The preparation and evaluation of self-nanoemulsifying systems containing Swietenia oil and an examination of its anti-inflammatory effects

Fabrication of controlled-release polymeric microneedles containing progesterone-loaded self-microemulsions for transdermal delivery

Progesterone (PG) has been approved for hormone replacement therapy to mitigate the risk of endometrial carcinoma. However, there has been a lack of success in oral PG due to its rapid degradation. Transdermal PG has advantages but lacks efficacy due to its poor solubility (Log p = 3.9). Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate how combining self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems (SMEDDS) and polymeric microneedles (MNs) could improve the transdermal delivery of PG in a controlled-release manner. Among PG-SMEDDS, PG-SME5 was selected for its desirable properties and stability. The two-layer polymeric MNs formulation incorporating PG-SME5 (PG-SMEDDS-tMNs) was formulated from aqueous blends of polymers as a first layer and 20% PCL as a second layer. It successfully penetrated neonatal porcine skin with the dissolution of the first layer observed within 15 min after application. In vitro skin permeation revealed that the percentage of PG which permeated the skin over 82 h using PG-SMEDDS-tMNs was higher than a PG-suspension and PG-SMEDDS. The Higuchi kinetic showed controlled release over 15 days of PG from PG-SMEDDS-tMNs. These studies suggested that incorporating PG-SMEDDS into controlled-release two-layer polymeric MNs could be a promising approach for improving the transdermal delivery of PG.

The Prospects of Swietenia macrophylla King in Skin Care

The importance of cosmetics in our lives is immeasurable. Covering items from daily personal hygienic products to skincare, it has become essential to consumers that the items that they use are safe and effective. Since natural products are from natural sources, and therefore considered “natural” and “green” in the public’s eyes, the rise in demand for such products is not surprising. Even so, factoring in the need to remain on trend and innovative, cosmetic companies are on a constant search for new ingredients and inventive new formulations. Based on numerous literature, the seed of Swietenia macrophylla has been shown to possess several potential “cosmetic-worthy” bioproperties, such as skin whitening, photoprotective, antioxidant, antimicrobial, etc. These properties are vital in the cosmetic business, as they ultimately contribute to the “ageless” beauty that many consumers yearn for. Therefore, with further refinement and research, these active phytocompounds may be a great contribution to the cosmetic field in the near future.

Enhancement of the Solubility and Bioavailability of Pitavastatin through a Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery System (SNEDDS)

The purpose of the study was to develop an SNEDDS to improve the solubility and bioavailability of pitavastatin. The solubility of pitavastatin in different oils, surfactants, and co-surfactants was determined and a pseudo-ternary phase diagram was constructed. The SNEDDS was characterized by zeta-sizer, zeta-potential, FTIR, DSC, and TGA. Release and permeation of pitavastatin from the SNEDDS was studied for 12 and 24 h, respectively. The lipolysis test, RBC lysis, effect on lipid profile, and pharmacokinetics were studied. The SPC3 formulation showed a 104 ± 1.50 nm particle size, a 0.198 polydispersity index (PDI), and a –29 zeta potential. FTIR, DSC, and TGA showed the chemical compatibility and thermal stability. The release and permeation of pitavastatin from SPC3 was 88.5 ± 2.5% and 96%, respectively. In the lipolysis test, the digestion of SPC3 yielded a high amount of pitavastatin and showed little RBC lysis. The lipid profile suggested that after 35 days of administration of the SNEDDS, there was a marked decrease in TC, LDL, and triglyceride levels. The SNEDDS of SPC3 showed an 86% viability of Caco-2 cells. Pharmacokinetics of SPC3 showed improved values of C_max, T_max, half-life, MRT, AUC, and AUMC compared to the reference formulation. Our study demonstrated that the SNEDDS effectively enhanced the solubility and bioavailability of a BCS class II drug.

Formulation and In Vivo Evaluation of a Solid Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery System Using Oily Liquid Tocotrienols as Model Active Substance

Self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) can improve the oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. Solid self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (s-SEDDS) offer several advantages including improved drug stability, ease of administration, and production. Most compounds employed in developing s-SEDDS are solid in nature, with a high amount of surfactants added. The aim of this study was to develop an s-SEDDS using a tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) as the model liquid active substance via a simple adsorption method. The solid formulation was developed using magnesium aluminosilicate as the carrier with 70% TRF and 30% surfactants (poloxamer and Labrasol^®). The formulation showed good self-emulsification efficiency with stable emulsion formed, excellent powder flowability, and small emulsion droplet size of 210–277 nm. The s-SEDDS with combined surfactants (poloxamer and Labrasol^®) showed a faster absorption rate compared to preparations with only a single surfactant and enhanced oral bioavailability (3.4–3.8 times higher) compared to the non-self-emulsifying oily preparation when administered at a fasted state in rats. In conclusion, an s-SEDDS containing a high amount of TRF was successfully developed. It may serve as a useful alternative to a liquid product with enhanced oral bioavailability and the added advantage of being a solid dosage form.

