In-situ fast gelling formulation for oral sustained drug delivery of paracetamol to dysphagic patients

Development of Efficient Sodium Alginate/Polysuccinimide-Based Hydrogels as Biodegradable Acetaminophen Delivery Systems

Efficient drug delivery systems are essential for improving patient outcomes. Acetaminophen (AP), which is a kind of oral administration, is a commonly used pain reliever and fever reducer. However, oral administration carries various health risks, especially overdose and frequent use; for instance, AP is administered approximately 4 times per day. Therefore, the aim of this study is to develop an efficient delivery system for once-daily administration by combining sodium alginate and polysuccinimide (PSI) hydrogels to delay the release of analgesic AP. PSI is a biodegradable polymer that can be used safely and effectively in drug delivery systems because it is eliminated by hydrolysis in the intestine. The use of PSI also improves the mechanical properties of hydrogels and prolongs drug release. In this study, hydrogel characterizations such as mechanical properties, drug dissolution ability, and biodegradability were measured to evaluate the hydrolysis of PSI in the intestine. Based on the results, hydrogels could be designed to improve the structural mechanical properties and to allow the drug to be completely dissolved, and eliminated from the body through PSI hydrolysis in the intestines. In addition, the release profiles of AP in the hydrogels were evaluated, and the hydrogels provided continuous release of AP for 24 h. Our research suggests that sodium alginate/PSI hydrogels can potentially serve as biodegradable delivery systems for AP. These findings may have significant implications for developing efficient drug delivery systems for other classes of drugs.

In situ gastric floating gel of atazanavir sulphate for sustained release: formulation, optimization and evaluation

Aim: Atazanavir sulphate belongs to BCS class II drug, its oral bioavailability is limited due to its rapid first-pass metabolism and P-gp efflux. Materials & methods: The in situ floating gel using the complexed drug was prepared by ion gelation method and optimized the formulation as per 32 full factorial design. Results: Floating lag time of optimized formulation was found to be 18 s and percentage drug release of 94.18 ± 0.18 % at the end of 16 h. The concentration of gelling polymer affects drug release and a floating lag time and vice versa. Conclusion: In situ floating gel of atazanavir sulphate was found promising to sustain drug release due to an increased gastric residence time, which leads to enhanced potential therapy.

Development and Characterization of Oral Raft Forming In Situ Gelling System of Neratinib Anticancer Drug Using 32 Factorial Design

Neratinib (NTB) is an irreversible inhibitor of pan-human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER-2) tyrosine kinase and is used in the treatment of breast cancer. It is a poorly aqueous soluble drug and exhibits extremely low oral bioavailability at higher pH, leading to a diminishing of the therapeutic effects in the GIT. The main objective of the research was to formulate an oral raft-forming in situ gelling system of NTB to improve gastric retention and drug release in a controlled manner and remain floating in the stomach for a prolonged time. In this study, NTB solubility was enhanced by polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based solid dispersions (SDs), and an in situ gelling system was developed and optimized by a two-factor at three-level (3²) factorial design. It was analyzed to study the impact of two independent variables viz sodium alginate [A] and HPMC K4M [B] on the responses, such as floating lag time, percentage (%) water uptake at 2 h, and % drug release at 6 h and 12 h. Among various SDs prepared using PEG 6000, formulation 1:3 showed the highest drug solubility. FT-IR spectra revealed no interactions between the drug and the polymer. The percentage of drug content in NTB SDs ranged from 96.22 ± 1.67% to 97.70 ± 1.89%. The developed in situ gel formulations exhibited a pH value of approximately 7. An in vitro gelation study of the in situ gel formulation showed immediate gelation and was retained for a longer period. From the obtained results of 3² factorial designs, it was observed that all the selected factors had a significant effect on the chosen response, supporting the precision of design employed for optimization. Thus, the developed oral raft-forming in situ gelling system of NTB can be a promising and alternate approach to enhance retention in the stomach and to attain sustained release of drug by floating, thereby augmenting the therapeutic efficacy of NTB.

