Fabrication and Characterization of Fast-Dissolving Films Containing Escitalopram/Quetiapine for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

Dissolving Microneedles Patch: A Promising Approach for Advancing Transdermal Delivery of Antischizophrenic Drug

OBJECTIVE

Microneedles (MNs) are minimally invasive transdermal drug delivery systems capable of penetrating the stratum corneum to overcome the barrier properties. The primary objective of this research was to prepare dissolving microneedle patches (DMNP) loaded with quetiapine (QTP).

METHODS

DMNP were fabricated employing the solvent casting technique, utilizing various polymer feed ratios including polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 (PVP-K30), and polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) polymers. The loaded DMNP with QTP underwent a comprehensive characterization process encompassing assessments for compatibility, thickness, insertion potential, morphology, thermal behavior, X-ray diffraction, ex-vivo permeation, skin irritation, and histopathological changes.

RESULTS

FTIR studies confirmed the compatibility of QTP with the microneedle patch composites. The thickness of the drug-loaded DMNP ranged from 0.67 mm to 0.97 mm. These microneedles exhibited an impressive penetration depth of 480 μm, with over 80% of the needles maintaining their original shape after piercing Parafilm-M. SEM analysis of the optimized DMNP-2 revealed the formation of sharp-tipped and uniformly surfaced needles, measuring 570 μm in length. Remarkably, the microneedles did not elicit any signs of irritation upon application of the prepared DMNP. The DMNP-2 showcased an impressive cumulative ex-vivo permeation of QTP, reaching 17.82 µg/cm2/hr. Additionally, histopathological assessment of vital organs in rabbits attested to the safety profile of the formulated microneedle patches.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, the developed microneedle patch represents a promising strategy for enhancing the transdermal delivery of QTP. This innovative approach has the potential to increase patient compliance, offering a more efficient and patient-friendly method of administering QTP.

Dual Drug-Loaded Coaxial Nanofiber Dressings for the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcer

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus is frequently associated with foot ulcers, which pose significant health risks and complications. Impaired wound healing in diabetic patients is attributed to multiple factors, including hyperglycemia, neuropathy, chronic inflammation, oxidative damage, and decreased vascularization.

Rationale

To address these challenges, this project aims to develop bioactive, fast-dissolving nanofiber dressings composed of polyvinylpyrrolidone loaded with a combination of an antibiotic (moxifloxacin or fusidic acid) and anti-inflammatory drug (pirfenidone) using electrospinning technique to prevent the bacterial growth, reduce inflammation, and expedite wound healing in diabetic wounds.

Results

The fabricated drug-loaded fibers exhibited diameters of 443 ± 67 nm for moxifloxacin/pirfenidone nanofibers and 488 ± 92 nm for fusidic acid/pirfenidone nanofibers. The encapsulation efficiency, drug loading and drug release studies for the moxifloxacin/pirfenidone nanofibers were found to be 70 ± 3% and 20 ± 1 µg/mg, respectively, for moxifloxacin, and 96 ± 6% and 28 ± 2 µg/mg, respectively, for pirfenidone, with a complete release of both drugs within 24 hours, whereas the fusidic acid/pirfenidone nanofibers were found to be 95 ± 6% and 28 ± 2 µg/mg, respectively, for fusidic acid and 102 ± 5% and 30 ± 2 µg/mg, respectively, for pirfenidone, with a release rate of 66% for fusidic acid and 80%, for pirfenidone after 24 hours. The efficacy of the prepared nanofiber formulations in accelerating wound healing was evaluated using an induced diabetic rat model. All tested formulations showed an earlier complete closure of the wound compared to the controls, which was also supported by the histopathological assessment. Notably, the combination of fusidic acid and pirfenidone nanofibers demonstrated wound healing acceleration on day 8, earlier than all tested groups.

Conclusion

These findings highlight the potential of the drug-loaded nanofibrous system as a promising medicated wound dressing for diabetic foot applications.

Co-Delivery of Dragon's Blood and Alkanna tinctoria Extracts Using Electrospun Nanofibers: In Vitro and In Vivo Wound Healing Evaluation in Diabetic Rat Model

