Determination of preparation parameters for albendazole-loaded nanoparticles using chitosan and tripolyphosphate

l-Carnitine conjugated chitosan-stearic acid polymeric micelles for improving the oral bioavailability of paclitaxel

A delivery system based on l-carnitine (LC) conjugated chitosan (CS)-stearic acid polymeric micelles has been developed for improving the oral bioavailability of paclitaxel (PTX) through targeting intestinal organic cation/carnitine transporter 2 (OCTN2). Stearic acid grafted chitosan (CS-SA), as micelle skeleton material, was synthesized by 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC)-mediated coupling reaction. The PTX-loaded micelles were prepared by solvent evaporation-hydration method, and the ligand LC was conjugated onto the micelle surface by anchoring its derivative stearoyl group to the lipophilic core of micelle. The modified polymeric micelles showed regular spherical shapes with small particle size of 157.1 ± 5.2 nm and high drug loading capacity of 15.96 ± 0.20 wt%, and the micelle stability in water was supported by low critical micelle concentration of 14.31 ± 0.21 μg/ml. The drug-loaded micelles presented a slow and incomplete in vitro release, and the pharmacokinetic studies indicated the micelle carriers increased the relative bioavailability of PTX to 165.8% against the commercial formulation. The enhancement effect on intestinal absorption was also confirmed by the intracellular uptake of Caco-2 cells. The proposed micelle carrier system manifested a prospective tool for oral drug delivery.

Albendazole-lipid nanocapsules: Optimization, characterization and chemoprophylactic efficacy in mice infected with Echinococcus granulosus

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), which is caused during the metacestode larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus, is a life-threatening disease and is very difficult to treat. At present, the FDA-approved antihelmintic drugs are mebendazole (MBZ), albendazole (ABZ) and its principal metabolite ABZ sulfoxide (ABZSO), but as these have a therapeutic efficacy over 50%, underlining the need for new drug delivery systems. The aim of this work was the optimization and characterization of previously developed ABZ lipid nanocapsules (ABZ-LNCs) and evaluate their efficacy in mice infected with E. granulosus. LNCs were prepared by the phase inversion technique and characterized in terms of size, surface charge, drug loading, and in vitro stability followed by an in vivo proof-of-concept using a murine model infected with E. granulosus. Stable particle dispersions with a narrow size distribution and high efficiency of encapsulation (≥90%) were obtained. ABZ-LNCs showed a greater chemoprophylactic efficacy than ABZ suspension administered by the oral route as 4 out of the 10 ABZ-LNCs treated mice did not develop any cysts, whereas the infection progressed in all mice from the ABZ suspension group. Regarding the ultrastructural studies of cysts, mice treated with ABZ-LNCs or ABZ suspension revealed changes in the germinal layer. However, the extent of the damage appeared to be greater after ABZ-LNC administration compared to the suspension treatment. These results suggest that ABZ-LNCs could be a promising novel candidate for ABZ delivery to treat CE.

Solid Lipid Nanoparticles of Albendazole for Enhancing Cellular Uptake and Cytotoxicity against U-87 MG Glioma Cell Lines

Albendazole (ABZ) is an antihelminthic drug used for the treatment of several parasitic infestations. In addition to this, there are reports on the anticancer activity of ABZ against a wide range of cancer types. However, its effect on glioma has not yet been reported. In the present study, cytotoxicity of ABZ and ABZ loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (ASLNs) was tested in human glioma/astrocytoma cell line (U-87 MG). Using glyceryl trimyristate as lipid carrier and tween 80 as surfactant spherical ASLNs with an average size of 218.4 ± 5.1 nm were prepared by a combination of high shear homogenization and probe sonication methods. A biphasic in vitro release pattern of ABZ from ASLNs was observed, where 82% of ABZ was released in 24 h. In vitro cell line studies have shown that ABZ in the form of ASLNs was more cytotoxic (IC50 = 4.90 µg/mL) to U-87 MG cells compared to ABZ in the free form (IC₅₀ = 13.30 µg/mL) due to the efficient uptake of the former by these cells.

Nanoformulations of albendazole as effective anticancer and antiparasite agents

Initially emerging as a widely used clinical antiparasitic drug, albendazole (ABZ) has been increasingly recognized as an effective anticancer agent due to its outstanding advantage, in other words, low toxicity to normal cells but high effectiveness against parasites and some tumors. The major challenge is its poor water solubility and subsequently low bioavailability. This article thus first reviews the brief achievements in using ABZ to treat parasites and cancers, and summarizes the basic mechanisms of action of ABZ. Then this article critically reviews recent nanotechnological strategies, in other words, formulating/conjugating it with carriers into nanoformulations, in practices of improving aqueous solubility and efficacy in treatment of tumors and parasites. Our expert opinions in this field are provided for more effective delivery of ABZ to treat tumors and parasites in vivo.

