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de Lima SKS, Cavallone ÍN, Serrano DR, Anaya BJ, Lalatsa A, Laurenti MD, Lago JHG, da Silva Souza DC, Marinsek GP, Lopes BS, de Britto Mari R, Passero LFD. Therapeutic Activity of a Topical Formulation Containing 8-Hydroxyquinoline for Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2602. [PMID: 38004580 PMCID: PMC10675550 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15112602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis exhibits a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations; however, only a limited number of drugs are available and include Glucantime® and amphotericin B, which induce unacceptable side effects in patients, limiting their use. Thus, there is an urgent demand to develop a treatment for leishmaniasis. Recently, it was demonstrated that 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ) showed significant leishmanicidal effects in vitro and in vivo. Based on that, this work aimed to develop a topical formulation containing 8-HQ and assess its activity in experimental cutaneous leishmaniasis. 8-HQ was formulated using a Beeler base at 1 and 2% and showed an emulsion size with a D50 of 25 and 51.3 µm, respectively, with a shear-thinning rheological behaviour. The creams were able to permeate artificial Strat-M membranes and excised porcine skin without causing any morphological changes in the porcine skin or murine skin tested. In BALB/c mice infected with L. (L.) amazonensis, topical treatment with creams containing 1 or 2% of 8-HQ was found to reduce the parasite burden and lesion size compared to infected controls with comparable efficacy to Glucantime® (50 mg/kg) administered at the site of the cutaneous lesion. In the histological section of the skin from infected controls, a diffuse inflammatory infiltrate with many heavily infected macrophages that were associated with areas of necrosis was observed. On the other hand, animals treated with both creams showed only moderate inflammatory infiltrate, characterised by few infected macrophages, while tissue necrosis was not observed. These histological characteristics in topically treated animals were associated with an increase in the amount of IFN-γ and a reduction in IL-4 levels. The topical use of 8-HQ was active in decreasing tissue parasitism and should therefore be considered an interesting alternative directed to the treatment of leishmaniasis, considering that this type of treatment is non-invasive, painless, and, importantly, does not require hospitalisation, improving patient compliance by allowing the treatment to be conducted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Kymberly Santos de Lima
- Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n, São Vicente 11330-900, SP, Brazil; (S.K.S.d.L.); (Í.N.C.); (G.P.M.); (B.S.L.); (R.d.B.M.)
- Laboratory of Pathology of Infectious Diseases (LIM50), Department of Pathology, Medical School, São Paulo University, São Paulo 01246-903, SP, Brazil;
| | - Ítalo Novaes Cavallone
- Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n, São Vicente 11330-900, SP, Brazil; (S.K.S.d.L.); (Í.N.C.); (G.P.M.); (B.S.L.); (R.d.B.M.)
- Laboratory of Pathology of Infectious Diseases (LIM50), Department of Pathology, Medical School, São Paulo University, São Paulo 01246-903, SP, Brazil;
| | - Dolores Remedios Serrano
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad Complutense of Madrid, Plaza Ramon y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (D.R.S.); (B.J.A.)
| | - Brayan J. Anaya
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad Complutense of Madrid, Plaza Ramon y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (D.R.S.); (B.J.A.)
| | - Aikaterini Lalatsa
- CRUK Formulation Unit, Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK;
| | - Márcia Dalastra Laurenti
- Laboratory of Pathology of Infectious Diseases (LIM50), Department of Pathology, Medical School, São Paulo University, São Paulo 01246-903, SP, Brazil;
| | - João Henrique Ghilardi Lago
- Center for Natural and Human Science (CCNH), Federal University of ABC, Santo André, São Paulo 09210-580, SP, Brazil; (J.H.G.L.); (D.C.d.S.S.)
| | - Dalete Christine da Silva Souza
- Center for Natural and Human Science (CCNH), Federal University of ABC, Santo André, São Paulo 09210-580, SP, Brazil; (J.H.G.L.); (D.C.d.S.S.)
| | - Gabriela Pustiglione Marinsek
- Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n, São Vicente 11330-900, SP, Brazil; (S.K.S.d.L.); (Í.N.C.); (G.P.M.); (B.S.L.); (R.d.B.M.)
| | - Beatriz Soares Lopes
- Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n, São Vicente 11330-900, SP, Brazil; (S.K.S.d.L.); (Í.N.C.); (G.P.M.); (B.S.L.); (R.d.B.M.)
| | - Renata de Britto Mari
- Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n, São Vicente 11330-900, SP, Brazil; (S.K.S.d.L.); (Í.N.C.); (G.P.M.); (B.S.L.); (R.d.B.M.)
| | - Luiz Felipe Domingues Passero
- Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n, São Vicente 11330-900, SP, Brazil; (S.K.S.d.L.); (Í.N.C.); (G.P.M.); (B.S.L.); (R.d.B.M.)
