Preparation of a ferulic acid-phospholipid complex to improve solubility, dissolution, and B16F10 cellular melanogenesis inhibition activity

Hydrolysis and Transport Characteristics of Phospholipid Complex of Alkyl Gallates: Potential Sustained Release of Alkyl Gallate and Gallic Acid

Phospholipid complexes of alkyl gallates (A-GAs) including ethyl gallate (EG), propyl gallate (PG), and butyl gallate (BG) were successfully prepared by the thin film dispersion method. HPLC-UV analysis in an everted rat gut sac model indicated that A-GAs can be liberated from phospholipid complexes, which were further hydrolyzed by intestinal lipase to generate free gallic acid (GA). Both A-GAs and GA are able to cross the membrane, and the hydrolysis rate of A-GAs and the transport rate of GA are positively correlated with the alkyl chain length. Especially, compared with the corresponding physical mixtures, the phospholipid complexes exhibit slower sustained-release of A-GAs and GA. Therefore, the formation of phospholipid complexes is an effective approach to prolong the residence time in vivo and additionally enhance the bioactivities of A-GAs and GA. More importantly, through regulating the carbon skeleton lengths, controlled-release of alkyl gallates and gallic acid from phospholipid complexes will be achieved.

A Metformin-Ferulic Acid Salt with Improved Biopharmaceutical Parameters

Though ferulic acid presents great hypoglycemic potential, it possesses limited aqueous solubility, and low oral bioavailability. When associated with metformin, the first-choice drug in Type 2 diabetes treatment, FA demonstrates synergistic hypoglycemic effects, however, it also causes certain undesirable dose-related effects. This study aimed to develop a new ferulic acid - metformin multicomponent system, and incorporate it into a solid dosage form with improved biopharmaceutical parameters. A novel metformin: ferulate (1:1) salt (MFS) was produced, which was properly characterized using differing analytical techniques, including single crystal analysis. Also during the course of the study, a new polymorph of the metformin free base was observed. The MFS was obtained using solvent evaporation methods, which achieved high yields in reproducible process, as well as a 740-fold increase in ferulic acid aqueous solubility. The MFS tablets developed met quality control requirements for this dosage form, as well as revealing excellent performance in vitro dissolution tests, presenting dissolution efficiency values of 95.4 ± 0.5%. Additionally, physicochemical instability was not observed in a study at 40 °C for 3 months for both MFS powder and its tablet form. The MFS product developed is a promising candidate for further Type 2 diabetes clinical study.

Urinary excretion of silibinin diastereoisomers and their conjugated metabolites in rat and human at different dosages

Silibinin is a mixture of two flavonoid lignan silibinins A and B from the seeds of milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.). Using UPLC/Q-TOFMS, a total of 18 metabolites were identified in rat and human urine samples after oral administration of Silibinin Capsule. Furthermore, nine glucuronides and/or sulfated metabolites and two prototype compounds were simultaneously quantified in rat urine after oral administration of Silibinin Capsule at 50 and 100 mg/kg. Over a 72-h period, 27.6% and 23.3% of the silibinin were excreted in the forms of eleven metabolites in urine, among which, 5 major metabolites, including silibinin A-7-O-β-glucuronide (SA-7G), silibinin B-7-O-β-glucuronide (SB-7G), silibinin A-5-O-β-glucuronide (SA-5G), silibinin B-5-O-β-glucuronide (SB-5G) and silibinin A-20-O-glucuronide (SA-20G), accounted for 20.5% and 15.5% of the dosages separatively at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg. These results suggested that glucuronidation at the C7-, C5- and C20- hydroxyls was the primary metabolic pathway of silibinin diastereoisomers in vivo. The present results provide helpful information for in vivo metabolism and clinical usage of Silibinin Capsule.

