CriticalSorb: a novel efficient nasal delivery system for human growth hormone based on Solutol HS15

A comprehensive review of advanced nasal delivery: Specially insulin and calcitonin

Peptide drugs through nasal mucous membrane, such as insulin and calcitonin have been widely used in the medical field. There are always two sides to a coin. One side, intranasal drug delivery can imitate the secretion pattern in human body, having advantages of physiological structure and convenient use. Another side, the low permeability of nasal mucosa, protease environment and clearance effect of nasal cilia hinder the intranasal absorption of peptide drugs. Researchers have taken multiple means to achieve faster therapeutic concentration, lower management dose, and fewer side effects for better nasal preparations. To improve the peptide drugs absorption, various strategies had been explored via the nasal mucosa route. In this paper, we reviewed the achievements of 18 peptide drugs in the past decade about the perspectives of the efficacy, mechanism of enhancing intranasal absorption and safety. The most studies were insulin and calcitonin. As a result, absorption enhancers, nanoparticles (NPs) and bio-adhesive system are the most widely used. Among them, chitosan (CS), cell penetrating peptides (CPPs), tight junction modulators (TJMs), soft NPs and gel/hydrogel are the most promising strategies. Moreover, two or three strategies can be combined to prepare drug vectors. In addition, spray freeze dried (SFD), self-emulsifying nano-system (SEN), and intelligent glucose reaction drug delivery system are new research directions in the future.

Improved Bioavailability and Hepatoprotective Activity of Baicalein Via a Self-assembled Solutol HS15 Micelles System

BACKGROUND

Baicalein (BA) is a flavonoid extract from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi with excellent biological activities, such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. However, its poor water solubility limits its further development.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to prepare BA-loaded Solutol HS15 (HS15-BA) micelles, evaluate the bioavailability, and explore protective effects on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced acute liver injury.

METHODS

The thin-film dispersion method was used to prepare HS15-BA micelles. The physicochemical, in vitro release, pharmacokinetics, and hepatoprotective effects of HS15-BA micelles were studied.

RESULTS

The optimal formulation showed a spherical shape by characterization of the transmission electron microscope (TEM) with an average small size (12.50 nm). The pharmacokinetic results illustrated that HS15-BA increased the oral bioavailability of BA. The in vivo results showed that HS15-BA micelles significantly inhibited the activity of the CCl4-induced liver injury marker enzymes aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT). Also, CCl4 induced oxidative damage to liver tissue, leading to increased L-glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) activity, while HS15-BA significantly reversed the above changes. Moreover, BA also had a hepatoprotective effect through anti-inflammatory activity; the results of ELISA and RT-PCR revealed that HS15-BA pretreatment significantly inhibited the increase in the expression of inflammatory factors induced by CCl4.

CONCLUSION

In summary, our study confirmed that HS15-BA micelles enhanced the bioavailability of BA, and showed hepatoprotective effects through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. HS15 could be considered a promising oral delivery carrier in treating liver disease.

Paclitaxel Delivery to the Brain for Glioblastoma Treatment

The development of paclitaxel-loaded polymeric nanoparticles for the treatment of brain tumors was investigated. Poly(lactide-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles containing 10% w/w paclitaxel with a particle size of 216 nm were administered through intranasal and intravenous routes to male Sprague-Dawley rats at a dose of 5 mg/kg. Both routes of administration showed appreciable accumulation of paclitaxel in brain tissue, liver, and kidney without any sign of toxicity. The anti-proliferative effect of the nanoparticles on glioblastoma tumor cells was comparable to that of free paclitaxel.