- Institute for Advanced Studies of Ocean, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rua João Francisco Bensdorp, 1178, São Vicente 11350-011, SP, Brazil
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Zhang S, Wang Y, Zhang S, Huang C, Ding Q, Xia J, Wu D, Gao W. Emerging Anesthetic Nanomedicines: Current State and Challenges. Int J Nanomedicine 2023; 18:3913-3935. [PMID: 37489141 PMCID: PMC10363368 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s417855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Anesthetics, which include both local and general varieties, are a unique class of drugs widely utilized in clinical surgery to alleviate pain and promote relaxation in patients. Although numerous anesthetics and their traditional formulations are available in the market, only a select few exhibit excellent anesthetic properties that meet clinical requirements. The main challenges are the potential toxic and adverse effects of anesthetics, as well as the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which makes it difficult for most general anesthetics to effectively penetrate to the brain. Loading anesthetics onto nanocarriers as anesthetic nanomedicines might address these challenges and improve anesthesia effectiveness, reduce toxic and adverse effects, while significantly enhance the efficiency of general anesthetics passing through the BBB. Consequently, anesthetic nanomedicines play a crucial role in the field of anesthesia. Despite their significance, research on anesthetic nanomedicines is still in its infancy, especially when compared to other types of nanomedicines in terms of depth and breadth. Although local anesthetic nanomedicines have received considerable attention and essentially meet clinical needs, there are few reported instances of nanomedicines for general anesthetics. Given the extensive usage of anesthetics and the many of them need for improved performance, emerging anesthetic nanomedicines face both unparalleled opportunities and considerable challenges in terms of theory and technology. Thus, a comprehensive summary with systematic analyses of anesthetic nanomedicines is urgently required. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the classification, properties, and research status of anesthetic nanomedicines, along with an exploration of their opportunities and challenges. In addition, future research directions and development prospects are discussed. It is hoped that researchers from diverse disciplines will collaborate to study anesthetic nanomedicines and develop them as a valuable anesthetic dosage form for clinical surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yishu Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shuai Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chengqi Huang
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiyang Ding
- Department of Anesthesiology & Center for Brain Science & Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ji Xia
- Department of Anesthesiology & Center for Brain Science & Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049, People’s Republic of China
| | - Daocheng Wu
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Gao
- Department of Anesthesiology & Center for Brain Science & Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049, People’s Republic of China
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Rolon M, Hanna E, Vega C, Coronel C, Dea-Ayuela MA, Serrano DR, Lalatsa A. Solid Nanomedicines of Nifurtimox and Benznidazole for the Oral Treatment of Chagas Disease. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14091822. [PMID: 36145570 PMCID: PMC9504116 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14091822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) is a parasitic zoonosis endemic in Central and South America affecting nearly 10 million people, with 100 million people at high risk of contracting the disease. Treatment is only effective when received at the early stages of the disease and it involved two drugs (nifurtimox (NFX) and benznidazole (BNZ)). Both treatments require multiple daily administrations of high doses, suffer from variable efficacy and insufficient efficacy in chronic CD, many side effects, and a very long duration of treatment that results in poor compliance, while combined available therapies that lead to reduced duration of treatment are not available and polypharmacy reduces compliance and increases the cost further. Here we present self-nanoemulsified drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) able to produce easily scalable combined formulations of NFX and BNZ that can allow for tailoring of the dose and can be easily converted to oral solid dosage form by impregnation on mesoporous silica particles. SNEDDS demonstrated an enhanced solubilisation capacity for both drugs as demonstrated by flow-through studies and in vitro lipolysis studies. High loading of SNEDDS to Syloid 244 and 3050 silicas (2:1 w/w) allowed clinically translatable amounts of both NFX and BNZ to be loaded. Tablets prepared from NFX-BNZ combined SNEDDS loaded on Syloid 3050 silicas demonstration near complete dissolution in the flow through cell apparatus compared to NFX and BNZ commercial tablets respectively (Lampit® and Rochagan®). NFX-BNZ-SNEDDS demonstrated nanomolar efficacy in epimastigotes and amastigotes of T. cruzi with acceptable selectivity indexes and demonstrated enhanced survival and reduced parasitaemia in acute murine experimental models of CD. Thus, the results presented here illustrate the ability for an easily scalable and personalised combination oral therapy prepared from GRAS excipients, enabling treatment access worldwide for the treatment of CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Rolon
- Centro para el Desarrollo de la Investigacion Científica (CEDIC), Manduvirá 635 entre 15 de Agosto y O’Leary, Asuncion 1255, Paraguay
| | - Eustine Hanna
- Biomaterials, Bio-Engineering and Nanomedicines (BioN) Laboratory, Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, White Swan Road, Portsmouth PO1 2DT, UK
| | - Celeste Vega
- Centro para el Desarrollo de la Investigacion Científica (CEDIC), Manduvirá 635 entre 15 de Agosto y O’Leary, Asuncion 1255, Paraguay
| | - Cathia Coronel
- Centro para el Desarrollo de la Investigacion Científica (CEDIC), Manduvirá 635 entre 15 de Agosto y O’Leary, Asuncion 1255, Paraguay
| | - Maria Auxiliadora Dea-Ayuela
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, Edificio Seminario s/n, Moncada, 46113 Valencia, Spain
| | - Dolores R. Serrano
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, Instituto Universitario de Farmacia Industrial (IUFI), School of Pharmacy, University Complutense de Madrid, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (D.R.S.); (A.L.); Tel.: +44-141-548-2675 (A.L.)
