Proniosomal powders of natural canthaxanthin: Preparation and characterization

Oral proniosomal amitriptyline and liraglutide for management of diabetic neuropathy: Exceptional control over hyperglycemia and neuropathic pain

Exploitation of nanocarriers provides a compartment for enclosing drugs to protect them from degradation and potentiate their therapeutic efficiency. In the current study, amitriptyline- and liraglutide-loaded proniosomes were constructed for management of diabetic neuropathy, a serious complication associated with diabetes, that triggers spontaneous pain in patients and results in impaired quality of life. The developed therapeutic proniosomes were extensively characterized via dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy. High entrapment efficiency could be attained for both drugs in the proniosomes, and the reconstituted amitriptyline- and liraglutide-loaded niosomes possessed spherical morphology and particle sizes of 585.3 nm and 864.4 nm, respectively. In a diabetic neuropathy rat model, oral administration of the developed amitriptyline- and liraglutide-loaded proniosomes significantly controlled blood glucose levels, reduced neuropathic pain, oxidative stress and inflammatory markers, and improved histological structure of the sciatic nerve as compared to the oral and subcutaneous administration of amitriptyline and liraglutide, respectively. Loading of the tricyclic antidepressant amitriptyline and the antidiabetic peptide liraglutide into proniosomes resulted in exceptional control over hyperglycemia and neuropathic pain, and thus could provide an auspicious delivery system for management of neuropathic pain and control of blood glucose levels.

Effect of Cholesterol to Vitamin D3 and Span 60 to Tween 60 Ratios on the Characteristics of Niosomes: Variable Optimization Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM)

The main objective of this research was to evaluate the partial replacement of cholesterol (CSL) with vitamin D3 (VD3) on the niosome structure. The effects of different molar ratios of Span 60 (SP60) : Tween 60 (TW60) and CSL : VD3 were investigated on the physicochemical characteristics of niosomes, including particle size, span (distribution width), stability, and encapsulation efficiency of VD3. The data were then optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). Larger particles were obtained as the ratios of SP60 : TW60 and CSL : VD3 were increased. The smallest particles were obtained at SP60 : TW60 and CSL : VD3 ratios of 40.46 : 59.54 and 38.06 : 61.94, respectively. Increasing the ratio of SP60 : TW60 led to higher values of span. As CSL : VD3 ratio was increased from 0 : 100 to 67.67 : 32.32, value of the span was decreased; however, increasing this ratio further led to the increased value of the span. The lowest values of the span were observed at SP60 : TW60 and CSL : VD3 ratios of 67.90 : 32.10 and 72.41 : 27.59, respectively. The increase in the SP60 : TW60 ratio led to lower values of encapsulation efficiency. The highest values for encapsulation efficiency were observed at ratios of 31.76 : 68.24 and 40.02 : 59.98 for SP60 : TW60 and CSL : VD3, respectively. The highest stability was observed at SP60 : TW60 and CSL : VD3 ratios of 31.72 : 68.28 and 14.65 : 85.35, respectively. The optimum conditions were achieved at ratios of 31.72 : 68.28 and 49.37 : 50.63 for SP60 : TW60 and CSL : VD3, respectively. Finally, it can be concluded that VD3 is a suitable replacement for CSL in terms of stability and encapsulation efficiency of niosome.

Development, characterization and in vitro-in vivo evaluation of Farnesol loaded niosomal gel for applications in oral candidiasis treatment

Objectives

The aim of the study was to formulate and characterize the farnesol loaded niosomes comprising gel formulation and perform their in vitro–in vivo evaluation for applications in the treatment of oral candidiasis infections.

Methods

Various gelling systems were evaluated for their rheological and stability properties. The formulation was statistically optimized using experimental design method (Box-Behnken). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to observe the niosomal surface morphology. Centrifugation method and dialysis method were used to find out the % entrapment efficiency (%EE) and in-vitro release of Farnesol, respectively. In-vitro antifungal effect and cell biocompatibility of the Farnesol loaded niosomal gel was also performed using Candida albicans (C. albicans) as the model organism and epithelial cell line (SW480) by MTT cytotoxicity assay. In-vivo skin irritation test was performed on rabbit skin.

Key findings

Farnesol loaded niosomes were integrated into polymeric gel solution. The optimized formulation demonstrated acceptable % EE (>80%) and an optimum particle size (168.8 nm) along with a sustained release and a long-term storage stability for up to a period of 6 months. TEM and AFM observations displayed a spherical niosome morphology. Farnesol niosomal gel showed a higher antifungal efficacy, ex-vivo skin permeation and deposition in comparison to plain farnesol solution. The niosomal gel also showed negligible cytotoxicity to normal cells citing biocompatibility and was found to be non-toxic and non-irritant to rabbit skin.

