Sodium lauryl sulfate increases the efficacy of a topical formulation of foscarnet against herpes simplex virus type 1 cutaneous lesions in mice

Pioneering Topical Ointment Intervention for Unprecedented Antimicrobial and Diabetic Wound Management with Phenylpropanoids and Nano-Silver

Addressing the intertwined challenges of antimicrobial resistance and impaired wound healing in diabetic patients, an oil/water emulsion-based nano-ointment integrating phenylpropanoids-Eugenol and Cinnamaldehyde-with positively-charged silver nanoparticles was synthesized. The process began with the synthesis and characterization of nano-silver, aimed at ensuring the effectiveness and safety of the nanoparticles in biological applications. Subsequent experiments determined the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against pathogens such as Streptococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. These MIC values of all three active leads guided the strategic formulation of an ointment base, which effectively integrated the bioactive components. Evaluations of this nano-ointment revealed enhanced antimicrobial activity against both clinical and reference bacterial strains and it maintained stability after freeze-thaw cycles. Furthermore, the ointment demonstrated superior in-vitro diabetic wound healing capabilities and significantly promoted angiogenesis, as shown by enhanced blood vessel formation in the Chorioallantoic Membrane assay. These findings underscore the formulation's therapeutic potential, marking a significant advance in the use of nanotechnology for topical wound care.

Formulation and Development of a Water-in-Oil Emulsion-Based Luliconazole Cream: In Vitro Characterization and Analytical Method Validation by RP-HPLC

Luliconazole (LCZ) is a new antifungal agent containing imidazole moiety which revealed broad-spectrum antifungal activity. The aim of this research was to prepare water-in-oil (w/o) emulsion-based cream formulation of LCZ in addition to the development and validation of an analytical method by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Cetostearyl alcohol (12.14%), light liquid paraffin (5.00%), white soft paraffin (2.75%), and Tween-80 (1.00%) appeared as the optimized concentration to give better consistency to the cream. Moreover, without adding pH adjusting agents the pH of the optimized formulation (F5) was obtained within the range of human skin pH throughout the stability period. The value of particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential was 187.90 ± 2.061 nm, 0.124 ± 0.026, and -10.553 ± 1.349 mV, respectively. In this study, an analytical C18 (4.6 mm × 25 cm), 5 μm column was used for chromatographic separation with a mixture of acetonitrile and water in the proportion of 50 : 50 v/v as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The calibration curve was obtained linear at 296 nm in the concentration range of 0.08–0.12 mg/mL. Furthermore, the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were 0.0013 and 0.0042 µg/mL, respectively. In addition, the observed results demonstrated that our developed method was linear (R2 = 0.999), precise (%RSD below than 2.0%), and accurate (mean recovery% = 100.18–100.91). The F5 showed no physical changes until 6th month analysis at room temperature and accelerated conditions. Similarly, the assay obtained 101.99% ± 0.27 and 99.89% ± 0.08 at room temperature and accelerated conditions, respectively. Additionally, all validated parameters were obtained within the acceptable limit as well. These findings conclude that both physically and chemically stable w/o cream formulation of LCZ can be formulated and assessed for their stability by applying the authenticated analytical procedure of RP-HPLC.

Beneath the Skin: A Review of Current Trends and Future Prospects of Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems

The ideal drug delivery system has a bioavailability comparable to parenteral dosage forms but is as convenient and easy to use for the patient as oral solid dosage forms. In recent years, there has been increased interest in transdermal drug delivery (TDD) as a non-invasive delivery approach that is generally regarded as being easy to administer to more vulnerable age groups, such as paediatric and geriatric patients, while avoiding certain bioavailability concerns that arise from oral drug delivery due to poor absorbability and metabolism concerns. However, despite its many merits, TDD remains restricted to a select few drugs. The physiology of the skin poses a barrier against the feasible delivery of many drugs, limiting its applicability to only those drugs that possess physicochemical properties allowing them to be successfully delivered transdermally. Several techniques have been developed to enhance the transdermal permeability of drugs. Both chemical (e.g., thermal and mechanical) and passive (vesicle, nanoparticle, nanoemulsion, solid dispersion, and nanocrystal) techniques have been investigated to enhance the permeability of drug substances across the skin. Furthermore, hybrid approaches combining chemical penetration enhancement technologies with physical technologies are being intensively researched to improve the skin permeation of drug substances. This review aims to summarize recent trends in TDD approaches and discuss the merits and drawbacks of the various chemical, physical, and hybrid approaches currently being investigated for improving drug permeability across the skin.

