Propranolol hydrochloride-loaded liposomal gel for transdermal delivery: Characterization and in vivo evaluation

Recent Advances in Targeted Therapies for Infantile Hemangiomas

Targeted therapy for infantile hemangiomas (IHs) has been extensively studied as they can concentrate drugs, increase therapeutic efficacy and reduce drug dosage. Meanwhile, they can extend drug release times, enhance drug stability, decrease dosing frequency, and improve patient compliance. Moreover, carriers made from biocompatible materials reduced drug immunogenicity, minimizing adverse reactions. However, current targeted formulations still face numerous challenges such as the non-absolute safety of carrier materials; the need to further increase drug loading capacity; the limitation of animal hemangioma models in fully replicating the biological properties of human infantile hemangiomas; the establishment of models for deep-seated hemangiomas with high incidence rates; and the development of more specific targets or markers. In this review, we provided a brief overview of the characteristics of IHs and summarized the past decade's advances, advantages, and targeting strategies of targeted drug delivery systems for IHs and discussed their applications in the treatment of IHs. Furthermore, the goal is to provide a reference for further research and application in this field.

Simvastatin-Encapsulated Topical Liposomal Gel for Augmented Wound Healing: Optimization Using the Box-Behnken Model, Evaluations, and In Vivo Studies

Statins function beyond regulating cholesterol and, when administered systemically, can promote wound healing. However, studies have yet to explore the topical use of statins for wound healing. The present study demonstrated the topical administration of SIM and aimed to formulate, evaluate, and optimize Simvastatin (SIM)-encapsulated liposome gel carrier systems to facilitate successful topical wound healing. Liposomes containing SIM were formulated and optimized via a response surface methodology (RSM) using the thin-film hydration method. The effects of formulation variables, including the 1,2-dioleoyloxy-3-trimethylammoniumpropan (DOTAP) concentration, Span 80 concentration, and cholesterol concentration, on zeta potential (mV), entrapment efficacy (%), and particle size (nm) were studied. The optimized liposome formulation (F-07) exhibited a zeta potential value of 16.56 ± 2.51 mV, revealing robust stability and a high SIM encapsulation efficiency of 95.6 ± 4.2%, whereas its particle size of 190.3 ± 3.3 nm confirmed its stability and structural integrity. The optimized liposome gel demonstrated pseudoplastic flow behavior. This property is advantageous in topical drug delivery systems because of its ease of application, improved spreadability, and enhanced penetration, demonstrating prolonged SIM release. The assessment of the wound healing efficacy of the optimized liposomal gel formulation demonstrated a substantial decrease in wound size in mice on the sixteenth day post-wounding. These findings suggest that the use of liposomal gels is a potential drug delivery strategy for incorporating SIM, thereby augmenting its effectiveness in promoting wound healing.

Recent advances in nanomaterial-driven strategies for diagnosis and therapy of vascular anomalies

Nanotechnology has demonstrated immense potential in various fields, especially in biomedical field. Among these domains, the development of nanotechnology for diagnosing and treating vascular anomalies has garnered significant attention. Vascular anomalies refer to structural and functional anomalies within the vascular system, which can result in conditions such as vascular malformations and tumors. These anomalies can significantly impact the quality of life of patients and pose significant health concerns. Nanoscale contrast agents have been developed for targeted imaging of blood vessels, enabling more precise identification and characterization of vascular anomalies. These contrast agents can be designed to bind specifically to abnormal blood vessels, providing healthcare professionals with a clearer view of the affected areas. More importantly, nanotechnology also offers promising solutions for targeted therapeutic interventions. Nanoparticles can be engineered to deliver drugs directly to the site of vascular anomalies, maximizing therapeutic effects while minimizing side effects on healthy tissues. Meanwhile, by incorporating functional components into nanoparticles, such as photosensitizers, nanotechnology enables innovative treatment modalities such as photothermal therapy and photodynamic therapy. This review focuses on the applications and potential of nanotechnology in the imaging and therapy of vascular anomalies, as well as discusses the present challenges and future directions.

Engineering nanosystems for transdermal delivery of antihypertensive drugs

To control hypertension, long-term continuous antihypertensive therapeutics are required and five classes of antihypertensive drugs are frequently involved, including diuretics, β-blockers, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin II receptor blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Although with demonstrated clinical utility, there is still room for the improvement of many antihypertensive drugs in oral tablet or capsule dosage form, in terms of reducing systemic side effects and first-pass hepatic drug uptake. Meanwhile, nanocarrier-mediated transdermal drug delivery systems have emerged as a powerful tool for various disease treatments. With benefits such as promoting patient compliance for long-time administration, enhancing skin permeability, and reducing systemic side effects, these systems are reasonably investigated and developed for the transdermal delivery of multiple antihypertensive drugs. This review aims to summarize the literature relating to nanosystem-based transdermal antihypertensive drug delivery and update recent advances in this field, as well as briefly discuss the challenges and prospects of engineering transdermal delivery nanosystems for hypertension treatment.

