Reverse aqueous emulsions and microemulsions in HFA227 propellant stabilized by non-ionic ethoxylated amphiphiles

Comprehensive Review on Applications of Surfactants in Vaccine Formulation, Therapeutic and Cosmetic Pharmacy and Prevention of Pulmonary Failure due to COVID-19

Our world is under serious threat of environmental degradation, climate change and in association with this the out breaks of diseases as pandemics. The devastating impact of the very recent COVID-19, The sharp increase in cases of Cancer, Pulmonary failure, Heart health has triggered questions for the sustainable development of pharmaceutical and medical sciences. In the search of inclusive and effective strategies to meet today’s demand, improvised methodologies and alternative green chemical, bio-based precursors are being introduced by scientists around the globe. In this extensive review we have presented the potentiality and Realtime applications of both synthetic and bio-based surfactants in bio-medical and pharmaceutical fields. For their excellent unique amphoteric nature and ability to solubilise in both organic and inorganic drugs, surfactants are one of the most potential candidates for bio-medicinal fields such as dermatology, drug delivery, anticancer treatment, surfactant therapy, vaccine formulation, personal hygiene care and many more. The self-assembly property of surfactants is a very powerful function for drug delivery systems that increases the bio-availability of the poorly aqueous soluble pharmaceutical products by influencing their solubility. Over the decades many researchers have reported the antimicrobial, anti-adhesive, antibiofilm, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activities of surfactants regarding its utility in medicinal purposes. In some reports surfactants are found to have spermicidal and laxative activity too. This comprehensive report is targeted to enlighten the versatile applications of Surfactants in drug delivery, vaccine formulation, Cancer Treatment, Therapeutic and cosmetic Pharmaceutical Sciences and prevention of pulmonary failure due to COVID-19.

Development of Aggregation-Caused Quenching Probe-Loaded Pressurized Metered-Dose Inhalers with Fluorescence Tracking Potentials

Recently, pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) are getting more attention as an effective approach of pulmonary drug delivery, and nanoparticle-based formulations have become a new generation of pMDIs, especially for water insoluble drugs. Up until now, there is no clinical application of nanoparticle-based pMDIs. The main hurdle remains in the lack of knowledge of the in vivo fate of those systems. In this study, a fluorescent probe named P4 with aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) effect was loaded in the nanoparticle-based pMDIs to track the in vivo fate. P4 probe expressed strong fluorescence when distributed in intact nanoparticles, but quenched in the in vivo aqueous environment due to molecular aggregation. Experimentally, P4 probe was encapsulated into solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) as P4-SLN, and then, the formulation of pMDIs was optimized. The content (w/w) of the optimal formulation (P4-SLN-pMDIs) was as follows: 6.02% Pluronic® L64, 12.03% ethanol, 0.46% P4-SLN, and 81.49% 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFA-134a). P4-SLN-pMDI was transparent in appearance, possessed a particle size of 132.07 ± 3.56 nm, and the fine particle fraction (FPF) was 39.53 ± 1.94%, as well good stability was shown within 10 days. The results indicated P4-SLN-pMDI was successfully prepared. Moreover, the ACQ property of P4-SLN-pMDIs was verified, which ensured the fluorescence property as a credible tool for in vivo fate study. Taken together, this work established a platform that could provide a firm theoretical support for exploration of the in vivo fate of nanoparticle-based pMDIs in subsequent studies. Grapical abstract.

