Design and Optimization of Omeprazole-Curcumin-Loaded Hydrogel Beads Coated with Chitosan for Treating Peptic Ulcers

Wondrous Yellow Molecule: Are Hydrogels a Successful Strategy to Overcome the Limitations of Curcumin?

Curcumin is a natural compound with a great pharmaceutical potential that involves anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective activity. Unfortunately, its low bioavailability, instability, and poor water solubility significantly deteriorate its clinical use. Many attempts have been made to overcome this issue, and encapsulating curcumin in a hydrogel matrix may improve those properties. Hydrogel formulation is used in many drug delivery forms, including classic types and novel forms such as self-assembly systems or responsive to external factors. Reviewed studies confirmed better properties of hydrogel-stabilized curcumin in comparison to pure compound. The main enhanced characteristics were chemical stability, bioavailability, and water solubility, which enabled these systems to be tested for various diseases. These formulations were evaluated for wound healing properties, effectiveness in treating skin diseases, and anticancer and regenerative activity. Hydrogel formulation significantly improved biopharmaceutical properties, opening the opportunity to finally see curcumin as a clinically approved substance and unravel its therapeutic potential.

Improving the physicochemical stability and release properties of curcumin using κ-carrageenan/scallop hydrolysates hydrogel beads

Scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) male gonad hydrolysates (SMGHs)/κ-carrageenan (KC)/KCl beads with SMGHs:KC ratios (0:10-5:5) were investigated. SMGHs/KC/KCl-Cur bead (5:5) exhibited the most intact spherical morphology and highest Cur loading content of 0.063 mg/0.1 g bead, ascribing to a shortened T23 from 1607.9 to 966.4 ms, and red and blueshifts of OH, NH, amide I and II bands. The undetected fingerprint region within 7.82°-28.90° of SMGHs/KC/KCl-Cur beads indicated successful Cur entrapment. Moreover, SMGHs/KC/KCl-Cur beads exhibited shrinkage network backbones and larger void pores as SMGHs increased, with vessel percentage area, total number of junctions, total vessel length decreasing from 52.1, 1446.8, 57931.4 to 39.7, 530.5, 34458.4, and lacunarity increasing from 0.048 to 0.111, respectively. Furthermore, Cur showed approximately 50% release contents in colon phase and above 90% retention rate during 30 days of storage at 4 °C. These results suggested that SMGHs/KC/KCl-Cur beads exhibited sustained-release of Cur and promised stable Cur preservation.

Fabrication and characterization of tamarind seed gum based novel hydrogel for the targeted delivery of omeprazole magnesium

The tamarind seed gum based novel hydrogel was fabricated by varying concentration of polymer, monomer and crosslinker for the targeted delivery of omeprazole magnesium at stomach pH of 1.5. The free radical graft copolymerization of 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid with tamarind seed gum backbone resulted in hydrogel. The formation of sulfonic acid pendant groups in hydrogel was observed by the existence of an infrared absorption band at 1152 cm-1 for SO group. The conversion to semicrystalline nature on incorporation of drug evidenced by powder X-ray diffraction studies with peaks at 2θ = 20.4° 31.5° and 52.2°. The scanning electron microscopy images showed bigger voids which narrowed down for drug loaded matrix, supported by the presence of a peak for magnesium in the energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The greatest swelling was observed at pH 7 with second-order rate constant 1.5371 (g/g)/min and drug release was found to be 97.85 ± 1 % over 1200 min at pH 1.5. The drug release transport was found combination of diffusion and erosion of polymer chain to be super case II diffusion and Hill equation model was good fit. The hydrogel drug conjugate found to be non-toxic at tested concentrations (17 mg/50 mg) on in-vivo testing in Drosophila model.

Chitosan Nanoparticles for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Treatment

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a chronic ailment that results from the backward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus, causing heartburn and acid regurgitation. This review explores nanotechnology as a novel treatment approach for GERD. Chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) offer several advantages, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, and targeted drug delivery capabilities. CSNPs have been extensively studied due to their ability to encapsulate and release medications in a controlled manner. Different nanoparticle (NP) delivery systems, including gels, microspheres, and coatings, have been developed to enhance drug retention, drug targeting, and controlled release in the esophagus. These nanoparticles can target specific molecular pathways associated with acid regulation, esophageal tissue protection, and inflammation modulation. However, the optimization of nanoparticle formulations faces challenges, including ensuring stability, scalability, and regulatory compliance. The future may see CSNPs combined with other treatments like proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or mucosal protectants for a synergistic therapeutic approach. Thus, CSNPs provide exciting opportunities for novel GERD treatment strategies.