Ketoprofen-liposomes formulation for clinical therapy

Chitosan Soft Matter Vesicles Loaded with Acetaminophen as Promising Systems for Modified Drug Release

Our study was designed to acquire, characterize and evaluate the biocompatibility of novel lipid vesicles loaded with acetaminophen (APAP) and coated with chitosan (CS). We investigated the in vitro and in vivo drug release kinetics from these systems, and we conducted assessments for both in vitro hemocompatibility and in vivo biocompatibility. For the in vivo biocompatibility evaluation, the mice were randomly divided into four groups of six animals and were treated orally as follows: control group: 0.1 mL/10 g body weight of double-distilled water; CS group: 0.1 mL/10 g body weight 1% CS solution; APAP group: 150 mg/kg body weight APAP; APAP-v group: 150 mg/kg body weight APAP-loaded lipid vesicles. The impact of APAP-v on various hematological, biochemical, and immune parameters in mice were assessed, and the harvested tissues were subjected to histopathological examination. The innovative formulations effectively encapsulating APAP within soft vesicles exhibited reasonable stability in solution and prolonged drug release in both in vitro and in vivo studies. The in vitro hemolysis test involving APAP-loaded vesicles revealed no signs of damage to red blood cells. The mice treated with APAP-v showed neither significant variances in hematological, biochemical, and immune parameters, nor structural changes in the examined organ samples, compared to the control group. APAP-v administration led to prolonged drug release. We can conclude that the APAP-v are innovative carrier systems for modifying drug release, making them promising candidates for biomedical applications.

Biocompatible phospholipid-based nanovesicular drug delivery system of ketoprofen: Systematic development, optimization, and preclinical evaluation

The present work involved development of phospholipid-based permeation enhancing nanovesicles (PENVs) for topical delivery of ketoprofen. Screening of phospholipids and process parameters was performed. Central composite design was used for optimization of factors, that is, amount (%, w/w) of phospholipid and ethanol at three levels. The optimized nanovesicles (NVs) were loaded with different terpenes and then incorporated into a gel base. Optimized NVs exhibited 69% entrapment efficiency, 51% transmittance, 328 nm mean vesicle size, and polydispersity index of 0.25. In vitro release kinetics evaluation indicated best fitting as per Korsemeyer-Peppa's model and drug release via Fickian-diffusion mechanism. The optimized NVs loaded with mint terpene showed minimal degree of deformability and maximal elasticity as compared with the conventional NVs and liposomes. Rheology and texture analysis indicated pseudoplastic flow and smooth texture of the vesicle gel formulation. Ex vivo permeation studies across Wistar rat skin indicated low penetration (0.43-fold decrease) and high skin retention (4.26-fold increase) of ketoprofen from the optimized PENVs gel vis-à-vis the conventional gel. Skin irritancy study indicated lower scores for PENVs gel construing its biocompatible nature. Stability studies confirmed cold storage is best suitable for vesicle gel, and optimized PENVs were found to be suitable for topical delivery of ketoprofen.

Bioactive Collagen Hydrolysate-Chitosan/Essential Oil Electrospun Nanofibers Designed for Medical Wound Dressings

In this study, lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) and dill (Anethum graveolens L.) essential oils (EOs) were encapsulated into collagen hydrolysates extracted from bovine tendons and rabbit skins, both mixed with chitosan (CS) by using the coaxial electrospinning technique for potential wound dressing applications. The morphology and chemical composition of the electrospun nanofibers were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The antimicrobial activity of the dill EO and lemon EO, as well as the electrospun samples loaded with essential oils was determined by disk diffusion assay against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, and Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 14028 bacterial strains; Candida albicans ATCC 10231 and Candida glabrata ATCC 90028 yeast strains; and Aspergillus brasiliensis ATCC 9642 fungal strain. In vivo biocompatibility testing of the collagen hydrolysate-chitosan/essential oil electrospun nanofibers was based on the determination of the hematological, biochemical, and immunological profile and the evaluation of the influence produced on the oxidative stress in white Swiss mice. The synergetic effect of dill and lemon balm EOs can improve the antimicrobial activity of collagen hydrolysate-chitosan nanofibers against the most important bacterial strains. The in vivo test results suggested a good biocompatibility of electrospun samples based on collagen hydrolysate extracted from bovine tendons or rabbit skin mixed with chitosan and containing dill and/or lemon balm essential oils as encapsulated bioactive compounds.

