Enhancing the solubility of nitazoxanide with solid dispersions technique: formulation, evaluation, and cytotoxicity study

Investigating the Biological Potency of Nitazoxanide-Based Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) Complexes Synthesis, Characterization and Anti-COVID-19, Antioxidant, Antibacterial and Anticancer Activities

In this work, the biological potency of nitazoxanide (NTZ) was enhanced through coordination with transition metal ions Cu(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II). Initially, complexes with a ligand-metal stoichiometry of 2:1 were successfully synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic techniques and thermogravimetric methods. Measurement of the infrared spectrum revealed the bidentate nature of the ligand and excluded the possibility of the metal ion-amide group interaction. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectra showed a reduction in the NH- intensity signal and integration, indicating the possibility of enolization and the formation of keto-enol tautomers. To interpret these results, density functional theory was utilized under B3LYP/6-311G** for the free ligand and B3LYP/LANL2DZ for the metal complexes. We used UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy to understand the biological properties of the complexes. This showed stronger interactions of NTZ-Cu(II) and NTZ-Ni(II) with DNA molecules than the NTZ-Zn(II) compound, with a binding constant (Kb) for the copper complex of 7.00 × 105 M-1. Both Cu(II)- and Ni(II)-NTZ had functional binding to the SARS-CoV-2 (6LU7) protease. Moreover, all metal complexes showed better antioxidation properties than the free ligand, with NTZ-Ni(II) having the best IC50 value of 53.45 μg/mL. NTZ-Ni(II) was an effective antibacterial, with a mean inhibitory concentration of 6 μM, which is close to that of ampicillin (a reference drug). The metal complexes had moderated anticancer potencies, with NTZ-Cu(II) having IC50 values of 24.5 and 21.5 against human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and cancerous cervical tumor cells (HeLa), respectively. All obtained complexes exhibited high selectivity. Finally, the metal ions showed a practical role in improving the biological effectiveness of NTZ molecules.

Perspectives on cutting-edge nanoparticulate drug delivery technologies based on lipids and their applications

Numerous nanotech arenas in therapeutic biology have recently provided a scientific platform to manufacture a considerable swath of unique chemical entities focusing on drugs. Recently, nanoparticulate drug delivery systems have emerged to deliver a specific drug to a specified site. Among all other carriers, lipids possess features exclusive to nanostructured dosage forms. The bioavailability of orally administered drugs is typically negatively affected by their poor water solubility, resulting from the unique chemical moieties introduced. Because of their unique advantages, lipid nanoparticles must become increasingly predictable as a robust delivery mechanism. The enhanced biopharmaceutical properties and significance of lipid-based targeting technologies such as liposomes, niosomes, solid lipid nanoparticles and micelles are highlighted in this review. Pharmaceutical implications of lipid nanocarriers for the transport and distribution of various therapeutic agents, such as biotechnological products and small pharmaceutical molecules, is a booming topic. Lipid nanoparticles as drug delivery systems have many appealing properties, including high biocompatibility, ease of preparation, tissue specificity, avoidance of reticuloendothelial systems, delayed drug release, scale-up feasibility, nontoxicity and targeted delivery. The use of lipid nanoparticles to enhance the transport of biopharmaceuticals is currently considered state-of-the-art. Similarly, we critically examine the upcoming guidelines that therapeutic scientists should handle.

Recent advances in microbeads-based drug delivery system for achieving controlled drug release

Novel drug delivery system endows a beneficial method for achieving a desired drug concentration at the appropriate site in the body. The concept of targeted drug delivery has been emerged to localize the drug in the targeted tissue of interest while reducing the relative concentration of the medication in the surrounding tissues. This could be easily accomplished by using different multi-particulate dosage forms like pellets, granules, microcapsules, liposomes, beads. But the major drawbacks associated with them are the use of harsh chemicals and an elevated temperature for their preparation. Preparation of microbeads by ionotropic gelation and emulsion gelation method overcomes these problems by neither using harsh chemicals nor elevated temperature for their preparation. Thus, this can be proved to be a better alternative over other dosage forms. Several parameters were studied in terms of their morphology, particle size, encapsulation efficiency, swelling ratio, mucoadhesivity, etc. The endeavor of present article is toward presenting a wider perspective of the comprehensive knowledge available in the field of microbeads. Thus, the intent of this review is to recapitulate the relevance of microbeads.

