Penetration enhancers in proniosomes as a new strategy for enhanced transdermal drug delivery

Water in nigella oil microemulsion for enhanced oral bioavailability of linagliptin

Linagliptin is hydrophilic antidiabetic with poor oral bioavailability due to poor permeability and pre-systemic metabolism. The objective was to assess w/o microemulsion for enhanced oral bioavailability of linagliptin. Nigella oil was used as oily phase based on its reported antidiabetic effect. Isopropyl myristate (IPM) or capryol were combined with nigella oil to impart intestinal membrane permeabilizing abilities. Pseudoternary phase diagrams were constructed utilizing nigella oil in presence and absence of isopropyl myristate or capryol as oily phase using Tween 60 as surfactant. W/O microemulsion formulations were selected from the constructed phase diagrams and linagliptin was loaded in the internal aqueous phase at a concentration of 0.5 mg/ml. The prepared formulations were physically evaluated and linagliptin in vitro release was monitored. Eventually, the in vivo hypoglycemic effect was assessed using diabetic rats. The developed microemulsions were of w/o type and exhibited Newtonian flow behavior with nigella/capryol microemulsion recording the lowest viscosity. The recorded droplet size values were 104.9, 121.2 and 86.4 nm for nigella, nigella/IPM and nigella/capryol microemulsions, respectively. All microemulsion formulations showed slower drug release rate compared with aqueous suspension with nigella/capryol microemulsion showing the highest release rate compared to other microemulsions. Release data from microemulsion best fitted to Higuchi model. In vivo oral hypoglycemic activity measurement reflected a more intensified hypoglycemic effect with rapid onset after oral ingestion of microemulsion compared to linagliptin dispersion. Nigella oil/IPM-based microemulsion was ranked as the most effective. The investigation highlighted the feasibility of w/o microemulsion for enhanced oral bioavailability of hydrophilic drugs like linagliptin.

Surfactant vesicles for enhanced antitoxoplasmic effect of norfloxacin: in vitro and in vivo evaluations

The goal was to scrutinize niosomes as potential carriers for enhanced efficacy of norfloxacin against Toxoplasma gondii RH strain. This was assessed in vitro and in vivo. Standard niosomes of Span 60 and cholesterol were prepared. Gelucire 48/16 or Tween 80 was incorporated as hydrophilic fluidizer. The prepared vesicles were characterized for shape, size, viscosity and norfloxacin release. The in vitro anti-Toxoplasma was assessed by monitoring tachyzoites viability after incubation with niosomes. In vivo efficacy of niosomes encapsulated norfloxacin was evaluated on infected mice. Transmission electron micrographs showed nano-sized spherical vesicles. Norfloxacin release varied with niosomal composition to show faster liberation in presence of fluidizing agent. The half maximum effective concentration of norfloxacin against tachyzoites (EC50) was significantly reduced after niosomal encapsulation compared with simple drug solution with no significant difference between vesicular formulations. Tachyzoite count in the peritoneal fluid of infected mice was reduced by 45.2, 90.8, 88.3 and 84% after treatment with simple drug dispersion, standard niosomes, Gelucire containing and Tween containing vesicles, respectively compared to infected untreated mice. These results correlate with the in vitro data and reflects the efficacy of niosomes. The study introduced surfactant vesicles as a tool for enhanced efficacy of norfloxacin against toxoplasma.

Mefloquine loaded niosomes as a promising approach for the treatment of acute and chronic toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is a disease with a worldwide distribution and significant morbidity and mortality. In search of effective treatment, mefloquine (MQ) was repurposed and loaded with niosomes to treat acute and chronic phases of toxoplasmosis in experimental mice. Mice were orally inoculated with 20 cysts of Toxoplasma gondii (ME 49 strain) for the acute model of infection and 10 cysts for the chronic model of infection. Infected mice were dosed with MQ solution or MQ-niosomes at 50 mg/kg/day, starting from the second day post-infection (PI) (acute model) or the fifth week PI (chronic model), and this was continued for six consecutive days. The effects of MQ solution and MQ-niosomes were compared with a pyrimethamine/sulfadiazine (PYR/SDZ) dosing combination as mortality rates, brain cyst number, inflammatory score, and immunohistochemical studies that included an estimation of apoptotic cells (TUNEL assays). In the acute infection model, MQ solution and MQ-niosomes significantly reduced the mortality rate from 45% to 25 and 10%, respectively, compared with infected untreated controls, and decreased the number of brain cysts by 51.5% and 66.9%, respectively. In the chronic infection model, cyst reduction reached 80.9% and 12.3% for MQ solution and MQ-niosomes treatments, respectively. MQ-niosomes significantly decreased inflammation induced by acute or chronic T. gondii infection. Additionally, immunohistochemical analysis revealed that MQ solution and MQ-niosomes significantly increased the number of TUNEL-positive cells in brain tissue, indicative of induction of apoptosis. Collectively, these results indicate that MQ-niosomes may provide a useful delivery strategy to treat both acute and chronic toxoplasmosis.

