Deformable Liposomal Hydrogel for Dermal and Transdermal Delivery of Meloxicam

Formulation, optimization and evaluation of ibuprofen loaded menthosomes for transdermal delivery

The study aimed to improve the transdermal permeation of IBU utilizing menthosomes as a vesicular carrier. IBU-loaded menthosomes were formulated by thin film hydration & optimized using 23 factorial designs (Design Expert® version 13 software). In vitro & ex vivo skin permeation analysis of IBU-encapsulated menthosomes was studied across the rat skin sample. In vivo pharmacodynamic activity was studied in an arthritis rat model. The optimized IBU-loaded menthosomes exhibited an optimum vesicle size of 214.2 ± 2.96 nm, Zeta potential of -21.1 ± 2.72 mV, (PDI) Polydispersity Index of 0.267 ± 0.018 with Entrapment efficiency (EE%) of 78.7 ± 2.73 %. The in vitro & ex vivo skin penetration study displayed enhanced release of drug of 77.02 ± 1.0 % and 40.91 ± 0.81 % respectively, compared to conventional liposomes. In vivo pharmacodynamic study on carrageenan-induced paw edema in Wistar albino rats demonstrated superior anti-inflammatory activity of the optimized IBU-encapsulated menthosomes (**p < 0.01) and effective inhibition of paw edema (34.04 ± 0.155 %). The formalin test indicated a significant analgesic effect of optimized formulation during the chronic phase of analgesia (*p < 0.05) compared to the control group. Thus, the developed and optimized drug-loaded menthosomes could serve as a suitable vesicular delivery carrier in enhancing the transdermal delivery of other NSAID drugs.

Development of engineered transferosomal gel containing meloxicam for the treatment of osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

.In this study, we investigated the potential of meloxicam (MLX) developed as transferosomal gel as a novel lipidic drug delivery system to address osteoarthritis (OTA), a degenerative joint disease that causes pain and stiffness. By incorporating meloxicam into a transferosomal gel, our aim was to provide a targeted and efficient delivery system capable of alleviating symptoms and slowing down the progression of OTA.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Classical lipid film hydration technique was utilized to formulate different transferosomal formulations. Different transferosomal formulations were prepared by varying the molar ratio of phospholipon-90H (phosphodylcholine) to DSPE (50:50, 60:40, 70:30, 80:20, and 90:10) and per batch, 80mg of total lipid was used. The quality control parameters such as entrapment efficiency, particle size and morphology, polydispersity and surface electric charge, in vitro drug release, ex vivo permeation and stability were measured.

RESULTS

The optimized transferosomal formulations revealed a small vesicle size (121±12nm) and greater MLX entrapment (68.98±2.3%). Transferosomes mediated gel formulation MLX34 displayed pH (6.3±0.2), viscosity (6236±12.3 cps), spreadability (13.77±1.77 gm.cm/sec) and also displayed sustained release pattern of drug release (81.76±7.87% MLX released from Carbopol-934 gel matrix in 24h). MLX34 revealed close to substantial anti-inflammatory response, with ∼81% inhibition of TNF-α in 48h. Physical stability analysis concluded that refrigerator temperature was the preferred temperature to store transferosomal gel.

CONCLUSION

MLX loaded transferosomes containing gel improved the skin penetration and therefore resulted into increased inhibition of TNF-α level.

Formulation and statistical optimization of letrozole loaded nanotransferosomal gel for tumor targeting

Letrozole (LTZ) is used as first-line treatment for hormone-positive breast cancer (BC) in postmenopausal women. However, its poor aqueous solubility and permeability have reduced its clinical efficacy. Herein, we developed LTZ-nanotransferosomes (LTZ-NT) to address above mentioned issues. The LTZ-NT were optimized statistically using Design Expert® followed by their characterization via dynamic light scattering (DLS), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The optimized LTZ-NT was incorporated into 1% chitosan-gel to develop LTZ-NTG. Moreover, in vitro drug release and ex vivo permeation of LTZ-NTG were performed and compared with LTZ-dispersion and LTZ-NT. Additionally, skin irritability and histopathology of LTZ-NTG were investigated. Furthermore, in vitro antitumor study of LTZ-NTG was investigated in BC cell lines. The optimized LTZ-NT showed suitable zeta potential (30.4 mV), spherical size (162.5 nm), and excellent entrapment efficiency (88.04%). Moreover, LTZ-NT exhibited suitable thermal behavior and no interactions among its excipients. In addition, LTZ-NTG had an optimal pH (5.6) and a suitable viscosity. A meaningfully sustained release and improved permeation of LTZ was observed from LTZ-NTG. Additionally, LTZ-NTG showed significantly enhanced cell death of MCF-7 and MCC-7 cells. It can be concluded that LTZ-NTG has the potential to deliver chemotherapeutic agents for possible treatment of BC.