Marine polysaccharides: therapeutic efficacy and biomedical applications

The ocean contains numerous marine organisms, including algae, animals, and plants, from which diverse marine polysaccharides with useful physicochemical and biological properties can be extracted. In particular, fucoidan, carrageenan, alginate, and chitosan have been extensively investigated in pharmaceutical and biomedical fields owing to their desirable characteristics, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and bioactivity. Various therapeutic efficacies of marine polysaccharides have been elucidated, including the inhibition of cancer, inflammation, and viral infection. The therapeutic activities of these polysaccharides have been demonstrated in various settings, from in vitro laboratory-scale experiments to clinical trials. In addition, marine polysaccharides have been exploited for tissue engineering, the immobilization of biomolecules, and stent coating. Their ability to detect and respond to external stimuli, such as pH, temperature, and electric fields, has enabled their use in the design of novel drug delivery systems. Thus, along with the promising characteristics of marine polysaccharides, this review will comprehensively detail their various therapeutic, biomedical, and miscellaneous applications.

Effect of HM30181 mesylate salt-loaded microcapsules on the oral absorption of paclitaxel as a novel P-glycoprotein inhibitor

The purpose of this study was to develop HM30181 mesylate salt (HM30181M)-loaded microcapsules as a novel P-glycoprotein inhibitor for enhancing the oral absorption of paclitaxel. The effect of various carriers including hydrophilic polymers and solvents on the solubility of HM30181M were evaluated. Among the hydrophilic polymers and solvents tested, HPMC and methylene chloride (and ethanol) provided the highest HM30181M solubility. Numerous HM30181M-loaded microcapsules were prepared with HPMC, silicon dioxide and acidifying agents using a spray-drying technique, and their solubility, dissolution and physicochemical properties were evaluated. Furthermore, a pharmacokinetic study was performed after oral administration of paclitaxel alone, simultaneously with HM30181M powder or HM30181M-loaded microcapsules to rats. Among the acidifying agents investigated, phosphoric acid provided the best improvement in the solubility and dissolution of HM30181M. Moreover, the microcapsule composed of HM30181M, HPMC, silicon dioxide and phosphoric acid at a weight ratio of 3:6:3:2 remarkably enhanced the solubility and dissolution of HM30181M compared with the HM30181M powder alone. The microcapsules were spherical in shape, had a reduced particle size of about 7μm, and contained HM30181M in an amorphous state. Furthermore, this microcapsule significantly enhanced HM30181M absorption, making it about 1.7-fold faster and 1.6-fold greater after simultaneous administration, leading to about 70- and 2-fold improved oral bioavailability of paclitaxel compared with paclitaxel alone and the simultaneous administration with HM30181M powder, respectively. Thus, this novel microcapsule could be a potential candidate for effective P-glycoprotein inhibition during oral administration of paclitaxel.

Exploring the Preparation of Albendazole-Loaded Chitosan-Tripolyphosphate Nanoparticles

The objective of this study was to improve the solubility of albendazole and optimize the preparation of an oral nanoparticle formulation, using β-cyclodextrin (βCD) and chitosan-tripolyphosphate (TPP) nanoparticles. The solubility of albendazole in buffers, surfactants, and various concentrations of acetic acid solution was investigated. To determine drug loading, the cytotoxic effects of the albendazole concentration in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2) were investigated. The formulations were prepared by mixing the drug solution in Tween 20 with the chitosan solution. TPP solution was added dropwise with sonication to produce a nanoparticle through ionic crosslinking. Then the particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential of the nanoparticles were investigated to obtain an optimal composition. The solubility of albendazole was greater in pH 2 buffer, Tween 20, and βCD depending on the concentration of acetic acid. Drug loading was determined as 100 µg/mL based on the results of cell viability. The optimized ratio of Tween 20, chitosan/hydroxypropyl βCD, and TPP was 2:5:1, which resulted in smaller particle size and proper zeta positive values of the zeta potential. The chitosan-TPP nanoparticles increased the drug solubility and had a small particle size with homogeneity in formulating albendazole as a potential anticancer agent.