Lipid Horizons: Recent Advances and Future Prospects in LBDDS for Oral Administration of Antihypertensive Agents

The lipid-based drug delivery system (LBDDS) is a well-established technique that is anticipated to bring about comprehensive transformations in the pharmaceutical field, impacting the management and administration of drugs, as well as treatment and diagnosis. Various LBDDSs verified to be an efficacious mechanism for monitoring hypertension systems are SEDDS (self-nano emulsifying drug delivery), nanoemulsion, microemulsions, vesicular systems (transferosomes and liposomes), and solid lipid nanoparticles. LBDDSs overcome the shortcomings that are associated with antihypertensive agents because around fifty percent of the antihypertensive agents experience a few drawbacks including short half-life because of hepatic first-pass metabolism, poor aqueous solubility, low permeation rate, and undesirable side effects. This review emphasizes antihypertensive agents that were encapsulated into the lipid carrier to improve their poor oral bioavailability. Incorporating cutting-edge technologies such as nanotechnology and targeted drug delivery, LBDDS holds promise in addressing the multifactorial nature of hypertension. By fine-tuning drug release profiles and enhancing drug uptake at specific sites, LBDDS can potentially target renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system components, sympathetic nervous system pathways, and endothelial dysfunction, all of which play crucial roles in hypertension pathophysiology. The future of hypertension management using LBDDS is promising, with ongoing reviews focusing on precision medicine approaches, improved biocompatibility, and reduced toxicity. As we delve deeper into understanding the intricate mechanisms underlying hypertension, LBDDS offers a pathway to develop next-generation antihypertensive therapies that are safer, more effective, and tailored to individual patient needs.

Liposomal propranolol for treatment of infantile hemangioma at compounding pharmacies

Infantile hemangiomas (IH) are common benign soft tissue tumors, frequently affecting infants. While Propranolol Hydrochloride (Pro HCl) has emerged as a promising treatment for IH, its topical application remains challenging due to the need for stable and efficacious carriers. This study investigates the potential of preformulated liposomes as carriers for topical delivery of Pro HCl for the treatment of IH in compounding pharmacies. Liposomes loaded with Pro HCl were prepared using active pharmaceutical ingredient or commercially available propranolol tablets and various dilution media, including Water for Injection (WFI), Dextrose 5%, and NaCl 0.9%. The physicochemical properties of the liposomal formulations (Pro HCl content, encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity, and colloidal stability) were assessed over a 90-day storage at 4 °C. In vitro release kinetics and transdermal permeation of Pro HCl from liposomes were also evaluated. Liposome properties were influenced by the dilution medium. Pro HCl content remained stable in liposomes encapsulating API (Lipo-Pro), regardless of the dilution medium. Lipo-Pro showed sustained drug release over time, suggesting its potential for maintaining therapeutic levels. Pro HCl exhibited enhanced transdermal permeability from Lipo-Pro compared to aqueous solution, indicating its potential for topical IH treatment. Preformulated liposomes offer a stable and effective carrier for Pro HCl, potentially suitable for extemporaneous preparations in compounding pharmacies. Their enhanced transdermal permeability presents a promising alternative for topical IH treatment. This study provides valuable insights into the development of innovative and effective drug delivery strategies for managing IH, with future research focusing on in vivo applications and therapeutic potential.

Development and Evaluation of Novel Encapsulated Isoeugenol-Liposomal Gel Carrier System for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

In recent years, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria have seriously threatened the health and safety of the world’s population. This challenge demands the development of alternative therapies based on plant origin. This molecular docking study ascertained the orientation and intermolecular interactions of isoeugenol within penicillin-binding protein 2a. In this present work, isoeugenol as an anti-MRSA therapy was selected by encapsulating it into a liposomal carrier system. After encapsulation into the liposomal carrier, it was evaluated for encapsulation efficiency (%), particle size, zeta potential, and morphology. The percentage entrapment efficiency (% EE) was observed to be 57.8 ± 2.89% with a particle size of 143.31 ± 7.165 nm, a zeta potential of (−)25 mV, and morphology was found to be spherical and smooth. After this evaluation, it was incorporated into a 0.5% Carbopol gel for a smooth and uniform distribution on the skin. Notably, the isoeugenol-liposomal gel was smooth on the surface with a pH of 6.4, suitable viscosity, and spreadability. Interestingly, the developed isoeugenol-liposomal gel was safe for human use, with more than 80% cell viability. The in vitro drug release study shows promising results with 75.95 ± 3.79% of drug release after 24 h. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was 8.236 µg/mL. Based on this, it can be concluded that encapsulating isoeugenol into the liposomal gel is a potential carrier for MRSA treatment.