The Potential Synergistic Activity of Zolmitriptan Combined in New Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery Systems: ATR-FTIR Real-Time Fast Dissolution Monitoring and Pharmacodynamic Assessment

Purpose

The current work aimed to overcome the poor permeability and undesirable adverse effects of Zolmitriptan (ZMT) and to increase its efficacy in the treatment of acute migraine by exploiting the synergistic effect of the essential oil, lavender, to fabricate ZMT self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (ZMT-SNEDDS).

Methods

ZMT-SNEDDS were fabricated based on full factorial design (3²) to statistically assess the impact of oil and surfactant concentrations on the nanoemulsion globule size, zeta potential and percentage drug dissolution efficiency. An ATR-FTIR method was developed and validated for continuous real-time monitoring of ZMT dissolution and permeation. The dose of the optimized ZMT-SNEDDS used in the efficacy study was selected according to the acute toxicity study. The efficacy study was performed on migraineous rats induced by nitroglycerin and was evaluated by the activity cage and thermal tests, electroencephalogram, electroconvulsive stimulation, and biochemical analysis of brain tissue. Finally, histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations of the cerebra were carried out.

Results

Upon dilution, the optimized ZMT-SNEDDS (F5) exhibited nanosized spherical droplets of 19.59±0.17 nm with narrow size distribution, zeta potential (-23.5±1.17mV) and rapid emulsification characteristics. ATR-FTIR spectra elucidated the complete time course of dissolution and permeation, confirming F5 superior performance. Moreover, ZMT-SNEDDS (F5) showed safety in an acute toxicity study. ZMT concentration in rat brain tissues derived from F5 was lower compared to that of ZMT solution, yet its effect was better on the psychological state, algesia, as well as maintaining normal brain electrical activity and delayed convulsions. It counteracted the cerebral biochemical alternations induced by nitroglycerin, which was confirmed by histopathological examination.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, these findings corroborated the remarkable synergistic efficacy and the high potency of lavender oil-based ZMT-SNEDDS in migraine management compared to the traditional zolmitriptan solution.

Oral gel loaded with penciclovir-lavender oil nanoemulsion to enhance bioavailability and alleviate pain associated with herpes labialis

Herpes labialis, caused by herpes simplex virus type 1, is usually characterized by painful skin or mucosal lesions. Penciclovir (PV) tablets are found to be effective against herpes labialis but suffer from poor oral bioavailability. This study aimed to combine the benefits of PV and lavender oil (LO), which exhibits anesthetic activity, in the form of a self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) for the treatment of herpes labialis. Toward this purpose, LO (oil), Labrasol:Labrafil M1944 CS in the ratio of 6:4 (surfactant mixture), and Lauroglycol-FCC (co-surfactant, selected based on the solubility of PV) were evaluated as the independent factors using a distance quadratic mixture design. The formulation was optimized for the minimum globule size and maximum stability index and was determined to contain 14% LO, 40.5% Labrasol:Labrafil 1944 (6:4), and 45.5% Lauroglycol-FCC. The optimized PV-LO-SNEDDS was embedded in chitosan hydrogel and the resulting formulations coded by (O3) were prepared and evaluated. The rheological studies demonstrated a combined pseudoplastic and thixotropic behavior with the highest flux of PV permeation across sheep buccal mucosa. Compared to a marketed 1% PV cream, the O3 formulation exhibited a significantly higher and sustained PV release, nearly twice the PV permeability, and a relative bioavailability of 180%. Overall, results confirm that the O3 formulation can provide an efficient delivery system for PV to reach oral mucosa and subsequent prolonged PV release. Thus, the PV-LO-SNEDDS embedded oral gel is promising and can be further evaluated in clinical settings to establish its therapeutic use in herpes labialis.

Diffusion-Controlled Spontaneous Emulsification of Water-Soluble Oils via Micelle Swelling

Spontaneous emulsification of toluene, xylenes, cyclohexane, and mineral oil in a nonionic nonylphenol polyethoxylate surfactant solution was investigated by visual observations coupled with dynamic light scatting measurements and interfacial tensiometry. For water-soluble oils, nanoscale emulsions formed spontaneously by diffusion of oil molecules into the aqueous surfactant solutions and subsequent swelling of surfactant micelles with oil. Micelle swelling rates were quantified to assess system spontaneity, revealing that oil solubility in water was directly correlated to the spontaneity of the emulsion (toluene > xylenes > cyclohexane). When experiments were intentionally designed to create surfactant concentration gradients, Marangoni flows were found to enhance spontaneity. Despite their spontaneous formation, emulsion stability was limited over the course of 40 days by Ostwald ripening followed by creaming and evaporation. These results provide insights on the likelihood of nanoemulsion formation and persistence in oily wastewater as the components in this study are present in many wastewater systems.

