Design of a novel type IV lipid-based delivery system for improved delivery of drugs with low partition coefficient

Scalable Production and In Vitro Efficacy of Inhaled Erlotinib Nanoemulsion for Enhanced Efficacy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a global concern as one of the leading causes of cancer deaths. The treatment options for NSCLC are limited to systemic chemotherapy, administered either orally or intravenously, with no local chemotherapies to target NSCLC. In this study, we have prepared nanoemulsions of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), erlotinib, using the single step, continuous manufacturing, and easily scalable hot melt extrusion (HME) technique without additional size reduction step. The formulated nanoemulsions were optimized and evaluated for their physiochemical properties, in vitro aerosol deposition behavior, and therapeutic activity against NSCLC cell lines both in vitro and ex vivo. The optimized nanoemulsion showed suitable aerosolization characteristics for deep lung deposition. The in vitro anti-cancer activity was tested against the NSCLC A549 cell line which exhibited 2.8-fold lower IC₅₀ for erlotinib-loaded nanoemulsion, as compared to erlotinib-free solution. Furthermore, ex vivo studies using a 3D spheroid model also revealed higher efficacy of erlotinib-loaded nanoemulsion against NSCLC. Hence, inhalable nanoemulsion can be considered as a potential therapeutic approach for the local lung delivery of erlotinib to NSCLC.

Functional Excipients and Novel Drug Delivery Scenario in Self-nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery System: A Critical Note

Lipid-based formulations have emerged as prospective dosage forms for extracting the therapeutic effects of existing lipophilic compounds and novel chemical entities more efficiently. Compared to other excipients, lipids have the added benefit of enhancing the bioavailability of lipophilic and highly metabolizable drugs due to their unique physicochemical features and similarities to in vivo components. Furthermore, lipids can minimize the needed dose and even the toxicity of drugs with poor aqueous solubility when employed as the primary excipient. Hence, the aim of the present review is to highlight the functional behavior of lipid excipients used in SNEDD formulation along with the stability aspects of the formulation in vivo. Moreover, this review also covered the importance of SNEDDS in drug delivery, the therapeutic and manufacturing benefits of lipids as excipients, and the technological advances made so far to convert liquid to solid SNEDDS like melt granulation, adsorption on solid support, spray cooling, melt extrusion/ spheronization has also highlighted. The mechanistic understanding of SNEDD absorption in vivo is highly complex, which was discussed very critically in this review. An emphasis on their application and success on an industrial scale was presented, as supported by case studies and patent surveys.

Improving the biopharmaceutical attributes of mangiferin using vitamin E-TPGS co-loaded self-assembled phosholipidic nano-mixed micellar systems

The current research work encompasses the development, characterization, and evaluation of self-assembled phospholipidic nano-mixed miceller system (SPNMS) of a poorly soluble BCS Class IV xanthone bioactive, mangiferin (Mgf) functionalized with co-delivery of vitamin E TPGS. Systematic optimization using I-optimal design yielded self-assembled phospholipidic nano-micelles with a particle size of < 60 nm and > 80% of drug release in 15 min. The cytotoxicity and cellular uptake studies performed using MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines demonstrated greater kill and faster cellular uptake. The ex vivo intestinal permeability revealed higher lymphatic uptake, while in situ perfusion and in vivo pharmacokinetic studies indicated nearly 6.6- and 3.0-folds augmentation in permeability and bioavailability of Mgf. In a nutshell, vitamin E functionalized SPNMS of Mgf improved the biopharmaceutical performance of Mgf in rats for enhanced anticancer potency.