Menthol augmented niosomes for enhanced intestinal absorption of lopinavir

Lopinavir is effective in treatment of HIV infection but experiences low oral bioavailability due to poor solubility, pre-systemic metabolism, and P-gp intestinal efflux. Co-processing with menthol enhanced its dissolution and intestinal permeability. Niosomes comprising Span 60, cholesterol and poloxamer 407 were formulated in absence and presence of menthol. These were evaluated for size, morphology, entrapment efficiency (EE%), lopinavir release and intestinal absorption. The later employed in situ rabbit intestinal absorption model. Niosomes were spherical with vesicle size of 140.2 ± 23 and 148.2 ± 27nm for standard and menthol containing niosomes, respectively. The EE% values were 94.4% and 96.3% for both formulations, respectively. Niosomes underwent slow release during the time course of absorption with menthol hastening lopinavir release, but the release did not exceed 9%. Niosmoal encapsulation enhanced lopinavir intestinal absorption compared with drug solution. This was reflected from the fraction absorbed from duodenum which was 24.15%, 73.09% and 83.23% for solution, standard niosomes and menthol containing vesicles, respectively. These values were 34.32%, 80.8% and 86.56% for the same formulations in case of jejuno-ileum. Lopinavir absorption from niosomes didn't depend on release supporting intact vesicle absorption. The study introduced menthol containing niosomes as carriers for enhanced lopinavir intestinal absorption.

Combinatorial Therapy of Letrozole- and Quercetin-Loaded Spanlastics for Enhanced Cytotoxicity against MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

Breast cancer is the most widespread cancer in women with rising incidence, prevalence, and mortality in developed regions. Most breast cancers (80%) are estrogen receptor–positive, indicating that disease progression could be controlled by estrogen inhibition in the breast tissue. However, drug resistance limits the benefits of this approach. Combinatorial treatment could overcome the resistance and improve the outcome of breast cancer treatment. In the current study, we prepared letrozole-(LTZSPs) and quercetin-loaded spanlastics (QuSPs) using different edge activators—Tween 80, Brij 35, and Cremophor RH40—with different concentrations. The spanlastics were evaluated for their average particles size, surface charge, and percent encapsulation efficiency. The optimized formulations were further examined using transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, in vitro drug release and ex vivo skin permeation studies. The prepared spherical LTZSPs and QuSPs had average particle sizes ranged between 129–310 nm and 240–560 nm, respectively, with negative surface charge and high LTZ and Qu encapsulation (94.3–97.2% and 97.9–99.6%, respectively). The in vitro release study of LTZ and Qu from the selected formulations showed a sustained drug release for 24 h with reasonable flux and permeation through the rat skin. Further, we evaluated the in vitro cytotoxicity, cell cycle analysis, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) of the combination therapy of letrozole and quercetin either in soluble form or loaded in spanlastics against MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The LTZSPs and QuSPs combination was superior to the individual treatments and the soluble free drugs in terms of in vitro cytotoxicity, cell cycle analysis, and ROS studies. These results confirm the potential of LTZSPs and QuSPs combination for transdermal delivery of drugs for enhanced breast cancer management.

Atorvastatin ascorbic acid cocrystal strategy to improve the safety and efficacy of atorvastatin

The study was aimed to investigate the effect of dissolution enhancement on the hypolipidemic effect and hepatotoxicity of the drug in hyperlipidemic rats. Atorvastatin ascorbic acid cocrystals were prepared by phase solution methods and characterized by Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, X-Ray powder diffraction. Results of characterization confirmed that atorvastatin ascorbic acid cocrystals exhibited particle size was 221 nm. In in vitro study, results of dissolution test showed that the release of atorvastatin was increased to 1.6 folds. From In vivo study results, it was observed that in atorvastatin ascorbic acid cocrystals treated rats, serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, liver transaminase levels were significantly decreased, and liver glutathione activity was increased. In conclusion, atorvastatin ascorbic acid cocrystals therapy exhibited less hepatotoxicity in presence of ascorbic acid when compared to atorvastatin alone therapy and also the efficacy of therapy was improved.

