Stabilization benefits of single and multi-layer self-nanoemulsifying pellets: A poorly-water soluble model drug with hydrolytic susceptibility

Nutraceutically-enhanced oral delivery of vitamin D3 via Bio-SNEDDS: Demonstrating in vivo superiority over pediatric formulations

BACKGROUND

Vitamin D3 (VD3) deficiency among children in Saudi Arabia remains a pressing concern due to its poor bioavailability and the limitations of current pediatric formulations. To address this challenge, we developed a groundbreaking pediatric self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (Bio-SNEDDS) for VD3, fortified with black seed oil and moringa seed oil for dual therapeutic benefits. Through meticulous formulation optimization using ternary phase diagrams and comprehensive testing, our Bio-SNEDDS demonstrated exceptional performance.

METHODS

Bio-SNEDDS were manufactured by incorporating Black seed oil and moringa seed oil as bioactive nutraceutical excipients along with various cosurfactant and surfactants. Bio-SNEDDS were systematically optimized through ternary phase diagrams, visual tests, droplet size analysis, drug solubilization studies, dispersion assessments, and pharmacokinetic testing in rats compared to Vi-De 3®.

RESULTS

Pseudoternary phase diagrams identified oil blends producing large nanoemulsion regions optimal for SNEDDS formation. The optimized F1 Bio-SNEDDS showed a mean droplet diameter of 33.7 nm, solubilized 154.46 mg/g VD3 with no metabolite formation, and maintained >88% VD3 in solution during 24 h dispersion testing. Notably, in vivo pharmacokinetic evaluation at a high VD3 dose demonstrated an approximately two-fold greater relative bioavailability over Vi-De 3®, validating the superb oral delivery performance of Bio-SNEDDS even under challenging high-dose conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

The Bio-SNEDDS provides an effective VD3 delivery strategy with established in vivo superiority over marketed products, along with offering additional health benefits from the natural oils.

Development of a Multifunctional Oral Dosage Form via Integration of Solid Dispersion Technology with a Black Seed Oil-Based Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery System

Lansoprazole (LZP) is used to treat acid-related gastrointestinal disorders; however, its low aqueous solubility limits its oral absorption. Black seed oil (BSO) has gastroprotective effects, making it a promising addition to gastric treatment regimens. The present study aims to develop a stable multifunctional formulation integrating solid dispersion (SD) technology with a bioactive self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) based on BSO to synergistically enhance LZP delivery and therapeutic effects. The LZP-loaded SNEDDS was prepared using BSO, Transcutol P, and Kolliphor EL. SDs were produced by microwave irradiation and lyophilization using different polymers. The formulations were characterized by particle apparent hydrodynamic radius analysis, zeta potential, SEM, DSC, PXRD, and in vitro dissolution testing. Their chemical and physical stability under accelerated conditions was also examined. Physicochemical characterization revealed that the dispersed systems were in the nanosize range (<500 nm). DSC and PXRD studies revealed that lyophilization more potently disrupted LZP crystallinity versus microwave heating. The SNEDDS effectively solubilized LZP but degraded completely within 1 day. Lyophilized SDs with Pluronic F-127 demonstrated the highest LZP dissolution efficiency (3.5-fold vs. drug) and maintained chemical stability (>97%) for 1 month. SDs combined with the SNEDDS had variable effects suggesting that the synergistic benefits were dependent on the formulation and preparation method. Lyophilized LZP-Pluronic F127 SD enabled effective and stable LZP delivery alongside the bioactive effects of the BSO-based SNEDDS. This multifunctional system is a promising candidate with the potential for optimized gastrointestinal delivery of LZP and bioactive components.

Adsorbent Precoating by Lyophilization: A Novel Green Solvent Technique to Enhance Cinnarizine Release from Solid Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery Systems (S-SNEDDS)

BACKGROUND

Solidification by high surface area adsorbents has been associated with major obstacles in drug release. Accordingly, new approaches are highly demanded to solve these limitations. The current study proposes to improve the drug release of solidified self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) to present dual enhancement of drug solubilization and formulation stabilization, using cinnarizine (CN) as a model drug.

METHODS

The solidification process involved the precoating of adsorbent by lyophilization of the aqueous dispersion of polymer-adsorbent mixture using water as a green solvent. Then, the precoated adsorbent was mixed with drug-loaded liquid SNEDDS to prepare solid SNEDDS. The solid-state characterization of developed cured S-SNEDDS was done using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In vitro dissolution studies were conducted to investigate CN SNEDDS performance at pH 1.2 and 6.8. The solidified formulations were characterized by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), powder flow properties, scanning electron microscopy, and droplet size analysis. In addition, the optimized formulations were evaluated through in vitro lipolysis and stability studies.

RESULTS

The cured solid SNEDDS formula by PVP k30 showed acceptable self-emulsification and powder flow properties. XRD and DSC revealed that CN was successfully amorphized into drug-loaded S-SNEDDS. The uncured solid SNEDDS experienced negligible drug release (only 5% drug release after 2 h), while the cured S-SNEDDS showed up to 12-fold enhancement of total drug release (at 2 h) compared to the uncured counterpart. However, the cured S- SNEDDS showed considerable CN degradation and decrease in drug release upon storage in accelerated conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

The implemented solidification approach offers a promising technique to minimize the adverse effect of adsorbent on drug release and accomplish improved drug release from solidified SNEDDS.

Combined Curcumin and Lansoprazole-Loaded Bioactive Solid Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery Systems (Bio-SSNEDDS)

BACKGROUND

The current study aimed to design a novel combination of lansoprazole (LNS) and curcumin (CUR) solid oral dosage form using bioactive self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (Bio-SSNEDDS).