Sensitization of Guinea Pig Skin to Imported Fire Ant Alkaloids and Establishment of an Inflammatory Model

Imported fire ants (IFAs), Solenopsis invicta, release their venom through multiple stings that induce inflammation, allergies, shock, and even death. Although IFA venom protein sensitization and related subcutaneous immunotherapy have been studied, few studies have examined the potential toxicity or pathogenicity of alkaloids, the main substances in IFA venom. Here, IFA alkaloids were identified and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; we further determined an appropriate extraction method and its effectiveness for extracting high-purity alkaloids through comparative analysis and guinea pig skin sensitivity tests. The alkaloids released from the IFA abdomen included those present in the head and thorax, and the alkaloids in the abdomen accounted for the highest proportion of the total extract. The abdominal extirpation method yielded alkaloids with a purity above 97%, and the skin irritation response score and histopathological diagnosis suggest that intradermal injection of the extracted alkaloids produced symptoms effectively simulating those of IFA stings. The successful establishment of an inflammatory model in guinea pigs stung by IFAs provides a basis for further research on the mechanism of inflammatory diseases caused by IFAs.

A transfersomes hydrogel patch for cutaneous delivery of propranolol hydrochloride: formulation, in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo studies

OBJECTIVE

In this work, a propranolol hydrochloride (PRH) transfersomes loaded cutaneous hydrogel patch was developed for topical drug delivery in the affected area of infantile haemangioma.

METHODS

Sodium cholate was used as the edge activator to prepare the transfersomes. Based on the central composite design, transfersomes hydrogel patch formulation was optimised with 48 h cumulative penetration and time lag as response values. Particle sizes and morphology of the prepared transfersomes were assessed. They were loaded in a cutaneous hydrogel patch, after which their skin permeation abilities were evaluated, and histopathological effects were investigated using guinea pigs. Moreover, in vivo pharmacokinetics studies were performed in rats.

RESULTS

The transfersomes system had a encapsulation efficiency of 81.84 ± 0.53%, particle size of 186.8 ± 3.38 nm, polydispersity index of 0.186 ± 0.002, and a zeta potential of -28.6 ± 2.39 mV. Transmission electron microscopy images revealed sphericity of the particles. The ex vivo drug's penetration of the optimised transfersomes hydrogel patch was 111.05 ± 11.97 μg/cm² through rat skin within 48 h. Assessment of skin tissue did not reveal any histopathological alterations in epidermal and dermal cells. Pharmacokinetic studies showed that skin C_max (68.22 μg/cm²) and AUC_0-24 (1007.33 μg/cm² × h) for PRH transfersomes hydrogel patch were significantly higher than those of commercially available oral dosage form and hydrogel patch without transfersomes. These findings imply that the transfersomes hydrogel patch can prolong drug accumulation in the affected skin area, and reduce systemic drug distribution via the blood stream.

CONCLUSIONS

The hydrogel patch-loaded PRH transfersomes is a potentially useful drug formulation for infantile haemangioma.

Design and applications of liposome-in-gel as carriers for cancer therapy

Cancer has long been a hot research topic, and recent years have witnessed the incidence of cancer trending toward younger individuals with great socioeconomic burden. Even with surgery, therapeutic agents serve as the mainstay to combat cancer in the clinic. Intensive research on nanomaterials can overcome the shortcomings of conventional drug delivery approaches, such as the lack of selectivity for targeted regions, poor stability against degradation, and uncontrolled drug release behavior. Over the years, different types of drug carriers have been developed for cancer therapy. One of these is liposome-in-gel (LP-Gel), which has combined the merits of both liposomes and hydrogels, and has emerged as a versatile carrier for cancer therapy. LP-Gel hybrids have addressed the lack of stability of conventional liposomes against pH and ionic strength while displaying higher efficiency of delivery hydrophilic drugs as compared to conventional gels. They can be classified into three types according to their assembled structure, are characterized by their nontoxicity, biodegradability, and flexibility for clinical use, and can be mainly categorized based on their controlled release, transmucosal delivery, and transdermal delivery properties for anticancer therapy. This review covers the recent progress on the applications of LP-Gel hybrids for anticancer therapy.

Superiority of Microemulsion-based Hydrogel for Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Transdermal Delivery: A Comparative Safety and Anti-nociceptive Efficacy Study

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) represent the foundation of pain management caused by inflammatory disorders. Nevertheless, their oral administration induces several side effects exemplified by gastric ulceration, thus, delivering NSAIDs via the skin has become an attractive alternative. Herein, microemulsion-based hydrogel (MBH), proliposomal, and cubosomal gels were fabricated, loaded with diclofenac, and physicochemically characterized. The sizes, charges, surface morphologies, and the state of diclofenac within the reconstituted gels were also addressed. The release pattern and ex-vivo permeation studies using Franz cells were performed via the rat abdominal skin. The formulations were assessed in-vivo on mice skin for their irritation effect and their anti-nociceptive efficacy through the tail-flick test. Biosafety study of the optimal gel was also pointed out. The gels and their dispersion forms displayed accepted physicochemical properties. Diclofenac released in a prolonged manner from the prepared gels. MBH revealed a significantly higher skin permeation and the foremost results regarding in-vivo assessment where no skin irritation or altered histopathological features were observed. MBH further induced a significant anti-nociceptive effect during the tail-flick test with a lower tendency to evoke systemic toxicity. Therefore, limonene-containing microemulsion hydrogel is a promising lipid-based vehicle to treat pain with superior safety and therapeutic efficacy.