The increasing prevalence of diabetic wounds presents a significant challenge due to the difficulty of natural healing and various obstacles. Dragon's blood (DB) and Alkanna tinctoria (AT) are well recognized for their potent healing abilities, which include potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, electrospun nanofibers (NFs) based on polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) were co-loaded with both DB and AT, aiming to magnify their efficacy as wound-dressing applications for diabetic wound healing. The evaluation of these NFs as wound dressings was conducted using a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model. Electrospun NFs were prepared using the electrospinning of the PVP polymer, resulting in nanofibers with consistent, smooth surfaces. The loading capacity (LC) of AT and DB into NFs was 64.1 and 70.4 µg/mg, respectively, while in the co-loaded NFs, LC was 49.6 for AT and 57.2 µg/mg for DB. In addition, X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that DB and AT were amorphously dispersed within the NFs. The loaded NFs showed a dissolution time of 30 s in PBS (pH 7.4), which facilitated the release of AT and DB (25-38% after 10 min), followed by a complete release achieved after 180 min. The antibacterial evaluation demonstrated that the DB-AT mixture had potent activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Along with that, the DB-AT NFs showed effective growth inhibition for both P. aeruginosa and S. aureus compared to the control NFs. Moreover, wound healing was evaluated in vivo in diabetic Wistar rats over 14 days. The results revealed that the DB-AT NFs improved wound healing within 14 days significantly compared to the other groups. These results highlight the potential application of the developed DB-AT NFs in wound healing management, particularly in diabetic wounds.

Development and evaluation of sildenafil/glycyrrhizin-loaded nanofibers as a potential novel buccal delivery system for erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a growing health condition that needs safe and effective therapy. One of the main common treatments is sildenafil which is used in clinics for managing erectile dysfunction by enhancing the blood supply to the penis. In the current study, sildenafil was formulated as nanofibers and mixed with the root extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra (glycyrrhizin) as a natural sweetener to be administrated in the buccal cavity for enhanced drug bioavailability, rapid drug absorption and improved patient compliance. The formulated dual-loaded nanofibers were evaluated by measuring diameter, disintegration, drug loading efficiency, drug release profile, and in vitro cell viability assessment. The results showed that the sildenafil/glycyrrhizin-loaded fibers had a diameter of 0.719 ± 0.177 μm and lacked any beads and pores formation on their surfaces. The drug loading and encapsulation efficiency for sildenafil were measured as 52 ± 7 µg/mg and 67 ± 9 %, respectively, while they were 290 ± 32 μg/mg and 94 ± 10 %, respectively, for glycyrrhizin. The release rate of sildenafil and glycyrrhizin demonstrated a burst release in the first minute, followed by a gradual increment until a complete release after 120 min. The in vitro cell viability evaluation exhibited that the application of sildenafil and glycyrrhizin is safe upon 24-hour treatment on human skin fibroblast cells at all used concentrations (i.e., ≤ 1,000 and 4,000 μg/mL, respectively). However, the application of sildenafil-glycyrrhizin combination (in a ratio of 1:4) demonstrated more than 80 % cell viability at concentrations of ≤ 250 and 1000 μg/mL, respectively, following 24-hour cell exposure. Therefore, sildenafil/glycyrrhizin dual-loaded PVP nanofibers showed a potential buccal therapeutic approach for erectile dysfunction management.

Fabrication and evaluation of ribavirin-loaded electrospun nanofibers as an antimicrobial wound dressing

Background

Skin is regarded as an essential first line of defense against harmful pathogens and it hosts an ecosystem of microorganisms that create a widely diverse skin microbiome. In chronic wounds, alterations in the host-microbe interactions occur forming polymicrobial biofilms that hinder the process of wound healing. Ribavirin, an antiviral drug, possesses antimicrobial activity, especially against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans, which are known as the main opportunistic pathogens in chronic wounds.

Rationale

In this study, electrospun nanofiber systems loaded with ribavirin were developed as a potential wound dressing for topical application in chronic wounds. Ribavirin was chosen in this study owing to the emerging cases of antimicrobial (antibiotics and antifungal) resistance and the low attempts to discover new antimicrobial agents, which encouraged the repurposing use of current medication as an alternative solution in case of resistance to the available agents. Additionally, the unique mechanism of action of ribavirin, i.e., perturbing the bacterial virulence system without killing or stopping their growth and rendering the pathogens disarmed, might be a promising choice to prevent drug resistance. Cyclodextrin (CD) was utilized to formulate ribavirin as an electrospun nanofibers delivery system to enhance the absorption and accelerate the release of ribavirin for topical use.

Results

The results demonstrated a successful ribavirin nanofibers fabrication that lacked beads and pores on the nanofibrous surfaces. Ribavirin underwent a physical transformation from crystalline to amorphous form, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. This change occurred due to the molecular dispersion after the electrospinning process. Additionally, the CD enhanced the encapsulation efficiency of ribavirin in the nanofibers as observed from the drug-loading results. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and CD increased ribavirin released into the solution and the disintegration of fibrous mats which shrank and eventually dissolved into a gel-like substance as the ribavirin-loaded fibers began to break down from their border toward the midpoint. Cytotoxicity of ribavirin and CD was evaluated against human dermal fibroblasts (HFF-1) and the results showed a relatively safe profile of ribavirin upon 24-hour cell exposure, while CD was safe within 24- and 48-hour.

Conclusion

This study provides valuable insights into the potential application of our nanofibrous system for treating chronic wounds; however, further antimicrobial and in-vivo studies are required to confirm its safety and effectiveness.