Niosomal formulation of hydroxytyrosol, a polyphenolic antioxidant, for enhancing transdermal delivery across human cadaver skin

Hydroxytyrosol (HT), a naturally occurring polyphenol from the olive plant, is a potent antioxidant, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, and anti-inflammatory agent. Upon oral administration, HT undergoes rapid elimination within minutes and thus limiting its therapeutic utility. Due to its hydrophilic nature, percutaneous absorption and transdermal delivery of HT are very low. The aim of this research was to enhance the skin permeation of hydroxytyrosol using a niosome gel formulation. The formulations prepared with Span 60 as surfactant showed uniform particle size and high encapsulation efficiency (>90%). The niosome formulations showed a pseudoplastic behavior for topical application within the lipid/surfactant composition of 45-50%. The formulations showed a controlled release of HT compared to the HT solution. The flux of HT across human skin was increased by 28 and 4.4 fold compared to aqueous and ethanolic HT solutions, respectively (p < 0.001). The presence of lecithin lowered the flux and increased the retention of the formulations compared to HT solutions (p < 0.001). The formulations containing lecithin showed two-fold higher skin retention of hydroxytyrosol (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study demonstrates niosome gel as a promising alternative to oral delivery of HT, providing sustained delivery and greater efficacy.

Factors Affecting the Penetration of Niosome into the Skin, Their Laboratory Measurements and Dependency to the Niosome Composition: A Review

Skin, the most significant protective organ in the body, may face serious problems, including cancer, infectious diseases, etc., requiring different drugs for the treatment. However, most of these drugs have poor chemical and physical stability, and insufficient penetration through the skin layers. In recent years, with the development of nanotechnology, it has been possible to load a variety of drugs into nanocarriers, to effectively targeted drug delivery. The unique structure of niosome presents an effective novel drug delivery system with the ability to load both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs, having many potential therapeutic applications including skin treatment. However, surveying and discussing these recent, rapidly growing reported studies, along with their theoretical principals, are required for the full understanding and exploring the great potential of this approach in skin diseases and cosmetic treatments. To this aim, an emphasis has been given to the factors affecting the penetration of niosome into the skin and their laboratory measurements and dependency on the niosome composition. In sum, longer tail surfactants for storing hydrophobic drugs and intracellular passing and surfactants with a large head group for penetrating hydrophilic drugs are more suitable. Cholesterol and oleic acid are commonly used lipids to gain more stability and permeability, respectively. The ionic component in the niosome interrupts cellular connectivity, thus making it more permeable, but it may cause relative cell toxicity. Herbal oils have been used in the structure to make the nanoparticles elastic and allow them to pass through pores without changing the size of the particles.

Design and optimization of nano invasomal gel of Glibenclamide and Atenolol combination: in vitro and in vivo evaluation

Background

There are many circumstances where chronic disease is associated with other disorders, especially in diseases such as diabetes with noncommunicable disease risk factors, such as hypertension. The current therapies for treating such chronic comorbid diseases are limited and challenging due to the difficulties in overcoming the side effects from complex therapeutic treatment regimen. The present study is aimed to develop and optimize the combinational nano invasomal gel of Glibenclamide (GLB) and Atenolol (ATN) as a novel combination therapy for comorbid treatment of diabetic hypertensive patients. The developed formulations were characterized for various parameters, including in-vitro skin permeation, skin irritation, in-vivo antidiabetic, and antihypertensive activities.

Results

OCNIG showed that the % entrapment efficiency of GLB is 96.67 ± 0.65% and % entrapment efficiency of ATN is 93.76 ± 0.89%, flux of GLB (240.43 ± 1.76 μg/cm2/h), and flux of ATN (475.2 ± 1.54 μg/cm2/h) which was found to conform to the expected value. The results indicated desired release and permeation profiles. Optimized formulation showed significant pharmacokinetic properties, which shows improvement in bioavailability by 134.30% and 180.32% respectively for two drugs, when compared to marketed oral preparation. Pharmacodynamic studies showed improved and prolonged management of diabetes and hypertension in Wistar rats, compared to oral and drug-loaded nano invasomes formulations.