Submerged Eutectic-Assisted, Solvent-Free Mechanochemical Formation of a Propranolol Salt and Its Other Multicomponent Solids

Salt preparation via a solid-state reaction offers a solution to challenges posed by current pharmaceutical research, which include combining development of novel forms of active pharmaceutical ingredients with greener, sustainable synthesis. This work investigated in detail the mechanism of salt formation between propranolol (PRO) and capric acid (CAP) and explored the solid eutectic phases comprising this salt, propranolol caprate (PRC). The salt structure was solved by X-ray diffraction, and the properties in the crystalline and supercooled states were fully characterised using thermal analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS). PRC forms via a submerged eutectic phase composed of PRO and CAP, below room temperature, by mechanochemistry without an extra input of energy. Two other solid eutectic phases are composed of PRC and either CAP or PRO, at 0.28 and 0.82 mol fraction of PRO, respectively. BDS indicated that the supercooled PRC has ionic character, whereas the supercooled PRC-PRO eutectic had predominantly non-ionic properties despite comprising the salt. In conclusion, knowledge of the mechanism of formation of multicomponent systems can help in designing more sustainable pharmaceutical processes.

Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems and Their Use in Obesity Treatment

Transdermal drug delivery (TDD) has recently emerged as an effective alternative to oral and injection administration because of its less invasiveness, low rejection rate, and excellent ease of administration. TDD has made an important contribution to medical practice such as diabetes, hemorrhoids, arthritis, migraine, and schizophrenia treatment, but has yet to fully achieve its potential in the treatment of obesity. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally and posed a significant threat to human health. Various approaches, including oral and injection administration have widely been used in clinical setting for obesity treatment. However, these traditional options remain ineffective and inconvenient, and carry risks of adverse effects. Therefore, alternative and advanced drug delivery strategies with higher efficacy and less toxicity such as TDD are urgently required for obesity treatment. This review summarizes current TDD technology, and the main anti-obesity drug delivery system. This review also provides insights into various anti-obesity drugs under study with a focus on the recent developments of TDD system for enhanced anti-obesity drug delivery. Although most of presented studies stay in animal stage, the application of TDD in anti-obesity drugs would have a significant impact on bringing safe and effective therapies to obese patients in the future.

Tailored Limonene-Based Nanosized Microemulsion: Formulation, Physicochemical Characterization and In Vivo Skin Irritation Assessment

Purpose: Microemulsion (ME) achieved progressing consequences on both the research and industry levels due to their distinctive properties. ME based-limonene system is considered as a surrogate to the traditional microemulsion composed of conventional oils. Thus, a novel microemulsion based on D-limonene and Gelucire® 44/12 had been designed and evaluated with assessing the factors affecting its physicochemical characteristics and in vivo skin irritation.

Methods: The impact of microemulsion components and ratios on the isotropic region of the pseudo-ternary phase diagram was investigated. The optimal formula was evaluated in terms of percentage transmittance, average globule size, size distribution, zeta potential, microscopical morphology, stability under different storage conditions and its effect on the mice ear skin.

Results: The results demonstrated that Labrasol® and Labrafil® M 1944 CS had been selected as surfactant and co-surfactant, respectively, due to their emulsifying abilities. The largest isotropic area in the pseudo-ternary phase diagram was at a weight ratio of 4:1 for Labrasol® and Labrafil® M 1944 CS. The optimized microemulsion with 25% w/w of the lipid phase and 58.3% w/w of the aqueous phase displayed an optical transparency of 96.5±0.88 %, average globule size of 125±0.123 nm, polydispersity index of 0.272±0.009, zeta potential of -18.9± 2.79 mV with rounded globules morphology and high stability. The in vivo skin irritation and the histopathological evaluation of microemulsion elucidated its safety profile when applied on the skin.

Conclusion: The formulated microemulsion is a prospective aid for an essential oil to minimize its volatility, enhance its stability, and mask its dermal irritant.

Oleic Acid Vesicles for Transdermal Delivery of Propranolol Hydrochloride: Development and Characterization

Background:

Pharmaceutical scientists are exploring transdermal route for treatment of various systemic diseases nowadays. Transdermal nanocarrier systems show various advantages like bioavailability enhancement of drugs, avoidance of first pass hepatic metabolism, and reduction of dosing frequency of bioactive therapeutic molecules.

Objective:

The objective of the present research work was to encapsulate Propranolol hydrochloride into oleic acid vesicles and carry out in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation of oleic acid vesicular gel containing Propranolol hydrochloride.

Method:

Propranol hydrochloride loaded oleic acid vesicles were prepared by exploring thin film hydration method. Developed vesicles were evaluated for morphology, size, zeta potential and polydispersity index (PDI). Thermal behavior of drug loaded vesicles was checked using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and depth of skin penetration was determined using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Oleic acid vesicles dispersed in Carbopol 934R gel were subjected to in-vivo evaluation in male Sprague Dawley rats through measurement of plasma concentration and tissue distribution of Propranolol hydrochloride.

