Preparation and characterization of solid lipid nanoparticles of furosemide using quality by design

From lab to industrial development of lipid nanocarriers using quality by design approach

Lipid nanocarriers have attracted a great deal of interest in the delivery of therapeutic molecules. Despite their many advantages, compliance with quality standards and reproducibility requirements still constrain their industrial production. The relatively high failure rate in lipid nanocarrier research and development can be attributed to immature bottom-up manufacturing practices, leading to suboptimal control of quality attributes. Recently, the pharmaceutical industry has moved toward quality-driven manufacturing, emphasizing the integration of product and process development through the principles of quality by design. Quality by design in the pharmaceutical industry involves a thorough understanding of the quality profile of the target product and involves an assessment of potential risks during the design and development phases of pharmaceutical dosage forms. By identifying essential quality characteristics, such as the active ingredients, excipients and manufacturing processes used during research and development, it becomes possible to effectively control these aspects throughout the life cycle of the drug. Successful commercialization of lipid nanocarriers can be achieved if large-scale challenges are addressed using the QbD approach. QbD has become an essential tool because of its advantages in improving processes and product quality. The application of the QbD approach to the development of lipid nanocarriers can provide comprehensive and remarkable knowledge enabling the manufacture of high-quality products with a high degree of regulatory flexibility. This article reviews the basic considerations of QbD and its application in the laboratory and large-scale development of lipid nanocarriers. Furthermore, it provides forward-looking guidance for the industrial production of lipid nanocarriers using the QbD approach.

Recent Advances in Nanocarrier-based Approaches to Atopic Dermatitis and Emerging Trends in Drug Development and Design

Atopic dermatitis (AD), commonly known as Eczema, is a non-communicable skin condition that tends to become chronic. The deteriorating immunological abnormalities are marked by mild to severe erythema, severe itching, and recurrent eczematous lesions. Different pharmacological approaches are used to treat AD. The problem with commercial topical preparations lies in the limitation of skin atrophy, systemic side effects, and burning sensation that decreases patient compliance. The carrier-based system promises to eliminate these shortcomings; thus, a novel approach to treating AD is required. Liposomes, microemulsions, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), nanoemulsions, etc., have been developed recently to address this ailment. Despite extensive research in the development method and various techniques, it has been challenging to demonstrate the commercial feasibility of these carrier- based systems, which illustrates a gap among the different research areas. Further, different soft wares and other tools have proliferated among biochemists as part of a cooperative approach to drug discovery. It is crucial in designing, developing, and analyzing processes in the pharmaceutical industry and is widely used to reduce costs, accelerate the development of biologically innovative active ingredients, and shorten the development time. This review sheds light on the compilation of extensive efforts to combat this disease, the product development processes, commercial products along with patents in this regard, numerous options for each step of computer-aided drug design, including in silico pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and toxicity screening or predictions that are important in finding the drug-like compounds.

Sodium alginate-based smart gastro-retentive drug delivery system of revaprazan loaded SLNs; Formulation and characterization

Revaprazan (REV), a novel reversible Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) used to treat peptic ulcers, faces challenges in therapeutic efficacy due to its poor dissolution properties and a short half-life. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) have emerged as a drug delivery system capable of enhancing dissolution and bioavailability of lipid soluble drugs. Here, we report on the development and optimization of a smart gastro-retentive raft system of REV-loaded SLNs (GRS/REV-SLNs) to enhance drug bioavailability and gastric retention. The optimized REV-SLNs had a particle size of 120 nm, a Polydispersity Index (PDI) of 0.313, a zeta potential of -20.7 mV, and efficient drug incorporation of 88 %. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) affirmed the spherical morphology of these REV-SLNs, while Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed no chemical interactions among components. In-vitro assessment of the final GRS/REV-SLNs demonstrated sustained gelation and buoyancy for over 12 h, which would significantly enhance REV retention and its release within the stomach. Further assessments in rats confirmed successful gel transformation within the stomach, resulting in the improved bioavailability of REV. Thus, the development of GRS/REV-SLNs significantly improved the delivery and bioavailability of REV within the stomach, and offers a potentially improved method of treating peptic ulcers.

Optimization and Characterization of Brimonidine Tartrate Nanoparticles-loaded In Situ Gel for the Treatment of Glaucoma

