Development of hydrocortisone succinic acid/and 5-fluorouracil/chitosan microcapsules for oral and topical drug deliveries

Chitosan-Grafted-Poly(N-vinylcaprolactam)-Decorated Fe3O4@SiO2 Core-Shell Nanoformulation as an Efficient Drug Delivery System for Poorly Soluble Drugs

Hydrocortisone, a commonly used anti-inflammatory drug, has limited aqueous solubility and several side effects. To address this challenge, as a proof-of-concept, this article demonstrates the development of a controlled-release drug delivery system (DDS) for hydrocortisone using chitosan-grafted poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (CS-g-PNVCL)-coated core-shell Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoformulations (NFs). Reported magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized and modified with silica, PNVCL, and CS precursors to enhance the biocompatibility of DDS and drug-loading efficiency. The release rate of hydrocortisone from Fe3O4@SiO2@CS-g-PNVCL NFs was observed to be higher at lower pH values, and the smart polymer coating demonstrated temperature responsiveness, facilitating drug release at higher temperatures. Fe3O4@SiO2@CS-g-PNVCL NFs exhibited a cell viability of around 97.2 to 87.3% (5-100 μg/mL) after 24-48 h, while the hydrocortisone-NFs had a cell viability of around 93.2 to 82.3%. Our findings suggest that CS-g-PNVCL-coated Fe3O4@SiO2 NPs effectively enhance the solubility, loading capacity, and targeted delivery of poorly soluble drugs, thereby improving their therapeutic efficacy and bioavailability.

Complexation of 5-Fluorouracil with β-Cyclodextrin and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate: A Useful Tool for Encapsulating and Removing This Polluting Drug

The formation of complexes of the drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) was studied through experimental measurements of the ternary mutual diffusion coefficients (D11, D22, D12, and D21) for the systems {5-FU (component 1) + β-CD (component 2) + water} and {5-FU (component 1) + SDS (component 2) + water} at 298.15 K and at concentrations up to 0.05 mol dm−3 by using the Taylor dispersion method, with the objective of removing this polluting drug from the residual systems in which it was present. The results found showed that a coupled diffusion of 5-FU occurred with both β-CD and SDS, as indicated by the nonzero values of the cross-diffusion coefficients, D12 and D21, as a consequence of the complex formation between 5-FU and the β-CD or SDS species. That is, 5-FU was solubilized (encapsulated) by both carriers, although to a greater extent with SDS (K = 20.0 (±0.5) mol−1 dm3) than with β-CD (K = 10.0 (±0.5) mol−1 dm3). Values of 0.107 and 0.190 were determined for the maximum fraction of 5-FU solubilized with β-CD and SDS (at concentrations above its CMC), respectively. This meant that SDS was more efficient at encapsulating and thus removing the 5-FU drug.

Insecticidal activity of twin compounds from podophyllotoxin and cytisine

To explore natural-product-based insecticide candidates, and high value-added application of natural plants in agriculture, a series of twin compounds were prepared from two natural products podophyllotoxin and cytisine, which are isolated from the plants Podophyllum hexandrum and Thermopsis lanceolata, respectively. Compounds IIa (X = Cl, Y = R¹ = R² = H), IIIc (X = Y = R¹ = R² = Cl) and IVd (X = R¹ = R² = Br, Y = H) exhibited >2-fold potent insecticidal activity of podophyllotoxin against armyworm with FMRs greater than 60%. SARs were also observed. It is noteworthy that the idea of twin insecticides was addressed for the first time. We hope this idea will be conducive to design new twin insecticidal agents, and lay the foundation for future high value-added application of the plants P. hexandrum and T. lanceolata as potentially botanical pesticides in agriculture.

5-Fluorouracil monodispersed chitosan microspheres: Microfluidic chip fabrication with crosslinking, characterization, drug release and anticancer activity

Different size and morphology monodispersed chitosan (CS) microspheres loaded with the anticancer drug of 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) were prepared by the microfluidic method assisted by a crosslinking unit with crosslinkers of tripolyphosphate (TPP) and glutaraldehyde (GTA). The sizes, morphologies, drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, drug release and cytotoxicity of 5-Fu loaded CS microspheres were characterized and determined. Results indicated that the CS microspheres were uniform in size distributions. They possessed excellent encapsulation efficiency and drug loading. The TPP-crosslinked CS microspheres had rough surfaces and exhibited faster drug release, whereas the CS microspheres crosslinked with GTA had smooth surfaces and showed slower drug release. Furthermore, 5-Fu-loaded CS microspheres exhibited sustained drug release which well fitted the first-order kinetics model and were pH-responsive in that the drug cumulative release was greater at acidic environments than at neutral conditions. Finally, 5-Fu loaded CS microspheres provided sufficient cytotoxicity and were satisfactory in the cancer cell inhibition.

