Exploring role of polysaccharides present in Ganoderma lucidium extract powder and probiotics as solid carriers in development of liquisolid formulation loaded with quercetin: A novel study

Enhancing the oral bioavailability of fisetin: polysaccharide-based self nano-emulsifying spheroids for colon-targeted delivery

Fisetin (FS) is a flavonoid that possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties against ulcerative colitis. FS shows poor dissolution rate and permeability. An attempt has been made to develop colon-targeted solid self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (S-SNEDDS) of FS. Initially, liquid (L) SNEDDS were prepared by loading FS into isotropic mixture of L-SNEDDS was prepared using Labrafil M 1944 CS, Transcutol P, and Tween 80. These L-SNEDDS were further converted into solid (S) SNEDDS by mixing the isotropic mixture with 1:1:1 ratio of guar gum (GG), xanthan gum (XG) and pectin (PC) [GG:XG:PC (1:1:1)]. Aerosil-200 (A-200) was added to enhance their flow characteristics. Further, they were converted into spheroids by extrusion-spheronization technique. The solid-state characterization of S-SNEDDS was done by SEM, DSC, and PXRD, which revealed that the crystalline form of FS was converted into the amorphous form. In the dissolution study, S-SNEDDS spheroids [GG:XG:PC (1:1:1)] exhibited less than 20% drug release within the first 5 h, followed by rapid release of the drug between the 5th and 10th h, indicating its release at colonic site. The site-specific delivery of FS to colon via FS-S-SNEDDS spheroids was confirmed by conducting pharmacokinetic studies on rats. Wherein, results showed delay in absorption of FS loaded in spheroids up to 5 h and achievement of Cmax at 7h, whereas L-SNEDDS showed rapid absorption of FS. Furthermore, FS-L-SNEDDS and FS-S-SNEDDS spheroids [GG:XG:PC (1:1:1)] increased oral bioavailability of FS by 6.86-fold and 4.44-fold, respectively, as compared to unprocessed FS.

Pyroptosis-related non-coding RNAs emerging players in atherosclerosis pathology

Globally, atherosclerosis a persistent inflammatory condition of the artery walls continues to be the primary cause of cardiovascular illness and death. The ncRNAs are important regulators of important signalling pathways that affect pyroptosis and the inflammatory environment in atherosclerotic plaques. Comprehending the complex interaction between pyroptosis and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) offers fresh perspectives on putative therapeutic targets for ameliorating cardiovascular problems linked to atherosclerosis. The discovery of particular non-coding RNA signatures linked to the advancement of atherosclerosis could lead to the creation of novel biomarkers for risk assessment and customised treatment approaches. A thorough investigation of the regulatory networks regulated by these non-coding RNAs has been made possible by the combination of cutting-edge molecular methods and bioinformatics tools. Studying pyroptosis-related ncRNAs in detail appears to be a promising way to advance our understanding of disease pathophysiology and develop focused therapeutic methods as we work to unravel the complex molecular tapestry of atherosclerosis. This review explores the emerging significance of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in the regulation of pyroptosis and their consequential impact on atherosclerosis pathology.

Expanding Arsenal against Neurodegenerative Diseases Using Quercetin Based Nanoformulations: Breakthroughs and Bottlenecks

Quercetin (Qu), a dietary flavonoid, is obtained from many fruits and vegetables such as coriander, broccoli, capers, asparagus, onion, figs, radish leaves, cranberry, walnuts, and citrus fruits. It has proven its role as a nutraceutical owing to numerous pharmacological effects against various diseases in preclinical studies. Despite these facts, Qu and its nanoparticles are less explored in clinical research as a nutraceutical. The present review covers various neuroprotective actions of Qu against various neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. A literature search was conducted to systematically review the various mechanistic pathways through which Qu elicits its neuroprotective actions and the challenges associated with raw Qu that compromise therapeutic efficacy. The nanoformulations developed to enhance Qu's therapeutic efficacy are also covered. Various ongoing/completed clinical trials related to Qu in treating various diseases, including NDs, are also tabulated. Despite these many successes, the exploration of research on Qu-loaded nanoformulations is limited mostly to preclinical studies, probably due to poor drug loading and stability of the formulation, time-consuming steps involved in the formulation, and their poor scale-up capacity. Hence, future efforts are required in this area to reach Qu nanoformulations to the clinical level.

Multivariate Data Analysis and Central Composite Design-Oriented Optimization of Solid Carriers for Formulation of Curcumin-Loaded Solid SNEDDS: Dissolution and Bioavailability Assessment

The study was initiated with two major purposes: investigating the role of isomalt (GIQ9) as a pharmaceutical carrier for solid self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (S-SNEDDSs) and improving the oral bioavailability of lipophilic curcumin (CUN). GIQ9 has never been explored for solidification of liquid lipid-based nanoparticles such as a liquid isotropic mixture of a SNEDDS containing oil, surfactant and co-surfactant. The suitability of GIQ9 as a carrier was assessed by calculating the loading factor, flow and micromeritic properties. The S-SNEDDSs were prepared by surface adsorption technique. The formulation variables were optimized using central composite design (CCD). The optimized S-SNEDDS was evaluated for differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), microscopy, dissolution and pharmacokinetic studies. The S-SNEDDS showed a particle size, zeta potential and PDI of 97 nm, -26.8 mV and 0.354, respectively. The results of DSC, XRD, FTIR and microscopic studies revealed that the isotropic mixture was adsorbed onto the solid carrier. The L-SNEDDS and S-SNEDDS showed no significant difference in drug release, indicating no change upon solidification. The optimized S-SNEDDS showed 5.1-fold and 61.7-fold enhancement in dissolution rate and oral bioavailability as compared to the naïve curcumin. The overall outcomes of the study indicated the suitability of GIQ9 as a solid carrier for SNEDDSs.

Self-nanoemulsifying composition containing curcumin, quercetin, Ganoderma lucidum extract powder and probiotics for effective treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in streptozotocin induced rats

Liquid self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (L-SNEDDS) of curcumin and quercetin were prepared by dissolving them in isotropic mixture of Labrafil M1944CS®, Capmul MCM®, Tween-80® and Transcutol P®. The prepared L-SNEDDS were solidified using Ganoderma lucidum extract, probiotics and Aerosil-200® using spray drying. These were further converted into pellets using extrusion-spheronization. The mean droplet size and zeta potential of L-SNEDDS were found to be 63.46 ± 2.12 nm and - 14.8 ± 3.11 mV while for solid SNEDDS pellets, these were 72.46 ± 2.16 nm and -38.7 ± 1.34 mV, respectively. The dissolution rate for curcumin and quercetin each was enhanced by 4.5 folds while permeability was enhanced by 5.28 folds (curcumin) and 3.35 folds (quercetin) when loaded into SNEDDS pellets. The Cmax for curcumin and quercetin containing SNEDDS pellets was found 532.34 ± 5.64 ng/mL and 4280 ± 65.67 ng/mL, respectively. This was 17.55 and 3.48 folds higher as compared to their naïve forms. About 50.23- and 5.57-folds increase in bioavailability was observed for curcumin and quercetin respectively, upon loading into SNEDDS pellets. SNEDDS pellets were found stable at accelerated storage conditions. The developed formulation was able to normalize the levels of blood glucose, lipids, antioxidant biomarkers, and tissue architecture of pancreas and liver in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats as compared to their naïve forms.