Particle engineering/different film approaches for earlier absorption of meloxicam

D-optimal mixture design for optimization of topical dapsone niosomes: in vitro characterization and in vivo activity against Cutibacterium acnes

This study aimed to illustrate the use of D-optimal mixture design (DOMD) for optimization of an enhancer containing Dapsone niosomal formula for acne topical treatment. Mixture components (MixCs) studied were: Span 20, Cholesterol, and Cremophor RH. Different responses were measured. Optimized formula (OF) was selected to minimize particle size and maximize absolute zeta potential and entrapment efficiency. Optimized formula gel (OF-gel) was prepared and characterized. OF-gel in vivo skin penetration using confocal laser scanning microscopy and activity against Cutibacterium acnes in acne mouse model were studied. Based on DOMD results analysis, adequate models were derived. Piepel and contour plots were plotted accordingly to explain how alteration in MixCs L-pseudo values affected studied responses and regions for different responses’ values. The OF had suitable predicted responses which were in good correlation with the actually measured ones. The OF-gel showed suitable characterization and in vivo skin penetration up to the dermis layer. In vivo acne mouse-model showed that OF-gel-treated group (OF-gel-T-gp) had significantly better recovery (healing) criteria than untreated (UT-gp) and Aknemycin^®-treated (A-T-gp) groups. This was evident in significantly higher reduction of inflammation percent observed in OF-gel-T-gp than both UT-gp and A-T-gp. Better healing in OF-gel-T-gp compared with other groups was also verified by histopathological examination. Moreover, OF-gel-T-gp and A-T-gp bacterial loads were non-significantly different from each other but significantly lower than UT-gp. Thus, DOMD was an adequate statistical tool for optimization of an appropriate enhancer containing Dapsone niosomal formula that proved to be promising for topical treatment of acne.

Formulation, characterization, optimization, and in-vivo performance of febuxostat self-nano-emulsifying system loaded sublingual films

Febuxostat (FXS) is a potent antigout drug with poor water solubility and relative high first-pass effect leading to moderate oral bioavailability (<49%). This study aimed to increase FXS solubility and bioavailability by optimizing sublingual fast-dissolving films (SFs) containing a selected FXS self-nano-emulsifying system (s-SNES) previously prepared by our team. The s-SNES was loaded into SFs by solvent casting technique. A full factorial design (3²) was applied to study the effects of polymer and plasticizer types on mechanical characteristics and the dissolution profile of FXS from the SFs. Numerical optimization was performed to select the SF having highest desirability according to predetermined characteristics. The optimized SF (O-SF) contained 1 g of s-SNES, polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 (6%w/v), polyethylene glycol 300 (20%w/w of polymer wt.), and Avicel PH101 (0.5%w/v). O-SF showed good permeation of FXS through sheep sublingual tissue. Storage of O-SF for three months showed no significant change in the FXS dissolution profile. In-vivo performance of O-SF in rabbits was compared to that of oral marketed tablets (Staturic^® 80 mg). A cross-over design was applied and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated after ensuring absence of sequence effect. Statistical analysis revealed better performance for O-SF with significantly higher C_max, AUC_0–24, AUC_0–∞, apparent t_1/2 together with lower t_max, and apparent k_el than marketed tablets. Relative bioavailability of O-SF compared to the marketed tablet was found to be 240.6%. This confirms the achievement of the study aims of improving dissolution rate and bioavailability of FXS using a patient-wise convenient formula.

A novel albumin wrapped nanosuspension of meloxicam to improve inflammation-targeting effects

Background

The objective of this study was to develop a more bio-available and safe nanosuspension of meloxicam (MX), which could dramatically improve inflammation targeting.

Methods and results

MX-loaded bovine serum albumin (BSA) nanosuspensions were prepared using acid–base neutralization in aqueous solution and the prepared nanosuspensions were characterized. The results obtained showed that the prepared nanosuspensions had a narrow size distribution with a mean particle size of 78.67±0.22 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.133±0.01, and a zeta potential of −11.87±0.91 mV. The prepared MX nanosuspensions were spherically wrapped by BSA with a smooth surface as shown by transmission electron microscopy. Stability studies showed that the nanosuspensions were physically stable at 4°C with a shelf life of at least 6 months. In the in vitro dissolution test, the MX-loaded BSA nanosuspension (MX-BSA-NS) exhibited sustained release. In addition, an in vivo pharmacokinetic study in rats following intravenous injection showed that the half-life (t_1/2), mean residence time (MRT), and area under the concentration–time curve (AUC_0–∞) of MX-BSA-NS was increased by 169.83%, 150.13%, and 148.80%, respectively, in comparison with MX conventional solution (MX solution). Furthermore, results from inflammation targeting studies showed that the concentration of MX increased significantly in inflamed tissues but was reduced in normal tissues compared with the MX solution group after injection of MX-BSA-NS.

Conclusion

The prepared MX-BSA-NS significantly increased the inflammation-targeting properties and bioavailability of MX, suggesting its potential as a promising formulation for the targeted drug delivery of MX in future clinical applications.