Solid Dispersion Pellets: An Efficient Pharmaceutical Approach to Enrich the Solubility and Dissolution Rate of Deferasirox

Deferasirox nanosuspension loaded dissolving microneedles for ocular drug delivery

Deferasirox (DFS) is an oral iron chelator that is employed in retinal ailments as a neuroprotectant against retinal injury and thus has utility in treating disorders such as excitoneurotoxicity and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, the conventional oral route of administration can present several disadvantages, e.g., the need for more frequent dosing and the first-pass effect. Microneedles (MNs) are minimally invasive systems that can be employed for intrascleral drug delivery without pain and can advantageously replace intravitreal injections therapy (IVT) as well as conventional oral routes of delivery for DFS. In this study, DFS was formulated into a nanosuspension (NS) through wet media milling employing PVA as a stabilizer, which was successfully loaded into polymeric dissolving MNs. DFS exhibited a 4-fold increase in solubility in DFS-NS compared to that of pure DFS. Moreover, the DFS-NSs exhibited excellent short-term stability and enhanced thermal stability, as confirmed through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) studies. The mechanical characterization of the DFS-NS loaded ocular microneedles (DFS-NS-OcMNs), revealed that the system was sufficiently strong for effective scleral penetration. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) images confirmed the insertion of 81.23 ± 7.35 % of the total height of the MN arrays into full-thickness porcine sclera. Scleral deposition studies revealed 64 % drug deposition after just 5 min of insertion from DFS-NS-loaded ocular microneedles (OcMNs), which was almost 5 times greater than the deposition from pure DFS-OcMNs. Furthermore, both DFS and DFS-NS-OcMN exhibited remarkable cell viability when evaluated on human retinal pigment (ARPE) cells, suggesting their safety and appropriateness for use in the human eye. Therefore, loading DFS-NS into novel MN devices is a promising technique for effectively delivering DFS to the posterior segment of the eye in a minimally invasive manner.

Cellulose- and Saccharide-Based Orally Dispersible Thin Films Transform the Solid States and Dissolution Characteristics of Poorly Soluble Curcumin

This study aimed at developing and optimizing the orally dispersible thin film (ODTF) containing a plant-derived drug-curcumin (CUR). CUR belongs to a biopharmaceutical classification system (BCS) class IV compound that requires improving its water solubility and tissue permeability preceding formulation. An ODTF was applied to produce a solid dispersion matrix for CUR to resolve such solubility and permeability problems. The film-forming polymers used in the study were cellulose-based (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose/HPMC and carboxymethylcellulose/CMC) and saccharide-based maltodextrin (MDX). Poloxamer (POL) was also employed as surfactant and solubilizer. The solvent casting technique was applied to produce the films. The ethanolic solution of CUR was mixed with an aqueous solution of POLs and then incorporated into different film-forming polymers prior to casting. The processing of the CUR with POL solution was intended to aid in the even dispersion of the drug in the polymeric matrices and enhance the wettability of the films. The physical state and properties of the films were characterized in terms of their morphology, crystallinity of the drug, and phase miscibility of the mixtures. The dissolution profile of the films was also evaluated in terms of dissolution rate and dissolution efficiency. The obtained ODTF products were smooth and flat-surfaced. Physical characterization also indicated that the CUR was homogeneously dispersed in the ODTFs and no longer existed as crystalline material as revealed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The CUR was also not phase-separated from the films as disclosed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Such dispersion was achieved through the solubilizing effect of POLs and compact polymeric film matrices that prevented the CUR from recrystallization. Furthermore, the ODTFs also improved the dissolution of CUR by 3.2-fold higher than the raw CUR. Overall, cellulose-based films had favorable physical properties compared with saccharide-based films.

Formulation and processing of solid self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (HME S-SEDDS): A single-step manufacturing process via hot-melt extrusion technology through response surface methodology

The objective of the current study is the formulation development and manufacturing of solid self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (HME S-SEDDS) via a single-step continuous hot-melt extrusion (HME) process. For this study, poorly soluble fenofibrate was selected as a model drug. From the results of pre-formulation studies, Compritol® HD5 ATO, Gelucire® 48/16, and Capmul® GMO-50 were selected as oil, surfactant and co-surfactant respectively for manufacturing of HME S-SEDDS. Neusilin® US2 was selected as a solid carrier. The design of experiments (response surface methodology) was employed to prepare formulations via a continuous HME process. The formulations were evaluated for emulsifying properties, crystallinity, stability, flow properties and drug release characteristics. The prepared HME S-SEDDS showed excellent flow properties, and the resultant emulsions were stable. The globule size of the optimized formulation was 269.6 nm. The DSC and XRD studies revealed the amorphous nature of the formulation and FTIR studies showed no significant interaction between fenofibrate and excipients. The drug release studies showed significant (p < 0.05) improvement in solubility compared to the pure drug (DE15 = 45.04 for the optimized formulation), as >90% of drug release was observed within 15 min. The stability studies for the optimized formulation were conducted for 3 months at 40 °C/75% RH.

Machine learning coarse-grained models of dissolutive wetting: a droplet on soluble surfaces

Dissolutive wetting is not only a key problem in application fields such as energy, medicine, micro-devices and etc., but also a frontier issue of academic research. As an important tool for exploring the micro-mechanisms of dissolutive wetting, molecular dynamics simulations are limited by simulation scale and force field parameters. Thus, artificial intelligence is introduced into the multi-scale simulation framework to tackle such challenges. By combining density functional theory, molecular dynamics simulations and experiments, we obtain a coarse-grained model of the glucose-water dissolution pair. Furthermore, the structure of the solid molecules and the hydration shell near the solute particles are calculated by quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics to verify the accuracy of the model. Finally, the applicability of the coarse-grained model in dissolutive wetting is proven by experimental results. We believe our machine learning method not only lays a foundation for exploring the micro-mechanisms of dissolutive wetting, but also provides a general approach for obtaining the force field parameters of different systems.