Conclusions

This novel niosome loaded gel-based formulation could make the oral candidiasis healing process more efficient while improving patient compliance. With the optimized methodology used in this work, such formulation approaches can become an efficient, industrially scalable, and cost-effective alternatives to the existing conventional formulations.

Proniosomal Formulation Encapsulating Pomegranate Peel Extract for Nutraceutical Applications

In this study, pomegranate peel as a traditional natural remedy was extracted and encapsulated in proniosomal systems in order to improve its stability against harsh environmental conditions. Pomegranate peel was extracted by using sonication as a green extraction technology and the antioxidant activity of the obtained extract was evaluated to be 85.37% by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. Proniosomal powder was prepared based on the slurry method with a mixture of non-ionic surfactants namely span 60 and tween 20 in combination with cholesterol as a bilayer stabilizer. Proniosome-derived niosomes were achieved by hydration of the powder with water. The obtained vesicles were evaluated for their particle size, morphological observations, entrapment efficiency, cytotoxicity assay, DPPH antioxidant activity and, physical stability at 4 °C for 28 days. The results demonstrated that the proniosome-derived niosomes were of small size (198.16 nm for unloaded and 411.3 for extract loaded), quite homogeneous (PDI = 0.188 for unloaded and 0.216 for loaded) with highly negative charged spherical vesicles and showed appropriate physical stability during the time of storage. The encapsulation efficiency was 68.43±0.24% and the cytotoxicity assay proved that the formulations were not toxic against 3T3 fibroblast cells in the applied concentration.

Celecoxib Loaded In-Situ Provesicular Powder and Its In-Vitro Cytotoxic Effect for Cancer Therapy: Fabrication, Characterization, Optimization and Pharmacokinetic Evaluation

INTRODUCTION

Several recent studies have shown that the role of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) in carcinogenesis has become more evident. It affects angiogenesis, apoptosis, and invasion, and plays a key role in the production of carcinogens. It has also been reported that COX-2 inhibitors such as celecoxib (CLX) might play an effective role in preventing cancer formation and progression. Formulation of CLX into nanovesicles is a promising technique to improve its bioavailability and anticancer efficacy.

AIM

The aim of this study is to optimize and evaluate the anticancer efficacy of CLX-loaded in-situ provesicular powder composed of surfactants and fatty alcohol-based novel nanovesicles in-vitro and determine its pharmacokinetic parameters in-vivo.

METHODS

The novel provesicular powders were prepared by the slurry method and optimized by 3² full factorial design using the desirability function.

RESULTS

Small mean particle size was achieved by the formed vesicles with value of 351.7 ± 1.76 nm and high entrapment efficacy of CLX in the formed vesicles of 97.53 ± 0.84%. Solid state characterization of the optimized formulation showed that the powder was free flowing, showed no incompatibilities between drug and excipients and showed smooth texture. The cytotoxic study of the optimized formula on HCT-116, HepG-2, A-549, PC-3 and MCF-7 cell lines showed significant increase in activity of CLX compared to its free form. The pharmacokinetic study on albino rabbits after oral administration showed significant increase in the area under the curve (AUC)_{0-24 h} and significantly higher oral relative bioavailability of the optimized formulation compared to Celebrex^® 100 mg market product (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

All findings of this study suggest the potential improvement of efficacy and bioavailability of CLX when formulated in the form of in-situ provesicular powder composed of surfactants and fatty alcohol-based novel nanovesicles for its repositioned use as an anticancer agent.

Proniosomal Microcarriers: Impact of Constituents on the Physicochemical Properties of Proniosomes as a New Approach to Enhance Inhalation Efficiency of Dry Powder Inhalers

Proniosomes are free-flowing systems with coating carriers, which developed as a method for improving the drug flow and pulmonary delivery. Extensive research on proniosomes was done to enhance the dry powder inhalers (DPI)'s inhalation performance. This research aimed at studying the impact of lactose-mannitol mixture additives on the proniosome's physicochemical properties as a method for improving the inhalation efficiency of DPI. Vismodegib has been employed as a compound model. Box-Behnken design has been employed to prepare different proniosomes formulae by incorporating various (A) span 60 concentrations, (B) lactose concentrations and (C) mannitol: total carrier mixture. The measured responses were vesicle size (R₁), %release (R₂), Carr's index (R₃) and %recovery (R₄). The results displayed that R₁ and R₄ were significantly antagonistic to C and significantly synergistic to both A and B while R₂ and R₃ were significantly synergistic to C and significantly antagonistic to both A and B. The optimal formula was selected for its aerodynamic behaviour, cytotoxic activity and bioavailability assessment. The optimal formula resulted in better Vismodegib lung deposition, cytotoxic activity and relative bioavailability. This novel formula could be a promising carrier for sustained delivery of drugs via the pulmonary route.