Ferulic Acid-Loaded Polymeric Nanoparticles for Potential Ocular Delivery

Ferulic acid (FA) is an antioxidant compound that can prevent ROS-related diseases, but due to its poor solubility, therapeutic efficacy is limited. One strategy to improve the bioavailability is nanomedicine. In the following study, FA delivery through polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) consisting of polylactic acid (NPA) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (NPB) is proposed. To verify the absence of cytotoxicity of blank carriers, a preliminary in vitro assay was performed on retinal pericytes and endothelial cells. FA-loaded NPs were subjected to purification studies and the physico-hemical properties were analyzed by photon correlation spectroscopy. Encapsulation efficiency and in vitro release studies were assessed through high performance liquid chromatography. To maintain the integrity of the systems, nanoformulations were cryoprotected and freeze-dried. Morphology was evaluated by a scanning electron microscope. Physico-chemical stability of resuspended nanosystems was monitored during 28 days of storage at 5 °C. Thermal analysis and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy were performed to characterize drug state in the systems. Results showed homogeneous particle populations, a suitable mean size for ocular delivery, drug loading ranging from 64.86 to 75.16%, and a controlled release profile. The obtained systems could be promising carriers for ocular drug delivery, legitimating further studies on FA-loaded NPs to confirm efficacy and safety in vitro.

Comparative transcriptome and histological analyses provide insights into the skin pigmentation in Minxian black fur sheep (Ovis aries)

Background

Minxian black fur (MBF) sheep are found in the northwestern parts of China. These sheep have developed several special traits. Skin color is a phenotype subject to strong natural selection and diverse skin colors are likely a consequence of differences in gene regulation.

Methods

Skin structure, color differences, and gene expression (determined by RNA sequencing) were evaluated the Minxian black fur and Small-tail Han sheep (n = 3 each group), which are both native Chinese sheep breeds.

Results

Small-tail Han sheep have a thicker skin and dermis than the Minxian black fur sheep (P < 0.01); however, the quantity of melanin granules is greater (P < 0.01) in Minxian black fur sheep with a more extensive distribution in skin tissue and hair follicles. One hundred thirty-three differentially expressed genes were significantly associated with 37 ontological terms and two critical KEGG pathways for pigmentation (“tyrosine metabolism” and “melanogenesis” pathways). Important genes from those pathways with known involvement in pigmentation included OCA2 melanosomal transmembrane protein (OCA2), dopachrome tautomerase (DCT), tyrosinase (TYR) and tyrosinase related protein (TYRP1), melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), and premelanosome protein (PMEL). The results from our histological and transcriptome analyses will form a foundation for additional investigation into the genetic basis and regulation of pigmentation in these sheep breeds.

Novel rhein integrate transphytosomes as non-invasive local therapy for osteoarthritis to ameliorate cartilage deterioration in MIA-arthritic rats

Rhein (RH), a natural chondroprotective agent, suffers from poor systemic availability (20-25%) after oral administration concomitant to side effects on the gastrointestinal tract and liver. We present a new approach for non-invasive local targeted delivery of rhein to ameliorate cartilage deterioration employing cartilage-homing phospholipids nanocarriers. This is the first work to elaborate RH loaded transphytosome (RH-T-PHY) as novel nanovesicular systems for transdermal drug delivery based on an advantageous hybrid between phytosomes and transfersomes or bilosomes. Here, we developed transphytosomes through incorporating various edge activators (EAs) such as Tween 80, Span 80 and sodium deoxycholate into the lipid bilayer of RH phytosomes to affix the flexibility. RH-T-PHY with high flexibility and entrapment efficacy showed the highest significant skin permeation compared to conventional phytosomes. Additionally, RH-T-PHY have a magnificent potential in maintaining high chondroprotective activity as demonstrated by enhanced repair, regeneration of chondrocytes and GAG formation in MIA-induced osteoarthritis (OA) rat model. Besides, histological examination of vital organs revealed the formulation safety. Confocal laser microscopy images revealed the highest drug availability in the articular cartilage of RH-T-PHY treated group. Conclusively, novel RH-T-PHY can serve as a promising alternative means for delivery of chondroprotective drugs for effective non-invasive local therapy of OA.

Phytophospholipid Complex of Caffeic Acid: Development, In vitro Characterization, and In Vivo Investigation of Antihyperlipidemic and Hepatoprotective Action in Rats