Factors affecting nasal drug delivery and design strategies for intranasal drug delivery

Intranasal drug delivery system is a non-invasive drug delivery route with the advantages of no first-pass effect, rapid effect and brain targeting. It is a feasible alternative to drug delivery via injection, and a potential drug delivery route for the central nervous system. However, the nasal physiological environment is complex, and the nasal delivery system requires "integration of medicine and device". Its delivery efficiency is affected by many factors such as the features and formulations of drug, delivery devices and nasal cavity physiology. Some strategies have been designed to improve the solubility, stability, membrane permeability and nasal retention time of drugs. These include the use of prodrugs, adding enzyme inhibitors and absorption enhancers to preparations, and new drug carriers, which can eventually improve the efficiency of intranasal drug delivery. This article reviews recent publications and describes the above mentioned aspects and design strategies for nasal intranasal drug delivery systems to provide insights for the development of intranasal drug delivery systems.

Myricetin-Loaded Nanomicelles Protect against Cisplatin-Induced Acute Kidney Injury by Inhibiting the DNA Damage-cGAS-STING Signaling Pathway

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is the most common side effect of the anti-cancer drug cisplatin, and currently, no effective preventive measures are available in clinical practice. Oxidative stress and DNA damage mechanisms may be involved in cisplatin-induced AKI. In this study, we prepared Kolliphor HS15-based myricetin-loaded (HS15-Myr) nanomicelles and explored the mechanism of protection against cisplatin-induced AKI. In vitro results showed that the HS15-Myr nanomicelles enhanced the antioxidant activity of myricetin (Myr) and inhibited cisplatin-induced proliferation inhibition of HK-2 cells. Moreover, the HS15-Myr nanomicelles inhibited cisplatin-induced reactive oxygen species accumulation, mitochondrial membrane potential reduction, and DNA damage, which might be related to the inhibition of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)─stimulating interferon gene (STING) signaling pathway. In vivo results in mice showed that the significant reductions in body weight and renal indices and the increased blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels induced by cisplatin could be significantly reversed by pretreating with the HS15-Myr nanomicelles. Furthermore, nanomicelle pretreatment significantly altered the activities of antioxidant enzymes (e.g., GSH, MDA, and SOD) induced by cisplatin. In addition, cisplatin-induced inflammatory responses in mouse kidney tissue were found to be inhibited by pretreatment with HS15-Myr nanomicelles, such as IL-1β and TNF-α expression. The nanomicelles also significantly inhibited cisplatin-induced activation of the DNA damage-cGAS-STING pathway in kidney tissues. Together, our findings suggest that Myr-loaded nanomicelles are potential nephroprotective drugs.

A Narrative Review on Non-Invasive Drug Delivery of Teriparatide: A Ray of Hope

In the field of pharmaceutical biotechnology and formulation development, various protein and peptide-based drugs have been used for therapeutic and clinical implications. These are mainly given via parenteral routes like intravenous, subcutaneous or intramuscular delivery. Teriparatide, also known as PTH 1-34, is a U.S. Food & Drug Administartion-approved anabolic drug to treat osteoporosis is currently available in market only as subcutaneous injection. The quest for elimination of needle in case of given peptidal delivery to replace it with alternative routes like nasal, buccal, transdermal and pulmonary pathways has driven meticulous drug research. The pharmaceutical scientists are working on innovation and approaches involving new materials and methods to develop the formulations for protein and peptides by noninvasive routes. Lately, various approaches have been carried out which involve many strategies and technologies to deliver teriparatide via alternative routes. But, physicochemical instability, proteolytic degradation, low bioavailability, etc. are some obstacles to develop suitable delivery system for teriparatide. This review intends to gather the overall developments in delivery systems specific to teriparatide which meant for better convenience and avoids vulnerability of multiple subcutaneous injections. In addition, the article emphasizes on the successes to develop noninvasive technologies and devices, and new milestones for teriparatide delivery.