Assessment of the In Vivo Release and Biocompatibility of Novel Vesicles Containing Zinc in Rats

This paper is focused on the in vivo release and biocompatibility evaluation in rats of some novel systems entrapping zinc chloride in lipid vesicles. The particles were prepared by zinc chloride immobilization inside lipid vesicles made using phosphatidylcholine, stabilized with 0.5% chitosan solution, and dialyzed for 10 h to achieve a neutral pH. The submicrometric systems were physico-chemically characterized. White Wistar rats, assigned into four groups of six animals each, were treated orally with a single dose, as follows: Group I (control): deionized water 0.3 mL/100 g body weight; Group II (Zn): 2 mg/kg body weight (kbw) zinc chloride; Group III (LV-Zn): 2 mg/kbw zinc chloride in vesicles; Group IV (LVC-Zn): 2 mg/kbw zinc chloride in vesicles stabilized with chitosan. Haematological, biochemical, and immune parameters were assessed after 24 h and 7 days, and then liver fragments were collected for histopathological examination. The use of zinc submicrometric particles-especially those stabilized with chitosan-showed a delayed zinc release in rats. No substantial changes to blood parameters, plasma biochemical tests, serum complement activity, or peripheral neutrophils phagocytic capacity were noted; moreover, the tested substances did not induce liver architectural disturbances. The obtained systems provided a delayed release of zinc, and showed good biocompatibility in rats.

Biocompatibility and Pharmacological Effects of Innovative Systems for Prolonged Drug Release Containing Dexketoprofen in Rats

The present study reports on the in vivo biocompatibility investigation and evaluation of the effects of liposomes containing dexketoprofen in somatic sensitivity in rats. Method: The liposomes were prepared by entrapping dexketoprofen in vesicular systems stabilized with chitosan. The in vivo biocompatibility was evaluated after oral administration in white Wistar rats: Group I (DW): distilled water 0.3 mL/100 g body weight; Group II (DEX): dexketoprofen 10 mg/kg body weight (kbw); Group III (nano-DEX): liposomes containing dexketoprofen 10 mg/kbw. Blood samples were collected from caudal lateral vein one day and seven days after the substance administration, to assess the eventual hematological, biochemical, and immunological changes. The investigation of somatic pain reactivity was performed using the hot plate test, to count the latency time response evoked by the thermal paws’ noxious stimulation. Results: Original liposomes entrapping dexketoprofen, with mean size of 680 nm and good stability, were designed. Laboratory analysis indicated no substantial variances between the three treated groups. The treatment with liposomes containing dexketoprofen resulted in a prolongation of the latency time response, statistically significant in the interval between 90 min and 10 h, in the hot plate test. Conclusions: The use of liposomes with dexketoprofen proved a good in vivo biocompatibility in rats and prolonged analgesic effects in the hot plate test.

Evaluation of Antinociceptive Effects of Chitosan-Coated Liposomes Entrapping the Selective Kappa Opioid Receptor Agonist U50,488 in Mice

Background and Objectives: The selective kappa opioid receptor agonist U50,488 was reported to have analgesic, cough suppressant, diuretic and other beneficial properties. The aim of our study was to analyze the effects of some original chitosan-coated liposomes entrapping U50,488 in somatic and visceral nociceptive sensitivity in mice. Materials and Methods: The influence on the somatic pain was assessed using a tail flick test by counting the tail reactivity to thermal noxious stimulation. The nociceptive visceral estimation was performed using the writhing test in order to evaluate the behavioral manifestations occurring as a reaction to the chemical noxious peritoneal irritation with 0.6% acetic acid (10 mL/kbw). The animals were treated orally, at the same time, with a single dose of: distilled water 0.1 mL/10 gbw; 50 mg/kbw U50,488; 50 mg/kbw U50,488 entrapped in chitosan-coated liposomes, according to the group they were randomly assigned. Results: The use of chitosan-coated liposomesas carriers for U50,488 induced antinociceptive effects that began to manifest after 2 h, andwere prolonged but with a lower intensity than those caused by the free selective kappa opioid in both tests. Conclusion: In this experimental model, the oral administration of nanovesicles containing the selective kappa opioid agonist U50,488 determined a prolonged analgesic outcome in the tail flick test, as well as in the writhing test.

