Stability mechanisms for microwave-produced solid lipid nanoparticles

Enhanced Stability and In Vitro Biocompatibility of Chitosan-Coated Lipid Vesicles for Indomethacin Delivery

BACKGROUND

Lipid vesicles, especially those utilizing biocompatible materials like chitosan (CHIT), hold significant promise for enhancing the stability and release characteristics of drugs such as indomethacin (IND), effectively overcoming the drawbacks associated with conventional drug formulations.

OBJECTIVES

This study seeks to develop and characterize novel lipid vesicles composed of phosphatidylcholine and CHIT that encapsulate indomethacin (IND-ves), as well as to evaluate their in vitro hemocompatibility.

METHODS

The systems encapsulating IND were prepared using a molecular droplet self-assembly technique, involving the dissolution of lipids, cholesterol, and indomethacin in ethanol, followed by sonication and the gradual incorporation of a CHIT solution to form stable vesicular structures. The vesicles were characterized in terms of size, morphology, Zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency and the profile release of drug was assessd. In vitro hemocompatibility was evaluated by measuring erythrocyte lysis and quantifying hemolysis rates.

RESULTS

The IND-ves exhibited an entrapment efficiency of 85%, with vesicles averaging 317.6 nm in size, and a Zeta potential of 24 mV, indicating good stability in suspension. In vitro release kinetics demonstrated an extended release profile of IND from the vesicles over 8 h, contrasting with the immediate release observed from plain drug solutions. The hemocompatibility assessment revealed that IND-ves exhibited minimal hemolysis, comparable to control groups, indicating good compatibility with erythrocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

IND-ves provide a promising approach for modified indomethacin delivery, enhancing stability and hemocompatibility. These findings suggest their potential for effective NSAID delivery, with further in vivo studies required to explore clinical applications.

New Insight for Enhanced Topical Targeting of Caffeine for Effective Cellulite Treatment: In Vitro Characterization, Permeation Studies, and Histological Evaluation in Rats

Cellulite (CLT) is one of the commonly known lipodystrophy syndromes affecting post-adolescent women worldwide. It is topographically characterized by an orange-peel, dimpled skin appearance hence, it is an unacceptable cosmetic problem. CLT can be modulated by surgical procedures such as; liposuction and mesotherapy. But, these options are invasive, expensive and risky. For these reasons, topical CLT treatments are more preferred. Caffeine (CA), is a natural alkaloid that is well-known for its prominent anti-cellulite effects. However, its hydrophilicity hinders its cutaneous permeation. Therefore, in the present study CA was loaded into solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) by high shear homogenization/ultrasonication. CA-SLNs were prepared using Compritol® 888 ATO and stearic acid as solid lipids, and span 60 and brij™35, as lipid dispersion stabilizing agents. Formulation variables were adjusted to obtain entrapment efficiency (EE > 75%), particle size (PS < 350 nm), zeta potential (ZP < -25 mV) and polydispersity index (PDI < 0.5). CA-SLN-4 was selected and showed maximized EE (92.03 ± 0.16%), minimized PS (232.7 ± 1.90 nm), and optimum ZP (-25.15 ± 0.65 mV) and PDI values (0.24 ± 0.02). CA-SLN-4 showed superior CA release (99.44 ± 0.36%) compared to the rest CA-SLNs at 1 h. TEM analysis showed spherical, nanosized CA-SLN-4 vesicles. Con-LSM analysis showed successful CA-SLN-4 permeation transepidermally and via shunt diffusion. CA-SLN-4 incorporated into Noveon AA-1® hydrogel (CA-SLN-Ngel) showed accepted physical/rheological properties, and in vitro release profile. Histological studies showed that CA-SLN-Ngel significantly reduced mean subcutaneous fat tissue (SFT) thickness with 4.66 fold (p = 0.035) and 4.16 fold (p = 0.0001) compared to CA-gel, at 7th and 21st days, respectively. Also, significant mean SFT thickness reduction was observed compared to untreated group with 4.83 fold (p = 0.0005) and 3.83 fold (p = 0.0043), at 7th and 21st days, respectively. This study opened new avenue for CA skin delivery via advocating the importance of skin appendages. Hence, CA-SLN-Ngel could be a promising nanocosmeceutical gel for effective CLT treatment.