Preparation, characterization and in vitro study of bellidifolin nano-micelles

Bellidifolin (BEL), a xanthone compound, has significant therapeutic effectiveness in cardiac diseases such as arrhythmias. However, BEL is limited in clinical applications by its hydrophobicity. In this work, we used BEL as the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), and polyethylene glycol 15-hydroxy stearate (Kolliphor HS15) as the carrier to prepare BEL nano-micelles by a solvent-volatilization method. According to an analysis by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), BEL was successfully encapsulated in HS15 as BEL nano-micelles with a 90% encapsulation rate, and particle size was 12.60 ± 0.074 nm in the shape of a sphere and electric potential was −4.76 ± 4.47 mV with good stability and sustained release characteristics. In addition, compared with free drugs, these nano-micelles can increase cellular uptake capacity, inhibit the proliferation of human cardiac fibroblasts, and down-regulate the expression of Smad-2, α-SMA, Collagen I, and Collagen III proteins in myocardial cells to improve myocardial fibrosis. In conclusion, the BEL nano-micelles can provide a new way for the theoretical basis for the clinical application of anti-cardiac fibrosis.

Bellidifolin (BEL), a xanthone compound, has significant therapeutic effectiveness in cardiac diseases such as arrhythmias.

Effect of Different Absorption Enhancers on the Nasal Absorption of Nalmefene Hydrochloride

The purpose of this work is to explore the effects of novel absorption enhancers on the nasal absorption of nalmefene hydrochloride (NMF). First, the influence of absorption enhancers with different concentrations and types and drug concentrations on the nasal absorption of NMF was investigated in vivo in rats. The absorption enhancers studied include n-dodecyl-β-D-maltoside (DDM), hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD), and polyethylene glycol (15)-hydroxy Stearate (Solutol®HS15). At the same time, the in situ toad palate model and rat nasal mucosa model were used to assess the cilia toxicity. The results showed that all the absorption enhancers investigated significantly promote the nasal absorption of NMF, but with different degrees and trends. Among them, the 0.5% (w/v) DDM had the strongest enhancement effect, followed by 0.5% (w/v) Solutol®HS15, 0.25% (w/v) DDM, 0.25% (w/v) Solutol®HS15, 0.1% (w/v) Solutol®HS15, 0.1% (w/v) DDM, and 0.25% (w/v) HP-β-CD, with absolute bioavailability of 76.49%, 72.14%, 71.00%, 69.46%, 60.41%, 59.42%, and 55.18%, respectively. All absorption enhancers exhibited good safety profiles in nasal ciliary toxicity tests. From the perspective of enhancing effect and safety, we considered DDM to be a promising nasal absorption enhancer. And in addition to DDM, Solutol®HS15 can also promote intranasal absorption of NMF, which will provide another option for the development of nalmefene hydrochloride nasal spray.

Nanotechnologies for the delivery of biologicals: Historical perspective and current landscape

Biological macromolecule-based therapeutics irrupted in the pharmaceutical scene generating a great hope due to their outstanding specificity and potency. However, given their susceptibility to degradation and limited capacity to overcome biological barriers new delivery technologies had to be developed for them to reach their targets. This review aims at analyzing the historical seminal advances that shaped the development of the protein/peptide delivery field, along with the emerging technologies on the lead of the current landscape. Particularly, focus is made on technologies with a potential for transmucosal systemic delivery of protein/peptide drugs, followed by approaches for the delivery of antigens as new vaccination strategies, and formulations of biological drugs in oncology, with special emphasis on mAbs. Finally, a discussion of the key challenges the field is facing, along with an overview of prospective advances are provided.

The importance of pre-formulation studies and of 3D-printed nasal casts in the success of a pharmaceutical product intended for nose-to-brain delivery

This review aims to cement three hot topics in drug delivery: (a) the pre-formulation of new products intended for nose-to-brain delivery; (b) the development of nasal casts for studying the efficacy of potential new nose-to-brain delivery systems at the early of their development (pre-formulation); (c) the use of 3D printing based on a wide variety of materials (transparent, biocompatible, flexible) providing an unprecedented fabrication tool towards personalized medicine by printing nasal cast on-demand based on CT scans of patients. This review intends to show the links between these three subjects. Indeed, the pathway selected to administrate the drug to the brain not only influence the formulation strategies to implement but also the design of the cast, to get the most convincing measures from it. Moreover, the design of the cast himself influences the choice of the 3D-printing technology, which, in its turn, bring more constraints to the nasal replica design. Consequently, the formulation of the drug, the cast preparation and its realisation should be thought of as a whole and not separately.