In Vivo Assessment of Thermosensitive Liposomes for the Treatment of Port Wine Stains by Antifibrinolytic Site-Specific Pharmaco-Laser Therapy

Antifibrinolytic site-specific pharmaco-laser therapy (SSPLT) is an experimental treatment modality for refractory port wine stains (PWS). Conceptually, antifibrinolytic drugs encapsulated in thermosensitive liposomes are delivered to thrombi that form in semi-photocoagulated PWS blood vessels after conventional laser treatment. Local release of antifibrinolytics is induced by mild hyperthermia, resulting in hyperthrombosis and complete occlusion of the target blood vessel (clinical endpoint). In this study, 20 thermosensitive liposomal formulations containing tranexamic acid (TA) were assayed for physicochemical properties, TA:lipid ratio, encapsulation efficiency, and endovesicular TA concentration. Two candidate formulations (DPPC:DSPE-PEG, DPPC:MPPC:DSPE-PEG) were selected based on optimal properties and analyzed for heat-induced TA release at body temperature (T), phase transition temperature (T_m), and at T > T_m. The effect of plasma on liposomal stability at 37 °C was determined, and the association of liposomes with platelets was examined by flow cytometry. The accumulation of PEGylated phosphocholine liposomes in laser-induced thrombi was investigated in a hamster dorsal skinfold model and intravital fluorescence microscopy. Both formulations did not release TA at 37 °C. Near-complete TA release was achieved at T_m within 2.0–2.5 min of heating, which was accelerated at T > T_m. Plasma exerted a stabilizing effect on both formulations. Liposomes showed mild association with platelets. Despite positive in vitro results, fluorescently labeled liposomes did not sufficiently accumulate in laser-induced thrombi in hamsters to warrant their use in antifibrinolytic SSPLT, which can be solved by coupling thrombus-targeting ligands to the liposomes.

Ketoprofen-loaded rose hip oil nanocapsules attenuate chronic inflammatory response in a pre-clinical trial in mice

This study aimed to develop nanocapsules containing ketoprofen using rose hip oil (Keto-NC) as oil core, and to evaluate their anti-inflammatory activity in acute and chronic ear edema models in mice. Physicochemical characterization, drug release, photostability and cytotoxicity assays were performed for the developed Keto-NC formulations and compared to ketoprofen-loaded nanocapsules using medium chain triglycerides as oil core (Keto-MCT-NC). Anti-inflammatory activity of orally delivered KP (Ketoprofen-free; 10 mg.kg^-1) or Keto-NC (2.5; 5; 10 mg.kg^-1) was assessed in mouse acute and chronic ear edema induced by croton oil (CO). Edema histological characteristics were determined by H&E stain, and redox parameters were analyzed in blood plasma and erythrocytes. Keto-MCT-NC and Keto-NC did not exhibit differences regarding physicochemical parameters, including size diameters, polydispersity index, pH, Ketoprofen content, and encapsulation efficiency. However, Keto-NC, which contains rose hip oil as lipid core, decreased drug photodegradation under UVC radiation when compared to Keto-MCT-NC. KP or Keto-NC were not cytotoxic to keratinocyte cultures and produced equal edema inhibition in the acute protocol. Conversely, in the chronic protocol, Keto-NC was more effective in reducing edema (~60-70% on 7-9th days of treatment) when compared to KP (~40% on 8-9th days of treatment). This result was confirmed by histological analysis, which indicated reduction of edema and inflammatory infiltrate. A sub-therapeutic dose of Keto-NC (5 mg.kg^-1) significantly reduced edema when compared to control. Finally, KP and Keto-NC exhibited similar effects on redox parameters, suggesting that the advantages associated with Ketoprofen nanoencapsulation did not involve oxidative stress pathways. The results showed that Keto-NC was more efficient than KP in reducing chronic inflammation. These data may be important for the development of strategies aiming treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases with fewer adverse effects.

Nanotechnology application for pain therapy

Prolonged delivery of analgesic drugs at target sites remains a critical issue for efficient pain management. The use of nano-carriers has been reported to facilitate applicable delivery of these agents to target sites with a reduced level of systemic toxicity. Different analgesics have been loaded onto various nano carriers, including those that are natural, synthetic and copolymer, for various medical applications. In this review, we will discuss the concept of nano-formulated carriers for analgesic drugs and their impacts on the field of pain management.

The use of lipid-based nanocarriers for targeted pain therapies

Sustained delivery of analgesic agents at target sites remains a critical issue for effective pain management. The use of nanocarriers has been reported to facilitate effective delivery of these agents to target sites while minimizing systemic toxicity. These include the use of biodegradable liposomal or polymeric carriers. Of these, liposomes present as an attractive delivery system due to their flexible physicochemical properties which allow easy manipulation in order to address different delivery considerations. Their favorable toxicity profiles and ease of large scale production also make their clinical use feasible. In this review, we will discuss the concept of using liposomes as a drug delivery carrier, their in vitro characteristics as well as in vivo behavior. Current advances in the targeted liposomal delivery of analgesic agents and their impacts on the field of pain management will be presented.