Nutraceutical Vegetable Oil Nanoformulations for Prevention and Management of Diseases

The scientific community is becoming increasingly interested in identifying, characterizing, and delivering nutraceuticals, which constitutes a multi-billion-dollar business. These bioactive agents are claimed to exhibit several health benefits, including the prevention and treatment of diseases such as arthritis, cancer, osteoporosis, cataracts, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's diseases, heart, brain and metabolic disorders, etc. Nutraceuticals are typically consumed as part of a regular human diet and are usually present within foods, comprising vegetable oil, although at low levels and variable composition. Thus, it is difficult to control the type, amount and frequency of their ingestion by individuals. Nanoformulations about vegetable oil-based bioactive compounds with nutraceutical properties are useful for overcoming these issues, while improving the uptake, absorption, and bioavailability in the body. The purpose of this current study is to review papers on such nanoformulations, particularly those relevant for health benefits and the prevention and management of diseases, as well as bioactives extracted from vegetable oils enhancing the drug effectiveness, retrieved through bibliographic databases by setting a timespan from January 2000 to April 2020 (about 1758 records).

Development of a Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery System for Optimized Topical Delivery of Clofazimine

A quality-by-design and characterization approach was followed to ensure development of self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDSs) destined for topical delivery of the highly lipophilic clofazimine. Solubility and water-titration experiments identified spontaneous emulsification capacity of different excipient combinations and clofazimine. After identifying self-emulsification regions, check-point formulations were selected within the self-emulsification region by considering characteristics required to achieve optimized topical drug delivery. Check-point formulations, able to withstand phase separation after 24 h at an ambient temperature, were subjected to characterization studies. Experiments involved droplet size evaluation; size distribution; zeta-potential; self-emulsification time and efficacy; viscosity and pH measurement; cloud point assessment; and thermodynamic stability studies. SEDDSs with favorable properties, i.e., topical drug delivery, were subjected to dermal diffusion studies. Successful in vitro topical clofazimine delivery was observed. Olive oil facilitated the highest topical delivery of clofazimine probably due to increased oleic acid levels that enhanced stratum corneum lipid disruption, followed by improved dermal clofazimine delivery. Finally, isothermal microcalometric experiments studied the compatibility of excipients. Potential interactions were depicted between argan oil and clofazimine as well as between Span®60 and argan-, macadamia- and olive oil, respectively. However, despite some mundane incompatibilities, successful development of topical SEDDSs achieved enhanced topical clofazimine delivery.

Development of Topical/Transdermal Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery Systems, Not as Simple as Expected

Self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDSs) originated as an oral lipid-based drug delivery system with the sole purpose of improving delivery of highly lipophilic drugs. However, the revolutionary drug delivery possibilities presented by these uniquely simplified systems in terms of muco-adhesiveness and zeta-potential changing capacity lead the way forward to ground-breaking research. Contrarily, SEDDSs destined for topical/transdermal drug delivery have received limited attention. Therefore, this review is focused at utilising principles, established during development of oral SEDDSs, and tailoring them to fit evaluation strategies for an optimised topical/transdermal drug delivery vehicle. This includes a detailed discussion of how the authentic pseudo-ternary phase diagram is employed to predict phase behaviour to find the self-emulsification region most suitable for formulating topical/transdermal SEDDSs. Additionally, special attention is given to the manner of characterising oral SEDDSs compared to topical/transdermal SEDDSs, since absorption within the gastrointestinal tract and the multi-layered nature of the skin are two completely diverse drug delivery territories. Despite the advantages of the topical/transdermal drug administration route, certain challenges such as the relatively undiscovered field of skin metabolomics as well as the obstacles of choosing excipients wisely to establish skin penetration enhancement might prevail. Therefore, development of topical/transdermal SEDDSs might be more complicated than expected.

Preparation of Copolymer-Based Nanoparticles with Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Activity

Polyacrylate and guanidine-based nanoparticles which involve acrylate monomers and glycidyl methacrylate modified oligo-guanidine were prepared by a seeded semi-continuous emulsion polymerization. The results from transmission electron microscope and dynamic light scattering measurements showed that the nanoparticles were spherical in shape and the particle size was in the range of 80⁻130 nm. Antimicrobial experiments were performed with two types of bacteria, Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, ATCC 8739) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, ATCC 6538). The as-synthesized cationic nanoparticles exhibited effective antimicrobial activities on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus with the minimal inhibitory concentrations at 8 μg/mL and 4 μg/mL, respectively. The mechanism of action of the resulted nanoparticles against these bacteria was revealed by the scanning electron microscopic observation. In addition, the films consisting of latex nanoparticles are non-leaching antimicrobial materials with excellent antimicrobial activity, which indicates the polymers could preserve their antimicrobial activity for long-term effectiveness.