Results:

Optimized formulation having oleic acid : Propranol hydrochloride in the ratio 7 : 3 showed highest entrapment (56.1 ± 0.7%), acceptable size (291.3 ± 2.2 nm), the optimum value of PDI (0.219 ± 0.043) and zeta potential (-27.13 ± 0.25 mV). The results of DSC analysis showed effective encapsulation of drug inside the vesicles and CLSM analysis revealed penetration of vesicles upto stratum spinosum layer of skin. The results of in-vivo study revealed capability of vesicular gel to prolong the release of Propranolol hydrochloride upto 24 h with a Cmax value of 83.6 ± 3.0 ng/mL which was higher compared to the marketed tablet of Propranolol hydrochloride [InderalR (40 mg), Abbott India Ltd.] (45.6 ± 3.1 ng/mL). Tissue distribution studies revealed higher percentage of Propranolol hydrochloride in various organs after 24 h of administration of vesicular gel compared to marketed tablet.

Conclusion:

Developed oleic acid vesicular gel could be effective to reduce dosing frequency and avoid side effects of oral Propranol hydrochloride.

Preparation and Evaluation of Cubic Nanoparticles for Improved Transdermal Delivery of Propranolol Hydrochloride

Transdermal drug delivery of propranolol hydrochloride (PRH) is promising for the treatment of infantile hemangioma (IH). Clinically used PRH hydrogel fails to reach the deep IH for complete recovery. In this study, the PRH-loaded cubic nanoparticles (CNPs) were prepared to promote the transdermal effect of PRH. A remote drug loading method was developed to prepare the PRH-CNPs. For the traditional passive drug loading method, the largest encapsulation efficiency (EE%) was around 50%. The remote drug loading was performed by increasing the pH of the mixture of blank CNPs and PRH solution. The optimal PRH-CNPs showed an EE% of 90.15 ± 2.44% at pH 8.5. The permeation of the PRH solution was poor while the PRH-CNPs showed greatly enhanced skin permeation. It was found that smaller-sized PRH-CNPs contributed to increased skin permeation and retention. In addition, the PRH-CNPs had higher cytotoxicity towards the EOMA cells when compared with the PRH solution. During storage for 1 month, the PRH-CNPs kept stable size distribution, pH, and EE%. In conclusion, results of this study suggested that the PRH-CNPs could be a potential candidate for the treatment of the IH by transdermal delivery.

Enhanced Percutaneous Delivery of Beta-Blockers Using Thermal Resurfacing Drug Delivery System for Topical Treatment of Infantile Hemangiomas

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Infantile hemangiomas (IHs) are the most common vascular tumors in children. In the past few years, topical beta-blockers (bBs) have been reported to be an effective treatment of superficial IHs. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> We sought to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety profile of enhanced percutaneous delivery of bBs for the treatment of IH. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A retrospective study of all cases of IHs treated with enhanced percutaneous delivery of bBs between 2018 and 2019 was performed. Epidemiologic, clinical, and treatment data, including effectiveness score and safety, were reviewed. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The study included 11 patients with a total of 11 IHs. Of the total number of IHs, 7 (63.7%) showed a good response to treatment and 4 (36.3%) had a partial response; thus all patients (100%) had good or partial response to treatment. No systemic or local adverse effects were reported. <b><i>Limitations:</i></b> This is an uncontrolled retrospective study. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Enhanced percutaneous delivery of bBs is a safe and efficient topical therapy for IH.

Formulation and evaluation of a topical liposomal gel containing a combination of zedoary turmeric oil and tretinoin for psoriasis activity

This study was to develop a combination of zedoary turmeric oil (ZTO) and tretinoin (TRE)-loaded liposomal gel as a topical drug delivery system. We used a combination of single-factor experiment and orthogonal experiment to systematically optimize encapsulation process of the compound liposomes. The optimized liposome vesicles were incorporated into Carbopol gel matrix and studied by continuous in vitro (skin penetration and retention) and in vivo (anti-psoriatic activity using mouse vaginal model and mouse tail model) experiments. The optimized liposomes had an entrapment efficiency (EE) of ZTO was (64.63 ± 1.00)%, EE of TRE was (90.33 ± 0.72)%, drug loading (DL) of ZTO was (9.09 ± 0.14)%, DL of TRE was (1.43 ± 0.02)%, particle size of 257.41 ± 7.58 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.10 ± 0.04 and zeta potential of -38.77 ± 0.81 mV. Transmission electron microscopy showed liposomes had a regular spherical surface. After 1-month storage at (4 ± 2)°C, the optimized liposome preparations maintained its stability. In vitro study indicated that liposome formulations could significantly prolong the penetration of drugs into the hair follicles of mice and keep more drugs in the skin compared with conventional gel formulations. In vivo study showed that liposomal gel was more effective than conventional gel in treating psoriasis and had a significant dose-dependent effect on psoriasis. In summary, liposomal gel is expected to be an ideal carrier for topical drug delivery systems of ZTO and TRE.

