Chitosan matrix with three dimensionally ordered macroporous structure for nimodipine release

Polymer-amino-functionalized silica composites for the sustained-release multiparticulate system

This study presents an interesting and promising strategy for producing an oral multiparticulate formulation of the sustained-release of diclofenac sodium (DS) consisting of subunits closed inside hard gelatin capsules (each capsule contains ~50mg of diclofenac sodium). The subunits in the form of beads were produced through the encapsulation of diclofenac sodium dispersed within a nondisintegrating polymer carrier by a silica gel functionalized with the 3-aminopropyl groups. The hybrid silica gel, which plays the role of enteric coating, was fabricated by the gelation of the liquid silica precursors mixture (i.e. tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES)) in the vapor phase of ammonia. The conducted studies reveal that the introduction of the hybrid silica gel into the solid DS dispersion facilitates prolonged release in the neutral environment of the intestine. Since the ability of the multiparticulate formulation to control the release of the drug depends on the properties of its subunits, studies involving the low temperature N₂ sorption, DSC analysis together with spectroscopic techniques (XRD, SEM, ²⁹Si MAS NMR) were conducted.

Application of a lipid-coated hollow calcium phosphate nanoparticle in synergistic co-delivery of doxorubicin and paclitaxel for the treatment of human lung cancer A549 cells

In this study, we developed a lipid-coated hollow calcium phosphate (LCP) nanoparticle for the combined application of two chemotherapeutic drugs to human lung cancer A549 cells. Hydrophilic doxorubicin (DOX) was incorporated into the hollow structure of hollow calcium phosphate (HCP), and a lipid bilayer containing hydrophobic paclitaxel (PTX) was subsequently coated on the surface of HCP. The study on combinational effects demonstrated that the combination of DOX and PTX at a mass ratio of 12:1 showed a synergistic effect against A549 cells. The particle size, zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency were measured to obtain optimal values: particle size was 335.0 3.2 nm, zeta potential −41.1 mV, and encapsulation efficiency 80.40%±2.24%. An in vitro release study indicated that LCP produced a sustained drug release. A549 cells had a better uptake of LCP with good biocompatibility. Furthermore, in vitro cytotoxicity experiment, apoptosis analysis, in vivo anti-tumor efficacy and protein expression analysis of Bax, Bcl-2, and Caspase-3 demonstrated that the co-delivery system based on LCP had significant synergistic anti-tumor activity. All conclusions suggested that LCP is a promising platform for co-delivery of multiple anti-tumor drugs.

Investigation of 3-D ordered materials with a high adsorption capacity for BSA and their potential application as an oral vaccine adjuvant

3-D ordered macroporous (3DOM) materials were customized for BSA adsorption and further oral immunization. These carriers have a high adsorption capacity and our customized carrier showed a distinctive double-plateau adsorption behavior. Different BSA release rates (between the two plateaus) could be obtained by adjusting the ratio of the protein adsorbed on the internal surface and the external surface. This suggests that the release pattern was determined by the adsorption state. One benefit is that the same carrier could have different release profiles making it possible to study the relationship between the release behavior and adjuvant effects without any distractions. Compared with free BSA alone, a significantly higher level of serum IgG, IgA induced by BSA/3DOM was observed and the release profile had an effect on the immunity. The IgG1 and IgG2a titers suggesting that both the Th1 and Th2 mediated immune response were induced. Therefore, this research could help in the development of a novel inorganic oral adjuvant and provide a new avenue for the administration of oral vaccine.

Increasing the dissolution rate and oral bioavailability of the poorly water-soluble drug valsartan using novel hierarchical porous carbon monoliths

In the present study, a novel hierarchical porous carbon monolith (HPCM) with three-dimensionally (3D) ordered macropores (∼ 400 nm) and uniform accessible mesopores (∼ 5.2 nm) was synthesized via a facile dual-templating technique using colloidal silica nanospheres and Poloxamer 407 as templates. The feasibility of the prepared HPCM for oral drug delivery was studied. Valsartan (VAL) was chosen as a poorly water-soluble model drug and loaded into the HPCM matrix using the solvent evaporation method. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and specific surface area analysis were employed to characterize the drug-loaded HPCM-based formulation, confirming the successful inclusion of VAL into the nanopores of HPCM. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) demonstrated that the incorporated drug in the HPCM matrix was in an amorphous state and the VAL formulation exhibited good physical stability for up to 6 months. In vitro tests showed that the dissolution rate of HPCM-based formulation was increased significantly compared with that of crystalline VAL or VAL-loaded 3D ordered macroporous carbon monoliths (OMCMs). Furthermore, a pharmacokinetic study in rats demonstrated about 2.4-fold increase in oral bioavailability of VAL in the case of HPCM-based formulation compared with the commercially available VAL preparation (Valzaar(®)). These results therefore suggest that HPCM is a promising carrier able to improve the dissolution rate and oral bioavailability of the poorly water-soluble drug VAL.