Liposome-Hydrogel Composites for Controlled Drug Delivery Applications

Various controlled delivery systems (CDSs) have been developed to overcome the shortcomings of traditional drug formulations (tablets, capsules, syrups, ointments, etc.). Among innovative CDSs, hydrogels and liposomes have shown great promise for clinical applications thanks to their cost-effectiveness, well-known chemistry and synthetic feasibility, biodegradability, biocompatibility and responsiveness to external stimuli. To date, several liposomal- and hydrogel-based products have been approved to treat cancer, as well as fungal and viral infections, hence the integration of liposomes into hydrogels has attracted increasing attention because of the benefit from both of them into a single platform, resulting in a multifunctional drug formulation, which is essential to develop efficient CDSs. This short review aims to present an updated report on the advancements of liposome-hydrogel systems for drug delivery purposes.

Development of nano-liposomal human growth hormone as a topical formulation for preventing uvb-induced skin damage

Due to its involvement in skin maintenance and repair, topical administration of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) is an interesting strategy for therapeutic purposes. We have formulated and characterized a topical rhGH-loaded liposomal formulation (rhGH-Lip) and evaluated its safety, biological activity, and preventive role against UVB-induced skin damage. The rhGH-Lip had an average size and zeta potential of 63 nm and -33 mV, respectively, with 70 % encapsulation efficiency. The formulation was stable at 4 °C for at least one year. The SDS-PAGE and circular dichroism results showed no structural alterations in rhGH upon encapsulation. In vitro, studies in HaCaT, HFFF-2, and Ba/F3-rhGHR cell lines confirmed the safety and biological activity of rhGH-Lip. Franz diffusion cell study showed increased rhGH skin permeation compared to free rhGH. Animal studies in nude mice showed that liposomal rhGH prevented UVB-induced epidermal hyperplasia, angiogenesis, wrinkle formation, and collagen loss, as well as improving skin moisture. The results of this study show that rhGH-Lip is a stable, safe, and effective skin delivery system and has potential as an anti-wrinkle formulation for topical application. This study also provides a new method for the topical delivery of proteins and merits further investigation.

A Comprehensive Review on Novel Lipid-Based Nano Drug Delivery

Novel drug delivery system opens the doors towards nano/micro formulation strategies to overcome the challenges associated with the poorly soluble and permeable drugs. Lipid based nanoparticles are widely accepted that includes liposomes, niosomes and micelles which are FDA approved. Such lipid based drug delivery allows delivery for natural phytoconstituents, biopharmaceutical classification system (BCS) class II and class IV drugs are effectively delivered to improve its solubility, permeability and bioavailability. The article provides the recent advances and application of lipid based dosage form for improvement of therapeutic efficacy.

Transferosomes as a transdermal drug delivery system: Dermal kinetics and recent developments

The development of innovative approaches to deliver medications has been growing now for the last few decades and generates a growing interest in the dermatopharmaceutical field. Transdermal drug delivery in particular, remains an attractive alternative route for many therapeutics. However, due to the limitations posed by the barrier properties of the stratum corneum, the delivery of many pharmaceutical dosage forms remains a challenge. Most successful therapies using the transdermal route have been ones containing smaller lipophilic molecules with molecular weights of a few hundred Daltons. To overcome these limitations of size and lipophilicity of the drugs, transferosomes have emerged as a successful tool for transdermal delivery of a variety of therapeutics including hydrophilic actives, larger molecules, peptides, proteins, and nucleic acids. Transferosomes exhibit a flexible structure and higher surface hydrophilicity which both play a critical role in the transport of drugs and other solutes using hydration gradients as a driving force to deliver the molecules into and across the skin. This results in enhanced overall permeation as well as controlled release of the drug in the skin layers. Additionally, the physical-chemical properties of the transferosomes provide increased stability by preventing degradation of the actives by oxidation, light, and temperature. Here, we present the history of transferosomes from solid lipid nanoparticles and liposomes, their physical-chemical properties, dermal kinetics, and their recent advances as marketed dosage forms. This article is categorized under: Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Lipid-Based Structures Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies.