| | - Aikaterini Lalatsa
- Biomaterials, Bio-Engineering and Nanomedicines (BioN) Laboratory, Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, White Swan Road, Portsmouth PO1 2DT, UK
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, John Arbuthnot Building, Robertson Wing, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
- Correspondence: (D.R.S.); (A.L.); Tel.: +44-141-548-2675 (A.L.)
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Nanoemulsified Butenafine for Enhanced Performance against Experimental Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. J Immunol Res 2021; 2021:8828750. [PMID: 33880383 PMCID: PMC8046526 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8828750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The production of ergosterol lipid involves the activity of different enzymes and is a crucial event for the Leishmania membrane homeostasis. Such enzymes can be blocked by azoles and allylamines drugs, such as the antifungal butenafine chloride. This drug was active on parasites that cause cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis. Based on the leishmanicidal activity of butenafine chloride and considering the absence of reports about the therapeutic potential of this drug in cutaneous leishmaniasis, the present work is aimed at analyzing the efficacy of butenafine formulated in two different topical delivery systems, the self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (BUT-SNEDDS) and in a SNEDDS-based nanogel (BUT-SNEDDS gel) as well as in the free form in experimental cutaneous leishmaniasis. Physical studies showed that both formulations were below 300 nm with low polydispersity (<0.5) and good colloidal stability (around -25 mV). Increased steady-state flux was reported for nanoenabled butenafine formulations with reduced lag time in Franz cell diffusion assays across Strat-M membranes. No toxic or inflammatory reactions were detected in animals treated with BUT-SNEDDS, BUT-SNEDDS gel, or butenafine. Animals topically treated with butenafine (free or nanoformulated) showed small dermal lesions and low tissue parasitism. Furthermore, BUT-SNEDD gel and butenafine presented similar efficacy than the standard drug Glucantime given by the intralesional route. Increased levels of IFN-γ were observed in animals treated with BUT-SNEDDS gel or butenafine. Based on these data, the antifungal drug butenafine chloride can be considered an interesting repurposed drug for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
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In vitro and in vivo evaluation of a lidocaine loaded polymer nanoparticle formulation co-loaded with lidocaine for local anesthetics effect. Process Biochem 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2021.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Hydrogels as Drug Delivery Systems: A Review of Current Characterization and Evaluation Techniques. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:pharmaceutics12121188. [PMID: 33297493 PMCID: PMC7762425 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12121188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Owing to their tunable properties, controllable degradation, and ability to protect labile drugs, hydrogels are increasingly investigated as local drug delivery systems. However, a lack of standardized methodologies used to characterize and evaluate drug release poses significant difficulties when comparing findings from different investigations, preventing an accurate assessment of systems. Here, we review the commonly used analytical techniques for drug detection and quantification from hydrogel delivery systems. The experimental conditions of drug release in saline solutions and their impact are discussed, along with the main mathematical and statistical approaches to characterize drug release profiles. We also review methods to determine drug diffusion coefficients and in vitro and in vivo models used to assess drug release and efficacy with the goal to provide guidelines and harmonized practices when investigating novel hydrogel drug delivery systems.
