Transdermal release of methotrexate by cationic starch/poly(vinyl alcohol)-based films as an approach for rheumatoid arthritis treatment

3D-printed gelatin/dialdehyde starch hydrogels for hydrocortisone topical administration and in vivo treatment of atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic disorder affecting millions worldwide. Recent advancements suggest that combining therapies can significantly improve AD treatment outcomes and mitigate the challenges of long-term drug use, particularly with corticosteroids. In this study, we developed a 3D-printed hydrogel composed of gelatin (Gel) and dialdehyde starch (DAS), capable of encapsulating and delivering hydrocortisone (HC). DAS was synthesized via an oxidation reaction, introducing aldehyde groups that facilitated hydrogel formation with Gel through imine bond formation (Schiff base reaction). By adjusting the Gel/DAS ratio, we formulated inks with suitable rheological properties for extrusion-based 3D printing, an approach not yet fully exploited in this context. The resulting Gel/DAS network successfully encapsulated HC, as demonstrated by characterization analyses. The printed hydrogel exhibited a well-defined microstructure, significant water absorption and retention capabilities, and excellent stability. HC release followed a controlled mechanism consistent with Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetics. In an in vivo model, the 3D-printed hydrogel containing HC showed therapeutic efficacy comparable to conventional HC treatments in alleviating AD symptoms in mice. Additionally, the hydrogel significantly reduced myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and increased non-protein thiol (NPSH) levels in the dorsal skin of DNCB-exposed mice, underscoring its therapeutic potential.

Microencapsulation of Bacillus megaterium in cationic starch/PVA-based matrices

The increasing demand for sustainable and effective agricultural bio-based products is driving innovation in encapsulation technologies for beneficial microorganisms, such as Bacillus strains, known for promoting plant growth and controlling pathogens. This study proposes an efficient methodology for encapsulating Bacillus megaterium within microparticles using a simple cross-linking/emulsion process based on Cationic Starch (CS) and Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA). Citric acid (CA) and Sodium Trimetaphosphate (STMP) were employed as cross-linking agents, while bentonite (Bent) was added to modify the materials. The resulting microparticles exhibited a range of properties influenced by the cross-linking agents and bentonite. Encapsulation matrices with STMP and STMP-Bent demonstrated superior performance in providing controlled bacterial release and enhanced protection under adverse conditions. These matrices maintained up to 95 % of the initial cell viability after exposure to heat (55 °C for 24 h), and up to 98 % viability after exposure to UV light (180 min) or pesticides (30 °C for 24 h). In contrast, matrices containing CA or CA-Bent, as well as free bacteria, showed significantly lower bacterial survival rates in the same tests. In a high-salinity soil test (200 mM), STMP-based matrices provided the best protection for encapsulated bacteria, leading to a 10 % increase in B. megaterium growth. Furthermore, these matrices demonstrated an estimated shelf-life of over 40 months when stored at temperatures of 15 °C, 30 °C, and 45 °C. These findings suggest that CS/PVA matrices cross-linked with STMP offer a promising approach for developing more resilient and effective bio-based agricultural products.

Blended ƙ-carrageenan and xanthan gum hydrogel containing ketoprofen-loaded nanoemulsions: Design, characterization, and evaluation in an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis

This study reports the preparation of hydrogels (HG) made with xanthan gum (XG) and ƙ-carrageenan (KC) polysaccharides containing ketoprofen (KET)-loaded nanoemulsions (NK) and their evaluation in a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) model. The nano-based HGs exhibited nanometric-sized droplets (~ 100 nm), an acidic pH (5.10-6.83), drug content above 85%, a suitable spreadability factor, and pseudoplastic flow behavior. The most promising blend (HGCX 2:1) demonstrated sustained KET release, reaching 81.44 ± 6.11% after 5 h, and superior drug concentration in the skin layers (237.91 ± 41.0 µg/g). The formulation was selected due to its enhanced bioadhesiveness, with the HG-NK formulation showing the highest bioadhesion force and occlusion factor. RA was induced by complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) intraplantar injection into the left hind paw of male and female Swiss mice. Treatments with HGs were applied to the animals' dorsal region for 7 days. Notably, HG-NK demonstrated remarkable efficacy, reversing mechanical sensitivity in male mice and significantly reducing thermal sensitivity in both genders. Moreover, HG-NK provided a significant reduction in paw edema (52-fold in males, 27-fold in females) and inflammatory markers, such as myeloperoxidase activity (32-fold in males, 14-fold in females) and lipid peroxidation (2.5-fold in males, twofold in females). The formulation also promoted greater permeation of KET across the skin. These findings underscore the significant reduction in inflammatory markers by the HG-NK formulation, highlighting its potent anti-inflammatory effects and potential as a promising therapeutic strategy for managing RA.

