. Quantum dot-based nanoprobes are in high demand due to their excellent fluorescence, non-bleaching nature, biocompatibility, anchoring feasibility for several analytes, and fast point-of-care sensibility. Lastly, we also included a discussion on quantum dot-based drug delivery as phytomedicine.

Verapamil hydrochloride loaded solid lipid nanoparticles: Preparation, optimization, characterisation, and assessment of cardioprotective effect in experimental model of myocardial infarcted rats

Verapamil, a calcium channel blocker has poor bioavailability (20-30%) owing to extensive hepatic first-pass metabolism. Hence, the major objective of this research was to improve the oral bioavailability of Verapamil by Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (V-SLNs) using high shear homogenization and ultrasonication technology. A 3² factorial design was employed to statistically optimize the formulation to get minimum particle size with maximum entrapment efficiency. The average particle size was 218 nm and the entrapment efficiency was 80.32%. The V-SLN formulation exhibited biphasic behavior with a rapid release at first, then a steady release (75-80%) up to 24 h following the Korsmeyer Peppas release model. In the Isoproterenol induced myocardial necrosis model, oral administration of V-SLNs positively modulated almost all the studied hemodynamic parameters such as left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, cardiac injury markers, and tissue architecture. The cardioprotective effect was also confirmed with histopathological studies. When compared with free drugs, in-vivo pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated a rise in t_1/2, AUC_0-∞, and Cmax, indicating that bioavailability has improved. These encouraging results demonstrate the promising potential of developed V-SLNs for oral delivery and thereby improve the therapeutic outcome.

Pullulan and Pluronic F-127 based in situ gel system for intranasal delivery: Development, in vitro and in vivo evaluation

The current work seeks to use Pullulan and Pluronic F-127 (PF-127), a new gel-forming material, for sildenafil citrate (SLC) intranasal delivery. The cold approach was used to develop an SLC-loaded in situ gel based on thermoreversible polymer PF-127 and mucoadhesive polymer Pullulan. In situ gel systems based on Pullulan responds intelligently to environmental stimuli like charge, pH, temperature, light, and redox. To achieve gelation at physiological temperature formulations were modified to have gelation temperatures lower than 34.1°C. Physical appearance and rheological measurements were used to calculate the temperature of gelation. With the addition of increasing quantities of Pullulan, the gelation temperatures fell (from 34.1°C for 8% w/v, 10% w/v, and 12% w/v 0.5% Pullulan). In the goat nasal mucosal membrane, Pullulan concentration increased the mucoadhesive force in terms of detachment stress. The results of drug permeation testing in vitro investigations over the goat nasal mucosa showed that utilizing an in situ gelling formulation with a Pullulan content of 0.5% or higher can greatly boost the effective penetration coefficient. The formulation was shown to be safe for the nasal mucosa after a histological investigation. Conclusively, Pullulan and PF-127 may be appropriate carriers for SLC intranasal administration.

Methotrexate-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carrier Gel Alleviates Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis by Moderating Inflammation: Formulation, Optimization, Characterization, In-Vitro and In-Vivo Studies

INTRODUCTION

Methotrexate exhibits poor cutaneous bioavailability and systemic side effects on topical administration, so there is an unmet need for a novel carrier and its optimized therapy. Methotrexate-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (MTXNLCs) were formulated and characterized to determine in vitro drug release and evaluate the role of MTXNLC gel in the topical treatment of psoriasis.

METHODS

A solvent diffusion technique was employed to prepare MTXNLCs, which was optimized using 32 full factorial designs. The mean diameter and surface morphology of MTXNLCs was evaluated. The crystallinity of lyophilized MTXNLCs was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). MTXNLCs were integrated in 1% w/w Carbopol 934 P gel base, and in vitro skin deposition studies in human cadaver skin (HCS) were carried out.

RESULTS

The optimized MTXNLCs were rod-shaped, with an average particle size of 253 ± 8.65 nm, a zeta potential of -26.4±0.86 mV, and EE of 54.00±1.49%. DSC and XRD data confirmed the formation of NLCs. Significantly higher deposition of MTX was found in HCS from MTXNLC gel (71.52 ±1.13%) as compared to MTX plain gel (38.48±0.96%). In vivo studies demonstrated significant improvement in therapeutic response and reduction in local side effects with MTXNLCs-loaded gel in the topical treatment of psoriasis. Anti-psoriatic efficacy of MTXNLCs 100 ug/cm2 compared with plain MTX gel was evaluated using imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis in BALB/c mice. The topical application of MTXNLCs to the mouse ear resulted in a significant reduction of psoriatic area and severity index, oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 and IMQ-induced histopathological alterations in mouse ear samples.

CONCLUSION

Developed formulation of MTXNLC gel demonstrated better anti-psoriatic activity and also displayed prolonged and sustained release effect, which shows that it can be a promising alternative to existing MTX formulation for the treatment of psoriasis.