Formulation, optimization and validation of floating oral in situ gel of Ivabradine hydrochloride

Aim: Ivabradine hydrochloride is a hyperpolarized activated channel blocker used for symptomatic treatment of chronic angina pectoris. However, due to its short half-life it is rapidly eliminated from systemic circulation. Materials & methods: Floating in situ gel was formulated using sodium alginate and HPMC K 100 M by pH induced ion gelation technique employing 3² factorial design for optimization and evaluated. Results: The in situ formulation remained buoyant in gastric environment for 12 h. Optimized formulation sustained and prolonged drug release in comparison with marketed product. Kinetic analysis of drug release indicated non fickian mechanism. Short term stability studies showed no significant changes indicating good formulation stability. Conclusion: Formulated in situ solution shows potential effective sustained release over a prolonged period of time.

Marine Polysaccharides in Tailor- Made Drug Delivery

Abstract:

Marine sources have attracted much interest as an emerging source of biomaterials in drug delivery applications. Amongst all other marine biopolymers, polysaccharides have been the mostly investigated class of biomaterials. The low cytotoxic behavior, in combination with the newly explored health benefits of marine polysaccharides has made it one of the prime research areas in the pharmaceutical and biomedical fields. In this review, we focused on all available marine polysaccharides, including their classification based on biological sources. The applications of several marine polysaccharides in recent years for tissue-specific novel drug delivery including gastrointestinal, brain tissue, transdermal, ocular, liver, and lung have also been discussed here. The abundant availability in nature, cost-effective extraction, and purification process along with a favorable biodegradable profile will encourage researchers to continue investigating marine polysaccharides for exploring newer applications in targeting specific delivery of therapeutics.

Efficient Treatment of Fish Intestinal Parasites Applying a Membrane-Penetrating Oral Drug Delivery Nanoparticle

Nanodelivery of drugs aims to ensure drug stability in the face of adverse biochemical conditions in the course of administration, concomitant with appropriate pharmacological action provided by delivery at the targeted site. In this study, the application potential of a nanoparticle produced with biopolymers chitosan-N-arginine and alginate as an oral drug delivery material is evaluated. Both macromolecules being weak polyelectrolytes, the nanoparticle presents strong thermodynamic interactions with a biological model membrane consisting of a charged lipid liposome bilayer, leading to membrane disruption and membrane penetration of the nanoparticles in ideal conditions of pH corresponding to the oral route. The powder form of the nanoparticle was obtained by lyophilization and with a high percentage of entrapment of the anthelmintic drug praziquantel. In vivo studies were conducted with oral administration to Corydoras schwartzi fish with high intensity of intestinal parasites infection. The in vivo experiments confirmed the mucoadhesive and revealed membrane-penetrating properties of the nanoparticle by translocating the parasite cyst, which provided target drug release and reduction of over 97% of the fish intestinal parasites. Thus, it was evidenced that the nanoparticle was effective in transporting and releasing the drug to the target, providing an efficient treatment.

A novel in vitro approach to investigate the effect of food intake on release profile of valsartan in solid dispersion-floating gel in-situ delivery system

Valsartan (VAL) is a BCS class II drug with low solubility and high permeability and, thus, its formulations often encounter low bioavailability problems. Its low bioavailability can be improved through enhanced formulation, such as incorporating it into a solid dispersion system (SD). The absorption can be further enhanced through gastroretentive systems. Herein, we developed a novel combination delivery approach consisting of floating in-situ gel and SD. VAL was incorporated with polymer carrier PVP and PEG 6000 and its solubility was then evaluated. The study found that VAL-SD containing PVP K-30 as the carrier with drug:PVP K-30 ratio of 1:3 shown highest solubility in different media. Moreover, DSC and XRD evaluations exhibited the change of VAL from crystal to amorphous following SD formulation. The SD was then formulated into floating in-situ gel preparations using sodium alginate as gel forming compound and HPMC as the controlled release matrix. The prepared VAL-SD floating in-situ gels were evaluated for their physical properties and drug release profile. The results showed that all physical evaluation of the floating in-situ gel formula possessed desirable physical properties and the use of HPMC in floating in-situ gel was able to sustain the in vitro release of VAL for 24 h in biorelevant media. Importantly, the effect of food intake on VAL release was also investigated, for the first time, showing that the VAL release could be controlled in FaSSGF (Fasted-State Simulated Gastric Fluid) in 2 h and FeSSGF (Fed-State Simulated Gastric Fluid) onwards. Thus, in can be hypothesized that the food intake did not affect the VAL release after 2 h in an empty gastric environment. Leading on from these results, in vivo studies in an animal model should be carried out to further assess the potency of this system.

