Quality by design approach for formulation development and evaluation of carboplatin loaded ethylcellulose nanosponges

Development and DoE-ANN based optimization of novel swellable matrix-diffusible doxorubicin loaded zinc oxide nanoflowers using sonochemical-precipitation method

This research aimed to acquire doxorubicin loaded zinc oxide nanoflowers (DOX-ZnO-NFs) for intracellular drug cargo possessing a synergistic in-vitro anticancer activity with minimal toxicity. Zinc is the main inorganic metallic component of various enzyme systems and has the possibility of fabrication into the diverse nano-structural forms. An easy absorption and extensive tissue distribution of zinc have made it unique candidate for drug delivery system. Hence, the zinc oxide nanoflowers were prepared with sonochemical-precipitation. The developed system was characterized using the reported methods and was optimized employing design of experiment, coupled with artificial neural network approach. The optimized nanoflowers (DOX-ZnO-NFV) were anionic with particle size of 24 ± 0.05 nm, polydispersity index of <0.5, a zeta potential of -25.68 ± 0.16 mV, yield of 87.40% and encapsulation efficiency of 85.25%. DOX-ZNO-NFV depicted sustained DOX release, around 65.413% release in 30 h at pH 7.4 and assumed Weibull model with its derived parameters, a and b of 22.77 and 0.918, respectively. DOX-ZnO-NFV remained stable on storage for 3 months at 4° C/50% RH and 25° C/60% RH. DOX-ZnO-NFV displayed a zone of inhibition of 13.50 ± 1.25 mm and 25.50 ± 0.98 mm, respectively against gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative Escherichia coli strains, presenting the nanoflowers as self-preservative. DOX-ZnO-NFV exhibited higher in-vitro anticancer activity in Henrietta Lacks cell line, with least hemolysis compared to the free DOX and ZnO-NF. Thus, doxorubicin loaded zinc oxide nanoflowers envisioned to act as better chemotherapeutic cargos with the maximize anticancer activity and minimal toxicity.

Nanosponges for Drug Delivery and Cancer Therapy: Recent Advances

Nanosponges with three-dimensional (3D) porous structures, narrow size distribution, and high entrapment efficiency are widely engineered for cancer therapy and drug delivery purposes. They protect the molecular agents from degradation and help to improve the solubility of lipophilic therapeutic agents/drugs with targeted delivery options in addition to being magnetized to attain suitable magnetic features. Nanosponge-based delivery systems have been applied for cancer therapy with high specificity, biocompatibility, degradability, and prolonged release behavior. In this context, the drug loading within nanosponges is influenced by the crystallization degree. Notably, 3D printing technologies can be applied for the development of novel nanosponge-based systems for biomedical applications. The impacts of polymers, cross-linkers, type of drugs, temperature, loading and mechanism of drug release, fabrication methods, and substitution degree ought to be analytically evaluated. Eco-friendly techniques for the manufacturing of nanosponges still need to be uncovered in addition to the existing methods, such as solvent techniques, ultrasound-assisted preparation, melting strategies, and emulsion solvent diffusion methods. Herein, the recent advancements associated with the drug delivery and cancer therapy potential of nanosponges (chiefly, cyclodextrin-based, DNAzyme, and ethylcellulose nanosponges) are deliberated, focusing on the important challenges and future perspectives.

Quality by Design: A Suitable Methodology in Industrial Pharmacy for Costa Rican Universities

This review aims to present the Quality by Design (QbD) model as a suitable methodology to perform research in the academic Costa Rican institutions that teach Pharmacy. Pubmed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases were screened for original research papers and review papers published not more than ten years ago. Institutional repositories from the different universities were reviewed as well. The QbD model stands out as a great methodology for carrying out research projects regarding Pharmaceutical Sciences, but especially for Industrial Pharmacy, where it has contributed in terms of formulation development, manufacturing, and quality control. Academic research based on this model enables the training and development of practical, scientific, and leadership skills in Industrial Pharmacy students. The generated knowledge can be shared in classrooms, which represents an ideal environment to communicate research results and to foster collaborative work between researchers, professors, and students. Moreover, research performed through a QbD approach increases the confidence shown by the industrial sector and health regulatory authorities in the quality of the research, products, and knowledge that are developed and created in an Academy. As a result, the implementation of the model has allowed the creation, transfer, and materialization of knowledge from the Costa Rican Academy to different local pharmaceutical industries.