Enhancing Stability of Exenatide-Containing Pressurized Metered-Dose Inhaler Via Reverse Microemulsion System

The dispersibility and stability issues of peptide drugs during preparation and storage hinder the widespread adoption of pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI). This study aimed to develop a reverse microemulsion (RM) of exenatide (EXE) pMDI through a liquid-based bottom-up method, thus to overcome the stability issue of peptide drugs encountered in traditional top-down methods, such as milling down and high-pressure homogenization. In this study, Pluronic® L64 (L64) was chosen as a surfactant to prepare the EXE-RM pMDI formulations with the assistance of ethanol. The results showed RM possessed a particle size of 123.80 ± 2.91 nm with 0.121 ± 0.024 PdI and a satisfied fine-particle fraction of 41.30 ± 3.73% measured by a next-generation impactor. In addition, the dispersion stability of RM pMDI was maintained after storage at 4 °C for 50 days. The secondary structure of EXE was maintained during the preparation process. Moreover, the results indicated that L64 was compatible with cells and could improve the penetration of EXE through cell monolayers. Through the liquid-based bottom-up method, EXE-RM pMDI was successfully prepared and exhibited favorable stability and aerodynamic performance. This study offers a preparation strategy to enhance the stability of peptides in pMDIs.

Poly(amidoamine) Dendrimer-Doxorubicin Conjugates: In Vitro Characteristics and Pseudosolution Formulation in Pressurized Metered-Dose Inhalers

Lung cancers are the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women. A series of PEGylated poly(amidoamine) dendrimer-based doxorubicin (DOX) nanocarriers (G3NH2-mPEG-nDOX) were synthesized and their chemistry tailored for the development of novel pseudosolution formulations in propellant-based metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) with enhanced aerosol characteristics. A pH-labile bond was used to conjugate DOX to dendrimer for controlled intracellular release. We employed a two-step PEGylation strategy to cover a range of DOX loading and PEGylation density. We investigated the impact of pH, PEGylation density, and DOX payload on the release of DOX from the conjugate. We also determined the cellular internalization of the conjugate, the intracellular release kinetics of DOX from the conjugate, and their ability to kill human alveolar carcinoma cells (A549). The acid-labile conjugates sustained the release of DOX in acidic medium, and also intracellularly, as determined by nuclear colocalization studies with confocal microscopy. Meanwhile, DOX was retained in the conjugate at extracellular physiological conditions, indicating their potential to achieve spatial and temporal controlled release profiles. We also observed that the kinetics of cellular entry of the conjugates with DOX increased significantly compared to free DOX. Due to controlled release, the G3NH2-mPEG-nDOX conjugates showed time-dependent cell kill, but their cell kill ability was comparable to free DOX, which suggests their potential in vivo as compared to free DOX. The conjugates were formulated in pMDIs as pseudosolution formulations, with the help of a minimum amount of cosolvent (ethanol; <0.4%; v/v). The physical stability and aerosol characteristics of the conjugates were controlled by the PEGylation density of the carriers: the higher the PEG density, the better the dispersibility and the better the deep lung deposition of the conjugates (fine particle fraction up to ca. 80%).

Advances in metered dose inhaler technology: formulation development

Pressurized metered dose inhalers (MDIs) are a long-standing method to treat diseases of the lung, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. MDIs rely on the driving force of the propellant, which comprises the bulk of the MDI formulation, to atomize droplets containing drug and excipients, which ideally should deposit in the lungs. During the phase out of chlorofluorocarbon propellants and the introduction of more environmentally friendly hydrofluoroalkane propellants, many improvements were made to the methods of formulating for MDI drug delivery along with a greater understanding of formulation variables on product performance. This review presents a survey of challenges associated with formulating MDIs as solution or suspension products with one or more drugs, while considering the physicochemical properties of various excipients and how the addition of these excipients may impact overall product performance of the MDI. Propellants, volatile and nonvolatile cosolvents, surfactants, polymers, suspension stabilizers, and bulking agents are among the variety of excipients discussed in this review article. Furthermore, other formulation approaches, such as engineered excipient and drug-excipient particles, to deliver multiple drugs from a single MDI are also evaluated.