Development and in vivo evaluation of intranasal formulations of parathyroid hormone (1-34)

For efficient intranasal transport of parathyroid hormone (1-34) [PTH(1-34)], there is a great medical need to investigate permeation enhancers for intranasal formulations. In this study, the development of PTH(1-34) intranasal formulations was conducted. Based on conformation and chemical stability studies, the most preferable aqueous environment was determined to be 0.008 M acetate buffer solution (ABS). Subsequently, citric acid and Kolliphor^® HS·15 were compared as permeation enhancers. The mechanisms of action of citric acid and Kolliphor^® HS·15 were investigated using an in vitro model of nasal mucosa, and Kolliphor^® HS·15 led to higher permeability of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled PTH(1-34) (FITC-PTH) by enhancing both the transcellular and paracellular routes. Moreover, citric acid showed severe mucosal toxicity resulting in cilia shedding, while Kolliphor^® HS·15 did not cause obvious mucosa damage. Finally, Kolliphor^® HS·15 was studied as a permeation enhancer using a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. The results showed that 5% and 10% Kolliphor^® HS·15 increased the bioavailability of PTH(1-34) to 14.76% and 30.87%, respectively. In conclusion, an effective and biosafe PTH(1-34) intranasal formulation was developed by using 10% Kolliphor^® HS·15 as a permeation enhancer. Intranasal formulations with higher concentrations of Kolliphor^® HS·15 for higher bioavailability of PTH(1-34) could be further researched.

Kolliphor® HS 15-cyclodextrin Complex for the Delivery of Voriconazole: Preparation, Characterization, and Antifungal Activity

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to reduce the amount of sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin (SBECD) used in the marketed voriconazole injections to meet the clinical needs of patients with moderate-to-severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance rate <50 mL/min).

OBJECTIVE

This study found that the surfactant Kolliphor® HS 15 (HS 15) and SBECD had significant synergistic effects on solubilizing voriconazole, and a novel voriconazole complex delivery system (VRC-CD/HS 15) was established.

METHODS

The complex system was characterized, and its antifungal activity was studied by dynamic light scattering, dialysis bag method, disk diffusion, and broth microdilution.

RESULTS

Compared with the control, its encapsulation efficiency (90.07±0.48%), drug loading (7.37±0.25%) and zeta potential (-4.36±1.37 mV) were increased by 1.54%, 41.19%, and 296.36%, respectively; its average particle size (13.92±0.00 nm) was reduced by 15.69%, so the complex system had better stability. Simultaneously, its drug release behavior was similar to that of the control, and it was a first-order kinetic model. Antifungal studies indicated that the complex system had noticeable antifungal effects. With the increase of drug concentration, the inhibition zone increased. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of the complex system against Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans were 0.0313 μg/mL, 1 μg/mL and 128 μg/mL, respectively.

CONCLUSION

It showed a significant inhibitory effect on C. neoformans and had a visible therapeutic effect on Kunming mice infected with C. neoformans. Consequently, VRC-CD/HS 15 had better physicochemical properties and still had an apparent antifungal effect, and was promising as a potential alternative drug for clinical application.

An effective and safe treatment strategy for rheumatoid arthritis based on human serum albumin and Kolliphor® HS 15

Aim: We aimed to construct human serum albumin-Kolliphor® HS 15 nanoparticles (HSA-HS15 NPs) to overcome the limitations in targeted therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and enhance the safety of drug-loaded HSA NPs. Methodology: Celastrol (CLT)-loaded HSA-HS15 NPs were prepared and the properties were adequately investigated; the treatment effect were evaluated in RA rats; in vitro and in vivo studies were performed to explain the mechanism. Results: CLT-HSA-HS15 NPs had remarkable treatment ability and enhanced safety in the treatment of RA compared with free CLT and CLT-HSA NPs. Conclusion: HSA-HS15 NPs could be a safe and efficient therapeutic strategy for the treatment of RA, because of the inflammatory targeting ability of albumin, the added HS15 and ELVIS effect (extravasation through leaky vasculature followed by inflammatory cell-mediated sequestration) of nanoparticles.

