Compatibility study of rosmarinic acid with excipients used in pharmaceutical solid dosage forms using thermal and non-thermal techniques

A bi-functional nanofibrous composite membrane for wound healing applications

Various wound dressings have been developed so far for wound healing, but most of them are ineffective in properly reestablishing the skin's structure, which increases infection risks and dehydration. Electrospun membranes are particularly interesting for wound dressing applications because they mimic the extracellular matrix of healthy skin. In this study, a potential wound healing platform capable of inducing synergistic antibacterial and antioxidation activities was developed by incorporating bio-active rosmarinic acid-hydroxyapatite hybrid (HAP-RA) with different contents (0.5, 1, and 1.5 wt.%) into the electrospun polyamide 6 (PA6) nanofibers. Then, polyethylene glycol (PEG) was introduced to the nanofibrous composite to improve the biocompatibility and biodegradability of the dressing. The results indicated that the hydrophilicity, water uptake, biodegradability, and mechanical properties of the obtained PA6/PEG/HAP-RA nanofibrous composite enhanced at 1 wt.% of HAP-RA. The nanofibrous composite had excellent antibacterial activity. The antioxidation potential of the samples was assessed in vitro. The MTT assay performed on the L929 cell line confirmed the positive effects of the nanofibrous scaffold on cell viability and proliferation. According to the results, the PA6/PEG/HAP-RA nanofibrous composite showed the desirable physiochemical and biological properties besides antibacterial and antioxidative capabilities, making it a promising candidate for further studies in wound healing applications.

Poly-l-Lactic Acid Scaffolds Additivated with Rosmarinic Acid: A Multi-Analytical Approach to Assess The Morphology, Thermal Behavior, and Hydrophilicity

This study aims to demonstrate the possibility of incorporating a natural antioxidant biomolecule into polymeric porous scaffolds. To this end, Poly-l-Lactic Acid (PLLA) scaffolds were produced using the Thermally Induced Phase Separation (TIPS) technique and additivated with different amounts of rosmarinic acid (RA). The scaffolds, with a diameter of 4 mm and a thickness of 2 mm, were characterized with a multi-analytical approach. Specifically, Scanning Electron Microscopy analyses demonstrated the presence of an interconnected porous network, characterized by a layer of RA at the level of the pore's surfaces. Moreover, the presence of RA biomolecules increased the hydrophilic nature of the sample, as evidenced by the decrease in the contact angle with water from 128° to 76°. The structure of PLLA and PLLA containing RA molecules has been investigated through DSC and XRD analyses, and the obtained results suggest that the crystallinity decreases when increasing the RA content. This approach is cost-effective, and it can be customized with different biomolecules, offering the possibility of producing porous polymeric structures containing antioxidant molecules. These scaffolds meet the requirements of tissue engineering and could offer a potential solution to reduce inflammation associated with scaffold implantation, thus improving tissue regeneration.

New Hydrophilic Matrix Tablets for the Controlled Released of Chlorzoxazone

The modified release of active substances such as chlorzoxazone from matrix tablets, based on Kollidon®SR and chitosan, depends both on the drug solubility in the dissolution medium and on the matrix composition. The aim of this study is to obtain some new oral matrix tablet formulations, based on Kollidon®SR and chitosan, in order to optimize the low-dose oral bioavailability of chlorzoxazone, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug of class II Biopharmaceutical Classification System. Nine types of chlorzoxazone matrix tablets were obtained using the direct compression method by varying the components ratio as 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 chlorzoxazone/excipients, 20-40 w/w % Kollidon®SR, 3-7 w/w % chitosan while the auxiliary substances: Aerosil® 1 w/w %, magnesium stearate 0.5 w/w % and Avicel® up to 100 w/w % were kept in constant concentrations. Pharmaco-technical characterization of the tablets included the analysis of flowability and compressibility properties (flow time, friction coefficient, angle of repose, Hausner ratio, and Carr index), and pharmaco-chemical characteristics (such as mass and dose uniformity, thickness, diameter, mechanical strength, friability, softening degree, and in vitro release profiles). Based on the obtained results, only three matrix tablet formulations (F1b, F2b, and F3b, containing 30 w/w % KOL and 5 w/w % CHT, were selected and further tested. These formulations were studied in detail by Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, and differential scanning calorimetry. The three formulations were comparatively studied regarding the release kinetics of active substances using in vitro release testing. The results were analyzed by fitting into four representative mathematical models for the modified-release oral formulations. In vitro kinetic study revealed a complex mechanism of release occurring in two steps of drug release, the first step (0-2 h) and the second (2-36 h). Two factors were calculated to assess the release profile of chlorzoxazone: f1-the similarity factor, and f2-the factor difference. The results have shown that both Kollidon®SR and chitosan may be used as matrix-forming agents when combined with chlorzoxazone. The three formulations showed optima pharmaco-technical properties and in vitro kinetic behavior; therefore, they have tremendous potential to be used in oral pharmaceutical products for the controlled delivery of chlorzoxazone. In vitro dissolution tests revealed a faster drug release for the F2b sample.