Purposes: The present study aimed to develop brimonidine tartrate loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) acid vitamin E-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (BRT-PLGA-TPGS) nanoparticles in thermosensitivein situ gel to improve mucoadhensive properties and drug holding capacity for the better management of glaucoma.Methods: Nanoparticles was optimized by means of Box-Behnken Design (BBD). The formulations were prepared using various concentration of PLGA (0.1-0.4% w/v) and TPGS (0.3-0.5% w/v). The analytical data of fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) depicted the drug excipients compatibility and confirmed the nanoparticles. Nanoparticles incorporated gel was evaluated for transcorneal permeability, gelation time, gelling temperature, and rheological studies. In addition, in vitro, transcorneal permeation drug release studies and intraocular pressure (IOP) for optimized gel was also performed. Biocompatibility of formulations was investigated in rabbit model.Results: The drug loaded nanoparticles exhibited 115.72 ± 4.18 nm, 0.190 ± 0.02, -11.80 ± 2.24 mV and 74.85 ± 6.54% of mean size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential and entrapment efficiency (% EE), respectively. As compared to marketed eye drop, the sustained and continuous release BRT release from Poloxamer-based in situ gel was 85.31 ± 3.51% till 24 h. The transcorneal steady-state flux (136.32 μg cm^-2 h^-1) of optimized in situ gel was approximately 3.5 times higher than marketed formulation (38.60 μg cm^-2 h^-1) flux at 4 h. The optimized formulation produces 3 fold greater influences on percentage reduction of IOP (34.46 ± 4.21%) than the marketed formulation (12.24 ± 2.90%) till 8 h.Conclusion: The incorporation of optimized BRT-PLGA-TPGS nanoparticles into a thermosensitivein situ gel matrix to improve precorneal residence time without causing eye irritation and also serve the sustained release of BRT through cornea for effective management of glaucoma.

Preparation of Solid Lipid Nanoparticles and Nanostructured Lipid Carriers for Drug Delivery and the Effects of Preparation Parameters of Solvent Injection Method

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) have emerged as potential drug delivery systems for various applications that are produced from physiological, biodegradable, and biocompatible lipids. The methods used to produce SLNs and NLCs have been well investigated and reviewed, but solvent injection method provides an alternative means of preparing these drug carriers. The advantages of solvent injection method include a fast production process, easiness of handling, and applicability in many laboratories without requirement of complicated instruments. The effects of formulations and process parameters of this method on the characteristics of the produced SLNs and NLCs have been investigated in several studies. This review describes the methods currently used to prepare SLNs and NLCs with focus on solvent injection method. We summarize recent development in SLNs and NLCs production using this technique. In addition, the effects of solvent injection process parameters on SLNs and NLCs characteristics are discussed.

Nanomedicine: a new paradigm to overcome drug incompatibilities

OBJECTIVES

Drug incompatibilities may compromise the safety and effectiveness of combined drugs and result in mild-to-serious clinical complications, such as catheter obstruction, loss of drug efficacy, formation of toxic derivatives and embolism. Various preventive strategies have been implemented to overcome drug incompatibilities with limited success. This review presents an innovative approach to prevent drug incompatibilities via isolating the incompatible drugs into nanostructures.

KEY FINDINGS

Several examples of incompatible drugs may be loaded separately into nanostructures of various types. Physicochemical characteristics and biocompatibility of the nanomaterials that are being utilized to prevent physicochemical incompatibilities should be carefully considered.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a new era of exploiting nanomaterials in overcoming various types of physicochemical incompatibilities, with additional benefits of further improvements in pharmacokinetic profiles and pharmacological actions of the administered drugs.

Evaluation of Oleic Acid and Polyethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Conjugate (PEGylated Oleic Acid) as a Solubility Enhancer of Furosemide

Poor aqueous solubility limits the therapeutic efficacy of many marketed and investigational drugs. Synthesis of new drugs with improved solubility is challenging due to time constraint and expenses involved. Therefore, finding the solubility enhancers for existing drugs is an attractive and profitable strategy. In this study, PEGylated oleic acid (OA-mPEG5000), a conjugate of oleic acid and mPEG5000 was synthesized and evaluated as a solubilizer for furosemide. OA-mPEG5000 was evaluated as a nanocarrier for furosemide by formulating polymersomes. Solubility of furosemide in milli-Q water and aqueous OA-mPEG5000 solution was determined using shake flask method. At 37 °C, the solubility of furosemide in OA-mPEG5000 (1% w/w) and milli-Q water was 3404.7 ± 254.6 µg/mL and 1020.2 ± 40.9 µg/mL, respectively. Results showed there was a 3.34-fold increase in solubility of furosemide in OA-mPEG5000 compared to water at 37 °C. At 25 °C, there was a 3.31-fold increase in solubilization of furosemide in OA-mPEG5000 (1% w/w) (90.0 ± 1.45 µg/mL) compared to milli-Q water (27.2 ± 1.43 µg/mL). Size, polydispersity index and zeta potential of polymersomes ranged from 85–145.5 nm, 0.187–0.511 and −4.0–12.77 mV, respectively. In-vitro release study revealed a burst release (71%) within 1 h. Significant enhancement in solubility and formation of polymersomes suggested that OA-mPEG5000 could be a good solubilizer and nanocarrier for furosemide.

In vitro–in vivo and pharmacokinetic evaluation of solid lipid nanoparticles of furosemide using Gastroplus™

In this work, we conducted pharmacokinetic studies and established the in vitro and in vivo correlation (IVIVC) of furosemide (FRS) loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (FSLN).