Development and Characterization of New Miconazole-Based Microemulsions for Buccal Delivery by Implementing a Full Factorial Design Modeling

This research aimed to develop miconazole-based microemulsions using oleic acid as a natural lipophilic phase and a stabilizer mixture comprising Tween 20 and PEG 400 to solubilize miconazole as an antifungal agent known for its activity in oral candidiasis and to improve its bioavailability. The formulation and preparation process was combined with a mathematical approach using a 23-full factorial plan. Fluid and gel-like microemulsions were obtained and analyzed considering pH, conductivity, and refractive index, followed by extensive analyses focused on droplet size, zeta potential, rheological behavior, and goniometry. In vitro release tests were performed to assess their biopharmaceutical characteristics. Independent variables coded X1-Oleic acid (%, w/w), X2-Tween 20 (%, w/w), and X3-PEG 400 (%, w/w) were analyzed in relationship with three main outputs like mean droplet size, work of adhesion, and diffusion coefficient by combining statistical tools with response surface methodology. The microemulsion containing miconazole base-2%, oleic acid-5%, Tween 20-40%, PEG 400-20%, and water-33% exhibited a mean droplet size of 119.6 nm, a work of adhesion of 71.98 mN/m, a diffusion coefficient of 2.11·10-5 cm2/s, and together with remarked attributes of two gel-like systems formulated with higher oil concentrations, modeled the final optimization step of microemulsions as potential systems for buccal delivery.

Nano-Catechin Gel as a Sustained Release Antimicrobial Agent against Clinically Isolated Porphyromonas gingivalis for Promising Treatment of Periodontal Diseases

During the last two decades, new drug delivery strategies have been invented that have been able to solve microbial resistance against antibiotics. The goal of the current report was to assess the antimicrobial effects of nano-catechin gels against clinically isolated Porphyromonas gingivalis, one of the main causes of periodontal disease. Catechin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by adding a catechin solution to a chitosan solution. Then, the mean particle size and the mean surface charge (zeta potential) of the nanoparticles were detected through photon correlation spectroscopy and zeta sizer, respectively. Nano-catechin gels (1000, 500, 250, 125, 62.5, and 31.2 µg/mL) were prepared, and the antimicrobial assay was performed against clinically isolated Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis). The clinically obtained P. gingivalis isolates were obtained from periodontitis patients (N = 15). The consequences are specified as descriptive indices. The normality of data was detected by the Shapiro-Wilk test. Then, to compare the data between groups (with a p value < 0.05 as the significance level), SPSS software (version 22) was used via a Mann-Whitney U test. The results showed a nanometer particle size range and a positive zeta potential for the prepared nanoparticles. All the concentrations (1000, 500, 250, 125, 62.5, and 31.2 µg/mL) of nano-catechin gels showed sustained release patterns and were non-toxic against dental pulp stem cells as well. There were no significant differences between the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for nano-catechin gel (test group) and Chlorhexidine (control group) against 15 isolates (p > 0.05). Then, two groups showed similar antimicrobial effects. The similar antimicrobial activity of catechin nanoparticles and Chlorhexidine, as a potent antimicrobial agents, against clinically isolated P. gingivalis showed that catechin nanoparticles can be used as a potent antimicrobial material for the treatment of periodontal diseases in the near future.

Development of Computational In Silico Model for Nano Lipid Carrier Formulation of Curcumin

The oral delivery system is very important and plays a significant role in increasing the solubility of drugs, which eventually will increase their absorption by the digestive system and enhance the drug bioactivity. This study was conducted to synthesize a novel curcumin nano lipid carrier (NLC) and use it as a drug carrier with the help of computational molecular docking to investigate its solubility in different solid and liquid lipids to choose the optimum lipids candidate for the NLCs formulation and avoid the ordinary methods that consume more time, materials, cost, and efforts during laboratory experiments. The antiviral activity of the formed curcumin-NLC against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) was assessed through a molecular docking study of curcumin's affinity towards the host cell receptors. The novel curcumin drug carrier was synthesized as NLC using a hot and high-pressure homogenization method. Twenty different compositions of the drug carrier (curcumin nano lipid) were synthesized and characterized using different physicochemical techniques such as UV-Vis, FTIR, DSC, XRD, particle size, the zeta potential, and AFM. The in vitro and ex vivo studies were also conducted to test the solubility and the permeability of the 20 curcumin-NLC formulations. The NLC as a drug carrier shows an enormous enhancement in the solubility and permeability of the drug.

