Gel network comprising UV crosslinked PLGA-b-PEG-MA nanoparticles for ibuprofen topical delivery

Potential role of NSAIDs loaded nano-formulations to treat inflammatory diseases

Inflammation is a necessary immunological response that promotes survival and preserves tissue homeostasis, a common characteristic linked to various diseases. However, in some circumstances, the inflammatory response is deleterious and contributes to disease pathogenesis. Anti-inflammatory substances have poor affinity for inflamed tissues, resulting in low concentrations in the target tissue and a higher incidence of severe adverse effects. To address this issue, several potential approaches have been proposed, such as chemical modification of drug molecules and the development of nanocarriers for drug delivery. Since the development of nanotechnology at the beginning of the twenty-first century, researchers have been using the pathophysiological characteristics of inflammation, primarily leaky vasculature, and biomarker overexpression to develop nanomedicines that can deliver therapeutics via passive and active targeting mechanisms to sites of inflammation and produce therapeutic effects. Drug carriers based on nanoparticles can enhance the safety and efficacy of drugs by increasing their capacity, enhancing their solubility, combining several drugs, protecting them from metabolism, and regulating their release. An approach that shows promise in the treatment of various inflammatory diseases is the application of nanomedicines. Nanomedicine involves nanoparticles that have been loaded with a therapeutically active component. Nanomedicines can target inflammation by recognizing molecules highly expressed on endothelial cells or activated macrophage surfaces, enhancing the permeability of vessels, or even by biomimicry. A review of the research findings shows significant potential for the use of nanotechnology to enhance the quality of life for people using NSAIDs for chronic disorders by minimizing drug side effects or the duration of administration. After a brief introduction to inflammation, its various forms- acute and chronic inflammation, and the pathophysiology of inflammation, this review highlights the main innovative nanocarriers utilized for carrying various nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that have been utilized in treating various inflammatory disorders.

Revolutionizing rheumatoid arthritis treatment with emerging cutaneous drug delivery systems: overcoming the challenges and paving the way forward

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the articulating joints. Though considerable progress has been made in understanding the disease in the past 50 years, its pathogenesis remains unclear. The therapies for RA, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, and glucocorticoids through conventional therapeutic delivery systems by percutaneous, intra-articular, intraperitoneal, oral, and intravenous administration, have shown their own disadvantages, which eventually reduce patient compliance for long-term therapy. Recently, drug delivery via a topical or transdermal route has gained attention as an alternative to the conventional approach. Though skin acts as a barrier for the delivery of drugs due to its structure, various permeation pathways are manipulated to enhance the drug delivery across or into the skin. However, poor skin retention is the reason for the failure of many conventional topical dosage forms, such as gels, sprays, and creams. Hence, there is an urgent need for conquering the skin boundary to improve skin partitioning. Nanotechnology is a developing and dynamic field gaining popularity in the nanoscale design. This review extensively describes the potential of various nanoformulations, such as vesicular systems, lipid nanoparticles, and polymeric nanoparticles, with a targeted approach to deliver the drugs to the inflamed joint region. Limelight has also been provided to next-generation approaches like surface modification, stimuli-responsive formulations, multifunctional carrier systems, microneedles, and microsponge systems. Physical methods for enhancing the transdermal delivery, such as electroporation and sonophoresis, and emerging treatment therapies, such as gene therapy, photothermal therapy, and photodynamic therapy, have been evaluated to enhance the treatment efficacy. The clinical status, patents and current challenges associated with nanotechnology and the future prospects of targeted drug delivery have also been discussed.

New Ibuprofen Cystamine Salts With Improved Solubility and Anti-Inflammatory Effect

Two novel ibuprofen cystamine salts (IBU-CYS 1 and IBU-CYS 2) are synthesized by coupling the anion of ibuprofen with cystamine dihydrochloride in 1 : 1 and 2 : 1 ratio to improve the solubility and bioavailability of ibuprofen. The salts are characterized by 1H NMR, FT-IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TGA, DTA) and X-ray diffraction measurements. IBU-CYS 1 and IBU-CYS 2 show higher solubility (6.11 and 7.81 mg/mL) compared to ibuprofen (0.04 mg/mL) in water. IBU-CYS2 was encapsulated into 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate: poly (ethylene glycol) acrylate hydrogels for enhanced delivery. The in vitro studies in PBS (pH 7.4) indicate that the salts are effective in relieving inflammatory responses induced by lipopolysaccharide in RAW264.7 macrophage cells (nitrite inhibition percentages of IBU-CYS 1, IBU-CYS 2 and ibuprofen: approximately 34.29, 27.03 and 31.50 respectively) while indicating no cytotoxicity. Therefore, these salts may be promising candidates for the development of effective formulations of this drug.