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Demir E, İnam O, Silah H, Karimi-Maleh H. Studies of mechanism, kinetic model and determination of bupivacaine and its application pharmaceutical forms. Microchem J 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2020.105531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Fernández-García R, Statts L, de Jesus JA, Dea-Ayuela MA, Bautista L, Simão R, Bolás-Fernández F, Ballesteros MP, Laurenti MD, Passero LFD, Lalatsa A, Serrano DR. Ultradeformable Lipid Vesicles Localize Amphotericin B in the Dermis for the Treatment of Infectious Skin Diseases. ACS Infect Dis 2020; 6:2647-2660. [PMID: 32810398 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Cutaneous fungal and parasitic diseases remain challenging to treat, as available therapies are unable to permeate the skin barrier. Thus, treatment options rely on systemic therapy, which fail to produce high local drug concentrations but can lead to significant systemic toxicity. Amphotericin B (AmB) is highly efficacious in the treatment of both fungal and parasitic diseases such as cutaneous leishmaniasis but is reserved for parenteral administration in patients with severe pathophysiology. Here, we have designed and optimized AmB-transfersomes [93.5% encapsulation efficiency, 150 nm size, and good colloidal stability (-35.02 mV)] that can remain physicochemically stable (>90% drug content) at room temperature and 4 °C over 6 months when lyophilized and stored under desiccated conditions. AmB-transfersomes possessed good permeability across mouse skin (4.91 ± 0.41 μg/cm2/h) and 10-fold higher permeability across synthetic Strat-M membranes. In vivo studies after a single topical application in mice showed permeability and accumulation within the dermis (>25 μg AmB/g skin 6 h postadministration), indicating the delivery of therapeutic amounts of AmB for mycoses and cutaneous leishmaniasis, while a single daily administration in Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis infected mice over 10 days, resulted in excellent efficacy (98% reduction in Leishmania parasites). Combining the application of AmB-transfersomes with metallic microneedles in vivo increased the levels in the SC and dermis but was unlikely to elicit transdermal levels. In conclusion, AmB-transfersomes are promising and stable topical nanomedicines that can be readily translated for parasitic and fungal infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Larry Statts
- Biomaterials, Bio-engineering and Nanomedicines (BioN) Laboratory, Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, St. Michael’s Building, White Swan Road, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
| | - Jéssica A. de Jesus
- Laboratory of Pathology of Infectious Diseases (LIM-50), Medical School, University of São Paulo, Avenida Dr. Arnaldo 455, 01246903 Cerqueira César, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Auxiliadora Dea-Ayuela
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, Carrer Santiago Ramón y Cajal s/n, 46113 Valencia, Spain
| | - Liliana Bautista
- Biomaterials, Bio-engineering and Nanomedicines (BioN) Laboratory, Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, St. Michael’s Building, White Swan Road, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Marcia Dalastra Laurenti
- Laboratory of Pathology of Infectious Diseases (LIM-50), Medical School, University of São Paulo, Avenida Dr. Arnaldo 455, 01246903 Cerqueira César, SP, Brazil
| | - Luiz F. D. Passero
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Biosciences, São Vicente Praça Infante Dom Henrique s/n, 11330-900 São Vicente, SP, Brazil
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute for Advanced Studies of Ocean, São Vicente Av. João Francisco Bensdorp 1178, 11350-011 São Vicente, SP (Brazil)
| | - Aikaterini Lalatsa
- Biomaterials, Bio-engineering and Nanomedicines (BioN) Laboratory, Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, St. Michael’s Building, White Swan Road, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
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Personalised 3D Printed Medicines: Optimising Material Properties for Successful Passive Diffusion Loading of Filaments for Fused Deposition Modelling of Solid Dosage Forms. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:pharmaceutics12040345. [PMID: 32290400 PMCID: PMC7238181 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12040345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Although not readily accessible yet to many community and hospital pharmacists, fuse deposition modelling (FDM) is a 3D printing technique that can be used to create a 3D pharmaceutical dosage form by employing drug loaded filaments extruded via a nozzle, melted and deposited layer by layer. FDM requires printable filaments, which are commonly manufactured by hot melt extrusion, and identifying a suitable extrudable drug-excipient mixture can sometimes be challenging. We propose here the use of passive diffusion as an accessible loading method for filaments that can be printed using FDM technology to allow for the fabrication of oral personalised medicines in clinical settings. Utilising Hansen Solubility Parameters (HSP) and the concept of HSP distances (Ra) between drug, solvent, and filament, we have developed a facile pre-screening tool for the selection of the optimal combination that can provide a high drug loading (a high solvent-drug Ra, >10, and an intermediate solvent-filament Ra value, ~10). We have identified that other parameters such as surface roughness and stiffness also play a key role in enhancing passive diffusion of the drug into the filaments. A predictive model for drug loading was developed based on Support Vector Machine (SVM) regression and indicated a strong correlation between both Ra and filament stiffness and the diffusion capacity of a model BCS Class II drug, nifedipine (NFD), into the filaments. A drug loading, close to 3% w/w, was achieved. 3D printed tablets prepared using a PVA-derived filament (Hydrosupport, 3D Fuel) showed promising characteristics in terms of dissolution (with a sustained release over 24 h) and predicted chemical stability (>3 years at 25 °C/60% relative humidity), similar to commercially available NFD oral dosage forms. We believe FDM coupled with passive diffusion could be implemented easily in clinical settings for the manufacture of tailored personalised medicines, which can be stored over long periods of time (similar to industrially manufactured solid dosage forms).
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