Nasal Administration and Plasma Pharmacokinetics of Parathyroid Hormone Peptide PTH 1-34 for the Treatment of Osteoporosis

Nasal delivery of large peptides such as parathyroid 1-34 (PTH 1-34) can benefit from a permeation enhancer to promote absorption across the nasal mucosa into the bloodstream. Previously, we have published an encouraging bioavailability (78%), relative to subcutaneous injection in a small animal preclinical model, for a liquid nasal spray formulation containing the permeation enhancer polyethylene glycol (15)-hydroxystearate (Solutol^® HS15). We report here the plasma pharmacokinetics of PTH 1-34 in healthy human volunteers receiving the liquid nasal spray formulation containing Solutol^® HS15. For comparison, data for a commercially manufactured teriparatide formulation delivered via subcutaneous injection pen are also presented. Tc-99m-DTPA gamma scintigraphy monitored the deposition of the nasal spray in the nasal cavity and clearance via the inferior meatus and nasopharynx. The 50% clearance time was 17.8 min (minimum 10.9, maximum 74.3 min). For PTH 1-34, mean plasma C_max of 5 pg/mL and 253 pg/mL were obtained for the nasal spray and subcutaneous injection respectively; relative bioavailability of the nasal spray was ≤1%. Subsequently, we investigated the pharmacokinetics of the liquid nasal spray formulation as well as a dry powder nasal formulation also containing Solutol^® HS15 in a crossover study in an established ovine model. In this preclinical model, the relative bioavailability of liquid and powder nasal formulations was 1.4% and 1.0% respectively. The absolute bioavailability of subcutaneously administered PTH 1-34 (mean 77%, range 55-108%) in sheep was in agreement with published human data for teriparatide (up to 95%). These findings have important implications in the search for alternative routes of administration of peptides for the treatment of osteoporosis, and in terms of improving translation from animal models to humans.

Exposure to a Nonionic Surfactant Induces a Response Akin to Heat-Shock Apoptosis in Intestinal Epithelial Cells: Implications for Excipients Safety

Amphipathic, nonionic, surfactants are widely used in pharmaceutical, food, and agricultural industry to enhance product features; as pharmaceutical excipients, they are also aimed at increasing cell membrane permeability and consequently improving oral drugs absorption. Here, we report on the concentration- and time-dependent succession of events occurring throughout and subsequent exposure of Caco-2 epithelium to a "typical" nonionic surfactant (Kolliphor HS15) to provide a molecular explanation for nonionic surfactant cytotoxicity. The study shows that the conditions of surfactant exposure, which increase plasma membrane fluidity and permeability, produced rapid (within 5 min) redox and mitochondrial effects. Apoptosis was triggered early during exposure (within 10 min) and relied upon an initial mitochondrial membrane hyperpolarization (5-10 min) as a crucial step, leading to its subsequent depolarization and caspase-3/7 activation (60 min). The apoptotic pathway appears to be triggered prior to substantial surfactant-induced membrane damage (observed ≥60 min). We hence propose that the cellular response to the model nonionic surfactant is triggered via surfactant-induced increase in plasma membrane fluidity, a phenomenon akin to the stress response to membrane fluidization induced by heat shock, and consequent apoptosis. Therefore, the fluidization effect that confers surfactants the ability to enhance drug permeability may also be intrinsically linked to the propagation of their cytotoxicity. The reported observations have important implications for the safety of a multitude of nonionic surfactants used in drug delivery formulations and to other permeability enhancing compounds with similar plasma membrane fluidizing mechanisms.