Evaluation of Dose-Response Relationship of Permeation Enhancer Isopropyl Myristate Release on Drug Release: Release Enhancement Efficiency and Molecular Mechanism

The objective of this study is to investigate the dose-response relationship between various concentrations of permeation enhancers (PEs) and their ability to enhance drug release from a polymer matrix, utilizing an innovative parameter known as release enhancement efficiency (K). Additionally, the molecular mechanism underlying dynamic enhancement was also examined. Isopropyl myristate (IPM) was used as model enhancer and zolmitriptan (ZOL) was used as model drug to investigate dose-effect relationship in pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA). The release behavior of the PEs was determined by LC-MS/MS and verified by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The enhancing effect of the PE on ZOL release was evaluated through in vitro release experiments and further validated by pharmacokinetics study. And the molecular mechanism was characterized with thermal analysis (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and molecular dynamics simulation. K was 0.156, 0.286 and 0.279 at 3%, 6% and 9% IPM concentrations, indicating that the enhancement efficiency reached the maximum when the 6% IPM was applied. According to the mechanism research results, the fluidity of PSA increased linearly with the increase of IPM concentrations, but the interaction between IPM and ZOL reached its strongest point at 6%. In summary, the increase of K value (from 0 to 6% IPM content) was caused by the synergy of increased mobility of PSA and interaction (dipole-dipole and hydrogen-bond) among three components, and when the above two actions were in antagonistic, K no longer increased (6-9% IPM content).

Azithromycin-loaded liposomal hydrogel: a step forward for enhanced treatment of MRSA-related skin infections

Azithromycin (AZT) encapsulated into various types of liposomes (AZT-liposomes) displayed pronounced in vitro activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (1). The present study represents a follow-up to this previous work, attempting to further explore the anti-MRSA potential of AZT-liposomes when incorporated into chitosan hydrogel (CHG). Incorporation of AZT-liposomes into CHG (liposomal CHGs) was intended to ensure proper viscosity and texture properties of the formulation, modification of antibiotic release, and enhanced antibacterial activity, aiming to upgrade the therapeutical potential of AZT-liposomes in localized treatment of MRSA-related skin infections. Four different liposomal CHGs were evaluated and compared on the grounds of antibacterial activity against MRSA, AZT release profiles, cytotoxicity, as well as texture, and rheological properties. To our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the potential of liposomal CHGs for the topical localized treatment of MRSA-related skin infections. CHG ensured proper viscoelastic and texture properties to achieve prolonged retention and prolonged release of AZT at the application site, which resulted in a boosted anti-MRSA effect of the entrapped AZT-liposomes. With respect to anti-MRSA activity and biocompatibility, formulation CATL-CHG (cationic liposomes in CHG) is considered to be the most promising formulation for the treatment of MRSA-related skin infections.

A Comparative Evaluation of Desoximetasone Cream and Ointment Formulations Using Experiments and In Silico Modeling