Targeted delivery of a selenium-sulfa compound via cationic starch microparticles: Modulation of oxidative stress and pain pathways in fibromyalgia-like symptoms in mice

Cationic starch microparticles (CStMPs) loaded with 4-amino-3 -(phenylselenyl)benzenesulfonamide (4-APSB) were prepared and investigated in a model of fibromyalgia (FM) induced by intermittent cold stress (ICS) in male and female Swiss mice. The CStMPs/4-APSB were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, zeta potential, and particle size measurements, providing information about their chemical composition, surface charge, morphology/microstructure, and size (1.50 ± 0.5 μm). Following ICS exposure, the animals were treated with free 4-APSB (1 mg/kg), CStMPs/4-APSB (containing 0.13 mg of 4-APSB per mg of microparticles), or CStMPs, from days 5 to 10. The results revealed the successful incorporation of 4-APBS in the CStMPs. Free 4-APSB and CStMPs/4-APSB reversed nociceptive- and depressive-related behaviors in male and female mice exposed to ICS, attenuating the hallmark symptoms of FM. Those treatments (free 4-APSB and CStMPs/4-APSB) normalized the monoamine oxidase (MAO)-A activity in the cerebral cortex and the oxidative damage, providing the correct functioning of the enzyme Ca2+ -ATPase in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of mice exposed to ICS. The CStMPs/4-APSB modulated the oxidative stress markers, specifically in the spinal cord of mice - an anatomical region intricately linked to pain pathways.

Revolutionizing rheumatoid arthritis treatment with emerging cutaneous drug delivery systems: overcoming the challenges and paving the way forward

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the articulating joints. Though considerable progress has been made in understanding the disease in the past 50 years, its pathogenesis remains unclear. The therapies for RA, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, and glucocorticoids through conventional therapeutic delivery systems by percutaneous, intra-articular, intraperitoneal, oral, and intravenous administration, have shown their own disadvantages, which eventually reduce patient compliance for long-term therapy. Recently, drug delivery via a topical or transdermal route has gained attention as an alternative to the conventional approach. Though skin acts as a barrier for the delivery of drugs due to its structure, various permeation pathways are manipulated to enhance the drug delivery across or into the skin. However, poor skin retention is the reason for the failure of many conventional topical dosage forms, such as gels, sprays, and creams. Hence, there is an urgent need for conquering the skin boundary to improve skin partitioning. Nanotechnology is a developing and dynamic field gaining popularity in the nanoscale design. This review extensively describes the potential of various nanoformulations, such as vesicular systems, lipid nanoparticles, and polymeric nanoparticles, with a targeted approach to deliver the drugs to the inflamed joint region. Limelight has also been provided to next-generation approaches like surface modification, stimuli-responsive formulations, multifunctional carrier systems, microneedles, and microsponge systems. Physical methods for enhancing the transdermal delivery, such as electroporation and sonophoresis, and emerging treatment therapies, such as gene therapy, photothermal therapy, and photodynamic therapy, have been evaluated to enhance the treatment efficacy. The clinical status, patents and current challenges associated with nanotechnology and the future prospects of targeted drug delivery have also been discussed.

Xanthan-Polyurethane Conjugates: An Efficient Approach for Drug Delivery

The antifungal agent, ketoconazole, and the anti-inflammatory drug, piroxicam, were incorporated into matrices of xanthan or oleic acid-esterified xanthan (Xn) and polyurethane (PU), to develop topical drug delivery systems. Compared to matrices without bioactive compounds, which only showed a nominal compressive stress of 32.18 kPa (sample xanthan-polyurethane) at a strain of 71.26%, the compressive resilience of the biomaterials increased to nearly 50.04 kPa (sample xanthan-polyurethane-ketoconazole) at a strain of 71.34%. The compressive strength decreased to around 30.67 kPa upon encapsulating a second drug within the xanthan-polyurethane framework (sample xanthan-polyurethane-piroxicam/ketoconazole), while the peak sustainable strain increased to 87.21%. The Weibull model provided the most suitable fit for the drug release kinetics. Unlike the materials based on xanthan-polyurethane, those made with oleic acid-esterified xanthan-polyurethane released the active ingredients more slowly (the release rate constant showed lower values). All the materials demonstrated antimicrobial effectiveness. Furthermore, a higher volume of piroxicam was released from oleic acid-esterified xanthan-polyurethane-piroxicam (64%) as compared to xanthan-polyurethane-piroxicam (44%). Considering these results, materials that include polyurethane and either modified or unmodified xanthan showed promise as topical drug delivery systems for releasing piroxicam and ketoconazole.