Enhancement strategies for transdermal drug delivery systems: current trends and applications

Transdermal drug delivery systems have become an intriguing research topic in pharmaceutical technology area and one of the most frequently developed pharmaceutical products in global market. The use of these systems can overcome associated drawbacks of other delivery routes, such as oral and parenteral. The authors will review current trends, and future applications of transdermal technologies, with specific focus on providing a comprehensive understanding of transdermal drug delivery systems and enhancement strategies. This article will initially discuss each transdermal enhancement method used in the development of first-generation transdermal products. These methods include drug/vehicle interactions, vesicles and particles, stratum corneum modification, energy-driven methods and stratum corneum bypassing techniques. Through suitable design and implementation of active stratum corneum bypassing methods, notably microneedle technology, transdermal delivery systems have been shown to deliver both low and high molecular weight drugs. Microneedle technology platforms have proven themselves to be more versatile than other transdermal systems with opportunities for intradermal delivery of drugs/biotherapeutics and therapeutic drug monitoring. These have shown that microneedles have been a prospective strategy for improving transdermal delivery systems.

Identification of critical formulation parameters affecting the in vitro release, permeation, and rheological properties of the acyclovir topical cream

To understand effects of formulation variables on the critical quality attributes (CQA) of acyclovir topical cream, this study investigated effects of propylene glycol (PG), poloxamer, and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) concentrations, acyclovir particle size, and formulation pH of the acyclovir cream. Fifteen formulations were prepared and characterized for rheological properties, particle size distribution, drug release and in vitro skin permeation. Drug distribution between various phases of the cream was determined. The concentration of soluble acyclovir in the aqueous phase was determined as a surrogate of the equilibrium with other acyclovir species in the cream. The interaction among effects of the formulation variables on the amount of acyclovir retained by skin was also evaluated. The results showed that PG significantly (p < 0.05) increased the yield stress, viscosity, drug concentration in the aqueous phase, and drug release. The PG and SLS significantly (p < 0.05) increased acyclovir retention by skin samples. Particle size of acyclovir inversely affected the drug release. This study revealed that the employed concentrations of PG and SLS and particle size of the dispersed acyclovir are critical formulation variables that should be carefully controlled when developing acyclovir topical creams with desired performance characteristics.

Early Steps in Herpes Simplex Virus Infection Blocked by a Proteasome Inhibitor

Viruses commandeer host cell 26S proteasome activity to promote viral entry, gene expression, replication, assembly, and egress. Proteasomal degradation activity is critical for herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. The proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (also known as Velcade and PS-341) is a clinically effective antineoplastic drug that is FDA approved for treatment of hematologic malignancies such as multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma. Low nanomolar concentrations of bortezomib inhibited infection by HSV-1, HSV-2, and acyclovir-resistant strains. Inhibition coincided with minimal cytotoxicity. Bortezomib did not affect attachment of HSV to cells or inactivate the virus directly. Bortezomib acted early in HSV infection by perturbing two distinct proteasome-dependent steps that occur within the initial hours of infection: the transport of incoming viral nucleocapsids to the nucleus and the virus-induced disruption of host nuclear domain 10 (ND10) structures. The combination of bortezomib with acyclovir demonstrated synergistic inhibitory effects on HSV infection. Thus, bortezomib is a novel potential therapeutic for HSV with a defined mechanism of action.IMPORTANCE Viruses usurp host cell functions to advance their replicative agenda. HSV relies on cellular proteasome activity for successful infection. Proteasome inhibitors, such as MG132, block HSV infection at multiple stages of the infectious cycle. Targeting host cell processes for antiviral intervention is an unconventional approach that might limit antiviral resistance. Here we demonstrated that the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib, which is a clinically effective cancer drug, has the in vitro features of a promising anti-HSV therapeutic. Bortezomib inhibited HSV infection during the first hours of infection at nanomolar concentrations that were minimally cytotoxic. The mechanism of bortezomib's inhibition of early HSV infection was to halt nucleocapsid transport to the nucleus and to stabilize the ND10 cellular defense complex. Bortezomib and acyclovir acted synergistically to inhibit HSV infection. Overall, we present evidence for the repurposing of bortezomib as a novel antiherpesviral agent and describe specific mechanisms of action.

