Development and Validation of an HPLC-MS/MS Method for Pioglitazone from Nanocarriers Quantitation in Ex Vivo and In Vivo Ocular Tissues

Thiazolidinediones: Recent Development in Analytical Methodologies

The instrumental analytical methods that have been developed and utilized for the determination of thiazolidinedione in bulk medications, formulations and biological fluids have been reviewed after an in-depth analysis of the literature published in a variety of analytical and pharmaceutical chemistry-related journals. The approaches covered by this research, which covers the years 2001-2022, include complex methods for analysis, chromatographic techniques and spectrometric analytical procedures. The mobile phase, flow rate, sample matrix, wavelength and other factors identified in the literature were just a few of the parameters used to evaluate thiazolidinediones. The present review focuses on the published analytical techniques for thiazolidinedione analysis that have been previously identified in the literature. The specified outcomes followed extensive learning, and the most recent advances in analytical methods for the identification of pioglitazone, pioglitazone HCl, rosiglitazone, rosiglitazone maleate and lobeglitazone were reviewed. Additionally, this article briefly discusses features of analytical discovery on thiazolidinediones, which will enable readers to access all discoveries in one place with precise outcomes.

In Vitro Approaches to Explore the Anticancer Potential of One Natural Flavanone and Four Derivatives Loaded in Biopolymeric Nanoparticles for Application in Topical Delivery Treatments

The increasing number of skin cancer cases worldwide and the adverse side effects of current treatments have led to the search for new anticancer agents. In this present work, the anticancer potential of the natural flavanone 1, extracted from Eysenhardtia platycarpa, and four flavanone derivatives 1a-d obtained by different reactions from 1 was investigated by an in silico study and through cytotoxicity assays in melanoma (M21), cervical cancer (HeLa) cell lines and in a non-tumor cell line (HEK-293). The free compounds and compounds loaded in biopolymeric nanoparticles (PLGA NPs 1, 1a-d) were assayed. A structure-activity study (SAR) was performed to establish the main physicochemical characteristics that most contribute to cytotoxicity. Finally, ex vivo permeation studies were performed to assess the suitability of the flavanones for topical administration. Results revealed that most of the studied flavanones and their respective PLGA NPs inhibited cell growth depending on the concentration; 1b should be highlighted. The descriptors of the energetic factor were those that played a more important role in cellular activity. PLGA NPs demonstrated their ability to penetrate (Q_p of 17.84-118.29 µg) and be retained (Q_r of 0.01-1.44 g/g_skin/cm²) in the skin and to exert their action for longer. The results of the study suggest that flavanones could offer many opportunities as a future anticancer topical adjuvant treatment.

Assessing the Solubility of Baricitinib and Drug Uptake in Different Tissues Using Absorption and Fluorescence Spectroscopies

The low water solubility of baricitinib (BCT) limits the development of new formulations for the topical delivery of the drug. The aims of this study were to assess the solubility of BCT in different solvents, including Transcutol, a biocompatible permeation enhancer that is miscible in water, to evaluate the drug uptake in human skin and porcine tissues (sclera, cornea, oral, sublingual, and vaginal), and to subsequently extract the drug from the tissues so as to determine the drug recovery using in vitro techniques. Analytical methods were developed and validated for the quantification of BCT in Transcutol using absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies, which are complementary to each other and permit the detection of the drug across a broad range of concentrations. Results show that Transcutol permits an increased drug solubility, and that BCT is able to penetrate the tissues studied. The solutions of BCT in Transcutol were stable for at least one week. Hence, Transcutol may be a suitable solvent for further development of topical formulations.

Assessment of Efficacy and Safety Using PPAR-γ Agonist-Loaded Nanocarriers for Inflammatory Eye Diseases

Drug-loaded nanocarriers (NCs) are new systems that can greatly improve the delivery and targeting of drugs to specific tissues and organs. In our work, a PPAR-γ agonist loaded into polymeric NCs was prepared, stabilized by spray-drying, and tested in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo (animal models) to provide a safe formulation for optical anti-inflammatory treatments. The NCs were shown to be well tolerated, and no signs of irritancy or alterations of the eye properties were detected by the in vitro HET-CAM test and in vivo Draize test. Furthermore, no signs of cytotoxicity were found in the NC formulations on retinoblastoma cells (Y-79) analyzed using the alamarBlue assay, and the transmittance experiments evidenced good corneal transparency with the formulations tested. The ocular anti-inflammatory study confirmed the significant prevention efficacy using the NCs, and these systems did not affect the corneal tissue structure. Moreover, the animal corneal structure treated with the NCs was analyzed using X-ray diffraction using synchrotron light. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis did not show a significant difference in corneal collagen interfibrillar spacing after the treatment with freshly prepared NCs or NCs after the drying process compared to the corresponding negative control when inflammation was induced. Considering these results, the PPAR-γ agonist NCs could be a safe and effective alternative for the treatment of inflammatory ocular processes.

Stabilization by Nano Spray Dryer of Pioglitazone Polymeric Nanosystems: Development, In Vivo, Ex Vivo and Synchrotron Analysis

Pioglitazone-loaded PLGA-PEG nanoparticles (NPs) were stabilized by the spray drying technique as an alternative to the treatment of ocular inflammatory disorders. Pioglitazone-NPs were developed and characterized physiochemically. Interaction studies, biopharmaceutical behavior, ex vivo corneal and scleral permeation, and in vivo bioavailability evaluations were conducted. Fibrillar diameter and interfibrillar corneal spacing of collagen was analyzed by synchrotron X-ray scattering techniques and stability studies at 4 °C and was carried out before and after the spray drying process. NPs showed physicochemical characteristics suitable for ocular administration. The release was sustained up to 46 h after drying; ex vivo corneal and scleral permeation profiles of pioglitazone-NPs before and after drying demonstrated higher retention and permeation through cornea than sclera. These results were correlated with an in vivo bioavailability study. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis did not show a significant difference in the organization of the corneal collagen after the treatment with pioglitazone-NPs before and after the drying process, regarding the negative control. The stabilization process by Nano Spray Dryer B-90 was shown to be useful in preserving the activity of pioglitazone inside the NPs, maintaining their physicochemical characteristics, in vivo bioavailability, and non-damage to corneal collagen function after SAXS analysis was observed.

Development of an Improved Method for the Determination of Iodine/β-Cyclodextrin by Means of HPLC-UV: Validation and the Thyroid-Stimulating Activity Revealed by In Vivo Studies

Iodine, being an intrinsic part of thyroid hormones, is a vital microelement required for normal growth and development, particularly in children. Inadequate daily intake of iodine causes iodine deficiency, which is responsible for several health disorders, such as cretinism and goiters. Therefore, the development of new drugs and/or food supplements for iodine deficiency is crucial. We synthesized an iodine/β-cyclodextrin complex based on a host–guest model, and in this paper, we outline the development of a new quantitative analysis method. We suggest a robust and reliable high-performance liquid chromatography method to determine the total amount of iodine species in the complex. Moreover, we performed validation of our method. The results of validation presented here show the reliability, accuracy and high precision of the method. Furthermore, for the first time, we show results of in vivo studies for the thyroid-stimulating activity of the iodine/β-cyclodextrin complex. Our findings indicate that the thyroid-stimulating activity of iodine/β-cyclodextrin is comparable to that of potassium iodide, which is the main active pharmaceutical substance of conventional drugs for iodine deficiency.