Hydrophobic nanoprecipitates formed by benzoylphenylureas and β-cyclodextrin inclusion compounds: synthesis, characterization and toxicity against aedes aegypti larvae

Nasal Delivery of Cinnarizine Thermo- and Ion-Sensitive In Situ Hydrogels for Treatment of Microwave-Induced Brain Injury

(1) Background: When the body is exposed to microwave radiation, the brain is more susceptible to damage than other organs. However, few effective drugs are available for the treatment of microwave-induced brain injury (MIBI) because most drugs are difficult to cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB) to reach the brain. (2) Methods: Nasal cinnarizine inclusion complexes with thermo-and ion-sensitive hydrogels (cinnarizine ISGs) were prepared to treat MIBI and the characteristics of the inclusion complexes and their thermo-and ion-sensitive hydrogels were evaluated. (3) Results: Due to high viscosity, cinnarizine ISGs can achieve long-term retention in the nasal cavity to achieve a sustained release effect. Compared with the model, the intranasal thermo-and ion-sensitive cinnarizine ISGs significantly improved the microwave-induced spatial memory and spontaneous exploration behavior with Morris water maze and open field tests. Cinnarizine ISGs inhibited the expression of calcineurin and calpain 1 in the brain, which may be related to the inhibition of calcium overload by cinnarizine. (4) Conclusion: Intranasal thermo- and ion-sensitive cinnarizine ISGs are a promising brain-targeted pharmaceutical preparation against MIBI.

Intranasal Hydrogel of Armodafinil Hydroxypropyl-β-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complex for the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Armodafinil inclusion complex (AIC) hydrogel was prepared and evaluated for its therapeutic effect on Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). After computer simulation and physicochemical property investigation, the AIC was formed by lyophilization of armodafinil with ethanol as solvent and hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) aqueous solution, in which the molar ratio of armodafinil and HP-β-CD was 1–1. The AIC encapsulation efficiency (EE) was (90.98 ± 3.72)% and loading efficiency (LE) was (13.95 ± 0.47)% and it increased the solubility of armodafinil in aqueous solution to 21 times. AIC hydrogel was prepared by adding AIC to methylcellulose (MC) hydrogels (3.33% w/v), and its higher drug release amount and slower release rate were testified by the in-vitro release assay and the rheological test. The mucosa irritation of AIC hydrogel was also evaluated. Healthy group, Model group, Sertraline group with 30 mg/kg sertraline gavage, AIC Hydrogel group with 20 mg/kg AIC hydrogel intranasal administration and AIC Aqueous Solution group with 20 mg/kg AIC aqueous solution gavage were set up for the treatment of mice with PTSD generated from foot shock method. Based on freezing response test in fear-conditioning box and open field test, compared with other groups, PTSD mice in AIC Hydrogel group showed significant improvement in behavioral parameters after 11 days of continuous drug administration and 5 days of drug withdrawal. After sacrifice, the plasma CORT level of PTSD mice in AIC Hydrogel group was elevated compared to Model group. Besides, the western blot (WB) of hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and amygdala dopamine transporter (DAT) immunohistochemistry sections indicated that AIC hydrogel had a protective effect on the brain tissue of PTSD mice. The brain targeting of intranasal administration was evaluated by fluorescence imaging characteristics of Cy7 hydrogel in the nasal route of drug administration, pharmacokinetics and in-vivo distribution of armodafinil. In short, AIC hydrogel is a promising formulation for the treatment of PTSD based on its high brain delivery and anti-PTSD effect.

Intranasal temperature-sensitive hydrogels of cannabidiol inclusion complex for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disease that seriously affects brain function. Currently, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are used to treat PTSD clinically but have decreased efficiency and increased side effects. In this study, nasal cannabidiol inclusion complex temperature-sensitive hydrogels (CBD TSGs) were prepared and evaluated to treat PTSD. Mice model of PTSD was established with conditional fear box. CBD TSGs could significantly improve the spontaneous behavior, exploratory spirit and alleviate tension in open field box, relieve anxiety and tension in elevated plus maze, and reduce the freezing time. Hematoxylin and eosin and c-FOS immunohistochemistry slides showed that the main injured brain areas in PTSD were the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus CA1. CBD TSGs could reduce the level of tumor necrosis factor-α caused by PTSD. Western blot analysis showed that CBD TSGs increased the expression of the 5-HT1A receptor. Intranasal administration of CBD TSGs was more efficient and had more obvious brain targeting effects than oral administration, as evidenced by the pharmacokinetics and brain tissue distribution of CBD TSGs. Overall, nasal CBD TSGs are safe and effective and have controlled release. There are a novel promising option for the clinical treatment of PTSD.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of cnicin from blessed thistle (Centaurea benedicta) and its inclusion complexes with cyclodextrins against Schistosoma mansoni

Schistosomiasis, caused by a blood fluke of the genus Schistosoma, afflicts over 230 million people worldwide. Treatment of the disease relies on just one drug, praziquantel. Cnicin (Cn) is the sesquiterpene lactone found in blessed thistle (Centaurea benedicta) that showed antiparasitic activities but has not been evaluated against Schistosoma. However, cnicin has poor water solubility, which may limit its antiparasitic activities. To overcome these restrictions, inclusion complexes with cyclodextrins may be used. In this work, we evaluated the in vitro and in vivo antischistosomal activities of cnicin and its complexes with β-cyclodextrin (βCD) and 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) against Schistosoma mansoni. Cnicin were isolated from C. benedicta by chromatographic fractionation. Complexes formed by cnicin and βCD (Cn/βCD), as well as by cnicin and HPβCD (Cn/HPβCD), were prepared by coprecipitation and characterized. In vitro schistosomicidal assays were used to evaluate the effects of cnicin and its complexes on adult schistosomes, while the in vivo antischistosomal assays were evaluated by oral and intraperitoneal routes. Results showed that cnicin caused mortality and tegumental alterations in adult schistosomes in vitro, also showing in vivo efficacy after intraperitoneal administration. The oral treatment with cnicin or Cn/βCD showed no significant worm reductions in a mouse model of schistosomiasis. In contrast, Cn/HPβCD complex, when orally or intraperitoneally administered to S. mansoni-infected mice, decreased the total worm load, and markedly reduced the number of eggs, showing high in vivo antischistosomal effectiveness. Permeability studies, using Nile red, indicated that HPβCD complex may reach the tegument of adult schistosomes in vivo. These results demonstrated the antischistosomal potential of cnicin in preparations with HPβCD.