Bromocriptine Nanoemulsion-Loaded Transdermal Gel: Optimization Using Factorial Design, In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation

Bromocriptine mesylate (BCM), a dopaminergic agonist administered orally, exhibits retarded bioavailability owing to poor absorption and extreme first-pass metabolism. The objective of the current study was to develop, characterize, and statistically optimize BCM nanoemulsion (BCM-NE) loaded into a gel (BCM-NE gel) to evaluate its potential for improved permeation of BCM through the transdermal route, thereby improving its pharmacokinetic profile. BCM-NE was prepared by o/w spontaneous emulsification method and the effects of different formulation variables on the critical attributes of NE like globule size were investigated by implementing factorial design. The optimized formulation exhibited a mean globule size of 160 ± 6.5 nm, zeta potential of - 20.4 ± 1.23 mV, and drug content of 99.45 ± 1.9%. Ex vivo permeation studies across rat skin exhibited a significant enhancement in permeation, i.e., enhancement ratio (ER) of ~ 7.4 and 5.86 for BCM-NE and BCM-NE gel, respectively, when compared with aqueous BCM suspension gel. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies performed in rats demonstrated a higher and prolonged drug release of BCM from BCM-NE gel when compared to oral aqueous BCM suspension. The AUC_0-t for BCM-NE gel and BCM suspension was found to be 562.54 ± 77.55 and 204.96 ± 51.93 ng/ml h, respectively. The relative bioavailability (%F) of BCM was shown to be enhanced 274% by BCM-NE gel. Histopathological studies demonstrated the safety and biocompatibility of the developed system. All the above results proved that the BCM-NE gel could be a superior and patient-compliant alternative to oral delivery in the management of PD.

Lipid Vesicles and Nanoparticles for Non-invasive Topical and Transdermal Drug Delivery

The delivery of drugs, via different layers of skin, is challenging because it acts as a natural barrier and exerts hindrance against molecules to permeate into or through it. To overcome such obstacles, different noninvasive methods, like vehicle-drug interaction, modifications of the horny layer and nanoparticles have been suggested. The aim of the present review is to highlight some of the non-invasive methods for topical, diadermal and transdermal delivery of drugs. Special emphasis has been made on the information available in numerous research articles that put efforts in overcoming obstacles associated with barrier functions imposed by various layers of skin. Advances have been made in improving patient compliance that tends to avoid hitches involved in oral administration. Of particular interest is the use of lipid-based vesicles and nanoparticles for dermatological applications. These particulate systems can effectively interact and penetrate into the stratum corneum via lipid exchange and get distributed in epidermis and dermis. They also have the tendency to exert a systemic effect by facilitating the absorption of an active moiety into general circulation.

Formulation and Characterization of Nanosized Ethosomal Formulations of Antigout Model Drug (Febuxostat) Prepared by Cold Method: In Vitro/Ex Vivo and In Vivo Assessment

Febuxostat (FXT) is a xanthine oxidase (XO) drug which indicated for the treatment of gout. FXT loaded nanosized ethosomes were prepared using cold method with varied concentrations of ethyl alcohol and soya lecithin (SL). The prepared ethosomes were characterized by size, entrapment efficiency (DEE), FT-IR, in vitro release, kinetic studies of in vitro release profile, in vitro skin permeation and deposition, and stability study. The selected ethosomal formulation was incorporated in HPMC gel and characterized for drug content, ex vivo diffusion study through rat skin, and in vivo study and determination of pharmacokinetic parameters using HPLC technique. The results of size analysis showed that minimum size was 124.2 ± 16.77 nm with PDI values between 0.2 and 0.6. The zeta potential was from - 43.5 ± 3.0 to - 20.6 ± 1.42 mV. DEE ranged from 48 to 86%. The results of in vitro skin permeation showed that the amount FXT permeated ranged from 43.33 ± 5.3 to 82.14 ± 5.8%, flux ranged from 14.85 to 28.02. The results of ex vivo study showed that the amount of FXT permeated from unprocessed FXT gel was 49.42 ± 3.29% which was lesser than from FXT ethosomal gel. The results of in vivo study showed that C_max and t_max were significantly different and higher for transdermal administration of FXT than oral administration. The developed FXT nanosized selected ethosome-based transdermal drug delivery gel system would provide a promising method for better management of gout.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies of etodolac loaded vesicular gels on rats by transdermal delivery

BACKGROUND

The present study includes the development of liposomal and ethosomal gels for transdermal delivery to overcome the side effects associated with oral route.

METHODS

The liposomes and ethosomes were prepared by 32 factorial design using film hydration and cold methods, respectively. Different concentrations of liposomal (ETO-LG) and ethosomal (ETO-EG) gels were prepared at 1%, 2 and 3% (w/v) using carbopol 940 NF. 1%w/v ETO-LG & ETO-EG were optimized upon rheological studies of prepared gels. The optimized gels were further characterized for various physicochemical properties and biophysical studies using FTIR, pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) studies. The pharmacodynamic activity was performed using carrageenan paw oedema model. The prepared vesicular gels were compared with 45% v/v ethanolic ETO-solution and marketed gel PROXYM® in all the characteristic parameters.