Advances in metered dose inhaler technology: formulation development

Pressurized metered dose inhalers (MDIs) are a long-standing method to treat diseases of the lung, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. MDIs rely on the driving force of the propellant, which comprises the bulk of the MDI formulation, to atomize droplets containing drug and excipients, which ideally should deposit in the lungs. During the phase out of chlorofluorocarbon propellants and the introduction of more environmentally friendly hydrofluoroalkane propellants, many improvements were made to the methods of formulating for MDI drug delivery along with a greater understanding of formulation variables on product performance. This review presents a survey of challenges associated with formulating MDIs as solution or suspension products with one or more drugs, while considering the physicochemical properties of various excipients and how the addition of these excipients may impact overall product performance of the MDI. Propellants, volatile and nonvolatile cosolvents, surfactants, polymers, suspension stabilizers, and bulking agents are among the variety of excipients discussed in this review article. Furthermore, other formulation approaches, such as engineered excipient and drug-excipient particles, to deliver multiple drugs from a single MDI are also evaluated.

Tuning aerosol particle size distribution of metered dose inhalers using cosolvents and surfactants

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of these studies was to understand the influence of cosolvent and surfactant contributions to particle size distributions emitted from solution metered dose inhalers (pMDIs) based on the propellant HFA 227.

METHODS

Two sets of formulations were prepared: (a) pMDIs-HFA 227 containing cosolvent (5-15% w/w ethanol) with constant surfactant (pluronic) concentration and (b) pMDIs-HFA 227 containing surfactant (0-5.45% w/w pluronic) with constant cosolvent concentration. Particle size distributions emitted from these pMDIs were analyzed using aerodynamic characterization (inertial impaction) and laser diffraction methods.

RESULTS

Both cosolvent and surfactant concentrations were positively correlated with median particle sizes; that is, drug particle size increased with increasing ethanol and pluronic concentrations. However, evaluation of particle size distributions showed that cosolvent caused reduction in the fine particle mode magnitude while the surfactant caused a shift in the mode position. These findings highlight the different mechanisms by which these components influence droplet formation and demonstrate the ability to utilize the different effects in formulations of pMDI-HFA 227 for independently modulating particle sizes in the respirable region.

CONCLUSION

Potentially, the formulation design window generated using these excipients in combination could be used to match the particle size output of reformulated products to preexisting pMDI products.

Stability and aerosolization of pressurized metered dose inhalers containing thymopentin nanoparticles produced using a bottom-up process

The objective of this study was to investigate the stability and aerosolization of pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDIs) containing thymopentin nanoparticles. Thymopentin nanoparticles, fabricated by a bottom-up process, were suspended in hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) 134a together with cineole and/or n-heptane to produce pMDI formulations. The stability study of the pMDIs obtained was carried out at ambient temperature for 6 months. The amount of thymopentin and the aerosolization properties of pMDIs were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and a twin-stage impinger (TSI), respectively. Based on the results, thymopentin nanoparticles were readily suspended in HFA 134a with the aid of cineole and/or n-heptane to form physically stable pMDI formulations, and more than 98% of the labeled amount of thymopentin and over 50% of the fine particle fraction (FPF) of the pMDIs were achieved. During storage, it was found that for all pMDIs more than 97% of the labeled amount of thymopentin and FPF greater than 47% were achieved. Moreover, the size of thymopentin nanoparticles in propellant containing cineole and n-heptane showed little change. It is, therefore, concluded that the pMDIs comprising thymopentin nanoparticles developed in this study were stable and suitable for inhalation therapy for systemic action.

Reverse aqueous microemulsions in hydrofluoroalkane propellants and their aerosol characteristics