Conclusion

Overall, the results showed that nano invasomal gel was found to be a useful and promising transdermal delivery system for the treatment of concurrent diseases.

Formulation of Nanospanlastics as a Promising Approach for ‎Improving the Topical Delivery of a Natural Leukotriene Inhibitor (3-‎Acetyl-11-Keto-β-Boswellic Acid): Statistical Optimization, in vitro ‎Characterization, and ex vivo Permeation Study

Purpose

The current study aimed to discuss the potential of nanospanlastics as a surfactant-based vesicular system for improving the topical delivery of 3-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA). AKBA is a potent anti-inflammatory drug, but it has poor oral bioavailability due to its poor aqueous solubility. Moreover, the topical delivery of AKBA is difficult due to its high lipophilicity. To overcome these drawbacks, AKBA was formulated as deformable elastic nanovesicles and nanospanlastics, for improving its topical delivery.

Materials and Methods

AKBA-loaded spanlastic nanovesicles (SNVs) were formulated by ethanol injection technique according to 2³ factorial design using Span 60 as a non-ionic surfactant and Tween 80 as edge activator (EA) to investigate the effect of different independent variables on entrapment efficiency (EE%), % drug released after 8 hr (Q_8h) and particle size (PS) using Design-Expert software. In vitro characterization, stability test and ex vivo permeation study of the optimized formula were performed.

Results

The choice of the optimized formula was based on the desirability criteria.‎ F7 was selected as the optimized formula because it has the highest desirability value of 0.648. F7 exhibited EE% of 90.04±0.58%, Q_8h of 96.87±2.67%, PS of 255.8±2.67 nm, and zeta potential of −49.56 mV. F7 appeared as spherical well-defined vesicles in both scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies investigated the absence of interaction between AKBA and ‎different excipients and good encapsulation of AKBA within SNVs. F7 retained both physical and chemical stability after storage for 3 months at 4–8 °C. Ex vivo permeation test exhibited significant enhancement of permeability of F7 across rat skin than the free drug.

Conclusion

Nanospanlastics could be a promising approach for improving the permeability and topical delivery of AKBA.

Curcumin-loaded proniosomal gel as a biofreindly alternative for treatment of ocular inflammation: In-vitro and in-vivo assessment

Ocular inflammation is a natural defensive phenomenon, but, it results in discomfort in the eye; as well as makes the eye vulnerable to other diseases. The aim of this work is to investigate that Curcumin (CUR) could be an effective safer biofreindly alternative for treatment of ocular inflammation. Complete in-vitro characterization of proniosomal gel loading-CUR using different surfactants was studied. A comparative in-vivo evaluation of selected formulation to a marketed corticosteroid drops in induced-eye inflammation model in rabbits was assessed. The selected formulation (F_{Cr 300}) composed of Cremophore RH surfactant, lecithin and cholesterol (9:9:1) loading CUR (1.2% w/w). The formulation showed mean PS(212.0 ± 0.1)nm, PDI (0.3 ± 0.1) , ZP(-5.1 ± 0.2)mV and % EE (96.0 ± 0.1). TEM showed multilamellar circular shaped niosomes with smooth surface. SEM showed ruptured vesicles for the lyophilized formula. Selected proniosomal gel showed enhanced permeability 3.22-fold and 1.76-fold higher than CUR dispersion and its lyophilized form respectively. Both proniosomal gel (F_Cr300) and corticosteroid drops reduced the induced inflammatory signs effectively by 40% on day-one and complete recovery on day-four. This anti-inflammatory result was confirmed by histopathological analysis after treatment. Assessment of cumulative IOP as a predicted side effect verified the goal of this work. In conclusion, the use of CUR as a natural biofreindly alternative to the current chemical conventional ocular anti-inflammatory treatment protocols is comparable as an anti-inflammatory drug with much less side effects.