RESULTS

The pharmacokinetic study reveals that the half life of etodolac in ETO-EG was 1.56 folds whereas ETO-LG showed 1.31 folds higher than PROXYM®. The mean residence time (MRT) of etodolac in ETO-EG and ETO-LG is increased in 1.57 and 1.25 folds, respectively, when compared to PROXYM®. The ETO-EG showed higher percentage reduction in oedema (81.67%) compared to other test products.

CONCLUSION

The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies indicated that the vesicular gels show better results compared to PROXYM®. The correlation coefficient value between PK and PD was found to be 0.9635. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Nano-scale drug delivery systems for antiarrhythmic agents

Arrhythmia means the heart is beating too fast, too slow, or with an irregular pattern. Due to the side effects and low bioavailability of many antiarrhythmic drugs, nano-encapsulation has been widely used for their targeted delivery. Lipid nanocapsules, nano liposomes, nano niosomes, solid lipid nanoparticles and polymeric nanoparticles are common nano-carriers used for this purpose. The aim of this article is to summarize some of nano systems used for the specific delivery of antiarrhythmic agents to target tissues. At first, nanotechnology and its applications in drug delivery are described in brief. Then, some information on arrhythmias and antiarrhythmic drugs are provided. Finally, the nano drug delivery systems are explained and examples of their applications in encapsulation of antiarrhythmic drugs are presented.

Understanding the prospective of nano-formulations towards the treatment of psoriasis

Psoriasis is a consistently recurring, inflammatory, autoimmune disorder of the skin, affecting about 2-5% of the world population. Abundant therapeutic agents are accessible for the treatment of psoriasis. Nevertheless, none of them are entirely secure and effective to treat the disease without compromising patient compliance. Furthermore, already existing drugs are supposed to restrain the ailment and alleviate the sign and symptoms with no complete cure. However, they focus on restraining the disease and alleviating the symptoms without providing an absolute cure. Therefore there remains a vital challenge, to explore a new drug moiety or delivery system which could safely and effectively manage psoriasis without compromising patient compliance. Furthermore, conventional formulations offer reduced benefit/risk ratio of anti-psoriatic drugs, which limits the use of existing conventional formulations. Novel formulations based on nanocarriers are a promising prospect to overcome the limitation of conventional formulations by offering a reduction in dose, dosing frequency, dose-dependent, side effects with enhanced efficacy. Presently nano-formulations have gained widespread application for effective and safe treatment of psoriasis. The present review primarily focuses on conventional therapeutic strategy and recent advances in lipid-based, polymer-based and metallic nano-formulations of a variety of anti-psoriatic drugs. The practicability of various nanocarrier systems including liposomes, nanostructured lipid carriers, ethosomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanocapsules, micelles, dendrimers, gold nanoparticles and silver nanoparticles have been discussed in detail. The review also traces related patents to exemplify the role of various nanoparticles in psoriasis treatment. In a nutshell, nano-formulations remain established as a promising modality for treating psoriasis treatment as they propose better penetration, targeted delivery, enhanced safety, and efficacy.

Recent advances in nanocarrier-loaded gels: Which drug delivery technologies against which diseases?

The combination of pharmaceutical technologies can be a wise choice for developing innovative therapeutic strategies. The association of nanocarriers and gels provides new therapeutic possibilities due to the combined properties of the two technologies. Gels support the nanocarriers, localize their administration to the target tissue, and sustain their release. In addition to the properties afforded by the gel, nanocarriers can provide additional drug sustained release or different pharmacokinetic and biodistribution profiles than those from nanocarriers administered by the conventional route to improve the drug therapeutic index. This review focuses on recent (over the last ten years) in vivo data showing the advances and advantages of using nanocarrier-loaded gels. Liposomes, micelles, liquid and solid lipid nanocapsules, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, and fullerenes are all nanotechnologies which have been recently assessed for medical applications, such as cancer therapy, the treatment of cutaneous and infectious diseases, anesthesia, the administration of antidepressants, and the treatment of unexpected diseases, such as alopecia.

Topically applied lipid- and surfactant-based nanoparticles in the treatment of skin disorders

INTRODUCTION

In the treatment of dermatological disorders, topical drug administration is a mainstay. However, nanoparticle-based carrier systems could improve and expand the current therapeutic range via localized delivery of active ingredients. Areas covered: This review gives a detailed description of lipid- and surfactant-based drug delivery systems which have been explored for topical drug administration. To guide researchers in their choice of delivery system, an informative decision tree is included. Moreover, this review provides a complete overview of the topical or transdermal drug products, currently on the market or under clinical investigation, delivered via the discussed carriers, in the treatment of skin disorders. Expert opinion: Conventional liposomes are still popular in the domain of topical or transdermal drug delivery and dominate the market landscape. However, several other carriers, such as exosomes and niosomes, are being explored which offer distinct advantages over liposomes and should therefore not be disregarded when selecting a proper drug delivery system.

