High celecoxib-loaded nanoparticles prepared by a vibrating nozzle device

Pulmonary Delivery of Docetaxel and Celecoxib by PLGA Porous Microparticles for Their Synergistic Effects Against Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

using a combination of chemotherapeutic agents with novel drug delivery platforms to enhance the anticancer efficacy of the drug and minimizing the side effects, is very imperative for lung cancer treatments.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to develop, characterize, and optimize porous poly (D, L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles for simultaneous delivery of docetaxel (DTX) and celecoxib (CXB) through the pulmonary route for lung cancer.

METHODS

Drug-loaded porous microparticles were prepared by an emulsion solvent evaporation method. The impact of various processing and formulation variables including PLGA amount, dichloromethane volume, homogenization speed, polyvinyl alcohol volume and concentration were assessed on entrapment efficiency, mean release time, particle size, mass median aerodynamic diameter, fine particle fraction and geometric standard deviation using a two-level factorial design. An optimized formulation was prepared and evaluated in terms of size and morphology using a scanning electron microscope.

RESULTS

FTIR, DSC, and XRD analysis confirmed drug entrapment and revealed no drug-polymer chemical interaction. Cytotoxicity of DTX along with CXB against A549 cells was significantly enhanced compared to DTX and CXB alone and the combination of DTX and CXB showed the greatest synergistic effect at a 1/500 ratio.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that encapsulation of DTX and CXB in porous PLGA microspheres with desirable features are feasible and their pulmonary co-administration would be a promising strategy for the effective and less toxic treatment of various lung cancers.

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.

Technologies and Formulation Design of Polysaccharide-Based Hydrogels for Drug Delivery

Polysaccharide-based hydrogel particles (PbHPs) are very promising carriers aiming to control and target the release of drugs with different physico-chemical properties. Such delivery systems can offer benefits through the proper encapsulation of many drugs (non-steroidal and steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, etc) ensuring their proper release and targeting. This review discusses the different phases involved in the production of PbHPs in pharmaceutical technology, such as droplet formation (SOL phase), sol-gel transition of the droplets (GEL phase) and drying, as well as the different methods available for droplet production with a special focus on prilling technique. In addition, an overview of the various droplet gelation methods with particular emphasis on ionic cross-linking of several polysaccharides enabling the formation of particles with inner highly porous network or nanofibrillar structure is given. Moreover, a detailed survey of the different inner texture, in xerogels, cryogels or aerogels, each with specific arrangement and properties, which can be obtained with different drying methods, is presented. Various case studies are reported to highlight the most appropriate application of such systems in pharmaceutical field. We also describe the challenges to be faced for the breakthrough towards clinic studies and, finally, the market, focusing on the useful approach of safety-by-design (SbD).

Release profile and characteristics of electrosprayed particles for oral delivery of a practically insoluble drug

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres containing celecoxib were prepared via electrospraying, and the influence of three processing parameters namely flow rate, solute concentration and drug loading, on the physico-chemical properties of the particles and the drug-release profile was studied. Microspheres with diameters between 2 and 8 μm were produced and a near-monodisperse size distribution was achieved (polydispersivity indices of 6-12%). Further, the inner structure of the particles showed that the internal porosity of the particles increased with increasing solvent concentration. X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) analysis indicated that the drug was amorphous and remained stable after eight months of storage. Drug release was studied in USP 2 (United States Pharmacopeia Dissolution Apparatus 2) dissolution chambers, and differences in release profiles were observed depending on the parametric values. Changes in release rate were found to be directly related to the influence of the studied parameters on particle size and porosity. The results indicate that electrospraying is an attractive technique for producing drug-loaded microspheres that can be tailored towards an intended drug-delivery application. Compared with the more conventional spray-drying process, it provides better control of particle characteristics and less aggregation during particle formation. In particular, this study demonstrated its suitability for preparing capsules in which the drug is molecularly dispersed and released in a sustained manner to facilitate improved bioavailability.

Design of vitamin E d-α-Tocopheryl Polyethylene Glycol 1000 Succinate-Emulsified Poly (D,L-Lactide-co-Glycolide) Nanoparticles: Influence of Duration of Ultrasonication Energy

The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of the duration of ultrasonication energy on the physicochemical characteristics of the nano-sized particulate drug delivery systems. For this purpose, meloxicam-loaded vitamin E d-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS)-emulsified poly (D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles were designed by using ultrasonication-solvent evaporation technique and were characterized by photon correlation spectroscopy for size and size distribution, scanning electron microscopy for surface morphology and laser Doppler anemometry for surface charge. Ultraviolet -spectrophotometer was used to measure the drug encapsulation efficiency and to obtain in vitro drug release profile. The results showed that the physicochemical properties of the prepared nanoparticles are effectively controlled by the amount of shear stress transferred from the energy source to the emulsion, which is strongly correlated to the ultrasonication time.