Resveratrol proniosomes as a convenient nanoingredient for functional food

Proniosomes are free-flowing powders composed of water-soluble carriers blended with surfactants, which form niosomes upon hydration. In this work, proniosomal formulations containing the natural antioxidant resveratrol (RSV) were prepared and fully characterized. A pre-formulation study on RSV-loaded niosomes was carried out to determine the most promising ratio between the two surfactants, Tween 20 and Span 60, in terms of entrapment efficiency and antioxidant activity. The optimized formulae were subsequently adapted to be prepared as proniosomes by the slurry method, including lactose or maltodextrin as carriers. The impact of surfactants and carriers properties on size, entrapment efficiency and release kinetics of proniosomes were evaluated. In vitro release of RSV in simulated gastric and intestinal media was determined, as well as the vesicular stability. Moreover, the biocompatibility of the formulations was determined on intestinal cells in vitro. Overall, the developed proniosomes provide promising nanoingredient for functional food, improving resveratrol stability and bioavailability.

Microencapsulation of microbial canthaxanthin with alginate and high methoxyl pectin and evaluation the release properties in neutral and acidic condition

Canthaxanthin (CX) is an orange-red keto-carotenoid with high antioxidant activity. This functional pigment is sensitive to oxygen, light, pH and heat. In this study, CX was produced by the Dietzia natronolimnaea HS-1 and was encapsulated in Alginate (Alg) and Alg-high methoxyl pectin (HMP) through O/W/O multiple emulsion/external gelation method to developed resistant microparticles among acidic and neutral pHs. Results showed that initial CX concentration had a significant influence on total CX (TCX), surface CX (SCX), microencapsulation efficiency (EE) and particles size. The highest EE% for Alg (60.21 ± 0.18) and Alg-HMP (70.60 ± 0.68) were obtained with CX initial concentration of 11 and 18 μg/mg, respectively. Alg microparticles showed smaller size compare to Alg-HMP microcapsules. Presence of CX in microparticles and good antioxidant activity was confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy and DPPH assay, respectively. CX in vitro release was 66% and 49% in acidic condition and 76% and 50% in neutral condition for Alg and Alg-HMP, respectively. Thus, Alg-HMP-CX₁₈ microparticles were selected to be used in both neutral and acidic foods such as milk and fermented milks products as an antioxidant and a colorant agent.

Enhancement of Dissolution and Skin Permeability of Pentazocine by Proniosomes and Niosomal Gel

Proniosomes (PN) are the dry water-soluble carrier systems that may enhance the oral bioavailability, stability, and topical permeability of therapeutic agents. The low solubility and low oral bioavailability due to extensive first pass metabolism make Pentazocine as an ideal candidate for oral and topical sustained release delivery. The present study was aimed to formulate the PNs by quick slurry method that are converted to niosomes (liquid dispersion) by hydration, and subsequently formulated to semisolid niosomal gel. The PNs were found in spherical shape in the SEM and stable in the physicochemical and thermal analysis (FTIR, TGA, and XRD). The quick slurry method produced high recovery (> 80% yield) and better flow properties (θ = 28.1-37.4°). After hydration, the niosomes exhibited desirable entrapment efficiency (44.45-76.23%), size (4.98-21.3 μm), and zeta potential (- 9.81 to - 21.53 mV). The in vitro drug release (T_100%) was extended to more than three half-lives (2-4 h) and showed good fit to Fickian diffusion indicated by Korsmeyer-Peppas model (n = 0.136-0.365 and R² = 0.9747-0.9954). The permeation of niosomal gel was significantly enhanced across rabbit skin compared to the pure drug-derived gel. Therefore, the PNs are found promising candidates for oral as dissolution enhancement and sustained release for oral and topical delivery of pentazocine for the management of cancer pain.

Exploration of interaction of canthaxanthin with human serum albumin by spectroscopic and molecular simulation methods

The interaction between the food colorant canthaxanthin (CA) and human serum albumin (HSA) in aqueous solution was explored by using fluorescence spectroscopy, three-dimensional fluorescence spectra, synchronous fluorescence spectra, UV-vis absorbance spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) spectra and molecular docking methods. The thermodynamic parameters calculated from fluorescence spectra data showed that CA could result in the HSA fluorescence quenching. From the K_SV change with the temperature dependence, it was concluded that HSA fluorescence quenching triggered by CA is the static quenching and the number of binding sites is one. Furthermore, the secondary structure of HSA was changed with the addition of CA based on the results of synchronous fluorescence, three-dimensional fluorescence and CD spectra. Hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces played key roles in the binding process of CA with HSA, which can be obtained from negative standard enthalpy (ΔH) and negative standard entropy (ΔS). Furthermore, the conclusions were certified by molecular docking studies and the binding mode was further analyzed with Discovery Studio. These conclusions can highlight the potential of the interaction mechanism of food additives and HSA.