Development and optimization of nanoemulsion based gel for enhanced transdermal delivery of nitrendipine using box-behnken statistical design

Objective: The purpose of present research was to develop and statistically optimize nitrendipine nanoemulsion gel for transdermal delivery using box-behnken statistical design.Method: The nanoemulsion formulations bearing nitrendipine were prepared by application of ternary phase diagram and spontaneous emulsification method. Box-behnken design was employed for the optimization of nitrendipine loaded nanoemulsion. The independent variables were oil, surfactant and co-surfactant while globule size, drug content and zeta potential were dependent variables. The optimized nanoemulsion formulation was incorporated into gel and evaluated for in-vitro release, ex-vivo permeation studies, confocal laser scanning microscopy, skin irritation and histopathological studies.Results: The optimized formulation through box-behnken statistical design showed globule size of 20.43 ± 1.50 nm, drug content of 97.05 ± 1.77% and zeta potential of -15.45 ± 0.35 mV. The ex-vivo study confirmed the enhanced delivery of nitrendipine from nanoemulsion gel than compare to drug solution by virtue of better permeation and solubility. Nanoemulsion gel was proved significantly superior by confocal laser scanning microscopy for satisfactory permeation and distribution of gel, deep into the rat skin. The optimized gel was found with no allergic dermal effects and was proved safe by histopathological studies for transdermal application.Conclusions: Results reveals that developed nitrendipine nanoemulsion gel overcomes the limitation of low penetration and accentuate permeation through albino Wistar rat skin. It was concluded that nanoemulsion gel could be utilized as a potential carrier for transdermal delivery of nitrendipine.

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.

Chitosan coated nanostructured lipid carriers for enhanced in vivo efficacy of albendazole against Trichinella spiralis

The study investigated chitosan coated nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) for oral delivery of albendazole in treatment of trichinellosis. NLCs comprised precirol and oleic acid with Tween and Span 80. Dicetylphosphate was used as charging agent to allow chitosan coating. Trichinella spiralis infected mice were used and albendazole suspension, coated or uncoated NLCs were orally administered at different stages of infection. NLCs were spherical with size of 188 and 200 nm for coated and uncoated NLC, respectively. Treatment during intestinal phase reduced worm count with NLCs showing better rank. This was reflected further by reduced larvae count and improved histopathological features. Starting treatment in the migrating phase reduced larval count by 62.9, 99.6 and 89.5 % after administration of suspension, coated and uncoated NLCs, respectively. The same rank was recorded for the encysted phase. NLCs enhanced the efficacy of albendazole against Trichinella spiralis compared with suspension with chitosan coated NLCs being superior.

Optimization of Aceclofenac Proniosomes by Using Different Carriers, Part 1: Development and Characterization

In the contemporary medical model world, the proniosomal system has been serving as a new drug delivery system that is considered to significantly enhance the bioavailability of drugs with low water solubility. The application of this system can improve the bioavailability of aceclofenac that is used for the relief of pain and inflammation in osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. The present study is intended to develop an optimized proniosomal aceclofenac formula by the use of different carriers. Aceclofenac proniosomes have been prepared by slurry method, and different carriers such as maltodextrin, mannitol, and glucose were tried. Prepared proniosomes characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis revealed the compatibility of the drug chosen with the ingredient added, powder X-ray diffractometry (XRD) confirmed the amorphous phase of the prepared proniosomes, and finally, the surfactant layer was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Aceclofenac physical state transformations were confirmed with all formulas but maltodextrin proniosomes exhibited solubility more than other formulations. HPLC method has been used to analyze the niosomes derived from proniosomes in terms of their entrapment capability and drug content. The obtained results revealed that aceclofenac proniosomes can be successfully prepared by using different carriers.

Proniosomes derived niosomes: recent advancements in drug delivery and targeting

Vesicular drug delivery systems have gained wide attention in the field of nanotechnology. Among them proniosomes become the superior over other vesicular carriers. Proniosomes are dry formulations of water soluble nonionic surfactant coated carrier system which immediately forms niosomes upon hydration. They have the capability to overcome the instability problems associated with niosomes and liposomes and have the potential to improve solubility, bioavailability, and absorption of various drugs. Furthermore, they offer versatile drug delivery concept for enormous number of hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs. They have the potential to deliver drugs effectively through different routes at specific site of action to achieve controlled release action and reduce toxic effects associated with drugs. This review discusses the general preparation techniques of proniosomes and mainly focus on the applications of proniosomes in drug delivery and targeting. Moreover, this review demonstrates critical appraisal of the literature for proniosomes. Additionally, this review extensively explains the potential of proniosomes in delivering drugs via different routes, such as oral, parenteral, dermal and transdermal, ocular, oral mucosal, vaginal, pulmonary, and intranasal. Finally, the comparison of proniosomes with niosomes manifests the clear distinction between them. Moreover, proniosomes need to be explored for proteins and peptide delivery and in the field of nutraceuticals and develop pilot plant scale up studies to investigate them in industrial set up.