Immobilisation of bifidobacteria in biodegradable food-grade microparticles

The present research features a natural polymer that can be used for immobilisation of bifidobacteria as well as a method of immobilisation. We described a modified method of microencapsulation of probiotics using sodi- um alginate. The experiment studied the effect of encapsulation on probiotic stability and involved an in vitro model of human digestive tract. The test sample of microencapsulated Bifi obacterium bifi um 791 showed a decrease in the activity from 3.0×107 to 2.2×105 CFU/ml in a mouse model with pH 1.2. By contrast, the control sample, unprotected by biodegradable polymer microcapsules, demonstrated a higher death rate of bifidobacteria: from 2.6×108 CFU/ml to 5.0×103 CFU/ml. The control sample demonstrated the same downward trend in in vitro gastrointestinal models with pH values of 4.5, 6.8, 7.2, and 5.8. Because the total plate count fell down to 4.0l g CFU/ml in acidity gradients, the titres of the initial microencapsulated biomass had to be increased up to > 109 CFU/ml. According to the results of scanning electron microscopy, the new type of microcapsules obtained by using a resistant starch had a closed sur- face. Prebiotics increased the resistance of bacteria to low pH and bile salts. Bifidobacteria encapsulated with natural biodegradable polymers proved to be well-tolerated and harmless for mice. The experiment revealed that biodegrad- able polymer microcapsules did not cause any chronic or acute toxicity when administered orally at 2×107 CFU per 1 gram of animal mass. The microcapsules demonstrated neither dermonecrotic properties nor any irritant effect on the ocular mucosa and, thus, can be used for food enforcement.

Bio-Functional Textiles: Combining Pharmaceutical Nanocarriers with Fibrous Materials for Innovative Dermatological Therapies

In the field of pharmaceutical technology, significant attention has been paid on exploiting skin as a drug administration route. Considering the structural and chemical complexity of the skin barrier, many research works focused on developing an innovative way to enhance skin drug permeation. In this context, a new class of materials called bio-functional textiles has been developed. Such materials consist of the combination of advanced pharmaceutical carriers with textile materials. Therefore, they own the possibility of providing a wearable platform for continuous and controlled drug release. Notwithstanding the great potential of these materials, their large-scale application still faces some challenges. The present review provides a state-of-the-art perspective on the bio-functional textile technology analyzing the several issues involved. Firstly, the skin physiology, together with the dermatological delivery strategy, is keenly described in order to provide an overview of the problems tackled by bio-functional textiles technology. Secondly, an overview of the main dermatological nanocarriers is provided; thereafter the application of these nanomaterial to textiles is presented. Finally, the bio-functional textile technology is framed in the context of the different dermatological administration strategies; a comparative analysis that also considers how pharmaceutical regulation is conducted.

Chitin and Chitosans: Characteristics, Eco-Friendly Processes, and Applications in Cosmetic Science

Huge amounts of chitin and chitosans can be found in the biosphere as important constituents of the exoskeleton of many organisms and as waste by worldwide seafood companies. Presently, politicians, environmentalists, and industrialists encourage the use of these marine polysaccharides as a renewable source developed by alternative eco-friendly processes, especially in the production of regular cosmetics. The aim of this review is to outline the physicochemical and biological properties and the different bioextraction methods of chitin and chitosan sources, focusing on enzymatic deproteinization, bacteria fermentation, and enzymatic deacetylation methods. Thanks to their biodegradability, non-toxicity, biocompatibility, and bioactivity, the applications of these marine polymers are widely used in the contemporary manufacturing of biomedical and pharmaceutical products. In the end, advanced cosmetics based on chitin and chitosans are presented, analyzing different therapeutic aspects regarding skin, hair, nail, and oral care. The innovative formulations described can be considered excellent candidates for the prevention and treatment of several diseases associated with different body anatomical sectors.