Surfactant and temperature effects on paraben transport through silicone membranes

This study investigates the effects of two surfactants (one anionic and one non-ionic) and controlled modifications in temperature (298-323K) on the permeation of two structurally similar compounds through a silicone membrane using a Franz diffusion cell system. In all cases the presence of an anionic surfactant, namely sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), reduced the permeation of both compounds (methylparaben and ethylparaben) over a period of 24h. The degree of permeation reduction was proportional to the concentration of surfactant with a maximum effect observed, with an average reduction of approximately 50%, at the highest surfactant concentration of 20mM. Differences were seen around the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of SDS implying the effect was partially connected with the favoured formation of micelles. In contrast, the presence of non-ionic surfactant (Brij 35) had no effect on the permeation of methylparaben or ethylparaben at any of the concentrations investigated, both above and below the CMC of the surfactant. From these findings the authors conclude that the specific effects of SDS are a consequence of ionic surfactant-silicone interactions retarding the movement of paraben through the membrane through indirect modifications to the surface of the membrane. As expected, an increase in experimental temperature appeared to enhance the permeation of both model compounds, a finding that is in agreement with previously reported data. Interestingly, in the majority of cases this effect was optimum at the second highest temperature studied (45°C) which suggests that permeation is a temperature-dependent phenomenon.

Percutaneous absorption in diseased skin: an overview

The stratum corneum's (SC) functions include protection from external hazardous environments, prevention of water loss and regulation of body temperature. While intact skin absorption studies are abundant, studies on compromised skin permeability are less common, although products are often used to treat affected skin. We reviewed literature on percutaneous absorption through abnormal skin models. Tape stripping is used to disrupt water barrier function. Studies demonstrated that physicochemical properties influence the stripping effect: water-soluble drugs are more affected. Abrasion did not affect absorption as much. Freezing is commonly used to preserve skin. It does not seem to modify water absorption, but still increases the penetration of compounds. Comparatively, heating the skin consistently increased percutaneous absorption. Removing SC lipids may increase percutaneous absorption of drugs. Many organic solvents are employed to delipidize. Delipidization with chloroform-methanol increased hydrophilic compound permeability, but not lipophilic. Acetone pre-treatment enhanced hydrophilic compound penetration. More data is needed to determine influence on highly lipophilic compound penetration. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) induces irritant dermatitis and is frequently used as a model. Studies revealed that SLS increases hydrophilic compound absorption, but not lipophilic. However, skin irritation with other chemicals increases lipophilic penetration as much as hydrophilic. Animal studies show that UV exposure increases percutaneous absorption whereas human studies do not. Human studies show increased penetration in psoriatic and atopic dermatitis skin. The data summarized here begin to characterize flux alteration associated with damaged skin. Understanding the degree of alteration requires interpretation of involved conditions and the enlarging of our database to a more complete physicochemical spectrum.

Novel drug delivery approaches on antiviral and antiretroviral agents

Viruses have the property to replicate very fast in host cell. It can attack any part of host cell. Therefore, the clinical efficacy of antiviral drugs and its bioavailability is more important concern taken into account to treat viral infections. The oral and parenteral routes of drug administration have several shortcomings, however, which could lead to the search for formulating better delivery systems. Now, a day's novel drug delivery systems (NDDS) proved to be a better approach to enhance the effectiveness of the antivirals and improve the patient compliance and decrease the adverse effect. The NDDS have reduced the dosing frequency and shorten the duration of treatment, thus, which could lead the treatment more cost-effective. The development of NDDS for antiviral and antiretroviral therapy aims to deliver the drug devoid of toxicity, with high compatibility and biodegradability, targeting the drug to specific sites for viral infection and in some instances it also avoid the first pass metabolism effect. This article aims to discuss the usefulness of novel delivery approaches of antiviral agents such as niosomes, microspheres, microemulsions, nanoparticles that are used in the treatment of various Herpes viruses and in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections.

Status of surfactants as penetration enhancers in transdermal drug delivery

Surfactants are found in many existing therapeutic, cosmetic, and agro-chemical preparations. In recent years, surfactants have been employed to enhance the permeation rates of several drugs via transdermal route. The application of transdermal route to a wider range of drugs is limited due to significant barrier to penetration across the skin which is associated with the outermost stratum corneum layer. Surfactants have effects on the permeability characteristics of several biological membranes including skin. They have the potential to solubilize lipids within the stratum corneum. The penetration of the surfactant molecule into the lipid lamellae of the stratum corneum is strongly dependent on the partitioning behavior and solubility of surfactant. Surfactants ranging from hydrophobic agents such as oleic acid to hydrophilic sodium lauryl sulfate have been tested as permeation enhancer to improve drug delivery. This article reviews the status of surfactants as permeation enhancer in transdermal drug delivery of various drugs.