Amalgamation of solid dispersion and melt adsorption techniques for augmentation of oral bioavailability of novel anticoagulant rivaroxaban

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the potential of solid dispersion adsorbate (SDA) to improve the solubility and bioavailability of rivaroxaban (RXN). SDA of RXN was developed by fusion method using PEG 4000 as carrier and Neusilin as adsorbent. A 3² full factorial design was utilized to formulate various SDAs. The selected independent variables were the amount of carrier (X₁) and amount of adsorbent (X₂). The responses measured were the time required for 85% drug release (Y₁) and saturated solubility (Y₂). MTT assay was employed for cytotoxicity studies on Caco-2 cells. In vivo pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic evaluations were carried out to assess the prepared SDA. Pre-compression evaluation of SDA suggests the prepared batches (B1-B9) possess adequate flow properties and could be used for compression of tablets. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction data signified the conversion of the crystalline form of drug to amorphous form, a key parameter accountable for improvement in drug dissolution. Optimization data suggests that the amount of carrier and amount of adsorbent significantly (P < 0.05) influence both dependent variables. Post-compression data signifies that the compressibility behavior of prepared tablets was within the official standard limits. A significant increase (P < 0.0001) in the in vitro dissolution characteristics of RXN was noticed in optimized SDA (> 85% in 10 min) as compared to the pure drug, marketed product, and directly compressible tablet. Cytotoxicity studies confirmed the nontoxicity of prepared RXN SDA tablets. RXN SDA tablets exhibited 2.79- and 1.85-fold higher AUC in comparison to RXN suspension and Xarelto tablets respectively indicating improved oral bioavailability. Higher bleeding time and percentage of platelet aggregation noticed with RXN SDA tablets in comparison to RXN suspension further substantiate the efficacy of the prepared formulation. In summary, the results showed the potential of RXN SDA tablets to enhance the bioavailability of RXN and hence can be an alternate approach of solid dosage form for its development for commercial application.

Vesicular Formation of Trans-Ferulic Acid: an Efficient Approach to Improve the Radical Scavenging and Antimicrobial Properties

Purposes

Reactive oxygen species production is harmful to human’s health. The presence of antioxidants in the body may help to diminish reactive oxygen species. Trans-ferulic acid is a good antioxidant, but its low water solubility excludes its utilization. The study aims to explore whether a vesicular drug delivery could be a way to overcome the poor absorption of trans-ferulic acid hence improving its antimicrobial efficiency and antioxidant effect.

Methods

Niosomal vesicles containing the drug were prepared by film hydration method. The obtained vesicles were investigated in terms of morphology, size, entrapment efficiency, release behavior, cellular cytotoxicity, antioxidant, cellular protection study, and antimicrobial evaluations.

Results

The optimized niosomal formulation had a particle size of 158.7 nm and entrapment efficiency of 21.64%. The results showed that the optimized formulation containing 25 μM of trans-ferulic acid could enhance the viability of human foreskin fibroblast HFF cell line against reactive oxygen species production. The minimum effective dose of the plain drug and the niosomal formulation against Staphylococcus aurous (ATCC 29213) was 750 µg/mL and 375 µg/mL, respectively, and for Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), it was 750 µg/mL and 187/5 µg/mL, respectively. The formulation could also improve the minimum bactericidal concentration of the drug in Staphylococcus aurous, Escherichia coli, and Acinobacter baumannii (ATCC 19606).

Conclusion

These results revealed an improvement in both antibacterial and antioxidant effects of the drug in the niosomal formulation.

Preparation and Evaluation of the Antibacterial Effect of Chitosan Nanoparticles Containing Ginger Extract Tailored by Central Composite Design

Purpose: The ginger root extract has shown remarkable antimicrobial effects. Nanocarriers based on biodegradable polymers (like chitosan) are promising drug delivery vehicles for antibacterial compounds. In this study, aqueous and methanolic extracts of ginger root were prepared, loaded on chitosan nanoparticles (NPs), and their antimicrobial effects were investigated.

Methods: The NPs were prepared using the ionic gelation technique. The central composite design model was employed to optimize the formulation variables and achieve the minimum particle size and maximum zeta potential. The total phenol content of the powdered extracts was determined. The antimicrobial activity of the NPs was evaluated by the determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC).

Results: The optimum size of NPs containing methanolic or aqueous extract were 188.3 and 154.7 nm, with a zeta potential of 29.1 and 32.1 mv, and entrapment efficiency percent (E.E.%) of 61.57±3.12% and 44.26±2.57%, respectively. Transmission electronic microscopy images confirmed the spherical particles in the low nanometer range. The phenol content of methanol extract was higher than the aqueous one (60.216 ± 1.83 and 39.835 ± 1.72 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g), respectively). According to the results of the MIC and MBC, methanol extract NPs showed more potent antimicrobial effects, which seems to be associated with higher concentrations of phenolic compounds. The FTIR spectrophotometry showed no chemical interaction between the extracts and other ingredients.

Conclusion: The results demonstrated that current NPs significantly increased the antibacterial effects of ginger extracts and could be selected for further evaluation.