Potential of siRNA in COVID-19 therapy: Emphasis on in silico design and nanoparticles based delivery

Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated mRNA degradation approach have imparted its eminence against several difficult-to-treat genetic disorders and other allied diseases. Viral outbreaks and resulting pandemics have repeatedly threatened public health and questioned human preparedness at the forefront of drug design and biomedical readiness. During the recent pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2, mRNA-based vaccination strategies have paved the way for a new era of RNA therapeutics. RNA Interference (RNAi) based approach using small interfering RNA may complement clinical management of the COVID-19. RNA Interference approach will primarily work by restricting the synthesis of the proteins required for viral replication, thereby hampering viral cellular entry and trafficking by targeting host as well as protein factors. Despite promising benefits, the stability of small interfering RNA in the physiological environment is of grave concern as well as site-directed targeted delivery and evasion of the immune system require immediate attention. In this regard, nanotechnology offers viable solutions for these challenges. The review highlights the potential of small interfering RNAs targeted toward specific regions of the viral genome and the features of nanoformulations necessary for the entrapment and delivery of small interfering RNAs. In silico design of small interfering RNA for different variants of SARS-CoV-2 has been discussed. Various nanoparticles as promising carriers of small interfering RNAs along with their salient properties, including surface functionalization, are summarized. This review will help tackle the real-world challenges encountered by the in vivo delivery of small interfering RNAs, ensuring a safe, stable, and readily available drug candidate for efficient management of SARS-CoV-2 in the future.

Development and optimization of a tamsulosin nanostructured lipid carrier loaded with saw palmetto oil and pumpkin seed oil for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a nonmalignant growth of the prostate tissue and causes urinary tract symptoms. To provide effective treatment, tamsulosin (TM), saw palmetto oil (SP), and pumpkin seed oil (PSO) were combined and fabricated a nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) as TM-S/P-NLC using experimental design. The purpose was to enhance the permeation and therapeutic activity of TM; combining TM with SP and PSO in an NLC generates a synergistic activity. An optimized TM-S/P-NLC was obtained after statistical analysis, and it had a particle size, percentage of entrapment efficiency, and steady-state flux of 102 nm, 65%, and 4.5 μg/cm².min, respectively. Additionally, the optimized TM-S/P-NLC had spherical particles with a more or less uniform size and a stability score of 95%, indicating a high level of stability. The in vitro release studies exhibited the optimized TM-S/P-NLC had the maximum release profile for TM (81 ± 4%) as compared to the TM-NLCs prepared without the addition of S/P oil (59 ± 3%) or the TM aqueous suspension (30 ± 5%). The plasma TM concentration–time profile for the TM-S/P-NLC and the marketed TM tablets indicated that when TM was supplied in a TM-S/P-NLC, the pharmacokinetic profile of the drug was improved. Simultaneously, in vivo therapeutic efficacy studies also showed favorable results for the TM-S/P-NLC in terms of the prostate weight and prostate index following treatment of BPH. Based on the findings of present study, we suggest that in the future, the TM-S/P-NLC could be a novel drug delivery system for treating BPH.

Coumarin-Encapsulated Solid Lipid Nanoparticles as an Effective Therapy against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Bacterial infections caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens are a significant public health problem. This is because the transmission of infectious diseases is shifting, and new antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria are emerging. The development of biofilms that are resistant to antibiotics poses another hurdle to drugs and treatment alternatives. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop innovative strategies to effectively eliminate antibiotic-resistant microorganisms effectively. Natural coumarins have broad spectrum bioactivity and the potential for lower resistance. Coumarin is a secondary metabolite found in certain plants, fungi, and bacteria. It is highly effective against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Therefore, coumarin can be used as an alternative to combat MRSA. However, most antibacterial agents lack selective targeting of pathological sites, limiting the efficacy of their antibacterial activity. Efficient MRSA treatments can be achieved through nanoparticle (NPs)-based targeted therapies. To address this challenge, a novel coumarin-loaded solid lipid nanocarrier for MRSA was developed to overcome this challenge. The developed systems exhibited a particle size of 138.5 ± 76.06 nm and a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.245 ± 0.00. The zeta potential of coumarin-loaded SLNs was reported to be -22.2 ± 8.15 mV with a spherical shape. The encapsulation efficiency of coumarin was reported to be 63.09 ± 3.46% in the final formulation. The developed formulation was biocompatible with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1.08 µg/mL. This study suggests that coumarin-loaded SLNs can effectively treat MRSA infections.