Porous Inorganic Drug Delivery Systems-a Review

Innovative methods and materials have been developed to overcome limitations associated with current drug delivery systems. Significant developments have led to the use of a variety of materials (as excipients) such as inorganic and metallic structures, marking a transition from conventional polymers. Inorganic materials, especially those possessing significant porosity, are emerging as good candidates for the delivery of a range of drugs (antibiotics, anticancer and anti-inflammatories), providing several advantages in formulation and engineering (encapsulation of drug in amorphous form, controlled delivery and improved targeting). This review focuses on key selected developments in porous drug delivery systems. The review provides a short broad overview of porous polymeric materials for drug delivery before focusing on porous inorganic materials (e.g. Santa Barbara Amorphous (SBA) and Mobil Composition of Matter (MCM)) and their utilisation in drug dosage form development. Methods for their preparation and drug loading thereafter are detailed. Several examples of porous inorganic materials, drugs used and outcomes are discussed providing the reader with an understanding of advances in the field and realistic opportunities.

Formulation and characterization of novel soft nanovesicles for enhanced transdermal delivery of eprosartan mesylate

The objective of the present work was to formulate, optimize and evaluate the potential of novel soft nanovesicles i.e. nano-transfersomes, containing eprosartan mesylate (EM) for transdermal delivery. Nano-transfersomes of EM were developed using Phospholipon 90G, Span 80 (SP) and sodium deoxycholate (SDC) and characterized for vesicle size, shape, entrapment efficiency, in vitro skin permeation study and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The optimized nano-transfersomes formulation showed vesicles size of 108.53 ± 0.06 nm and entrapment efficiency of 63.00 ± 2.76%. The optimized nano-transfersomes provided an improved transdermal flux of 27.22 ± 0.29 µg/cm²/h with an enhancement ratio of 16.80 over traditional liposomes through Wistar rat skin. Confocal laser microscopy of rat skin treated with the optimized formulation showed that the formulation was eventually distributed and permeated deep into the rat skin. The present investigation has shown that the nature and concentration of surfactants (edge activators) influence immense control on the characteristics of nano-transfersomes. It was concluded that the developed nano-transfersomes surmount the limitation of low penetration ability of the traditional liposomes across the rat skin. Improved drug delivery presented by nano-transfersomes establishes this system as an encouraging dosage form for the delivery of EM via skin route.

Design of an Inflammation-Sensitive Polyelectrolyte-Based Topical Drug Delivery System for Arthritis

The most successful treatment strategy for arthritis is intra-articular injections that are costly and have reduced patient compliance. The purpose of the current study was to develop an inflammation-sensitive system for topical drug administration. Multi-macromolecular alginate-hyaluronic acid-chitosan (A-H-C) polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles, loaded with indomethacin were developed employing pre-gel and post-gel techniques in the presence of dodecyl-L-pyroglutamate (DLP). In addition to in vitro studies, in silico simulations were performed to affirm and associate the molecular interactions inherent to the formulation of core all-natural multi-component biopolymeric architectures composed of an anionic (alginate), a cationic (chitosan), and an amphi-ionic polyelectrolytic (hyaluronic acid) macromolecule. The results demonstrated that DLP significantly influenced the size of the synthesized nanoparticles. Drug-content analysis revealed higher encapsulation efficiency (77.3%) in the presence of DLP, irrespective of the techniques used. Moreover, in vitro drug release studies showed that indomethacin release from the nanosystem was significantly improved (98%) in Fenton's reagent. Drug permeation across a cellulose membrane using a Franz diffusion cell system showed an initial surge flux (0.125 mg/cm(-2)/h), followed by sustained release of indomethacin for the post-gel nanoparticles revealing its effective skin permeation efficiency. In conclusion, the study presents novel nanoparticles which could effectively encapsulate and deliver hydrophobic drugs to the target site, particularly for arthritis.

Colloidal carriers for extended absorption window of furosemide

Objectives

The aim was to investigate the potential of self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems (SMEDDS) and niosomes as carriers for widening the gastrointestinal absorption window of furosemide (model acidic drug).