Aripiprazole-Loaded Polymeric Micelles: Fabrication, Optimization and Evaluation using Response Surface Method

AIMS AND BACKGROUND

The fundamental objective of current study was to encapsulate Aripiprazole (ARP) within Pluronic F127 micelles to improve its aqueous solubility. The recent patents on Aripiprazole (JP2013136621) and micelles (WO2016004369A1) facilitated selection of drug and polymer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The drug-laden micelles were fabricated using thin-film hydration technique. Optimization of the micellar formulation was done by using response surface method (RSM). The Pluronic F127 concentration of 150 mg and 75 rpm rotational speed of rotary evaporator were found to be optimized conditions for formulating micelles.

RESULTS

The prepared batches were further characterized for PDI (polydispersity index), zeta potential, % DLC (% Drug loading content), % EE (% Entrapment Efficiency) and % drug release study; results of these parameters were found to be 0.228, -4.04 mV and 76.50 % and 18.56 % respectively. It was observed from the In vitro release study that 97.37 ± 1.81 % drug had released from micelles after 20h which were found about thrice as compared to that of pure drug. The optimized ARP micellar formulation was characterized using DSC (Differential Scanning Colorimetry), FT-IR (Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy), P-XRD (Powdered X-ray Diffraction Study) and TEM (Transmission Electronic Microscopy) studies. ARP-loaded micelles displayed a hydrodynamic diameter of 170.3 nm and a sphere-shaped morphology as determined by dynamic light scattering as well as TEM study.

CONCLUSION

It is concluded that the prepared polymeric micellar system has an excellent potential to be used as a delivery carrier for Aripiprazole with increased solubility.

Nasal inserts containing ondansetron hydrochloride based on Chitosan-gellan gum polyelectrolyte complex: In vitro-in vivo studies

The aim of this study was the production of ondansetron hydrochloride loaded lyophilized insert for nasal delivery. The nasal insert was prepared by the lyophilisation technique using Chitosan-gellan gum polyelectrolyte complex as the polymer matrix. The ondansetron loaded inserts were evaluated with respect to water uptake, bioadhesion, drug release kinetic study, ex vivo permeation study, and in vivo study. Lyophilised nasal inserts were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction study. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the porous sponge like structure of inserts whereas release kinetic model revealed that drug release followed non-fickian case II diffusion. The nasal delivery showed improved bioavailability as compared to oral delivery. In conclusion, the ondansetron containing nasal inserts based on Chitosan-gellan gum complex with potential muco-adhesive potential is suitable for nasal delivery.

Nanoemulsion-based intranasal drug delivery system of saquinavir mesylate for brain targeting

The central nervous system (CNS) is an immunological privileged sanctuary site-providing reservoir for HIV-1 virus. Current anti-HIV drugs, although effective in reducing plasma viral levels, cannot eradicate the virus completely from the body. The low permeability of anti-HIV drugs across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) leads to insufficient delivery. Therefore, developing a novel approaches enhancing the CNS delivery of anti-HIV drugs are required for the treatment of neuro-AIDS. The aim of this study was to develop intranasal nanoemulsion (NE) for enhanced bioavailability and CNS targeting of saquinavir mesylate (SQVM). SQVM is a protease inhibitor which is a poorly soluble drug widely used as antiretroviral drug, with oral bioavailability is about 4%. The spontaneous emulsification method was used to prepare drug-loaded o/w nanoemulsion, which was characterized by droplet size, zeta potential, pH, drug content. Moreover, ex-vivo permeation studies were performed using sheep nasal mucosa. The optimized NE showed a significant increase in drug permeation rate compared to the plain drug suspension (PDS). Cilia toxicity study on sheep nasal mucosa showed no significant adverse effect of SQVM-loaded NE. Results of in vivo biodistribution studies show higher drug concentration in brain after intranasal administration of NE than intravenous delivered PDS. The higher percentage of drug targeting efficiency (% DTE) and nose-to-brain drug direct transport percentage (% DTP) for optimized NE indicated effective CNS targeting of SQVM via intranasal route. Gamma scintigraphy imaging of the rat brain conclusively demonstrated transport of drug in the CNS at larger extent after intranasal administration as NE.

Thermally reversible xyloglucan gels as vehicles for nasal drug delivery

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential application of thermosensitive gels formed by a xyloglucan polysaccharide derived from tamarind seed for nasal drug delivery. Xyloglucan that had been partially degraded by β-galactosidase to eliminate 45% of galactose residues formed gels at concentrations of 2.5% w/w at gelation temperatures decreasing over the range 27-28°C. The in vitro release of ondansetron hydrochloride from the enzyme-degraded xyloglucan gels followed higuchi kinetics over a period of 5 h at 34°C by anomalous transport mechanism. The ex vivo permeation of ondansetron hydrochloride from the gels was sustained. Histological examination of nasal mucosa following a single administration of the gels showed no evidence of mucosal damage. Finally, the bioavailability study in rabbits revealed that the absolute bioavailability of ondansetron hydrochloride was significantly increased from 28.64% in the case of the oral drug solution to 52.79% in the case of the nasal in situ gel. The results of this study suggest the potential of the enzyme-degraded xyloglucan gels as vehicles for nasal delivery of drugs.

