Effect of polycaprolactone on in vitro release of melatonin encapsulated niosomes in artificial and whole saliva

PEGylated Tween 80-functionalized chitosan-lipidic nano-vesicular hybrids for heightening nose-to-brain delivery and bioavailability of metoclopramide

A PEGylated Tween 80-functionalized chitosan-lipidic (PEG-T-Chito-Lip) nano-vesicular hybrid was developed for intranasal administration as an alternative delivery route to help improve the poor oral bioavailability of BCS class-III model/antiemetic (metoclopramide hydrochloride; MTC). The influence of varying levels of chitosan, cholesterol, PEG 600, and Tween 80 on the stability/release parameters of the formulated nanovesicles was optimized using Draper-Lin Design. Two optimized formulations (Opti-Max and Opti-Min) with both maximized and minimized MTC-release goals, were predicted, characterized, and proved their vesicular outline via light/electron microscopy, along with the mutual prompt/extended in-vitro release patterns. The dual-optimized MTC-loaded PEG-T-Chito-Lip nanovesicles were loaded in intranasal in-situ gel (ISG) and further underwent in-vivo pharmacokinetics/nose-to-brain delivery valuation on Sprague-Dawley rats. The absorption profiles in plasma (plasma-AUC_0-∞) of the intranasal dual-optimized MTC-loaded nano-vesicular ISG formulation in pretreated rats were 2.95-fold and 1.64-fold more than rats pretreated with orally administered MTC and intranasally administered raw MTC-loaded ISG formulation, respectively. Interestingly, the brain-AUC_0-∞ of the intranasal dual-optimized MTC-loaded ISG was 10 and 3 times more than brain-AUC_0-∞ of the MTC-oral tablet and the intranasal raw MTC-loaded ISG, respectively. It was also revealed that the intranasal dual-optimized ISG significantly had the lowest liver-AUC_0-∞ (862.19 ng.g^-1.h^-1) versus the MTC-oral tablet (5732.17 ng.g^-1.h^-1) and the intranasal raw MTC-loaded ISG (1799.69 ng.g^-1.h^-1). The brain/blood ratio profile for the intranasal dual-optimized ISG was significantly enhanced over all other MTC formulations (P < 0.05). Moreover, the 198.55% drug targeting efficiency, 75.26% nose-to-brain direct transport percentage, and 4.06 drug targeting index of the dual-optimized formulation were significantly higher than those of the raw MTC-loaded ISG formulation. The performance of the dual-optimized PEG-T-Chito-Lip nano-vesicular hybrids for intranasal administration evidenced MTC-improved bioavailability, circumvented hepatic metabolism, and enhanced brain targetability, with increased potentiality in heightening the convenience and compliance for patients.

Oral Administration of Melatonin or Succinyl Melatonin Niosome Gel Benefits 5-FU-Induced Small Intestinal Mucositis Treatment in Mice

Mucositis is one of the most adverse effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and had no standard drug for treatment. Melatonin is a neurohormone, and can ameliorate radiotherapy-induced small intestinal mucositis. Melatonin encapsulated in niosomes improved its poor bioavailability. Succinyl melatonin, a melatonin derivative, showed prolonged release compared with melatonin. This study investigated the efficacy of melatonin niosome gel (MNG) and succinyl melatonin niosome gel (SNG) in 5-FU-induced small intestinal mucositis treatment in mice. MNG and SNG with particle sizes of 293 and 270 nm were shown to have mucoadhesive potentials. The effect of a daily oral application of MNG, SNG, or fluocinolone acetonide gel (FAG, positive control) was compared to that of the normal group. The body weight, food consumption, histology, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the small intestine were monitored. The results showed decreased %body weight and food consumption in all 5-FU-injected groups compared with the normal group. The MNG and SNG treatments maintained the food consumption and the normal integrity of the small intestines, as evidenced by villus length and crypt depth, similar to the observations in the normal groups. The FTIR spectra showed no change in lipids of the MNG and SNG groups compared with the normal group. Moreover, SNG could reduce IL-1β content to a level that was not different from the level in the normal groups. Therefore, the oral application of MNG and SNG could protect against 5-FU-induced small intestinal mucositis in mice.

Glutaryl Melatonin Niosome Gel for Topical Oral Mucositis: Anti- Inflammatory and Anticandidiasis

BACKGROUND

Glutaryl melatonin, which is synthesized from melatonin and is a pineal glandderived neurohormone with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, was comparatively investigated for its potential use as a topical anti-inflammatory agent.

OBJECTIVE

Glutaryl melatonin, synthesized and screened for in vitro anti-candidiasis and in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities, was formulated as a niosome gel for topical oral evaluation in 5- fluorouracil-induced oral mucositis in mice.

METHODS

In vitro anti-fungal activity in Candida albicans, in vitro anti-inflammatory activity in Escherichia coli liposaccharide-induced RAW cells and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity using a croton oilinduced ear edema model in ICR mice were investigated. Mucositis in mice (n= 6/group, 10-week-old mice) was induced by intraperitoneal injections of 5-fluorouracil, and the mice were subjected to a topical oral application of niosome gel containing melatonin (2% w/w) or glutaryl melatonin (2% w/w) and were compared with mice subjected to blank, fluocinolone acetonide (0.5% w/w) and control conditions.

RESULTS

Glutaryl melatonin, at a 14.2 mM concentration, showed the highest fungicidal effect on C. albicans using the broth dilution method, indicating a nonsignificant difference from 1 μM of nystatin (p = 0.05). Nitric oxide, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factors were analyzed by ELISA. Liposaccharide-induced RAW cells were significantly reduced by glutaryl melatonin (p < 0.01). Ear edema inhibition of glutaryl melatonin was significant 1 h after application compared with that of melatonin (p = 0.03). Food consumption and body weight of the 5-fluorouracil-treated mice were significantly lower than those of the normal mice before all treatments (p < 0.05). Differences in the amount of licking behavior, which were observed in the control group for 5 min, were noticeable in the 5- fluorouracil-treated mice but not in the mice treated with the glutaryl melatonin niosome gel.

CONCLUSION

Glutaryl melatonin exhibited mild anti-candidiasis and anti-inflammatory properties. The incorporation of glutaryl melatonin in a niosome gel formulation, demonstrated the potential for topical oral applications to reduce oral discomfort caused by 5-fluorouracil treatment in mice.