Caffeic acid (CA), a hydroxycinnamic acid possessing a variety of pharmacological activities, has caused a growing interest for the treatment of hyperlipidemia and associated conditions. This work endeavored to develop a novel formulation of CA-Phospholipon® 90H complex (CA-PC) using a solvent evaporation method. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry (FTIR), and powder X-ray powder diffraction (PXRD) was carried to confirm the formation of CA-PC. The CA-PC was functionally evaluated in terms of solubility, in vitro and ex vivo drug release, and in vivo bioavailability and efficacy studies. SEM, DSC, FTIR, and XRD studies indicated the physical interaction of CA with Phospholipon® 90H to form a complex. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) studies described particle size of 168 ± 3.9 nm with a monodisperse distribution (PDI 0.17) and a negative zeta-potential of - 16.6 ± 2.1 mV. The phospholipid complex significantly improved (4.2-fold) the solubility of CA. In vitro and ex vivo dissolution studies of the formulated CA-PC revealed a significantly higher release compared with the pure CA. The pharmacokinetic study of CA-PC in rats demonstrated a significant increase (4.79-fold) in oral bioavailability when compared with pure CA as well. Additionally, a significant improvement in serum lipid profile, serum liver biomarker enzyme levels and, restoration of hepatic tissue architecture to normal, in high-fat diet (HFD) induced hyperlipidemic model was obtained upon CA-PC administration when compared with pure CA. These findings indicated that CA-PC would serve as an effective and promising formulation for CA delivery with improved antihyperlipidemic and hepatoprotective activity.Graphical abstract.

A New Ferulic Acid-Nicotinamide Cocrystal With Improved Solubility and Dissolution Performance

Among the various strategies for increasing aqueous solubility of pharmaceutical substances, cocrystals have been emerging as a promising alternative. The ferulic acid (FEA) is a molecule with limited aqueous solubility, but with an interesting pharmacological activity, highlighting its antitumor potential. This study presents the characterization and physicochemical properties of a new cocrystal based on FEA and nicotinamide (NIC). The FEA-NIC cocrystal was obtained by solvent evaporation technique and physicochemically characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance and scanning electron microscopy. The content determination and dissolution profile in different media were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The results obtained with the characterization techniques indicated the obtainment of an anhydrous cocrystal of FEA and NIC at a 1:1 molar ratio. The method was reproducible and obtained a high yield, of approximately 99%. In addition, a 70% increase in the FEA solubility in the cocrystal and a better dissolution performance than the physical mixture in pH 6.8 were achieved.

Effect of Sucrier Banana Peel Extracts on Inhibition of Melanogenesis through the ERK Signaling Pathway

Hyperpigmentation is a type of pigmentary disorder induced by overexpression of melanin content activated severe esthetic problems as melasma, freckle, ephelides, lentigo and other forms on human skin. Several whitening agents have restricted use because of their side effects or stability such as kojic acid, ascorbic acid and hydroquinone can act as cytotoxic substance which associated to dermatitis and skin cancer. To find for the safe substance, this study aimed to find for the ability of several components in Sucrier banana peel (SBP) extracts to inhibit melanogenesis process through p38 signaling pathway in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells. Tyrosinase activity and the cellular melanin content were dose dependent manner decreasing after SBP treatment. Furthermore, SBP decreased the expression of melanogenesis relate protein as microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and tyrosinase protein after 24 hours incubation with α-melanocyte stimulating hormones (MSH) stimulating. The findings demonstrated that SBP contained an effective agent for hyperpigmentation inhibitor through p38 signaling pathways without any effect to ERK pathway, and subsequent down-regulate MITF expression and tyrosinase enzyme family production.

Rutin-phospholipid complex in polymer matrix for long-term delivery of rutin via skin for the treatment of inflammatory diseases

The drug with poor oral bioavailability necessitates the development of novel carrier for efficient drug delivery. This paper reports the rutin-phospholipid complex in polymer matrix for sustained delivery of rutin via the skin for the treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. Rutin in phospholipid complex (RNPs) are better soluble and permeable than the free rutin. The RNPs-loaded polymeric matrix patch with moderate adhesiveness was developed for convenient means of long term drug application on the skin. The patch was analysed for physicochemical properties, ex vivo skin permeability and in vivo efficacy in rat paw oedema model. The skin targeting efficacy was analysed by CLSM study. Optimized formulation (F2) showed 31 ± 2.32% and 26.56 ± 5.52% skin permeation at 24 h across excised rat skin and human cadaver skin, respectively. The sustained anti-inflammatory effect of the patch formulation in rat paw oedema model confirmed its unique in vivo efficacy over the conventional diclofenac gel. The CLSM study confirmed the localization of RNPs in the dermis for sustained anti-inflammatory effect. Our results suggest that the developed patch has a potential for long term site specific delivery of rutin in arthritic patients.