Salicylanilides and Their Anticancer Properties

Salicylanilides are pharmacologically active compounds with a wide spectrum of biological effects. Halogenated salicylanilides, which have been used for decades in human and veterinary medicine as anthelmintics, have recently emerged as candidates for drug repurposing in oncology. The most prominent example of salicylanilide anthelmintic, that is intensively studied for its potential anticancer properties, is niclosamide. Nevertheless, recent studies have discovered extensive anticancer potential in a number of other salicylanilides. This potential of their anticancer action is mediated most likely by diverse mechanisms of action such as uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation, inhibition of protein tyrosine kinase epidermal growth factor receptor, modulation of different signaling pathways as Wnt/β-catenin, mTORC1, STAT3, NF-κB and Notch signaling pathways or induction of B-Raf V600E inhibition. Here we provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge about the proposed mechanisms of action of anticancer activity of salicylanilides based on preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies, or structural requirements for such an activity.

Application of nanoparticles in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic kidney disease

With the development of nanotechnology, nanoparticles have been used in various industries. In medicine, nanoparticles have been used in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. The kidney is an important organ for waste excretion and maintaining the balance of the internal environment; it filters various metabolic wastes. Kidney dysfunction may result in the accumulation of excess water and various toxins in the body without being discharged, leading to complications and life-threatening conditions. Based on their physical and chemical properties, nanoparticles can enter cells and cross biological barriers to reach the kidneys and therefore, can be used in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD). In the first search, we used the English terms "Renal Insufficiency, Chronic" [Mesh] as the subject word and terms such as "Chronic Renal Insufficiencies," "Chronic Renal Insufficiency," "Chronic Kidney Diseases," "Kidney Disease, Chronic," "Renal Disease, Chronic" as free words. In the second search, we used "Nanoparticles" [Mesh] as the subject word and "Nanocrystalline Materials," "Materials, Nanocrystalline," "Nanocrystals," and others as free words. The relevant literature was searched and read. Moreover, we analyzed and summarized the application and mechanism of nanoparticles in the diagnosis of CKD, application of nanoparticles in the diagnosis and treatment of renal fibrosis and vascular calcification (VC), and their clinical application in patients undergoing dialysis. Specifically, we found that nanoparticles can detect CKD in the early stages in a variety of ways, such as via breath sensors that detect gases and biosensors that detect urine and can be used as a contrast agent to avoid kidney damage. In addition, nanoparticles can be used to treat and reverse renal fibrosis, as well as detect and treat VC in patients with early CKD. Simultaneously, nanoparticles can improve safety and convenience for patients undergoing dialysis. Finally, we summarize the current advantages and limitations of nanoparticles applied to CKD as well as their future prospects.

Design expert assisted formulation, characterization and optimization of microemulsion based solid lipid nanoparticles of repaglinide

Repaglinide, a member of the meglitinide class of drugs, is a new anti-diabetic agent that is utilized as an oral hypoglycemic agent. Using glyceryl monostearate, cetyl palmitate, and tristearin as lipids and poloxamer 188 as a surfactant, repaglinide-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles were created. Solid lipid nanoparticles were prepared utilizing an o/w microemulsion technique, which included the lipids glyceryl monostearate and tristearin, as well as waxes such as cetyl palmitate and the surfactant poloxamer 188. The mean particle size of the solid lipid nanoparticles formed was around 339 nm, with an entrapment efficiency of 82.20%. In-vitro release studies continued to be conducted using the dialysis bag diffusion technique. Within 12 h, the cumulative drug release was 88.4%. The results indicate that repaglinide was released more slowly from solid lipid nanoparticles made from tristearin and glyceryl monostearate in an equal ratio. Tristearin found the controlled release and extreme entrapment from other lipid carriers like glyceryl monostearate and cetyl palmitate. Differential scanning calorimetry demonstrates that repaglinide is entangled in amorphous or molecular state within solid lipid nanoparticles. SEM microscopy revealed that the produced repaglinide solid lipid nanoparticles had a spherical shape. After one month of storage at 2-8 °C, short-term stability testing revealed no significant alteration.