Evaluation of therapeutic potential of ivermectin against complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats: Involvement of inflammatory mediators

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease with genetic manifestations. According to recently published case reports, patients taking corticosteroid medication for the management of rheumatoid arthritis develop strongloidiasis and are at high risk of developing associated infections. This study explored the antiarthritic role of ivermectin, a drug used in the treatment of strongyloides and to compare its results with dexamethasone. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, diseased, dexamethasone, and ivermectin groups. Rheumatoid arthritis in all rats except the control group was induced by using complete Freund's adjuvant. After 7 days of rheumatoid arthritis induction, animals were treated with dexamethasone 5 mg/kg and ivermectin 6 mg/kg. Body weight, visual arthritic score, total leukocyte count, differential leukocyte count, proinflammatory genes, and histopathological findings were used to assess the effects of ivermectin on rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment with ivermectin showed a significant reduction in inflammatory cells levels, body weight, and visual arthritic score, indicating an improvement in the degree of inflammation as compared with the diseased group. Treatment with ivermectin and dexamethasone significantly reduced the augmentation in the mRNA expression levels of IL-17, TLR-2, TNF, and NF-κB as a result of arthritic development. Ivermectin treatment also showed a significant reduction in the severity of inflammation and destruction of joints and showed comparable effects to dexamethasone, a corticosteroid used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Ivermectin has significant antiarthritic properties and can be a novel treatment agent for the management of rheumatoid arthritis patients suffering from strongyloidiasis.

Cationic starch: A functionalized polysaccharide based polymer for advancement of drug delivery and health care system - A review

Research and development in health care industry is in persistence progression. To make it more patient-friendly or to get maximum benefits from it, special attention to different advanced drug delivery system (ADDS) is employed that delivers the drug at the target site and will be able to sustain/control release of drugs. ADDS should be non-toxic, biodegradable, biocompatible along with desirable showing physicochemical and functional properties. These drug delivery systems can be totally based on polymers, either with natural or synthetic polymers. The molecular weight of polymer can be tuned and different groups of polymers can be modified or substituted with other functional groups. Degree of substitution is also tailored. Cationic starch in recent years is exploited in drug delivery, tissue engineering and biomedicine. Due to their abundant availability, low cost, easy chemical modification, low toxicity, biodegradability and biocompatibility, extensive research is now being carried out. Our present discussion will shed light on the usage of cationic starch in health care system.

A comprehensive review of advanced drug delivery systems for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic autoimmune disease, is characterized by articular pain and swelling, synovial hyperplasia, and cartilage and bone destruction. Conventional treatment strategies for RA involve the use of anti-rheumatic drugs, which warrant high-dose, frequent, and long-term administration, resulting in serious adverse effects and poor patient compliance. To overcome these problems and improve clinical efficacy, drug delivery systems (DDS) have been designed for RA treatment. These systems have shown success in animal models of RA. In this review, representative DDS that target RA through passive or active effects on inflammatory cells are discussed and highlighted using examples. In particular, DDS allowing controlled and targeted drug release based on a variety of stimuli, intra-articular DDS, and transdermal DDS for RA treatment are described. Thus, this review provides an improved understanding of these DDS and paves the way for the development of novel DDS for efficient RA treatment.

Polysaccharide-Based Transdermal Drug Delivery

Materials derived from natural plants and animals have great potential for transdermal drug delivery. Polysaccharides are widely derived from marine, herbal, and microbial sources. Compared with synthetic polymers, polysaccharides have the advantages of non-toxicity and biodegradability, ease of modification, biocompatibility, targeting, and antibacterial properties. Currently, polysaccharide-based transdermal drug delivery vehicles, such as hydrogel, film, microneedle (MN), and tissue scaffolds are being developed. The addition of polysaccharides allows these vehicles to exhibit better-swelling properties, mechanical strength, tensile strength, etc. Due to the stratum corneum’s resistance, the transdermal drug delivery system cannot deliver drugs as efficiently as desired. The charge and hydration of polysaccharides allow them to react with the skin and promote drug penetration. In addition, polysaccharide-based nanotechnology enhances drug utilization efficiency. Various diseases are currently treated by polysaccharide-based transdermal drug delivery devices and exhibit promising futures. The most current knowledge on these excellent materials will be thoroughly discussed by reviewing polysaccharide-based transdermal drug delivery strategies.

Recent advances on transdermal delivery systems for the treatment of arthritic injuries: From classical treatment to nanomedicines

Arthritic injuries happen frequently during a lifetime due to accidents, sports, aging, diseases, etc. Such injuries can be cartilage/bone injuries, tendon injuries, ligament injuries, inflammation, pain, and/or synovitis. Oral and injective administration of therapeutics are typically used but cause many side effects. Transdermal administration is an alternative route for safe and efficient delivery. Transdermal formulations of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been available on market for years and show promising efficacy in pain relieving, inflammation alleviation, infection control, and so on. Innovative transdermal patches, gels/films, and microneedles have also been widely explored as formulations to deliver therapeutics to combat arthritic injuries. However, transdermal formulations that halt disease progression and promote damage repair are translated slowly from lab bench to clinical applications. One major reason is that the skin barrier and synovial capsule barrier limit the efficacy of transdermal delivery. Recently, many nanocarriers, such as nanoparticles, nanolipids, nanoemulsions, nanocrystals, exosomes, etc., have been incorporated into transdermal formulations to advance drug delivery. The combined transdermal formulations show promising safety and efficacy. Therefore, this review will focus on stating the current development of nanomedicine-based transdermal formulations for the treatment of arthritic injuries. The advances, limitations, and future perspectives in this field will also be provided to inspire future studies and accelerate clinical translational studies. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanotechnology in Tissue Repair and Replacement Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Lipid-Based Structures.