Development of a novel model for comparative evaluation of intranasal pharmacokinetics and effects of anti-allergic nasal sprays

Curcumin and quercetin co-encapsulated in nanoemulsions for nasal administration: A promising therapeutic and prophylactic treatment for viral respiratory infections

One of the most frequent causes of respiratory infections are viruses. Viruses reaching the airways can be absorbed by the human body through the respiratory mucosa and mainly infect lung cells. Several viral infections are not yet curable, such as coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Furthermore, the side effect of synthetic antiviral drugs and reduced efficacy against resistant variants have reinforced the search for alternative and effective treatment options, such as plant-derived antiviral molecules. Curcumin (CUR) and quercetin (QUE) are two natural compounds that have been widely studied for their health benefits, such as antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity. However, poor oral bioavailability limits the clinical applications of these natural compounds. In this work, nanoemulsions (NE) co-encapsulating CUR and QUE designed for nasal administration were developed as promising prophylactic and therapeutic treatments for viral respiratory infections. The NEs were prepared by high-pressure homogenization combined with the phase inversion temperature technique and evaluated for their physical and chemical characteristics. In vitro assays were performed to evaluate the nanoemulsion retention into the porcine nasal mucosa. In addition, the CUR and QUE-loaded NE antiviral activity was tested against a murine β-COV, namely MHV-3. The results evidenced that CUR and QUE loaded NE had a particle size of 400 nm and retention in the porcine nasal mucosa. The antiviral activity of the NEs showed a percentage of inhibition of around 99 %, indicating that the developed NEs has interesting properties as a therapeutic and prophylactic treatment against viral respiratory infections.

New advances in brain-targeting nano-drug delivery systems for Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide and its incidence is increasing due to the ageing population. Currently, the main limitations of AD treatment are low blood-brain barrier permeability, severe off-target of drugs, and immune abnormality. In this review, four hypotheses for Alzheimer's pathogenesis and three challenges for Alzheimer's drug delivery are discussed. In addition, this article summarises the different strategies of brain targeting nano-drug delivery systems (NDDSs) developed in the last 10 years. These strategies include receptor-mediated (transferrin receptor, low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein, lactoferrin receptor, etc.), adsorption-mediated (cationic, alkaline polypeptide, cell-penetrating peptides, etc.), and transporter-mediated (P-gp, GLUT1, etc.). Moreover, it provides insights into novel strategies used in AD, such as exosomes, virus-like particles, and cell membrane coating particles. Hence, this review will help researchers to understand the current progress in the field of NDDSs for the central nervous system and find new directions for AD therapy.HighlightsCharacteristics and challenges based on the pathogenesis of AD were discussed.Recent advances in novel brain-targeting NDDSs for AD over the past 10 years were summarised.

3D printed drug delivery and testing systems - a passing fad or the future?

The US Food and Drug Administration approval of the first 3D printed tablet in 2015 has ignited growing interest in 3D printing, or additive manufacturing (AM), for drug delivery and testing systems. Beyond just a novel method for rapid prototyping, AM provides key advantages over traditional manufacturing of drug delivery and testing systems. These includes the ability to fabricate complex geometries to achieve variable drug release kinetics; ease of personalising pharmacotherapy for patient and lowering the cost for fabricating personalised dosages. Furthermore, AM allows fabrication of complex and micron-sized tissue scaffolds and models for drug testing systems that closely resemble in vivo conditions. However, there are several limitations such as regulatory concerns that may impede the progression to market. Here, we provide an overview of the advantages of AM drug delivery and testing, as compared to traditional manufacturing techniques. Also, we discuss the key challenges and future directions for AM enabled pharmaceutical applications.