Oral delivery of human growth hormone: Preparation, characterization, and pharmacokinetics

Daily subcutaneous injection of human growth hormone has been used for the treatment of growth hormone deficiency and growth failure but has led to poor patient compliance and renal toxicity. Thus, it is crucial to develop favorable growth hormone delivery systems to improve patient compliance. In the present study, to increase the oral bioavailability of growth hormone and improve patient compliance, enteric-coated capsules filled with monomethoxyl poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles were prepared to facilitate oral growth hormone delivery. The nanoparticles were less than 100 nm in size, exhibited narrow polydispersity indices < 0.3, and showed a zeta potential of −4.87 mV. The highest efficiency of growth hormone encapsulation achieved in this study was nearly 70%. An in vitro release experiment showed that adequate amounts of growth hormone were retained under simulated gastric conditions and significant amounts of growth hormone were released under simulated intestinal conditions. The bioavailability of encapsulated growth hormone relative to subcutaneously injected growth hormone in Sprague-Dawley rats was 11.06%. Thus, the use of poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles yielded promising results, and these agents should be investigated further regarding their potential as an oral growth hormone delivery system in the future.

Improved oral bioavailability and anticancer efficacy on breast cancer of paclitaxel via Novel Soluplus(®)-Solutol(®) HS15 binary mixed micelles system

The aim of this study was to develop a novel drug delivery system using two biocompatible copolymers of Solutol(®)HS15 and Soluplus(®) to improve solubility, oral bioavailability and anticancer activity of paclitaxel (PTX). The PTX-loaded mixed micelles (PTX-M) were prepared by ethanol thin-film hydration method. The optimal PTX-M were provided with small size (164.8±2.0nm) and spherical shape at ratio of 1: 3 (Solutol(®)HS15: Soluplus(®)), thus increasing the solubility to 15.76±0.15mg/mL in water. The entrapment efficiency and drug loading of PTX-M were 98.48±0.91% and 10.59±0.09% respectively. In vitro release study indicated a sustained release of PTX-M. Transcellular transport study showed that the efflux ratio were decreased by 89.72% dramatically in Caco-2 cell transport models, and the pharmacokinetics study of PTX-M compared with PTX, showed a 3.68-fold increase in relative oral bioavailability, indicating the mixed micelles may promote absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, the MTT assay demonstrated that the IC50 value of PTX-M was reduced by 40.21% (PTX-M: 22.6±2.1μg/mL, PTX: 37.8±1.4μg/mL), and in vivo anti-tumor study (15days' therapy) showed PTX-M achieved higher anti-tumor efficacy (57.66%) compared with PTX (41.13%). Furthermore, a gastrointestinal safety assay also provided the reliability and safety of PTX-M. Collectively, these findings present an oral micelle formulation with increased solubility, oral bioavailability and anticancer activity of PTX.

The multilayer nanoparticles for deep penetration of docetaxel into tumor parenchyma to overcome tumor microenvironment

Deep penetration of the anticancer drug, docetaxel (DTX), into tumor parenchyma was demonstrated to achieve improved chemotherapy. For this purpose, a multistage nanostructure was designed and characterized using the multilayer nanoparticles (NPs). The multilayer NPs had a core/shell structure. The core was composed of the DTX-loaded Pluronic NPs (diameter: 12nm) that were transferred into the inner side of vesicles to form the vesicle NPs. Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) in the NPs was observed to verify the incorporation of the DTX-loaded Pluronic NPs into the inner side of the vesicles during the formation of the vesicle NPs. Subsequently, the vesicle NPs were stabilized through Pluronic-lipid bilayer interaction to form the multilayer NPs. To examine the morphology and size distribution of the multilayer NPs, transmittance electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering were used. In vitro release behavior and toxicity were observed to verify the functionality of the multilayer NPs as nanocarriers for cancer therapy. Multistage functionality was evaluated by cellular uptake and tissue distribution behaviors of the multilayer NPs. The biodistribution of the multilayer NPs and their antitumor efficacy were also observed to understand the role of multistage functionality for improved chemotherapy.