Antiviral activity of esterified alpha-lactalbumin and beta-lactoglobulin against herpes simplex virus type 1. Comparison with the effect of acyclovir and L-polylysines

The antiviral activity of methylated alpha-lactalbumin (Met-ALA), methylated and ethylated beta-lactoglobulins (Met- and Et-BLG) was evaluated against acyclovir (ACV)-sensitive and -resistant strains of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and compared to that of ACV and L-polylysines (4-15 kDa) using fixed or suspended Vero cell lines. Esterified whey proteins and their peptic hydrolyzates displayed protective action against HSV-1, which was relatively lower than that induced by ACV or L-polylysines. The higher activity of L-polylysines was maintained against an ACV-resistant strain of HSV-1, whereas ACV lost much of its activity. The mean 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) was about 0.8-0.9 microg/mL for L-polylysines against ACV-sensitive and -resistant strains of HSV-1 when using two concentrations of virus (50% and 100% cytopathic effect, CPE). The IC50 values of ACV against the sensitive strain of HSV-1 were 3 and 15 microg/mL when using the low and high concentrations of virus, respectively. When using 50% CPE, IC50 values for esterified whey proteins ranged from 20 to 95 microg/mL, depending on the nature of the ester group, the degree of esterification, and the nature of the protein. Using the real-time PCR technique, it was shown that Met-ALA inhibited HSV-1 replication.

Determination of foscarnet (trisodium phosphonoformate) in pharmaceutical preparations by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection

An isocratic high-performance liquid chromatographic method with UV detection has been developed and validated for the quantitative determination of foscarnet in isoosmotic sodium chloride aqueous solution. The mobile phase consisted of mixture of methanol:water (30:70 v/v), containing 1 mm tetrahexylammonium hydrogen sulphate at pH 5.80. The analyte was separated on a reversed-phase C(18) column packed with 4 microm spherical particles of octadecylsilane. Hydrochlorothiazide was used as internal standard. UV detection at 232 nm allowed a quantification limit of 50 microg/mL. The assay was linear from 50 to 4000 microg/mL. The coefficient of variation was < or =2.52% for intra-assay precision and < or =3.49% for inter-assay precision. The deviation from the nominal value ranged from -0.57 to 0.47% for the same-day accuracy and from -0.75 to 3.06% for day-to-day accuracy.

Thermoreversible gel formulations containing sodium lauryl sulfate or n-Lauroylsarcosine as potential topical microbicides against sexually transmitted diseases

The microbicidal efficacies of two anionic surfactants, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and n-lauroylsarcosine (LS), were evaluated in cultured cells and in a murine model of herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) intravaginal infection. In vitro studies showed that SLS and LS were potent inhibitors of the infectivity of HSV-2 strain 333. The concentrations of SLS which inhibit viral infectivity by 50% (50% inhibitory dose) and 90% (90% inhibitory dose) were 32.67 and 46.53 microM, respectively, whereas the corresponding values for LS were 141.76 and 225.30 microM. In addition, intravaginal pretreatment of mice with thermoreversible gel formulations containing 2.5% SLS or 2.5% LS prior to the inoculation of HSV-2 strain 333 completely prevented the development of genital herpetic lesions and the lethality associated with infection. Of prime interest, no infectious virus could be detected in mouse vaginal mucosa. Both formulations still provided significant protection when viral challenge was delayed until 1 h after pretreatment. Finally, intravaginal application of gel formulations containing 2.5% SLS or 2.5% LS once daily for 14 days to rabbits did not induce significant irritations to the genital mucosa, as demonstrated from macroscopic and histopathologic examinations. These results suggest that thermoreversible gel formulations containing SLS or LS could represent potent and safe topical microbicides for the prevention of HSV-2 and possibly other sexually transmitted pathogens, including human immunodeficiency virus.

Efficacies of gel formulations containing foscarnet, alone or combined with sodium lauryl sulfate, against establishment and reactivation of latent herpes simplex virus type 1

The influence of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) on the efficacies of gel formulations of foscarnet against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) cutaneous lesions and on the establishment and reactivation of latent virus has been evaluated in a murine model of orofacial infection. Topical treatments were given twice daily for 3 days and were initiated at 6, 24, and 48 h after virus inoculation. The gel formulation that contained both 3% foscarnet and 5% SLS and that was administered within 48 h postinfection reduced the rate of development of herpetic skin lesions. This formulation also significantly decreased the viral content in skin tissues and in ipsilateral trigeminal ganglia when it was given within 24 and 6 h postinfection, respectively. A lower level of efficacy was observed for the gel formulation containing 3% foscarnet alone. Of prime interest, the gel formulation containing 5% SLS reduced significantly the mortality rate among mice in a zosteriform model of infection. Both formulations of foscarnet had no effect on the mean titers of reactivated virus in explant cultures of ipsilateral and contralateral trigeminal ganglia from latently infected mice. The use of a gel formulation containing combinations of foscarnet and SLS could represent an attractive approach for the treatment of herpetic mucocutaneous infections.