In vitro conditions for performance evaluation of products for intravascular administration: Developing appropriate test media using Amphotericin B as a model drug

Synergistic activity of gold nanoparticles with amphotericin B on persister cells of Candida tropicalis biofilms

AIM

The antifungal activity was studied on sessile and persister cells (PCs) of Candida tropicalis biofilms of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) stabilized with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB-AuNPs) and those conjugated with cysteine, in combination with Amphotericin B (AmB).

MATERIALS/METHODS

The PC model was used and synergistic activity was tested by the checkerboard assay. Biofilms were studied by crystal violet and scanning electron microscopy.

RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS

After the combination of both AuNPs and AmB the biofilm biomass was reduced, with significant differences in architecture being observed with a reduced biofilm matrix. In addition, the CTAB-AuNPs-AmB combination significantly reduced PCs. Understanding how these AuNPs aid in the fight against biofilms and the development of new approaches to eradicate PCs has relevance for chronic infection treatment.

Biopredictive tools for the development of injectable drug products

INTRODUCTION

Biopredictive release tests are commonly used in the evaluation of oral medicines. They support decision-making in formulation development and allow predictions of the expected in-vivo performances. So far, there is limited experience in the application of these methodologies to injectable drug products.

AREAS COVERED

Parenteral drug products cover a variety of dosage forms and administration sites including subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous injections. In this area, developing biopredictive and biorelevant methodologies often confronts us with unique challenges and knowledge gaps. Here, we provide a formulation-centric approach and explain the key considerations and workflow when designing biopredictive assays. Also, we outline the key role of computational methods in achieving clinical relevance and put all considerations into context using liposomal nanomedicines as an example.

EXPERT OPINION

Biopredictive tools are the need of the hour to exploit the tremendous opportunities of injectable drug products. A growing number of biopharmaceuticals such as peptides, proteins, and nucleic acids require different strategies and a better understanding of the influences on drug absorption. Here, our design strategy must maintain the balance of robustness and complexity required for effective formulation development.

In vitro dissolution considerations associated with nano drug delivery systems

Nano drug delivery systems (NDDS) offer promising solution for the translation of future nanomedicines. As bioavailability and therapeutic outcomes can be improved by altering the drug release from these NDDS, it becomes essential to thoroughly understand their drug release kinetics. Moreover, U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires critical evaluation of potential safety, efficacy, and public health impacts of nanomaterials. Spiraling up market share of NDDS has also stimulated the pharmaceutical industry to develop their cost-effective generic versions after the expiry of patent and associated exclusivity. However, unlike the conventional dosage forms, the in vivo disposition of NDDS is highly intricate and different from their in vitro behavior. Significant challenges exist in the establishment of in vitro-in vivo correlation (IVIVC) due to incomplete understanding of nanoparticles' in vivo biofate and its impact on in vitro experimental protocols. A rational design of dissolution may serve as quality and quantity control tool and help develop a meaningful IVIVC for favorable economic implications. Clinically relevant drug product specifications (critical quality attributes) can be identified by establishing a link between in vitro performance and in vivo exposure. In vitro dissolution may also play a pivotal role to understand the dissolution-mediated clearance and safety of NDDS. Prevalent in vitro dissolution methods for NDDS and their limitations are discussed in this review, among which USP 4 is gaining more interest recently. Researchers are working diligently to develop biorelevant in vitro release assays to ensure optimal therapeutic performance of generic versions of these NDDS. This article focuses on these studies and presents important considerations for the future development of clinically relevant in vitro release methods. This article is categorized under: Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Regulatory and Policy Issues in Nanomedicine.

Ultradeformable vesicles: concepts and applications relating to the delivery of skin cosmetics

Skin aging is a phenomenon resulting in reduced self-confidence, thus becoming a major factor in social determinants of health. The use of active cosmetic ingredients can help prevent skin aging. Transfersomes are well known to be capable of deeply penetrating the dermis. This scoping review provides an insight into transfersomes and their prospective use in anti-aging cosmetics. Numerous reports exist highlighting the successful skin delivery of therapeutic agents such as high-molecular-weight, poorly water soluble and poorly permeable active ingredients by means of transfersomes. Moreover, in vitro and in vivo studies have indicated that transfersomes increase the deposition, penetration and efficacy of active ingredients. However, the use of transfersomes in the delivery of active cosmetic ingredients is limited. Considering their similar physicochemical properties, transfersomes should possess considerable potential as a delivery system for anti-aging cosmetics.