FTIR, Raman spectroscopy and HT-XRD in compatibility study between naproxen and excipients

Detection of incompatibility between an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and excipients, including the selection of the most biopharmaceutical advantageous excipients is extremely important in the pre-formulation process of developing a solid dosage form technology. Therefore, having fast and reliable methods for identifying incompatibility is fundamental in pharmaceutical technology. For this purpose, combined Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy as well as high-temperature X-ray diffraction (HT-XRD) were used as a new approach for incompatibility detection, whereas differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was applied as a reference method. In addition, to facilitate the interpretation of FTIR and Raman data, a multivariate analysis was used - hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). The tests were carried out in mixtures of naproxen (NPX) with eight selected polymer excipients, mixed at a 1:1 ratio. The results of spectroscopic analyses have shown the physical incompatibility of NPX with methylcellulose (MC), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), sodium starch glycolate (SSG) and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). HT-XRD studies performed when these mixtures were heated to 156 °C and then cooled to 25 °C showed a decrease in naproxen crystallinity in these mixtures. Furthermore, the results obtained with spectroscopic methods were confirmed by DSC tests and an intrinsic dissolution rate study.

Rosmarinic Acid and Related Dietary Supplements: Potential Applications in the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer

Cancer constitutes a severe threat to human health and quality of life and is one of the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Natural dietary products have drawn substantial attention in cancer treatment and prevention due to their availability and absence of toxicity. Rosmarinic acid (RA) is known for its excellent antioxidant properties and is safe and effective in preventing and inhibiting tumors. This review summarizes recent publications on culture techniques, extraction processes, and anti-tumor applications of RA-enriched dietary supplements. We discuss techniques to improve RA bioavailability and provide a mechanistic discussion of RA regarding tumor prevention, treatment, and adjuvant therapy. RA exhibits anticancer activity by regulating oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, cell cycle, apoptosis, and metastasis. These data suggest that daily use of RA-enriched dietary supplements can contribute to tumor prevention and treatment. RA has the potential for application in anti-tumor drug development.

Cyclodextrin Derivatives as Promising Solubilizers to Enhance the Biological Activity of Rosmarinic Acid

Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a natural antioxidant with neuroprotective properties; however, its preventive and therapeutic use is limited due to its slight solubility and poor permeability. This study aimed to improve RA physicochemical properties by systems formation with cyclodextrins (CDs): hydroxypropyl-α-CD (HP-α-CD), HP-β-CD, and HP-γ-CD, which were prepared by the solvent evaporation (s.e.) method. The interactions between components were determined by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The sites of interaction between RA and CDs were suggested as a result of in silico studies focused on assessing the interaction between molecules. The impact of amorphous systems formation on water solubility, dissolution rate, gastrointestinal (GIT) permeability, and biological activity was studied. RA solubility was increased from 5.869 mg/mL to 113.027 mg/mL, 179.840 mg/mL, and 194.354 mg/mL by systems formation with HP-α-CD, HP-β-CD, and HP-γ-CD, respectively. During apparent solubility studies, the systems provided an acceleration of RA dissolution. Poor RA GIT permeability at pH 4.5 and 5.8, determined by parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA system), was increased; RA–HP-γ-CD s.e. indicated the greatest improvement (at pH 4.5 from P_app 6.901 × 10⁻⁷ cm/s to 1.085 × 10⁻⁶ cm/s and at pH 5.8 from 5.019 × 10⁻⁷ cm/s to 9.680 × 10⁻⁷ cm/s). Antioxidant activity, which was determined by DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, and FRAP methods, was ameliorated by systems; the greatest results were obtained for RA–HP-γ-CD s.e. The inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) was increased from 36.876% for AChE and 13.68% for BChE to a maximum inhibition of the enzyme (plateau), and enabled reaching IC₅₀ values for both enzymes by all systems. CDs are efficient excipients for improving RA physicochemical and biological properties. HP-γ-CD was the greatest one with potential for future food or dietary supplement applications.

Quantification of Compatibility Between Polymeric Excipients and Atenolol Using Principal Component Analysis and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis

An important challenge to overcome in the solid dosage forms technology is the selection of the most biopharmaceutically efficient polymeric excipients. The excipients can be selected, among others, by compatibility studies since incompatibilities between ingredients of the drug formulations adversely affect their bioavailability, stability, efficacy, and safety. Therefore, new, fast, and reliable methods for detecting incompatibility are constantly being sought. Hence, the purpose of this work was to assess the usefulness of a heating, cooling, and reheating differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) program for detecting potential incompatibilities between atenolol, an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), and polymeric excipients. Hot-stage microscopy (HSM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) were used as supporting techniques. Additionally, principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) served as tools to support the interpretation of the data acquired from the DSC curves and FTIR spectra. As the alterations in the shape of the DSC peak of atenolol which are indicative of incompatibility are visible only on the cooling and reheating curves of the mixtures, the DSC heating–cooling–reheating program was found to be very useful for identifying potential incompatibilities in the binary mixtures of atenolol and polymeric excipients. The melting and recrystallization of atenolol alone and in its mixtures were also confirmed by HSM, while FTIR displayed changes in the spectra of mixtures due to incompatibility. These studies revealed that atenolol is incompatible with hydroxyethylcellulose, hypromellose, and methylcellulose. PXRD measurements at room temperature revealed that the crystallinity of atenolol did not change in these mixtures. However, its crystallinity was reduced in the mixtures previously heated up to 155 °C and then cooled to 25 °C.

