In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of Composite Oral Fast Disintegrating Film: An Innovative Strategy for the Codelivery of Ranitidine HCl and Flurbiprofen

Here, we evaluate the feasibility of co-loading plain ranitidine hydrochloride (RHCl) and microencapsulated flurbiprofen (FBP) in a Lycoat^® RS780-based oral fast disintegrating film (ODF). These films were developed by the solvent casting method to minimize the adverse effects of FBP and reduce the dosage form burden on patients. Optimized FBP microparticles (M3) with an average size of 21.2 ± 9.2 µm were loaded alone (F1) and in combination with plain RHCl (F2) in the composite ODF. All films were evaluated physicomechanically and physicochemically. These films were resilient, flexible, and disintegrated within thirty seconds. SEM images showed intact FBP microparticles in both formulations and, moreover, did not observe an interaction between the drug and film components. Microencapsulated FBP was released in a controlled manner over 48 h from the proposed formulations, while RHCl was released within 5 min from F2. After in vitro evaluation, formulations were also tested for in vivo anti-inflammatory activity, cytokine (TNF-α and IL-6) levels, and gastroprotective effects in rats. The anti-inflammatory activity and gastroprotective effect of F2 were markedly higher than pure FBP and other synthesized formulations (M3 and F1). The average score of gastric lesions was in the order of pure FBP (15.5 ± 1.32) > M3 (8 ± 2) > F1 (1 ± 0.5) > F2 (0.5 ± 0) > control (0). Additionally, F2 showed a sustained anti-inflammatory effect up to 10 h in the rat paw edema model. Furthermore, F2 also markedly reduced TNF-α and IL-6 levels. Conclusively, the Lycoat^® RS780-based composite film could be a promising carrier for the co-loading of microencapsulated FBP with RHCl. In the future, an optimized formulation (F2) could be capable of countering the issues related to multiple drug administration in geriatric patients and evading the gastric irritation associated with FBP.

Preparation and characterization of magnetic nanohydrogel based on chitosan for 5-fluorouracil drug delivery and kinetic study

Chemotherapy is currently used for most cancer treatments, but one of the significant problems of this treatment is that it affects the healthy tissues of the body. Therefore, designing new systems for the intelligent and controlled release of these drugs in cancer tissues is one of the major challenges in the world. Hence, today, huge costs are spent designing appropriate new drug delivery systems (DDS) with controlled drug release. In this study, chitosan-polyacrylic acid encapsulated Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanogelic core-shell (Fe₃O₄@CS-PAA) was synthesized in the presence of glutaraldehyde used for loaded anticancer 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) drug. Also, the prepared Fe₃O₄@CS-PAA was characterized by using FT-IR, SEM, XRD, and VSM analysis. Then, drug delivery tests were carried out in the in-vitro conditions that are the simulated physiological environment and tumor tissue conditions. The drug release tests indicated that the Fe₃O₄@CS-PAA upgraded the rate of 5-FU release from nanogelic core-shell under tumor tissue conditions (pH 4.5) than physiological environments (pH 7.4). In addition, various models were used to investigate the drug release mechanism. Results of modeling studies of drug release showed the mechanism of 5-FU release from Fe₃O₄@CS-PAA controlled by Fickian diffusion.

Synthesis and Preparation of Chitosan/Clay Microspheres: Effect of Process Parameters and Clay Type

This work aimed to prepare chitosan/clay microspheres, by the precipitation method, for use in drug carrier systems. The influence of the process parameters, particularly two airflows of the drag system (2.5 and 10 L·min-1) on the microspheres physical dimensions and properties, such as microstructure, degree of swelling and porosity were evaluated. The samples were characterized by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Water absorption and porosity tests were also performed. The results showed that the process parameters affected the size of the microspheres. The diameter, volume and surface area of the chitosan/clay microspheres decreased when they were prepared with the higher airflow of the drag system. The microspheres presented a porous microstructure, being the pore size, percentage of porosity and degree of swelling affected not only by the process parameters but also by the type of clay. Hybrids (chitosan/clay) with intercalated morphology were obtained and the hybrid prepared with montmorillonite clay at higher airflows of the drag system presented the greatest interlayer spacing and a more disordered morphology. Thus, it is certain that the chitosan/clay nanocomposite microspheres prepared with montmorillonite (CL clay) at higher airflows of the drag system can have good drug-controlled release properties.