The administration of therapeutic drugs through dermal routes, such as creams and ointments, has emerged as an increasingly popular alternative to traditional delivery methods, such as tablets and injections. In the context of drug development, it is crucial to identify the optimal doses and delivery routes that ensure successful outcomes. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models have been proposed to simulate drug delivery and optimize drug formulations, but the calibration of these models is challenging due to the multitude of variables involved and limited experimental data. One significant research gap that this article addresses is the need for more efficient and accurate methods for calibrating PBPK models for dermal drug delivery. This manuscript presents a novel approach and an integrated dermal drug delivery model to address this gap that leverages virtual in vitro release (IVRT) and permeation (IVPT) testing data to optimize mechanistic models. The proposed approach was demonstrated through a study involving Desoximetasone cream and ointment formulations, where the release kinetics and permeation profiles of Desoximetasone were determined experimentally, and a computational model was created to simulate the results. The experimental studies showed that, even though the cumulative permeation of Desoximetasone at the end of the permeation study was comparable, there was a significant difference seen in the lag time in the permeation of Desoximetasone between the cream and ointment. Additionally, there was a significant difference seen in the amount of Desoximetasone permeated through human cadaver skin at early time points when the cream and ointment were compared. The computational model was optimized and validated, suggesting that this approach has the potential to bridge the existing research gap by improving the accuracy and efficiency of drug development processes. The model results show a good fit between the experimental data and model predictions. During the model optimization process, it became evident that there was variability in both the permeability and the partition coefficient within the stratum corneum. This variability had a significant and noteworthy influence on the overall performance of the model, especially when it came to its capacity to differentiate between cream and ointment formulations. Leveraging virtual models significantly aids the comprehension of drug release and permeation, mitigating the demanding data requirements. The use of virtual IVRT and IVPT data can accelerate the calibration of PBPK models, streamline the selection of the appropriate doses, and optimize drug delivery. Moreover, this novel approach could potentially reduce the time and resources involved in drug development, thus making it more cost-effective and efficient.

Nano transdermal system combining mitochondria-targeting cerium oxide nanoparticles with all-trans retinoic acid for psoriasis

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease that is intricately linked to oxidative stress. Antioxidation and inhibition of abnormal proliferation of keratinocytes are pivotal strategies for psoriasis. Delivering drugs with these effects to the site of skin lesions is a challenge that needs to be solved. Herein, we reported a nanotransdermal delivery system composed of all-trans retinoic acid (TRA), triphenylphosphine (TPP)-modified cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles, flexible nanoliposomes and gels (TCeO2-TRA-FNL-Gel). The results revealed that TCeO2 synthesized by the anti-micelle method, with a size of approximately 5 nm, possessed excellent mitochondrial targeting ability and valence conversion capability related to scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS). TCeO2-TRA-FNL prepared by the film dispersion method, with a size of approximately 70 nm, showed high drug encapsulation efficiency (>96%). TCeO2-TRA-FNL-Gel further showed sustained drug release behaviors, great transdermal permeation ability, and greater skin retention than the free TRA. The results of in vitro EGF-induced and H2O2-induced models suggested that TCeO2-TRA-FNL effectively reduced the level of inflammation and alleviated oxidative stress in HaCat cells. The results of in vivo imiquimod (IMQ)-induced model indicated that TCeO2-TRA-FNL-Gel could greatly alleviate the psoriasis symptoms. In summary, the transdermal drug delivery system designed in this study has shown excellent therapeutic effects on psoriasis and is prospective for the safe and accurate therapy of psoriasis.

Gemcitabine and rapamycin-loaded mixed polymeric thermogel for metastatic pancreatic cancer therapy

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the 4th leading cause of cancer-related death and has a poor 5-year overall survival. The superior therapeutic benefits of combination or co-administration of drugs as intraperitoneal chemotherapy have increased interest in developing strategies to deliver chemotherapeutic agents to patients safely. In this study, we prepared a gel comprising the thermosensitive poly(lactide-co-glycolide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA-PEG-PLGA) polymer and gemcitabine (GEM), which is currently used as the primary chemotherapy for PDAC and rapamycin (RAPA), a mammalian TOR (mTOR) inhibitor, to deliver the drug through intraperitoneal injection. We performed in vitro cytotoxicity experiments to verify the synergistic effects of the two drugs at different molar ratios and characterized the physicochemical properties of the GEM, RAPA, and GEM/RAPA-loaded thermosensitive PLGA-PEG-PLGA gels, hereafter referred to as (g(G), g(R), and g(GR)), respectively. The g(GR) comprising PLGA-PEG-PLGA polymer (25% w/v) and GEM and RAPA at a molar ratio of 11:1 showed synergism and was optimized. An in vitro cytotoxicity assay was performed by treating Panc-1-luc2 tumor spheroids with g(G), g(R), or g(GR). The g(GR) treatment group showed a 2.75-fold higher inhibition rate than the non-treated (NT) and vehicle-treated groups. Furthermore, in vivo drug release assay in mice by intraperitoneal injection of g(G), g(R), or g(GR) showed a more rapid release rate of GEM than RAPA, similar to the in vitro release pattern. The drugs in the gel were released faster in vivo than in vitro and degraded in 48 h. In addition, g(GR) showed the highest anti-tumor efficacy with no toxicity to mice. These results provide evidence for the safety and efficacy of g(GR) for intraperitoneal drug delivery. This study will assist in developing and clinically administering topical anti-cancer formulations.