Application of RPMI 2650 nasal cell model to a 3D printed apparatus for the testing of drug deposition and permeation of nasal products

The aim of this study was to incorporate an optimized RPMI2650 nasal cell model into a 3D printed model of the nose to test deposition and permeation of drugs intended for use in the nose. The nasal cell model was optimized for barrier properties in terms of permeation marker and mucus production. RT-qPCR was used to determine the xenobiotic transporter gene expression of RPMI 2650 cells in comparison with primary nasal cells. After 14days in culture, the cells were shown to produce mucus, and to express TEER (define) values and sodium fluorescein permeability consistent with values reported for excised human nasal mucosa. In addition, good correlation was found between RPMI 2650 and primary nasal cell transporter expression values. The purpose-built 3D printed model of the nose takes the form of an expansion chamber with inserts for cells and an orifice for insertion of a spray drug delivery device. This model was validated against the FDA glass chamber with cascade impactors that is currently approved for studies of nasal products. No differences were found between the two apparatus. The apparatus including the nasal cell model was used to test a commercial nasal product containing budesonide (Rhinocort, AstraZeneca, Australia). Drug deposition and transport studies on RPMI 2650 were successfully performed. The new 3D printed apparatus that incorporates cells can be used as valid in vitro model to test nasal products in conditions that mimic the delivery from nasal devices in real life conditions.

Study of sodium hyaluronate-based intranasal formulations containing micro- or nanosized meloxicam particles

This article reports on the micro- and nanonization of meloxicam (MEL) with the aim of developing pre-dispersions as intermediates for the design of intranasal formulations. As a new approach, combined wet milling technology was developed in order to reduce the particle size of the MEL. Different milling times resulted in micro- or nanosized MEL in the pre-dispersions with polyvinyl alcohol as stabilizer agent, which were directly used for preparing intranasal liquid formulations with the addition of sodium hyaluronate as mucoadhesive agent. Reduction of the MEL particle size into the nano range led to increased saturation solubility and dissolution velocities, and increased adhesiveness to surfaces as compared with microsized MEL particles. A linear correlation was demonstrated between the specific surface area of MEL and the AUC. The in vitro and in vivo studies indicated that the longer residence time and the uniform distribution of nano MEL spray throughout an artificial membrane and the nasal mucosa resulted in better diffusion and a higher AUC. Nanosized MEL may be suggested for the development of an innovative dosage form with a different dose of the drug, as a possible administration route for pain management.

In Vitro Testing for Orally Inhaled Products: Developments in Science-Based Regulatory Approaches

This article is part of a series of reports from the "Orlando Inhalation Conference-Approaches in International Regulation" which was held in March 2014, and coorganized by the University of Florida and the International Pharmaceutical Aerosol Consortium on Regulation and Science (IPAC-RS). The goal of the conference was to foster the exchange of ideas and knowledge across the global scientific and regulatory community in order to identify and help move towards strategies for internationally harmonized, science-based regulatory approaches for the development and marketing approval of inhalation medicines, including innovator and second entry products. This article provides an integrated perspective of case studies and discussion related to in vitro testing of orally inhaled products, including in vitro-in vivo correlations and requirements for in vitro data and statistical analysis that support quality or bioequivalence for regulatory applications.

Clinical value of the high expression of corticosteroid receptor-beta mRNA in the nasal mucosa of steroid-resistant patients with allergic rhinitis

PURPOSE

This study investigated clinical values of corticosteroid (CS) receptor α and β in the nasal mucosa of patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) by determining CS receptor α and β mRNA expression following steroid treatment.

PROCEDURES

Among 120 outpatients, 65 had persistent AR, including 36 being sensitive to steroid treatment (steroid-sensitive group) and 29 being resistant to steroid treatment (steroid-resistant group). In addition, 30 patients with deflection of the nasal septum alone, which was corrected by surgery, were recruited as controls. Fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription-PCR was used to quantify CS receptor α and β mRNA expression in the nasal mucosa of patients.

RESULTS

Results showed that CS receptor β mRNA expression in the nasal mucosa was significantly higher in the steroid-resistant group [(5.62 ± 1.28) × 102 copies/µg] compared with the steroid-sensitive [(4.62 ± 0.48) × 102 copies/µg, t = -6.67, p < 0.01] and control [(5.32 ± 0.55) × 102 copies/µg, t = -8.29, p < 0.01] groups. There were significant differences in the mRNA expression ratio of CS receptor α to β between the steroid-sensitive (658.32 ± 65.16) and steroid-resistant (525.70 ± 68.10) groups (t = 10.16, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

A high level of CS receptor β mRNA but a low level of CS receptor α mRNA expression in patients with steroid-resistant AR indicates steroid resistance. CS receptor β plays a role in evaluating the effects of steroid therapy for AR.