Methods

The drug was incorporated in SMEDDS and was encapsulated into niosomes. The intestinal absorption was monitored at two anatomical sites (duodenum and jejuno-ileum). This employed in situ rabbit intestinal perfusion technique.

Key findings

Perfusion of drug solution (control) revealed poor intestinal permeability with per cent fraction absorbed (%Fa) from the duodenum and jejuno-ileum being 1.3 and 0.6 % per cm, respectively. Formulation of furosemide as SMEDDS increased the %Fa from the duodenum and jejuno-ileum to reach 1.7 and 1 % per cm, respectively. Niosomal encapsulation increased the %Fa from duodenum and jejuno-ileum to record 1.9 and 1.2 % per cm, respectively. The increase in the %Fa was also revealed as a reduction in the length required for 95 % absorption of the drug which was reduced from 557.2 to 245.8 cm and to 279.8 cm after delivery as niosomes or SMEDDS, respectively, in case of jejuno-ileum. The same trend was recorded with the duodenum.

Conclusion

The recorded results highlighted the potential for SMEDDS and niosomes for widening the absorption window of acidic drugs after oral administration.

Influence of sonophoresis and chemical penetration enhancers on percutaneous transport of penbutolol sulfate

The effect of ultrasound and chemical penetration enhancers on transcutaneous flux of penbutolol sulfate across split-thickness porcine skin was investigated. Penbutolol sulfate is a potent, noncardioselective beta-blocker, which is used for the management of hypertension. The drug is one of the most lipid soluble of the β-adrenoceptor antagonists used clinically. It has an n-octanol/pH 7.4 buffer partition coefficient of 179 compared to a value of 22 for propranolol. The amount of penbutolol sulfate transported across the skin is low. In this project, we studied the effect of sonophoresis and chemical penetration enhancers on transdermal delivery of penbutolol sulfate. Low-frequency sonophoresis at a frequency of 20 kHz increased transcutaneous flux of penbutolol sulfate by 3.5-fold (27.37 ± μg cm^-2 h^-1) compared to passive delivery (7.82 ± 1.72 μg cm^-2 h^-1). We also investigated the effect of 50% ethanol, 1% limonene and 2% isopropyl myristate (IPM) on transcutaneous permeation of penbutolol sulfate. IPM, ethanol and limonene at the concentration of 1%, 50% and 2%, respectively, increased the steady-state flux values of penbutolol sulfate 2.2- (17.07 ± 3.24 μg cm^-2 h^-1), 2.6 - (19.40 ± 6.40 μg cm^-2 h^-1) and 3.4-times (26.38 ± 5.01 μg cm^-2 h^-1) compared to passive delivery (7.76 ± 2.9 μg cm^-2 h^-1). The results demonstrate that although there were slight increases in flux values, ultrasound, ethanol, limonene and IPM did not significantly enhance the transdermal delivery of penbutolol sulfate. Future studies will examine ways of optimizing sonophoretic and chemical enhancer parameters to achieve flux enhancement.

The Relationship between Solubility and Transdermal Absorption of Tadalafil

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to find a relationship between drug solubility and its transdermal permeation and find the best vehicle composition to improve transdermal permeation of Tadalafil.

METHODS

Pure or binary mixtures of commonly used solvents in pharmaceutical sciences including ethanol, glycerin, N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP), polyethylene glycol (PEG) 400 and propylene glycol (PG) were evaluated for drug solubility and transdermal delivery through the exercised rat skin employing Franz diffusion cells.

RESULTS

Tadalafil showed higher solubility in NMP compared to the other solvents. The amount of Tadalafil permeation from the pure vehicles was ranked as follow: Ethanol >glycerin >NMP>PEG 400 >PG. Furthermore, the solubility and transdermal delivery from binary mixtures of NMP and PG were higher than that obtained from pure PG, and accordingly, both increased with increasing NMP concentration in the binary solvent mixtures. The Flux values were determined as following order for Ethanol>NMP>glycerin>PG>PEG 400.

CONCLUSION

Generally, increase in Tadalafil solubility resulted in a decrease in its skin penetration rate and amount. However, NMP exhibited substantial drug skin penetration rate and amount accompanying with appropriate drug solvency. In conclusion, the results of this study introduced NMP as a solvent suitable for application in the formulation of topically applied drug delivery systems.