Kolliphor® HS 15 Micelles for the Delivery of Coenzyme Q10: Preparation, Characterization, and Stability

To enhance the stability of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), Kolliphor® HS 15 (HS15) was employed as a carrier to build up a stable CoQ10-loaded micelle delivery system. The impact of micellar compositions, the preparation condition, and the preparation method on size characteristics, the solubilization efficiency, and micellar stability were investigated. The optimal preparation conditions were 1:6, 4, 0.2%, 118°C, and 25 min for CoQ10/HS15 mass ratio, pH value, the concentration of glucose, and the sterilization conditions. Upon these conditions, the particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, the entrapment efficiency, drug loading, and the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of CoQ10-loaded micelles were 19.76 nm, 0.112, -3.405 mV, 99.39%, 13.77%, and 5.623 × 10(-4) g/mL, respectively. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis collectively corroborated that CoQ10 was entrapped into the micelles in amorphous form. The release pattern of drug was analyzed and proved to follow the first order. Additionally, the samples were exposed to the temperatures of 30°C for 6 months with more significant impact on their stabilities as compared to 4 and 25°C based on particle size and PDI. Under constant humidity with light protection long-term (25 ± 2°C, relative humidity (RH) 60 ± 10%, 18 months) conditions, there was no variation except minor changes of CoQ10 content of the samples. The shelf life of the micellar samples could be predicted as 24 months based on the stability results. Consequently, the CoQ10-loaded micelles showed excellent stabilities below 25°C as a potential drug candidate for further clinical applications.

Docetaxel-loaded multilayer nanoparticles with nanodroplets for cancer therapy

A mixture of docetaxel (DTX) and Solutol^® HS 15 (Solutol) transiently formed nanodroplets when it was suspended in an aqueous medium. However, nanodroplets that comprised DTX and Solutol showed a rapid precipitation of DTX because of their unstable characteristics in the aqueous medium. The incorporation of nanodroplets that comprised DTX and Solutol through vesicle fusion and subsequent stabilization was designed to prepare multilayer nanoparticles (NPs) with a DTX-loaded Solutol nanodroplet (as template NPs) core for an efficient delivery of DTX as a chemotherapeutic drug. As a result, the DTX-loaded Solutol nanodroplets (~11.7 nm) were observed to have an increased average diameter (from 11.7 nm to 156.1 nm) and a good stability of the hydrated NPs without precipitation of DTX by vesicle fusion and multilayered structure, respectively. Also, a long circulation of the multilayer NPs was observed, and this was due to the presence of Pluronic F-68 on the surface of the multilayer NPs. This led to an improved antitumor efficacy based on the enhanced permeation and retention effect. Therefore, this study indicated that the multilayer NPs have a considerable potential as a drug delivery system with an enhanced therapeutic efficacy by blood circulation and with low side effects.

The effect of curcumin and its nanoformulation on adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), induced by the prolonged inappropriate inflammatory responses, is one of the most prevalent of all chronic inflammatory joint diseases. Curcumin (CM), a yellow hydrophobic polyphenol derived from the herb turmeric, has various pharmacological activities against many chronic diseases and acts by inhibiting cell proliferation and metastasis and downregulating various factors, including nuclear factor kappa B, interleukin-1β and TNF-α. Given the pathogenesis of RA, we hypothesized that the drug also has antiarthritic effects. The aims of the present study included the following: 1) examining the therapeutic effect of CM administered via intravenous (iv) injection on RA and 2) formulating the drug into oil–water nanoemulsions (Ns) to overcome the low oral bioavailability of CM and achieve oral delivery of the drug.

Methods

The effect of CM administered through iv injection on adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats was studied in terms of paw swelling, weight indices of the thymus and spleen, and pathological changes in nuclear factor kappa B expression and inflammatory cytokines. Methotrexate was used as a positive control. The CM-Ns were prepared using a high-pressure homogenizing method and characterized with respect to the particle size and morphology. The stability of the CM-Ns in simulated gastrointestinal (GI) fluids and in vitro release were also investigated. A pharmacokinetic study of the CM-Ns and suspensions in which the plasma levels were determined using an high performance liquid chromatography method and the pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated based on a statistical moment theory was also performed in rats.

