Quality by design approach to prepare oleoyl alginate derivative and its use in transdermal delivery

On Emergence of Spontaneous Oscillations in Kombucha and Proteinoids

An important part of studying living systems is figuring out the complicated steps that lead to order from chaos. Spontaneous oscillations are a key part of self-organisation in many biological and chemical networks, including kombucha and proteinoids. This study examines the spontaneous oscillations in kombucha and proteinoids, specifically exploring their potential connection to the origin of life. As a community of bacteria and yeast work together, kombucha shows remarkable spontaneous oscillations in its biochemical parts. This system can keep a dynamic balance and organise itself thanks to metabolic processes and complex chemical reactions. Similarly, proteinoids, which may have been primitive forms of proteins, undergo spontaneous fluctuations in their structure and function periodically. Because these oscillations happen on their own, they may play a very important part in the development of early life forms. This paper highlights the fundamental principles governing the transition from chaos to order in living systems by examining the key factors that influence the frequency and characteristics of spontaneous oscillations in kombucha and proteinoids. Looking into these rhythms not only helps us understand where life came from but also shows us ways to make self-organising networks in synthetic biology and biotechnology. There is significant discussion over the emergence of biological order from chemical disorder. This article contributes to the ongoing discussion by examining at the theoretical basis, experimental proof, and implications of spontaneous oscillations. The results make it clear that random oscillations are an important part of the change from nonliving to living matter. They also give us important information about what life is all about.

Recent update on alginate based promising transdermal drug delivery systems

Alongside oral delivery of therapeutics, transdermal delivery systems have gained increased patient acceptability over past few decades. With increasing popularity, novel techniques were employed for transdermal drug targeting which involves microneedle patches, transdermal films and hydrogel based formulations. Hydrogel forming ability along with other rheological behaviour makes natural polysaccharides an attractive option for transdermal use. Being a marine originated anionic polysaccharide, alginates are widely used in pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food industries. Alginate possesses excellent biodegradability, biocompatibility and mucoadhesive properties. Owing to many favourable properties required for transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS), the application of alginates are increasing in recent times. This review summarizes the source and properties of alginate along with several transdermal delivery techniques including the application of alginate for respective transdermal systems.

Chitosan-coated alginate (CCA) nanoparticles for augmentation of topical antihistaminic activity of diphenhydramine: in-vitro optimization, skin histopathology and pharmacodynamic studies with in vitro/in vivo correlation

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to formulate chitosan-coated alginate nanoparticles containing the drug diphenhydramine hydrochloride (DHH).

SIGNIFICANCE

Diphenhydramine hydrochloride (DHH) is the prototype of H₁-antihistaminic drugs. It is a lipophilic drug, that easily crosses the blood-brain barrier when taken orally causing decrements in alertness and performance. Multiple applications of topical drug product are required. Thus, drug incorporation in nanocarriers would increase the skin penetration powers increasing the drug efficacy.

METHODS

Chitosan coated alginate (CCA) nanoparticles were prepared via polyelectrolyte complex technique adopting 2³ full factorial design. Three factors, namely, alginate concentration, drug to alginate ratio and CaCl₂ volume, each in two levels were studied. The prepared formulae were evaluated utilizing entrapment efficiency (EE), particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP) and in vitro release. Characterization process was then followed by optimization.

RESULTS

At alginate conc. of 1%, drug to alginate ratio of 2:1 and CaCl₂ volume of 4 mL, NP8 was chosen as a candidate formula. Histopathological examination on shaved rat dorsal skin disclosed the safety of NP8 with no signs of necrosis or even inflammation. The enhanced topical delivery of diphenhydramine hydrochloride enclosed in the developed nanoparticles was further proved by induction of allergic reaction using intradermal histamine injection. The results revealed the superior ability of NP8 to decrease the diameter of the formed wheal in comparison to marketed DHH product.

CONCLUSION

Thus, CCA nanoparticles are considered as a candidate nanocarriers for fortifying the topical antihistaminic activity of DHH.

Marine Polysaccharides in Tailor- Made Drug Delivery

Abstract:

Marine sources have attracted much interest as an emerging source of biomaterials in drug delivery applications. Amongst all other marine biopolymers, polysaccharides have been the mostly investigated class of biomaterials. The low cytotoxic behavior, in combination with the newly explored health benefits of marine polysaccharides has made it one of the prime research areas in the pharmaceutical and biomedical fields. In this review, we focused on all available marine polysaccharides, including their classification based on biological sources. The applications of several marine polysaccharides in recent years for tissue-specific novel drug delivery including gastrointestinal, brain tissue, transdermal, ocular, liver, and lung have also been discussed here. The abundant availability in nature, cost-effective extraction, and purification process along with a favorable biodegradable profile will encourage researchers to continue investigating marine polysaccharides for exploring newer applications in targeting specific delivery of therapeutics.

A straightforward method for quantification of vinyl functionalized water soluble alginates via 13C-NMR spectroscopy

Alginates are fairly abundant in nature and possess many interesting properties, including their biocompatibility and ability to absorb large amounts of water. Hence, increasing interest in their derivatization has been observed and the determination of the number of newly introduced functionalities has become a key issue. For this purpose, literature generally reports on conventional ¹H-NMR spectra, typically recorded at elevated temperatures and/or after hydrolysis of the alginate to circumvent line broadening effects resulting from the high viscosity. The present work reports on the modification of alginate with methacrylate functionalities and determination of the resulting degree of substitution (DS), i.e. the number of introduced methacrylate moieties relative to the initial amount of hydroxyl groups along the alginate backbone, via NMR spectroscopy. Freeze-drying and low power water presaturation were applied to improve the quality of the ¹H NMR spectra. Nevertheless, it remains a qualitative method, to be used only for mutual comparisons of samples. A new and accurate method for DS determination of methacrylated alginates, based on ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy, is proposed. Quantitative ¹³C-NMR spectra were recorded with reduced measuring times by addition of a paramagnetic relaxation agent. The proposed method will also be applicable for other water-soluble functionalized alginates and polysaccharides in general.