Promising Polymeric Drug Carriers for Local Delivery: The Case of in situ Gels

BACKGROUND

At present, the controlled local drug delivery is a very promising approach compared to systemic administration, since it mostly targets the affected tissue. In fact, various drug carriers for local delivery have been prepared with improved therapeutic efficacy.

OBJECTIVE

in situ polymer gels are drug delivery systems that not only present liquid characteristics before their administration in body, but once they are administered, form gels due to gelation. Their gelation mechanism is due to factors such as pH alteration, temperature change, ion activation or ultraviolet irradiation. in situ gels offer various advantages compared to conventional formulations due to their ability to release drugs in a sustainable and controllable manner. Most importantly, in situ gels can be used in local drug delivery applications for various diseases.

METHODS

This review includes the basic knowledge and theory of in situ gels as well as their various applications according to their administration route.

RESULTS

Various natural, semisynthetic, and synthetic polymers can produce in situ polymeric gels. For example, natural polysaccharides such as alginic acid, chitosan, gellan gum, carrageenan etc. have been utilized as in situ gels for topical delivery. Besides the polysaccharides, poloxamers, poly(Nisopropylacrylamide), poly(ethyleneoxide)/ (lactic-co-glycolic acid), and thermosensitive liposome systems can be applied as in situ gels. In most cases, in situ polymeric gels could be applied via various administration routes such as oral, vaginal, ocular, intranasal and injectable.

CONCLUSION

To conclude, it can be revealed that in situ gels could be a promising alternative carrier for both chronic and immediate diseases.

Improved efficacy of Panax notoginseng saponin loaded into BSP/alginate microspheres for the treatment of alcoholic gastric ulcers

Previously, we have reported the evaluations of alginate and Bletilla striata polysaccharide (BSP) in formulation of microsphere, which is a muco-adhesive carrier and can achieve a long duration of gastric retention. The combination of Panax notoginseng (Burk.) and B. striata is a traditional Chinese herbal formula that is used to treat gastric ulcers. BSP, an effective ingredient of B. striata, possesses both medicinal and excipient functions. Panax notoginseng saponin (PNS), which can easily dissolve in water, is the main effective ingredient in P. notoginseng (Burk.) for the treatment of gastric ulcers. However, microspheres containing PNS could directly cause drug leakage, ultimately reducing the encapsulation rate. In this study, PNS was fabricated into a hydrophobic dispersion with slow-release characteristics. Subsequently, PNS was packaged into BSP/alginate microspheres to improve the encapsulation rate. The prepared PNS-loaded microspheres were round, the release characteristics aligned with the Weibull equation, and the active ingredients were released by diffusion and erosion. The developed microspheres improved the effects of PNS and synergistically exerted the pharmaceutical effects of BSP on acute gastric ulcers.

Alginate-poloxamer beads for clotrimazole delivery: Molecular interactions, mechanical properties, and anticandidal activity

Calcium alginate (CA) beads loaded with clotrimazole (CZ) were modified by adding poloxamer (PLX) in this study. Blends of PLX188 or PLX407 into sodium alginate (SA) dispersions caused a decrease in the SA zeta potential and led to viscosity synergism. SA with carboxyl and hydroxyl groups can interact with the hydroxyl groups of PLX via hydrogen bonding. A stronger interaction of SA with PLX407 was found when compared to the interaction between SA and PLX188. The PLX-CA beads gave a higher CZ entrapment efficiency than the CA beads. The highest PLX content used created an amorphous form of CZ in the beads because of the CZ solubilization by the PLX micelles. The addition of 0.5 or 1% w/v PLX can strengthen the CZ-loaded CA beads. Furthermore, the PLX-CA beads display a lower water uptake than the CA beads. PLX micellization can enhance CZ release and enhance the efficacy of CZ against Candida albicans. This study indicates that the molecular interaction of SA with PLX and the PLX micellization of CZ can improve the characteristics of CZ-loaded CA beads, which offer good potential for use as drug delivery systems or drug reservoirs in tablets for oral candidiasis.