Bibliometric analysis and visualization of transdermal drug delivery research in the last decade: global research trends and hotspots

Background: Transdermal delivery has become a crucial field in pharmaceutical research. There has been a proliferation of innovative methods for transdermal drug delivery. In recent years, the number of publications regarding transdermal drug delivery has been rising rapidly. To investigate the current research trends and hotspots in transdermal drug delivery, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis was performed. Methods: An extensive literature review was conducted to gather information on transdermal drug delivery that had been published between 2003 and 2022. The articles were obtained from the Web of Science (WOS) and the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) databases. Subsequently, the collected data underwent analysis and visualization using a variety of software tools. This approach enables a deeper exploration of the hotspots and emerging trends within this particular research domain. Results: The results showed that the number of articles published on transdermal delivery has increased steadily over the years, with a total of 2,555 articles being analyzed. The most frequently cited articles were related to the optimization of drug delivery and the use of nanotechnology in transdermal drug delivery. The most active countries in the field of transdermal delivery research were the China, United States, and India. Furthermore, the hotspots over the past 2 decades were identified (e.g., drug therapy, drug delivery, and pharmaceutical preparations and drug design). The shift in research focus reflects an increasing emphasis on drug delivery and control release, rather than simply absorption and penetration, and suggests a growing interest in engineering approaches to transdermal drug delivery. Conclusion: This study provided a comprehensive overview of transdermal delivery research. The research indicated that transdermal delivery would be a rapidly evolving field with many opportunities for future research and development. Moreover, this bibliometric analysis will help researchers gain insights into transdermal drug delivery research's hotspots and trends accurately and quickly.

Mannosylated imiquimod-terbinafine co-loaded transethosomes for cutaneous leishmaniasis; assessment of its anti-leishmanial potential, in vivo safety and immune response modulation

Current treatment options for cutaneous leishmaniasis are associated with myriad limiting factors including low penetration, poor efficacy, and drug toxicities. Herein, we reported imiquimod and terbinafine co-loaded mannosylated transethosomes (IMQ-TER-MTES) with enhanced cutaneous retention, macrophage targeting, anti-leishmanial potential, and dermal immunomodulation. IMQ-TER-MTES were optimized using Design Expert® followed by their loading into chitosan gel. Moreover, the antileishmanial response against amastigotes-infected macrophages and Leishmania-infected BALB/c mice was evaluated. Finally, the safety and immunomodulation activity of IMQ-TER-MTES gel was performed using BALB/c mice. Optimized IMQ-TER-MTES showed nano-sized particles with low poly-dispersibility index (PDI) and high drug entrapment. Mannosylation has augmented macrophage targeting and the internalization capability of TES. IMQ-TER-MTES showed significantly reduced IC₅₀ value (19.56 ± 3.62 μg/ml), higher selectivity index (29.24), and synergism against Leishmania major (L. major) amastigotes. In L. major infected BALB/c mice, the cutaneous lesion healing potential of IMQ-TER-MTES was also elevated with reduced lesion size (1.52 ± 0.43 mm). Superior safety of IMQ-TER-MTES was observed in BALB/c mice along with adequate stimulation of dermal immune cells, in contrast to the ALDARA®. Moreover, incremented Nuclear factor Kappa-β (NF-κβ) and nitric oxide (NO) biosynthesis were observed with IMQ-TER-MTES.

Localized Delivery of Bioactives using Structured Liposomal Gels

Liposomes have gained a lot of interest for drug delivery applications, and some of these preparations have been commercialized. These are formulated with biocompatible components and can be used for delivering a wide range of payloads differing in aqueous solubility and molecular weight. Liposome-based delivery approaches are limited mainly by two factors: (a) poor dispersion stability, and (b) pre-mature leakage of payloads. In this review, we have discussed the stabilization of liposomal vesicles by their entrapment in hydrogels. Studies reveal that such hydrogels can maintain the structural integrity of liposomes. Release of liposomes from the hydrogel network can be modulated through careful screening of matrix former and degree of its cross-linking. Accordingly, we have reviewed the approaches of stabilizing liposomal vesicles through entrapment in hydrogels. Application of liposome-embedded hydrogels has been reviewed in context of localized drug delivery. Our discussion is focussed on the delivery of bioactives to the skin. Such an approach appears alluring from the standpoint of minimizing the undesirable distribution of payload(s) the systemic circulation and off-target sites.