A comparative study of the effects of concentrated growth factors in two different forms on osteogenesis in vitro

Extending the release cycle of growth factors to match the cycle of bone remodeling is difficult. When using concentrated growth factors (CGFs), the release of growth factors is excessively rapid. In the present study, CGF samples were prepared by centrifugation. CGF samples were then lyophilized and grinded into a powder, which was termed freeze‑dried CGF. The freeze‑dried CGF samples were mixed with chitosan‑alginate composite hydrogels, and the mixture was lyophilized. The result was a chitosan‑alginate composite CGF membrane, which was called sustained‑release CGF. This study investigated whether freeze‑dried CGF in a chitosan‑alginate composite gel can release CGF steadily to achieve effective osteogenesis. The proliferation and osteogenic expression of MC3T3‑E1 cells induced by the supernatants from incubation with freeze‑dried CGF and sustained‑release CGF were evaluated. The concentrations of the growth factors, transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‑β1), insulin‑like growth factor‑1 (IGF‑1), platelet‑derived growth factor‑AB (PDGF‑AB) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), in these two experimental groups at different times were determined by ELISA kits. The freeze‑dried CGF showed better osteogenic performance than the sustained‑release CGF in the early stages. At later stages, the sustained‑release CGF had significant advantages over freeze‑dried CGF in terms of promoting osteogenic mineralization. By characterizing the biologic properties of the CGF in the two different forms in vitro, we obtained a better understanding of their clinical effects.

A Critical Review of Analytical Methods in Pharmaceutical Matrices for Determination of Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are a class of hormones released by the adrenal cortex, which includes glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. Glucocorticoids have an important role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and calcium and effective anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activity. Due to their intense immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activity, glucocorticoids are used in the treatment of various inflammatory, malignant, allergic conditions such as rhinitis, asthma, dermatological, rheumatic, ophthalmic and neurological diseases, as well as after organ transplants. They are the most widely prescribed drugs in the world. The objective of this review is to provide an overview of the analytical methods in pharmaceutical matrices for determination of corticosteroids. In this study, the predominance of liquid chromatography methods for the analysis of corticosteroids from pharmaceutical products is evident for both liquid and semisolid dosage forms as well as for solids. The same can be said for topical, oral and parenteral formulations. Methods such as spectrophotometry are also used, but given the advantages of chromatographic methods such as better selectivity and sensitivity, they have become the choice for analysis of these drugs, however, most methods still do not meet the credentials of "green chemistry."

Chitosan and its derivatives as vehicles for drug delivery

Chitosan and its derivatives as vehicles for drug delivery can achieve the purpose of sustained release and controlled release for drugs, improve the stability of drugs, and reduce adverse drug reactions. So, the bioavailability of drugs can be enhanced. Therefore, chitosan and its derivatives have become a hotspot in the field of drug delivery. Their characteristics as drug delivery vectors were introduced, the types and applications were summarized. The development direction of chitosan and its derivatives in this field was also forecasted.

Design of an Inflammation-Sensitive Polyelectrolyte-Based Topical Drug Delivery System for Arthritis

The most successful treatment strategy for arthritis is intra-articular injections that are costly and have reduced patient compliance. The purpose of the current study was to develop an inflammation-sensitive system for topical drug administration. Multi-macromolecular alginate-hyaluronic acid-chitosan (A-H-C) polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles, loaded with indomethacin were developed employing pre-gel and post-gel techniques in the presence of dodecyl-L-pyroglutamate (DLP). In addition to in vitro studies, in silico simulations were performed to affirm and associate the molecular interactions inherent to the formulation of core all-natural multi-component biopolymeric architectures composed of an anionic (alginate), a cationic (chitosan), and an amphi-ionic polyelectrolytic (hyaluronic acid) macromolecule. The results demonstrated that DLP significantly influenced the size of the synthesized nanoparticles. Drug-content analysis revealed higher encapsulation efficiency (77.3%) in the presence of DLP, irrespective of the techniques used. Moreover, in vitro drug release studies showed that indomethacin release from the nanosystem was significantly improved (98%) in Fenton's reagent. Drug permeation across a cellulose membrane using a Franz diffusion cell system showed an initial surge flux (0.125 mg/cm(-2)/h), followed by sustained release of indomethacin for the post-gel nanoparticles revealing its effective skin permeation efficiency. In conclusion, the study presents novel nanoparticles which could effectively encapsulate and deliver hydrophobic drugs to the target site, particularly for arthritis.

Development of multilayer microcapsules by a phase coacervation method based on ionic interactions for textile applications

The present study describes the development of multilayer microcapsules by 11 alternate additions of chitosan (Chi) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in a combined emulsification and phase coacervation method based on ionic interactions. After an alkali treatment, microcapsules are applied on polyester (PET) fabric by a padding process to investigate their wash-durability on fabric. Air atmospheric plasma treatment is performed on PET fabric to modify the surface properties of the textiles. Zeta potential, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), wetting measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) with surface roughness measurements are realized to characterize and determine wash durability of microcapsule samples onto PET. After alkali treatment, the microcapsules are selected for textile application because they are submicron sized with the desired morphology. The results obtained from various characterization techniques indicate that microcapsules are wash-durable on PET fabric pre activated by air plasma atmospheric as Chi based microcapsules can interact directly with PET by ionic interactions.