Pressure-Spun Fibrous Surgical Sutures for Localized Antibacterial Delivery: Development, Characterization, and In Vitro Evaluation

Surgical sutures designed to prevent infection are critical in addressing antibiotic-resistant pathogens that cause surgical site infections. Instead of antibiotics, alternative materials such as biocides have been assessed for coating commercially used sutures due to emerging antibiotic resistance concerns worldwide. This study has a new approach to the development of fibrous surgical sutures with the ability to deliver localized antibacterial agents. A new manufacturing process based on pressure spinning was used for the first time in the production of fibrous surgical sutures by physically blending antibacterial triclosan (Tri) agent with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) polymers. Fibrous surgical sutures with virgin PLGA, virgin PEO, different ratios of PLGA-PEO, and different ratios of Tri-loaded PLGA-PEO fibrous sutures were produced to mimic the FDA- and NICE-approved PLGA-based sutures available in the market and compared for their characteristics. They were also tested simultaneously with commercially available sutures to compare their in vitro biodegradation, antibacterial, drug release, and cytotoxicity properties. After in vitro antibacterial testing for 24 h, sutures having 285 ± 12 μg/mg Tri loading were selected as a model for further testing as they exhibited antibacterial activity against all tested bacteria strains. The selected model of antibacterial fibrous sutures exhibited an initial burst of Tri release within 24 h, followed by a sustained release for the remaining time until the sutures completely degraded within 21 days. The cell viability assay showed that these surgical sutures had no cytotoxic effect on mammalian cells.

Stimulus-Responsive Drug Delivery Nanoplatforms for Osteoarthritis Therapy

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most prevalent age-related degenerative diseases. With an increasingly aging global population, greater numbers of OA patients are providing clear economic and societal burdens. Surgical and pharmacological treatments are the most common and conventional therapeutic strategies for OA, but often fall considerably short of desired or optimal outcomes. With the development of stimulus-responsive nanoplatforms has come the potential for improved therapeutic strategies for OA. Enhanced control, longer retention time, higher loading rates, and increased sensitivity are among the potential benefits. This review summarizes the advanced application of stimulus-responsive drug delivery nanoplatforms for OA, categorized by either those that depend on endogenous stimulus (reactive oxygen species, pH, enzyme, and temperature), or those that depend on exogenous stimulus (near-infrared ray, ultrasound, magnetic fields). The opportunities, restrictions, and limitations related to these various drug delivery systems, or their combinations, are discussed in areas such as multi-functionality, image guidance, and multi-stimulus response. The remaining constraints and potential solutions that are represented by the clinical application of stimulus-responsive drug delivery nanoplatforms are finally summarized.

Injectable In-Situ Forming Depot Based on PLGA and PLGA-PEG-PLGA for Sustained-Release of Risperidone: In Vitro Evaluation and Pharmacokinetics in Rabbits

In the current research, novel drug delivery systems based on in situ forming gel (ISFG) (PLGA-PEG-PLGA) and in situ forming implant (ISFI) (PLGA) were developed for one-month risperidone delivery. In vitro release evaluation, pharmacokinetics, and histopathology studies of ISFI, ISFG, and Risperdal CONSTA^® were compared in rabbits. Formulation containing 50% (w/w %) of PLGA-PEG-PLGA triblock revealed sustained release for about one month. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed a porous structure for ISFI, while a structure with fewer pores was observed in the triblock. Cell viability in ISFG formulation in the first days was more than ISFI due to the gradual release of NMP to the release medium. Pharmacokinetic data displayed that optimal PLGA-PEG-PLGA creates a consistent serum level in vitro and in vivo through 30 days, and histopathology results revealed nearly slight to moderate pathological signs in the rabbit's organs. The shelf life of the accelerated stability test didn't affect the results of the release rate test and demonstrated stability in 24 months. This research confirms the better potential of the ISFG system compared with ISFI and Risperdal CONSTA^®, which would increase patients' compliance and avoid problems of further oral therapy.

Nanogel Development and its Application in Transdermal Drug Delivery System

Background:

Nanogels are hydrophilic polymer networks that range in size from 20 to 200 nanometers. Polymer is used to make nanogels, which can be obtained from natural or manu-factured sources. Nanogels can deliver peptides, antigens, carbohydrates, oligonucleotides, proteins, and genes, among other things. These nanogels also provide inorganic materials, such as silver na-noparticles and quantum dots. Both solid and liquid nanogels have the same properties. These nanogels penetrate the stratum corneum more effectively than conventional gels. Dermatology and cosmetology have both experimented with nanoscale technology.

Objective:

The medication can penetrate the stratum corneum through a variety of routes. One of the ways lipids can infiltrate the skin membrane is through the transcellular route. Cream, gel, oint-ment, lotion, thin-film, and foams are among the topical preparations used. Nanogels are catego-rised into two types: those that respond to stimuli and those that cross-link. For the manufacture of nanogels, numerous polymers of synthetic, natural, or semisynthetic origin are commonly em-ployed. Nanoprecipitation, emulsion polymerization, and dispersion polymerization are all ways to make these nanogels. These nanogels are rarely released by diffusion mechanism employing the Fick’s law.