Formulation Effects in the Antioxidant Activity of Extract from the Leaves of Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf

Cymbopogon citratus DC (Stapf.) is a perennial grass and it is distributed around the world. It is used as a condiment for food and beverage flavouring in the form of infusions and decoctions of its dried leaves. Our previous studies have shown antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective activities for the infusion and its phenolic fractions. The aim of the present work was to develop oral dosage forms from a Cymbopogon citratus extract to be used as a functional food with antioxidant properties. Initially, an essential oil-free infusion was prepared, lyophilized and characterized by HPLC-PDA. Total phenols were quantified with the Folin-Ciocalteu method and the antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH assay. Gelatine capsules containing the extract with different excipients, selected after DSC and IR trials, were prepared. A formulation exhibiting better antioxidant behaviour in a gastric environment was attained. These results suggest that the proposed formulation for this extract could be a valuable antioxidant product and, consequently, make an important contribution to "preventing" and minimizing diseases related to oxidative stress conditions.

Strategies and formulations of freeze-dried tablets for controlled drug delivery

The freeze-drying process has been particularly attractive for preparing tablets for controlled drug release. Although traditional methods, such as granulation or direct compression methods, have been used in various studies to produce tablets with controlled release, freeze-drying processes have been utilized in certain circumstances due to their distinct advantages. However, overall, further development of these strategies, which started with early studies on orally disintegrating tablets, is still necessary. In this review, the incorporation of different formulations into freeze-dried tablets will be discussed. Moreover, the use of excipients, freeze-drying conditions, formulation reconstitution and tablet structure for optimizing the performance of freeze-dried tablets will be reported, including strategies with nanoformulations and natural materials. Generally, this discussion with potential approaches will benefit further development of freeze-dried tablets containing drugs in the pharmaceutical industry.

Inhibitory Effect of a Rosmarinic Acid-Enriched Fraction Prepared from Nga-Mon (Perilla frutescens) Seed Meal on Osteoclastogenesis through the RANK Signaling Pathway

The aim of this study is to determine antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities relating to the antiosteoporosis effects of various perilla seed meal (PSM) fractions. The remaining waste of perilla seed obtained from cold oil compression was extracted with 70% ethanol and sequentially fractionated according to solvent polarity with hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and water. The results indicated that the seed-meal ethyl acetate fraction (SMEF) exhibited the highest antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, and rosmarinic acid (RA) content. The signaling pathways induced by the receptor activator of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) ligand (RANKL) that trigger reactive oxygen species (ROS) and several transcription factors, leading to the induction of osteoclastogenesis, were also investigated. The SMEF clearly showed attenuated RANKL-induced tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive multinucleated osteoclasts and TRAP activity. A Western blot analysis showed that the SMEF significantly downregulated RANKL-induced NF-κB, AP-1 activation, and the nuclear factor of activated T-cell 1 (NFATc1) expression. SMEF also suppressed RANKL-induced osteoclast-specific marker gene-like MMP-9 using zymography. Furthermore, the SMEF showed inhibition of RANKL-induced ROS production in RAW 264.7 cells. The results suggest that the SMEF, which contained high quantities of RA, could be developed as a natural active pharmaceutical ingredient for osteoclastogenic protection and health promotion.

Rosmarinic acid improves boar sperm quality, antioxidant capacity and energy metabolism at 17°C via AMPK activation

Boar sperm are susceptible to oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) during storage. Adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an important therapeutic target, because it is a cellular metabolism energy sensor and key signalling kinase in spermatozoa. We evaluated the effects of rosmarinic acid (RA), an antioxidant, on boar sperm during liquid storage to determine whether it protects boar sperm via AMPK activation. Boar ejaculates were diluted with Modena extender with different concentrations of RA and stored at 17°C for 9 days. Sperm quality parameters, antioxidant capacity, energy metabolism, AMPK phosphorylation and fertility were analysed. Compared with the control, 40 μmol/L significantly improved sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity and acrosome integrity (p < .05). The effective storage time of boar sperm was up to 9 days. On the third and seventh days, the sperm with RA exhibited increased total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) activity, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) content was significantly decreased (p < .05). Western blot showed that RA, as well as AICAR (AMPK activator), promoted AMPK phosphorylation, whereas Compound C (AMPK inhibitor) inhibited this effect. The sperm-zona pellucida binding experiment showed that 40 μmol/L RA increased the number of sperm attached to the zona pellucida (p < .05). These findings suggest meaningful methods for improved preservation of boar sperm in vitro and provide new insights into the mechanism by which RA protects sperm cells from oxidative damage via AMPK activation.