Thiolated xyloglucan: Synthesis, characterization and evaluation as mucoadhesive in situ gelling agent

The objective of present study was to enhance bioadhesive potential of xyloglucan by thiolation. Thiolation of xyloglucan was achieved with esterification with thioglycolic acid. Thiolated xyloglucan was characterized by NMR, DSC, and XRD analysis. Thiolated xyloglucan was determined to possess 4mmol of thiol groups/g of polymer by Ellman's method. Comparative evaluation of mucoadhesive property of ondansetron containing in situ gel system of xyloglucan and thiolated xyloglucan using sheep nasal mucosa revealed higher ex vivo bioadhesion time of thiolated xyloglucan as compared to xyloglucan. Improved mucoadhesive property of thiolated xyloglucan over the xyloglucan can be attributed to the formation of disulfide bond between mucus and thiolated xyloglucan. Ex vivo permeation study conducted using sheep nasal showed improved drug permeation in formulation based on thiolated xyloglucan. In conclusion, thiolation of xyloglucan improves its bioadhesion and drug permeation without affecting the resultant gel properties.

Enhanced Dissolution Rate of Glipizide by a Liquisolid Technique

This study aims to prepare immediate release glipizide liquisolid tablets using Avicel PH-102 and Aerosil 200 as the carrier and coating material respectively to increase dissolution rate of poorly soluble glipizide. This study also aims to evaluate treated Gellan gum as disintegrant in the preparation of liquisolid tablets. The solubility of glipizide was increased by use of liquisolid technique. The glipizide liquisolid tablets were evaluated for characteristics like drug content, friability, hardness, disintegration time, thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) study and dissolution rates. The dissolution patterns of glipizide liquisolid tablets, carried out according to USP paddle method, and were compared with their commercial counterparts. The results obtained shows that all glipizide liquisolid tablets exhibits higher dissolution rates than those of marketed glipizide tablets. Dissolution rates increases with increasing concentration of liquid vehicles and maximum drug release achieved by formulations containing Polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400) as a liquid vehicle. The results of XRD and thermal analysis did not show any changes in crystallinity of drug and interaction between glipizide and excipients during the formulation process. 

Formulation and evaluation of in situ gelling system of dimenhydrinate for nasal administration

Nasal drug delivery has a variety of advantages. Drugs can be rapidly absorbed through the nasal mucosa, giving rapid onset of action, and avoiding presystemic metabolism. In present study; the nasal mucoadhesive in situ gels of anti-emetic drug Dimenhydrinate were formulated using Gellan gum and Carbopol 934P. The in situ gels so prepared were characterized for gelation, viscosity, gel strength, mucoadhesion, drug content, drug diffusion, ex vivo permeation and histopathological studies. The optimized formulation passing from above tests was further subjected to accelerated stability study. It retained the good stability over the period of 90 days. From the overall performance this in situ gel seems to be an effective delivery system for the nasal route.

Formulation and evaluation of nasal mucoadhesive microspheres of sumatriptan succinate

The purpose of present research work was to develop mucoadhesive microspheres for nasal delivery with the aim to avoid hepatic first-pass metabolism, improve therapeutic efficacy and enhance residence time. For the treatment of migraine, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) K4M and K15M based microspheres containing sumatriptan succinate (SS) were prepared by spray-drying technique. The microspheres were evaluated with respect to the yield, particle size, incorporation efficiency, swelling property, in vitro mucoadhesion, in vitro drug release, histological study and stability. Microspheres were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction study. It was found that the particle size, swelling ability and incorporation efficiency of microspheres increases with increasing drug-to-polymer ratio. HPMC-based microspheres show adequate mucoadhesion and do not have any destructive effect on nasal mucosa. On the basis of these results, SS microspheres based on HPMC may be considered as a promising nasal delivery system.

Nasal administration of ondansetron using a novel microspheres delivery system

Gellan gum microspheres of ondansetron hydrochloride, for intranasal delivery, were prepared to avoid the first pass metabolism as an alternative therapy to parentral, and to improve therapeutic efficiency in treatment of nausea and vomiting. The microspheres were prepared using conventional spray-drying method. The microspheres were evaluated for characteristics like particle size, incorporation efficiency, swelling ability, zeta potential, in-vitro mucoadhesion, thermal analysis, XRD study and in-vitro drug release. Treatment of in-vitro data to different kinetic equations indicated diffusion controlled drug delivery from gellan gum microspheres. The results of DSC and XRD studies revealed molecular amorphous dispersion of ondansetron into the gellan gum microspheres.