Self-microemulsifying drug delivery system and nanoemulsion for enhancing aqueous miscibility of Alpinia galanga oil

Alpinia galanga oil (AGO) possesses various activities but low aqueous solubility limits its application particularly in aquatic animals. AGO has powerful activity on fish anesthesia. Ethanol used for enhancing water miscible of AGO always shows severe side effects on fish. The present study explores the development of self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems (SMEDDS) and nanoemulsions (NE) to deliver AGO for fish anesthesia with less or no alcohol. Pseudoternary phase diagrams were constructed to identify the best SMEDDS-AGO formulation, whereas NE-AGO were developed by means of high-energy emulsification. The mean droplet size of the best SMEDDS-AGO was 82 ± 0.5 nm whereas that of NE-AGO was 48 ± 1.6 nm. The anesthetic effect of the developed SMEDDS-AGO and NE-AGO in koi (Cyprinus carpio) was evaluated and compared with AGO ethanolic solution (EtOH-AGO). It was found that the time of induction the fish to reach the surgical stage of anesthesia was dose dependent. NE-AGO showed significantly higher activity than SMEDDS-AGO and EtOH-AGO, respectively. EtOH-AGO caused unwanted hyperactivity in the fish. This side effect did not occur in the fish anesthetized with SMEDDS-AGO and NE-AGO. In conclusion, SMEDDS and NE are promising delivery systems for AGO.

Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery Systems Containing Plantago lanceolata-An Assessment of Their Antioxidant and Antiinflammatory Effects

The most important components of Plantago lanceolata L. leaves are catalpol, aucubin, and acteoside (=verbascoside). These bioactive compounds possess different pharmacological effects: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antineoplastic, and hepatoprotective. The aim of this study was to protect Plantago lanceolata extract from hydrolysis and to improve its antioxidant effect using self-nano-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS). Eight SNEDDS compositions were prepared, and their physical properties, in vitro cytotoxicity, and in vivo AST/ALT values were investigated. MTT cell viability assay was performed on Caco-2 cells. The well-diluted samples (200 to 1000-fold dilutions) proved to be non-cytotoxic. The acute administration of PL-SNEDDS compositions resulted in minor changes in hepatic markers (AST, ALT), except for compositions 4 and 8 due to their high Transcutol contents (80%). The non-toxic compositions showed a significant increase in free radical scavenger activity measured by the DPPH test compared to the blank SNEDDS. An indirect dissolution test was performed, based on the result of the DPPH antioxidant assay; the dissolution profiles of Plantago lancolata extract were statistically different from each SNEDDS. The anti-inflammatory effect of PL-SNEDDS compositions was confirmed by the ear inflammation test. For the complete examination period, all compositions decreased ear edema as compared to the positive (untreated) control. It can be concluded that PL-SNEDDS compositions could be used to deliver active natural compounds in a stable, efficient, and safe manner.

Nanoemulsion as a carrier to improve the topical anti-inflammatory activity of stem bark extract of Rapanea ferruginea

The aim of this study was to develop nanoemulsion containing soft extract of stem bark of Rapanea ferruginea to improve the topical delivery and anti-inflammatory activity. The extract of R. ferruginea stem bark was incorporated into the oily phase of the nanoemulsion by the method of phase inversion at low energy. The developed nanoemulsion had an average droplet size of 47.88±8.20 nm and a polydispersibility index of 0.228. Uniformity of size, spherical shape of droplet, and absence of clusters were confirmed by transmission electronic microscopy. The zeta potential was -34.7±1.15 mV. The nanoemulsion showed a moderate degree of skin irritation in the agarose overlay assay in vitro. The content of the extract markers, myrsinoic acids A and B, was 54.10±0.08 and 53.03 μg/g in the formulation, respectively. The formulation demonstrated pseudoplastic and thixotropic rheological behavior. In vitro release of chemical markers was controlled by diffusion mechanism. An extract-loaded nanoemulsion showed a topical anti-inflammatory activity in a croton oil-induced edema ear model, with a decrease in tumor necrosis factor release and myeloperoxidase activity. The nanoemulsion was 160% more efficient than the conventional cream containing 0.13% of the extract. The nanoemulsion showed suitable properties as a carrier for topical use of R. ferruginea extract and the approach for improving the topical anti-inflammatory activity.