In this work we describe the structure and environment of reverse aqueous microemulsions formed in 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFA134a) propellant in the presence of a non-ionic ethoxylated copolymer, and the aerosol characteristics of the corresponding pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI) formulations. The activity of selected polypropylene oxide-polyethylene oxide-polypropylene oxide (PO(m)EO(n)PO(m)) amphiphiles at the HFA134a-water interface was studied using in situ high-pressure tensiometry, and those results were used as a guide in the selection of the most appropriate candidate surfactant for the formation of microemulsions in the compressed HFA134a. The environment and structure of the aggregates formed with the selected surfactant candidate, PO(22)EO(14)PO(22), was probed via UV-vis spectroscopy (molecular probe), and small angle neutron scattering (SANS), respectively. High water loading capacity in the core of the nanoaggregates was achieved in the presence of ethanol. At a water-to-surfactant molar ratio of 21 and 10% ethanol, cylindrical aggregates with a radius of 18Å, and length of 254Å were confirmed with SANS. Anderson Cascade Impactor (ACI) results reveal that the concentration of the excipients (C(exp), including surfactant, water and ethanol) has a strong effect on the aerosol characteristics of the formulations, including the respirable fraction, and the mass mean aerodynamic diameter (MMAD), and that the trend in MMAD can be predicted as a function of the C(exp) following similar correlations to those proposed to common non-volatile excipients, indicating that the nanodroplets of water dispersed in the propellant behave similarly to molecularly solubilized compounds. Cytotoxicity studies of PO(22)EO(14)PO(22) were performed in A549 cells, an alveolar type II epithelial cell line, and indicate that, within the concentration range of interest, the surfactant in question decreases cell viability only lightly. The relevance of this work stems from the fact that aqueous-based HFA-pMDIs are expected to be versatile formulations, with the ability to carry a range of medically relevant hydrophilic compounds within the nanocontainers, including high potency drugs, drug combinations and biomacromolecules.

Investigation of solute permeation across hydrogels composed of poly(methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic acid) and poly(ethylene glycol)

OBJECTIVES

Swelling kinetics and solute permeation (theophylline, vitamin B(12) and fluorescein sodium) of hydrogels composed of poly(methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic acid) (PMVE/MA) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) are presented.

METHODS

The effects of PMVE/MA and PEG 10 000 content on swelling behaviour (percentage swelling, the type of diffusion and swelling rate constant) were investigated in 0.1 m phosphate buffer. Network parameters, such as average molecular weight between crosslinks (M(c)) and crosslink density, were evaluated.

KEY FINDINGS

The percentage swelling and M(c) of hydrogels increased with decrease in PMVE/MA content, where the water diffusion mechanism into the hydrogels was Class-II type. In contrast, increase in PMVE/MA content caused an increase in the crosslink density. Permeation of theophylline, vitamin B(12) and fluorescein sodium, with increasing hydrodynamic radii, was studied through the equilibrium swollen hydrogels composed of PMVE/MA and PEG. In general, the permeability and diffusion coefficients of all three solutes decreased with increase in the PMVE/MA content. In addition, permeability and diffusion coefficient values increased with decreases in the hydrodynamic radii of the solute molecules.

CONCLUSIONS

The hydrogels have shown a change in swelling behaviour, crosslink density, M(c) and solute permeation with change in PMVE/MA content, thus suggesting a potential application in controlled drug-delivery systems.

Swellable hydrogel particles for controlled release pulmonary administration using propellant-driven metered dose inhalers

BACKGROUND

Swellable hydrogel microparticle-based pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI) formulations allow delivery of small respirable sized particles (1-5 microns), which swell upon the deposition in the deep lung and therefore can elude alveolar macrophage uptake via their larger geometric sizes. In addition, optimized surface chemistry may allow for sustained release of drug for multiple days.

METHODS

Drug-loaded PLGA nanoparticles encapsulated in PEG/chitosan (Cs) graft copolymer-based hydrogel microparticles were synthesized and characterized. Physical stability of dispersions within Hydrofluoroalkane propellant systems was assessed. The formulations were evaluated for aerosolization performance using a Next Generation Impactor.

RESULTS

Low density PEG/chitosan (Cs) graft copolymer-based hydrogel microparticles containing drug-loaded PLGA nanoparticles has an average diameter of 1-2 μm. These dispersions showed good compatibility with HFA227ea. Suspension stability was found to vary with the concentration of hydrogel particles. It was typically between 1 to 5 min and was found to be easily redispersible. Aerosolization studies showed fine particle fraction as high as 65% could be achieved.

CONCLUSIONS

These swellable hydrogel-based microparticle pMDI formulations could be used as potential delivery vehicles for nanoparticle therapeutics.