Phospholipid based ultra-deformable nanovesicular gel for transcutaneous application: QbD based optimization, characterization and pharmacodynamic profiling

Design, optimization and characterization of atorvastatin loaded chitosan-based polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles based transdermal patch

AIM

Atorvastatin (ATO) loaded chitosan-based polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles (PECN) incorporated transdermal patch was developed to enhance its skin permeability and bioavailability.

METHODOLOGY

The ATO loaded PECN were prepared by ionic gelation method and optimized by Box-Behnken design. The optimized batches were evaluated for physicochemical characteristics, in vitro, ex vivo, cell line and stability studies. The optimized ATO-PECN were incorporated into transdermal patches by solvent evaporation method and evaluated for their physicochemical properties, ex vivo skin permeation, in vivo pharmacokinetics and stability study.

RESULTS

The optimized batch of ATO-PECN had average size of 219.2 ± 5.98 nm with 82.68 ± 2.63 % entrapment and 25.41 ± 3.29 mV zeta potential. ATO-PECN showed sustained drug release and higher skin permeation. The cell line study showed that ATO-PECN increased the cell permeability of ATO as compared to ATO suspension. ATO-PECN loaded transdermal patch showed higher skin permeation. The in vivo pharmacokinetic study revealed that the ATO-PECN transdermal patch showed significant (p < 0.05) increase in pharmacokinetic parameters as compared to marketed oral tablet, confirming enhancement in bioavailability of ATO.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present work concluded that the ATO-PECN loaded transdermal patch is a promising novel drug delivery system for poorly bioavailable drugs.

Question-based review for pharmaceutical development: An enhanced quality approach

Over the last years, the pharmaceutical industry has faced real challenges regarding quality assurance. In this context, the establishment of more holistic approaches to the pharmaceutical development has been encouraged. The emergence of the Quality by Design (QbD) paradigm as systematic, scientific and risk-based methodology introduced a new concept of pharmaceutical quality. In essence, QbD can be interpreted as a strategy to maximize time and cost savings. An in-depth understanding of the formulation and manufacturing process is demanded to optimize the safety, efficacy and quality of a drug product at all stages of development. This innovative approach streamlines the pharmaceutical Research and Development (R&D) process, provides greater manufacturing flexibility and reduces regulatory burden. To assist in QbD implementation, International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) organized and launched QbD principles in their guidance for industry, identifying key concepts and tools to design and develop a high-quality drug product. Despite the undeniable advantages of the QbD approach, and the widespread information on QbD regulatory expectations, its full implementation in the pharmaceutical field is still limited. The present review aims to establish a crosswise overview on the current application status of QbD within the framework of the ICH guidelines (ICH Q8(R2) - Q14 and ICH Q2(R2)). Moreover, it outlines the way information gathered from the QbD methodology is being harmonized in Marketing Authorization Applications (MAAs) for European market approval. This work also highlights the challenges that hinder the deployment of the QbD strategy as a standard practice.

Topical instillation of triamcinolone acetonide-loaded emulsomes for posterior ocular delivery: statistical optimization and in vitro-in vivo studies

The objective of the present investigation was to formulate and characterize a novel lipid-based carrier-emulsomes loaded with triamcinolone acetonide (TA)/Nile red (NR) for non-invasive delivery to the posterior segment of the eye upon topical application. To optimize and delineate the effect of independent variables on dependent variables, Box-Behnken design (BBD) was adopted. The optimized batch was characterized for size, zeta potential, surface morphology by transmission electron microscopy, drug-excipient interaction by differential scanning calorimetry, osmolarity, pH, ex vivo transcorneal permeation, and stability studies. A short-term exposure (STE) test was performed on Statens Seruminstitut Rabbit Corneal (SIRC) cell lines to evaluate the in vitro ocular irritation. Precorneal retention study was performed in rabbit eyes. Confocal microscopy was used for ocular distribution studies in mice eye by preparing dye (Nile red)-loaded formulations. The surface response and contour plots along with ANOVA results demonstrated an interaction between the factors. The optimized batch had particle size of 131.17 ± 3.17 nm and entrapment efficiency of 71.56 ± 4.19%. TEM image showed unimodal, nano-sized emulsomes. TA-loaded emulsomes exhibited higher transcorneal permeation as compared to drug solution. In vitro irritation studies confirmed the safety of excipients for ophthalmic use. Fluorescence microscopic images obtained after ocular distribution studies showed strong fluorescence in inner and outer plexiform layers of the retina in comparison to dye solution confirming the delivery of dye to the posterior segment of mice eye after topical ocular instillation. Graphical abstract.