Results

CM administered via iv injection had a therapeutic effect on RA similar to methotrexate. CM-Ns with a diameter of approximately 150 nm were successfully prepared, and the drug was well encapsulated into the Ns without degradation in simulated GI conditions. The area under the curve (AUC) and C_max for the CM-Ns were more than threefold greater than those for the suspensions; moreover, similar decreases in the levels of TNF-α and interleukin-1β in both synovial fluid and blood serum were obtained from oral administration of CM-Ns and iv injection.

Conclusion

CM was an effective antiarthritic agent, and the present N formulation appeared to be a promising system that allowed RA therapy with CM to be converted from iv to oral administration.

Current understanding of nasal morphology and physiology as a drug delivery target

The nasal cavity is both a target for locally and systemically acting medications. An adequate treatment for rhinosinusitis continues to be an unmet need. With the recent approval of intranasal medications for the treatment of pain, the nasal cavity continues to be a viable route for rapid uptake into the systemic circulation. Despite the opportunities, there is still a void in the knowledge of how therapeutic entities interact with the nasal epithelium. In addition, new opportunities in mucosal immunity via nasal vaccination as well as the elusive nose to brain uptake continue to drive innovation. To facilitate understanding of the issues involved that facilitate drug delivery in the nose, a review of nasal morphology and physiology is presented.

Mechanism of mucosal permeability enhancement of CriticalSorb® (Solutol® HS15) investigated in vitro in cell cultures

Purpose

CriticalSorb™, with the principal component Solutol® HS15, is a novel mucosal drug delivery system demonstrated to improve the bioavailability of selected biotherapeutics. The intention of this study is to elucidate mechanism(s) responsible for the enhancement of trans-mucosal absorption of biological drugs by Solutol® HS15.

Methods

Micelle size and CMC of Solutol® HS15 were determined in biologically relevant media. Polarised airway Calu-3 cell layers were used to measure the permeability of a panel of biological drugs, and to assess changes in TEER, tight junction and F-actin morphology. The rate of cell endocytosis was measured in vitro in the presence of Solutol® HS15 using a membrane probe, FM 2–10.

Results

This work initially confirms surfactant-like behaviour of Solutol® HS15 in aqueous media, while subsequent experiments demonstrate that the effect of Solutol® HS15 on epithelial tight junctions is different from a ‘classical’ tight junction opening agent and illustrate the effect of Solutol® HS15 on the cell membrane (endocytosis rate) and F-actin cytoskeleton.

Conclusion

Solutol® HS15 is the principle component of CriticalSorb™ that has shown an enhancement in permeability of medium sized biological drugs across epithelia. This study suggests that its mechanism of action arises primarily from effects on the cell membrane and consequent impacts on the cell cytoskeleton in terms of actin organisation and tight junction opening.

Periplasmic production via the pET expression system of soluble, bioactive human growth hormone

A pET based expression system for the production of recombinant human growth hormone (hGH) directed to the Escherichia coli periplasmic space was developed. The pET22b plasmid was used as a template for creating vectors that encode hGH fused to either a pelB or ompA secretion signal under control of the strong bacteriophage T7 promoter. The pelB- and ompA-hGH constructs expressed in BL21 (λDE3)-RIPL E. coli are secreted into the periplasm which facilitates isolation of soluble hGH by selective disruption of the outer membrane. A carboxy-terminal poly-histidine tag enabled purification by Ni(2+) affinity chromatography with an average yield of 1.4 mg/L culture of purified hGH, independent of secretion signal. Purified pelB- and ompA-hGH are monomeric based on size exclusion chromatography with an intact mass corresponding to mature hGH indicating proper cleavage of the signal peptide and folding in the periplasm. Both pelB- and ompA-hGH bind the hGH receptor with high affinity and potently stimulate Nb2 cell growth. These results demonstrate that the pET expression system is suitable for the rapid and simple isolation of bioactive, soluble hGH from E. coli.