Preparation and optimization of glyceryl behenate-based highly porous pellets containing cilostazol

Utilizing 4D Printing to Design Smart Gastroretentive, Esophageal, and Intravesical Drug Delivery Systems

The breakthrough of 3D printing in biomedical research has paved the way for the next evolutionary step referred to as four dimensional (4D) printing. This new concept utilizes the time as the fourth dimension in addition to the x, y, and z axes with the idea to change the configuration of a printed construct with time usually in response to an external stimulus. This can be attained through the incorporation of smart materials or through a preset smart design. The 4D printed constructs may be designed to exhibit expandability, flexibility, self-folding, self-repair or deformability. This review focuses on 4D printed devices for gastroretentive, esophageal, and intravesical delivery. The currently unmet needs and challenges for these application sites are tried to be defined and reported on published solution concepts involving 4D printing. In addition, other promising application sites that may similarly benefit from 4D printing approaches such as tracheal and intrauterine drug delivery are proposed.

Polymeric Excipients in the Technology of Floating Drug Delivery Systems

The combination of targeted transport and improvement of the release profile of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) is a current trend in the development of oral medicinal products (MP). A well-known way to implement this concept is to obtain floating gastroretentive delivery systems that provide a long stay of the dosage form (DF) on the surface of the stomach contents. The nomenclature of excipients (Es) of a polymeric nature used in the technology of obtaining floating drug delivery systems (FDDS) is discussed. Based on the data presented in research papers, the most widely used groups of polymers, their properties, and their purpose in various technological approaches to achieving buoyancy have been determined. In addition, ways to modify the release of APIs in these systems and the Es used for this are described. The current trends in the use of polymers in the technology of floating dosage forms (FDF) and generalized conclusions about the prospects of this direction are outlined.

Development and evaluation of surfactant-based elastic vesicular system for transdermal delivery of Cilostazole: ex-vivo permeation and histopathological evaluation studies

Cilostazole (CLZ) is an anti-platelet drug that suffers from extensive first pass-metabolism and gastrointestinal side effects. This study aimed to prepare spanlastics for enhancing the transdermal delivery of CLZ to avoid its oral problems. CLZ-loaded spanlastic dispersions were prepared by ethanol injection technique according to a 4¹3¹2¹ full factorial design to investigate the effect of formulation variables on entrapment efficiency (EE%), particle size (PS), zeta potential (ZP), and the percent of drug released after 2 and 24 h (Q2 and 24 h). Spanlastic-loaded gel of the optimized formula was prepared using hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC K4M). The optimum formula (F13), constitutes of Span60 and CremophoreRH40 at a weight ratio of 80:20 and distilled water for hydration, had the highest desirability value of (0.841) and exhibited the highest EE% of (69.29 ± 0.29%), PS of (452.7 ± 5.94 nm), ZP of (-32.6 ± 0.4 mV), Q 2 h of (33.28 ± 1.45%) and Q24h of (82.37 ± 1.37. F13 was subjected to ex-vivo permeation study and showed a cumulative amount permeated after 48 h(Q_48h) equal to (750.71 ± 3 μg/cm²) in comparison to the drug suspension which showed Q_48h equal to (190.20 ± 6.3 μg/cm²). Also, F13 showed an increase in the drug flux of (17.84 μg/cm².h) and enhancement ratio(ER) of (5.71 ± 0.1) in comparison to the drug suspension that showed drug flux of (3.12 ± 0.0 μg/cm².h). Spanlastics-loaded gel was subjected to an in-vitro release study compared to(F13) spanlastic dispersion and showed a more sustained release effect. In addition, histopathological studies showed no sign of skin alteration confirming safe delivery through the skin. CLZ showed promising results with high potential to be delivered transdermally.

Development and evaluation of proniosomes to enhance the transdermal delivery of cilostazole and to ensure the safety of its application

Cilostazole (CLZ) is an anti-platelet drug that suffers from extensive first-pass metabolism and gastrointestinal side effects. This study aimed to prepare proniosomes for enhancing the transdermal delivery of CLZ to avoid its oral problems. proniosomes were prepared by a coacervation phase separation technique according to the D-optimal design to investigate the effect of formulation variables on entrapment efficiency (EE%), particle size (PS), zeta potential (ZP), and the percent of the drug released after 2 and 24 h (Q2 and 24 h). The desirability criterion is set to select the optimum formula. The optimum formula(opt) with a desirability value (0.75), composed of 540 mg Span60 and 59.7 mg of cholesterol, had the highest EE% of (75.125 ± 0.125%), PS of (300.3 ± 0.2 nm), ZP of (-39.35 ± 0.15 mV), Q2h of (24.32 ± 0.13%) and Q24h of (81.175 ± 0.325%). Further, the opt-gel was prepared by using hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC K4M). The opt-formula was subjected to an ex-vivo permeation study and showed a marked increase in drug flux of (22.89 ± 0.1 µg/cm².h). The opt-gel was subjected to an in-vitro release study in comparison with the opt-formula that showed a more sustained release effect. The histopathological examination study confirmed the safety of the topical application of proniosomes. The CLZ-loaded proniosomes showed promising results with high potential to deliver it across the skin.

Microparticle fabricated from a series of symmetrical lipids based on dihydroxyacetone form textured architectures

We report the synthesis of a series of symmetrical lipids composed of dihydroxyacetone and even‑carbon fatty acids (eight to sixteen carbons), both components of the human metabolome, and characterize their formulation into porous microparticles through spontaneous emulsification without the use of additional porogens. Lipid hydrolysis products were identified by ¹H NMR to validate lipid degradation into the parent metabolic synthons. Microparticle architecture, as determined by scanning electron microscopy, was lipid-length dependent, with shorter alkyl chains forming tight structures and longer alkyl chains forming larger pores with plate-like lipid architectures. In all cases, the lipids formed organized patterns, not irregular shapes. As a demonstration of the potential use of these solid lipid-based microparticles, the release kinetics of a model drug (piroxicam) was quantified showing that release was more greatly influenced by microparticle porosity, and hence surface area, than by hydrophobicity of the lipids.