Superiority of liquid crystalline cubic nanocarriers as hormonal transdermal vehicle: comparative human skin permeation-supported evidence

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this investigation was to explore the feasibility of various nanocarriers to enhance progesterone penetration via the human abdominal skin.

METHODS

Four progesterone-loaded nanocarriers; cubosomes, nanoliposomes, nanoemulsions and nanomicelles were formulated and characterized regarding particle size, zeta potential, % drug encapsulation and in vitro release. Structural elucidation of each nanoplatform was performed using transmission electron microscopy. Ex vivo skin permeation, deposition ability and histopathological examination were evaluated using Franz diffusion cells.

RESULTS

Each nanocarrier was fabricated with a negative surface, nanometric size (≤ 270 nm), narrow size distribution and reasonable encapsulation efficiency. In vitro progesterone release showed a sustained release pattern for 24 h following a non-Fickian transport diffusion mechanism. All nanocarriers exhibited higher transdermal flux relative to free progesterone. Cubosomes revealed a higher skin penetration with transdermal steady flux of 48.57.10(-2) ± 0.7 µg/cm(2) h. Nanoliposomes offered a higher percentage of skin progesterone deposition compared to other nanocarriers. Based on the histopathological examination, cubosomes and nanoliposomes were found to be biocompatible for transdermal application. Confocal laser scanning microscopy confirmed the ability of fluoro-labeled cubosomes to penetrate through the whole skin layers.

CONCLUSION

The elaborated cubosomes proved to be a promising non-invasive nanocarrier for transdermal hormonal delivery.

Optimized nano-transfersomal films for enhanced sildenafil citrate transdermal delivery: ex vivo and in vivo evaluation

Sildenafil citrate (SLD) is a selective cyclic guanosine monophosphate-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor used for the oral treatment of erectile dysfunction and, more recently, for other indications, including pulmonary hypertension. The challenges facing the oral administration of the drug include poor bioavailability and short duration of action that requires frequent administration. Thus, the objective of this work is to formulate optimized SLD nano-transfersomal transdermal films with enhanced and controlled permeation aiming at surmounting the previously mentioned challenges and hence improving the drug bioavailability. SLD nano-transfersomes were prepared using modified lipid hydration technique. Central composite design was applied for the optimization of SLD nano-transfersomes with minimized vesicular size. The independent variables studied were drug-to-phospholipid molar ratio, surfactant hydrophilic lipophilic balance, and hydration medium pH. The optimized SLD nano-transfersomes were developed and evaluated for vesicular size and morphology and then incorporated into hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose transdermal films. The optimized transfersomes were unilamellar and spherical in shape with vesicular size of 130 nm. The optimized SLD nano-transfersomal films exhibited enhanced ex vivo permeation parameters with controlled profile compared to SLD control films. Furthermore, enhanced bioavailability and extended absorption were demonstrated by SLD nano-transfersomal films as reflected by their significantly higher maximum plasma concentration (C max) and area under the curve and longer time to maxi mum plasma concentration (T max) compared to control films. These results highlighted the potentiality of optimized SLD nano-transfersomal films to enhance the transdermal permeation and the bioavailability of the drug with the possible consequence of reducing the dose and administration frequency.

Optimization of the process variables of tilianin-loaded composite phospholipid liposomes based on response surface-central composite design and pharmacokinetic study

Tilianin is attracting considerable attention because of its antihypertensive, anti-atherogenic and anticonvulsive efficacy. However, tilianin has poor oral bioavailability. Thus, to improve the oral bioavailability of tilianin, composite phospholipid liposomes were adopted in this work as a novel nanoformulation. The aim was to develop and formulate tilianin composite phospholipid liposomes (TCPLs) through ethanol injection and to apply the response surface-central composite design to optimize the tilianin composite phospholipid liposome formulation. The independent variables were the amount of phospholipids (X1), amount of cholesterol (X2) and weight ratio of phospholipid to drug (X3); the depended variables were particle size (Y1) and encapsulation efficiency (EE) (Y2) of TCPLs. Results indicated that the optimum preparation conditions were as follows: phospholipid amount, 500 mg, cholesterol amount, 50mg and phospholipid/drug ratio, 25. These variables were also the major contributing variables for particle size (101.4 ± 6.1 nm), higher EE (90.28% ± 1.36%), zeta potential (-18.3 ± 2.6 mV) and PDI (0.122 ± 0.027). Subsequently, differential scanning calorimetry techniques were used to investigate the molecular interaction in TCPLs, and the in vitro drug release of tilianin and TCPLs was investigated by the second method of dissolution in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (Edition 2015). Furthermore, pharmacokinetics in Sprague Dawley rats was evaluated using a rat jugular vein intubation tube. Results demonstrated that the Cmax of TCPLs became 5.7 times higher than that of tilianin solution and that the area under the curve of TCPLs became about 4.6-fold higher than that of tilianin solution. Overall, our results suggested that the prepared tilianin composite phospholipid liposome formulations could be used to improve the bioavailability of tilianin after oral administration.