Hyaluronan-modified transfersomes based hydrogel for enhanced transdermal delivery of indomethacin

Hyaluronic acid (HA), as a hygroscopic and biocompatible molecule, has displayed unique permeation enhancement in transdermal delivery systems. Hence, indomethacin (IND) was encapsulated in HA-modified transfersomes (IND-HTs) to enhance transdermal IND delivery to reduce adverse effects in this study. The physiochemical properties of IND-HTs were characterized. Results showed that the prepared IND-HTs were spherical and revealed good entrapment efficiency (87.88 ± 2.03%), with a nanometric particle size (221.8 ± 93.34 nm). Then, IND-HTs were further incorporated into a carbopol 940 hydrogel (IND-HTs/Gel) to prolong retention capacity on the skin. The in vitro release and skin permeation experiments of IND-HTs/Gel were carried out with the Franz diffusion cells. It was found that IND-HTs/Gel exhibited sustained drug release, as well as superior drug permeation and flux across the skin. Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed improved penetration of HTs/Gel with a wider distribution and higher fluorescence intensity. The hematoxylin–eosin stained showed that HA improved the transdermal effect by changing the microstructure of skin layers and decreasing skin barrier function. In addition, IND-HTs/Gel showed significant analgesic activity in hot plate test and no potentially hazardous skin irritation. This study indicated that the developed IND-HTs/Gel could be a promising alternative to conventional oral delivery of IND by topical administration.

Using Chitosan-Coated Polymeric Nanoparticles-Thermosensitive Hydrogels in association with Limonene as Skin Drug Delivery Strategy

Topical delivery of local anesthetics (LAs) is commonly used to decrease painful sensations, block pain throughout procedures, and alleviate pain after surgery. Dermal and/or transdermal delivery of LAs has other advantages, such as sustained drug delivery and decreased systemic adverse effects. This study reports the development of poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles coated with chitosan for the sustained release and topicality of benzocaine (BZC) and topical delivery. BZC PLGA nanoparticles or nonencapsulated drugs were further incorporated into Poloxamer hydrogels (Pluronic™ F-127). The nanoparticles showed a mean diameter of 380 ± 4 nm, positive zeta potential after coating with chitosan (23.3 ± 1.7 mV), and high encapsulation efficiency (96.7 ± 0.02%). Cellular viability greater than 70% for both fibroblasts and keratinocytes was observed after treatment with nanoparticles, which is in accordance with the preconized guidelines for biomedical devices and delivery systems. Both the nanoparticles and hydrogels were able to modulate BZC delivery and increase drug permeation when compared to the nonencapsulated drug. Furthermore, the incorporation of limonene into hydrogels containing BZC-loaded nanoparticles increased the BZC permeation rates. Non-Newtonian and pseudoplastic behaviors were observed for all hydrogel nanoformulations with or without nanoparticles. These results demonstrate that the hydrogel-nanoparticle hybrids could be a promising delivery system for prolonged local anesthetic therapy.

Multidrug Idebenone/Naproxen co-loaded Aspasomes for a Significant In VivoAnti-Inflammatory Activity

The use of proper nanocarriers for dermal and transdermal delivery of anti‐inflammatory drugs recently gained several attentions in the scientific community because they pass intact and accumulate payloads in the deepest layers of skin tissue. Ascorbyl palmitate‐based vesicles (aspasomes) can be considered a promising nanocarrier for dermal and transdermal delivery due to their skin whitening properties and suitable delivery of payloads through the skin. The aim of this study was the synthesis of multidrug Idebenone/naproxen co‐loaded aspasomes for the development of an effective anti‐inflammatory nanomedicine. Aspasomes had suitable physicochemical properties and were safe in vivo if topically applied on human healthy volunteers. Idebenone/naproxen co‐loaded aspasomes demonstrated an increased therapeutic efficacy of payloads compared to the commercially available Naprosyn® gel, with a rapid decrease of chemical‐induced erythema on human volunteers. These promising results strongly suggested a potential application of Idebenone/naproxen multidrug aspasomes for the development of an effective skin anti‐inflammatory therapy.