Conclusions:

The nano gel is a new advanced technology that allows to improve drug molecule pen-etration in the stratum corneum. If poorly soluble and permeable medications are administered through this nanogel technology, their solubility and permeability will be improved.

Polymer nanotherapeutics to correct autoimmunity

The immune system maintains homeostasis and protects the body from pathogens, mutated cells, and other harmful substances. When immune homeostasis is disrupted, excessive autoimmunity will lead to diseases. To inhibit the unexpected immune responses and reduce the impact of treatment on immunoprotective functions, polymer nanotherapeutics, such as nanomedicines, nanovaccines, and nanodecoys, were developed as part of an advanced strategy for precise immunomodulation. Nanomedicines transport cytotoxic drugs to target sites to reduce the occurrence of side effects and increase the stability and bioactivity of various immunomodulating agents, especially nucleic acids and cytokines. In addition, polymer nanomaterials carrying autoantigens used as nanovaccines can induce antigen-specific immune tolerance without interfering with protective immune responses. The precise immunomodulatory function of nanovaccines has broad prospects for the treatment of immune related-diseases. Besides, nanodecoys, which are designed to protect the body from various pathogenic substances by intravenous administration, are a simple and relatively noninvasive treatment. Herein, we have discussed and predicted the application of polymer nanotherapeutics in the correction of autoimmunity, including treating autoimmune diseases, controlling hypersensitivity, and avoiding transplant rejection.

Bioactive Ibuprofen-Loaded PLGA Coatings for Multifunctional Surface Modification of Medical Devices

To modulate the biofunctionality of implantable medical devices commonly used in clinical practice, their surface modification with bioactive polymeric coatings is an attractive and successful emerging strategy. Biodegradable coatings based on poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid), PLGA, represent versatile and safe candidates for surface modification of implantable biomaterials and devices, providing additional tunable ability for topical delivery of desired therapeutic agents. In the present study, Ibuprofen-loaded PLGA coatings (PLGA/IBUP) were obtained by using the dip-coating and drop-casting combined protocol. The composite materials demonstrated long-term drug release under biologically simulated dynamic conditions. Reversible swelling phenomena of polymeric coatings occurred in the first two weeks of testing, accompanied by the gradual matrix degradation and slow release of the therapeutic agent. Irreversible degradation of PLGA coatings occurred after one month, due to copolymer's hydrolysis (evidenced by chemical and structural modifications). After 30 days of dynamic testing, the cumulative release of IBUP was ~250 µg/mL. Excellent cytocompatibility was revealed on human-derived macrophages, fibroblasts and keratinocytes. The results herein evidence the promising potential of PLGA/IBUP coatings to be used for surface modification of medical devices, such as metallic implants and wound dressings.

Hydrogel Dressings for the Treatment of Burn Wounds: An Up-To-Date Overview

Globally, the fourth most prevalent devastating form of trauma are burn injuries. Ideal burn wound dressings are fundamental to facilitate the wound healing process and decrease pain in lower time intervals. Conventional dry dressing treatments, such as those using absorbent gauze and/or absorbent cotton, possess limited therapeutic effects and require repeated dressing changes, which further aggravate patients' suffering. Contrariwise, hydrogels represent a promising alternative to improve healing by assuring a moisture balance at the burn site. Most studies consider hydrogels as ideal candidate materials for the synthesis of wound dressings because they exhibit a three-dimensional (3D) structure, which mimics the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) of skin in regard to the high-water amount, which assures a moist environment to the wound. There is a wide variety of polymers that have been used, either alone or blended, for the fabrication of hydrogels designed for biomedical applications focusing on treating burn injuries. The aim of this paper is to provide an up-to-date overview of hydrogels applied in burn wound dressings.

One-step preparation of ibuprofen fast- and sustained-release formulation by electrospinning with improved efficacy and reduced side effect

In this study, we developed a one-step method to prepare ibuprofen fast- and sustained-release complex preparation. It was based on a double jets electrospinning process. Ibuprofen, a poorly water-soluble drug, was electrospun into fibers with polyvinyl pyrrolidone and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose by two jets, respectively. The complex preparation had an enough initial dose come from fast-release part and a maintenance dose come from sustained-release part. Through the study of X-ray diffraction, differential scanning colorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), it was confirmed that ibuprofen was highly dispersed in nanofibers (NFs) in amorphous state. Because one line of NFs was very thin and could only extend along two directions, it was difficult for ibuprofen to transform from amorphous to crystal in this kind of approximate one-dimensional structure. Additionally, it was confirmed by animal experiment that the complex preparation also had a benefit to reduce gastric irritation that usually caused by traditional oral ibuprofen preparation. Therefore, the method developed in this study was a convenient and good-quality approach for ibuprofen pain-alleviating preparation.