METHODS

Liquid SNEDDS were prepared using the lipid-excipients: Imwitor988 (cosurfactant), Kolliphor El (surfactant), the bioactive black seed (BSO) and/or zanthoxylum rhetsa seed oils (ZRO). Liquid SNEDDS were loaded with CUR and LNS, then solidified using commercially available (uncured) and processed (cured) Neusilin^® US2 (NUS2) adsorbent. A novel UHPLC method was validated to simultaneously quantify CUR and LNS in lipid-based formulations. The liquid SNEDDS were characterized in terms of self-emulsification, droplet size and zeta-potential measurements. The solidified SNEDDS were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), in vitro dissolution and stability in accelerated storage conditions.

RESULTS

Liquid SNEDDS containing BSO produced a transparent appearance and ultra-fine droplet size (14 nm) upon aqueous dilution. The solidified SNEDDS using cured and uncured NUS2 showed complete solidification with no particle agglomeration. DSC and XRD confirmed the conversion of crystalline CUR and LNS to the amorphous form in all solid SNEDDS samples. SEM images showed that CUR/LNS-SNEDDS were relatively spherical and regular in shape. The optimized solid SNEDDS showed higher percent of cumulative release as compared to the pure drugs. Curing NUS2 with 10% PVP led to significant enhancement of CUR and LNS dissolution efficiencies (up to 1.82- and 2.75-fold, respectively) compared to uncured NUS2-based solid SNEDDS. These findings could be attributed to the significant (50%) reduction in the micropore area% in cured NUS2 which reflects blocking very small pores allowing more space for the self-emulsification process to take place in the larger-size pores. Solid SNEDDS showed significant enhancement of liquid SNEDDS stability after 6 months storage in accelerated conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

The developed Bio-SSNEDDS of CUR and LNS using processed NUS2 could be used as a potential combination therapy to improve the treatment of peptic ulcers.

Microemulsions: Unique Properties, Pharmacological Applications, and Targeted Drug Delivery

Microemulsions, comprising oil, water and a surfactant, in association with some co-surfactant, are thermodynamically stable systems. They have found applications in a large number of chemical and pharmacological processes due to their unique properties such as large interfacial area, low interfacial tension, and most importantly, the ability to solubilize and deliver hydrophobic drugs. In addition to the oral and intravenous route, they are suitable for drug delivery through the ophthalmic, vaginal, pulmonary, dental, and topical routes. This review highlights the properties and several recent developments in the use of microemulsions for medical treatment purposes including targeted drug delivery.

Combined Self-Nanoemulsifying and Solid Dispersion Systems Showed Enhanced Cinnarizine Release in Hypochlorhydria/Achlorhydria Dissolution Model

The study aims to design a novel combination of drug-free solid self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (S-SNEDDS) + solid dispersion (SD) to enhance cinnarizine (CN) dissolution at high pH environment caused by hypochlorhydria/achlorhydria. Drug-loaded and drug-free liquid SNEDDS were solidified using Neusilin^® US2 at 1:1 and 1:2 ratios. Various CN-SDs were prepared using freeze drying and microwave technologies. The developed SDs were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). In-vitro dissolution studies were conducted to evaluate CN formulations at pH 6.8. Drug-free S-SNEDDSs showed acceptable self-emulsification and powder flow properties. DSC and XRD showed that CN was successfully amorphized into SDs. The combination of drug-free S-SNEDDS + pure CN showed negligible drug dissolution due to poor CN migration into the formed nanoemulsion droplets. CN-SDs and drug-loaded S-SNEDDS showed only 4% and 23% dissolution efficiency (DE) while (drug-free S-SNEDDS + FD-SD) combination showed 880% and 160% enhancement of total drug release compared to uncombined SD and drug-loaded S-SNEDDS, respectively. (Drug-free S-SNEDDS + SD) combination offer a potential approach to overcome the negative impact of hypochlorhydria/achlorhydria on drug absorption by enhancing dissolution at elevated pH environments. In addition, the systems minimize the adverse effect of adsorbent on drug release.

Self-nanoemulsifying ramipril tablets: a novel delivery system for the enhancement of drug dissolution and stability

Background: Ramipril (RMP) suffers from poor aqueous solubility along with sensitivity to mechanical stress, heat, and moisture. The aim of the current study is to improve RMP solubility and stability by designing solid self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (S-SNEDDS) as tablet. Methods: The drug was initially incorporated in different liquid formulations (L-SNEDDS) which were evaluated by equilibrium solubility, droplet size, and zeta potential studies. The optimized formulation was solidified into S-SNEDDS powder by the adsorbent Syloid^® and compressed into a self-nanoemulsifying tablet (T-SNEDDS). The optimized tablet was evaluated by drug content uniformity, hardness, friability, disintegration, and dissolution tests. Furthermore, pure RMP, optimized L-SNEDDS, and T-SNEDDS were enrolled in accelerated and long-term stability studies. Results: Among various liquid formulations, F5 L-SNEDDS [capmul MCM/transcutol/HCO-30 (25/25/50%w/w)] showed relatively high drug solubility, nano-scaled droplet size, and high negative zeta potential value. The optimized SNEDDS solidification with Syloid^® at ratio (1:1) resulted in a compressible powder with an excellent flowability. The optimized tablet (T-SNEDDS) showed accepted content uniformity, hardness, friability, and disintegration time (<15 minutes). The optimized L-SNEDDS, S-SNEDDS, and T-SNEDDS showed superior enhancement of RMP dissolution compared to the pure drug. Most importantly, T-SNEDDS showed significant (P<0.05) improvement of RMP stability compared to the pure drug and L-SNEDDS in both accelerated and long-term stability studies. Conclusion: RMP-loaded T-SNEDDS offers a potential oral dosage form that provides combined improvement of RMP dissolution and chemical stability.