Exploring a Novel Fasudil-Phospholipid Complex Formulated as Liposomal Thermosensitive in situ Gel for Glaucoma

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Sustained Release of a Streptococcus pneumoniae Endolysin from Liposomes for Potential Otitis Media Treatment

Local delivery of antimicrobials for otitis media treatment would maximize therapeutic efficacy while minimizing side effects. However, drug transport across the tympanic membrane in the absence of a delivery system is challenging. In this study, the MSlys endolysin was encapsulated in deformable liposomes for a targeted treatment of S. pneumoniae, one of the most important causative agents of otitis media. MSlys was successfully encapsulated in liposomes composed of l-alpha-lecithin and sodium cholate (5:1) or l-alpha-lecithin and PEG2000 PE (10:1), with encapsulation efficiencies of about 35%. The PEGylated and sodium cholate liposomes showed, respectively, mean hydrodynamic diameters of 85 and 115 nm and polydispersity indices of 0.32 and 0.42, both being stable after storage at 4 °C for at least one year. Both liposomal formulations showed a sustained release of MSlys over 7 days. Cytotoxicity studies against fibroblast and keratinocyte cell lines revealed the biocompatible nature of both MSlys and MSlys-loaded liposomes. Additionally, the encapsulated MSlys showed prompt antipneumococcal activity against planktonic and biofilm S. pneumoniae, thus holding great potential for transtympanic treatment against S. pneumoniae otitis media.

Inhibitory Effects of IL-6-Mediated Matrix Metalloproteinase-3 and -13 by Achyranthes japonica Nakai Root in Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis Mice Models

Achyranthes japonica Nakai root (AJNR) is used to treat osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) owing to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. This study investigated the inhibitory effects of AJNR on arthritis. AJNR was extracted using supercritical carbon dioxide (CO₂), and its main compounds, pimaric and kaurenoic acid, were identified. ANJR’s inhibitory effects against arthritis were evaluated using primary cultures of articular chondrocytes and two in vivo arthritis models: destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) as an OA model, and collagenase-induced arthritis (CIA) as an RA model. AJNR did not affect pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6)-mediated cytotoxicity, but attenuated pro-inflammatory cytokine-mediated increases in catabolic factors, and recovered pro-inflammatory cytokine-mediated decreases in related anabolic factors related to in vitro. The effect of AJNR is particularly specific to IL-6-mediated catabolic or anabolic alteration. In a DMM model, AJNR decreased cartilage erosion, subchondral plate thickness, osteophyte size, and osteophyte maturity. In a CIA model, AJNR effectively inhibited cartilage degeneration and synovium inflammation in either the ankle or knee and reduced pannus formation in both the knee and ankle. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that AJNR mainly acted via the inhibitory effects of IL-6-mediated matrix metalloproteinase-3 and -13 in both arthritis models. Therefore, AJNR is a potential therapeutic agent for relieving arthritis symptoms.

Development and evaluation studies of Corylin loaded nanostructured lipid carriers gel for topical treatment of UV-induced skin aging

We prepared nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) to promote skin permeation of Corylin so that it can increase its effect on photoaging. Corylin-NLCs were prepared and characterized based on morphology, particle size, zeta potentials, FTIR and DSC. In vitro, we assess the cytotoxicity and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) of HaCaT cells irradiated by UVB. Expression of antioxidant enzymes was evaluated by commercial kits. The effects of Corylin-NLC on apoptosis were confirmed by flow cytometry and western blotting. In vivo, we use UV irradiated mouse as the oxidative stress model to assess the therapeutic effect of Corylin loaded NLC gel. We identified the Corylin-NLCs can significantly suppress the LDH release, decrease MDA content, increase in CAT, SOD, GSH-Px activity, increase the expression of Bcl-2/Bax protein and reduce the expression of cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3 protein on UVB induced HaCaT cells. The histopathological lesions were significantly improved and observably decreased MDA level, increase in antioxidant enzymes activity in serum of mice by pretreatment of Corylin-NLCs gel. Overall, this study proposes a promising strategy for improving the therapeutic efficacy of photoaging.