Optimizing the fabrication of electrospun nanofibers of prochlorperazine for enhanced dissolution and permeation properties

Despite being an approved antiemetic for more than five decades, the clinical usefulness of prochlorperazine is limited by its low solubility and inconsistent absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, which presents challenges for nanotherapeutic interventions. Here, we report the preparation of a highly soluble and permeable nanofiber formulation of prochlorperazine using the Quality-by-Design approach. The final nanofiber formulation with drug entrapment of 88.02 ± 1.14 % was obtained at 20.0 kV, with a flow rate of 0.5 ml/h and tip-to-collector distance of 19.9 cm. Physio-mechanical properties, such as thickness (0.42 ± 0.02 mm), pH resistance (7.04 ± 0.08), folding endurance (54 ± 5), and tensile strength (0.244 ± 0.02 N.mm-2), were appropriate for packaging and application to oromucosal surfaces. The content uniformity (93.48-106.63 %) and weight variation (<1.8 mg) of the optimal nanofiber formulation were within the permissible limits prescribed for orodispersible films. Microscopical investigations confirm a randomly deposited and dense network of woven nanofibers with an average diameter of 363 ± 5.66 nm. The drug particles were embedded homogeneously on the fiber in the nanoform (4.27 ± 1.34 nm). The spectral analysis using TEM-EDS shows diffraction peaks of sulfur and chlorine, the elemental constituents of prochlorperazine. The drug was amorphized in the nanofiber formulation, as led by the decline of the crystallinity index from 87.25 % to 7.93 % due to electrostatic destabilization and flash evaporation of the solvent. The enthalpy of fusion values of the drug in the nanofiber mat decreased significantly to 23.6 J/g compared to its pristine form, which exhibits a value of 260.7 J/g. The nanofibers were biocompatible with oral mucosal cells, and there were no signs of mucosal irritation compared to 1 % sodium lauryl sulfate. The fiber mats rapidly disintegrated within <1 s and released ≈91.49 ± 2.1 % of the drug within 2 min, almost 2-fold compared to the commercial Stemetil MD® tablets. Similarly, the cumulative amount of the drug permeated across the unit area of the oromucosal membrane was remarkably high (31.28 ± 1.30 μg) compared to 10.17 ± 1.11 μg and 13.10 ± 1.79 μg from the cast film and drug suspension. Our results revealed these nanofiber formulations have the potential to be fast-dissolving oromucosal delivery systems, which can result in enhanced bioavailability with an early onset of action due to rapid disintegration, dissolution, and permeation.

Comparative Efficacy of Augmenting Escitalopram with Modified Electroconvulsive Therapy or High-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Depressive Symptoms, Quality of Life, and Cognitive Function in Treatment-Resistant Depression

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) poses significant therapeutic challenges despite available interventions. Escitalopram (ESC) is a highly selective antidepressant. This study aimed to compare ESC alone and ESC combined with modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT) or high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (HF-rTMS) in TRD patients. Ninety participants were randomized into ESC alone, ESC + MECT, and ESC + HF-rTMS groups. Notable differences were observed in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17) scores at 12 weeks among ESC (14.37), ESC + MECT (10.27), and ESC + HF-rTMS (10.77) groups (P = 0.006). In terms of overall quality of life (QoL) evaluated using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) at 12 weeks, the ESC, ESC + MECT, and ESC + HF-rTMS groups scored 2, 3, and 3.5, respectively. ESC + MECT/HF-rTMS groups showed reduced depressive symptoms compared to the ESC group, accompanied by higher overall QoL scores and increased satisfaction with health. Patients receiving ESC + MECT demonstrated no significant alterations in short-term memory and orientation, as measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), before and after treatment. Moreover, a decline in language was observed compared to baseline (12 weeks: median 2, IQR 2-3; baseline: median 1, IQR 1-3; P = 0.022). The positive impact of ESC with HF-rTMS on cognitive function was evidenced by improvements in all domines MoCA.Combining ESC with MECT or HF-rTMS exhibited enhanced effectiveness in alleviating depressive symptoms and enhancing QoL compared to ESC monotherapy. Specifically, the ESC + HF-rTMS combination displayed potential as a comprehensive treatment strategy for TRD, addressing both emotional and cognitive aspects.

The Potential of Films as Transmucosal Drug Delivery Systems

Pharmaceutical films are polymeric formulations used as a delivery platform for administration of small and macromolecular drugs for local or systemic action. They can be produced by using synthetic, semi-synthetic, or natural polymers through solvent casting, electrospinning, hot-melt extrusion, and 3D printing methods, and depending on the components and the manufacturing methods used, the films allow the modulation of drug release. Moreover, they have advantages that have drawn interest in the development and evaluation of film application on the buccal, nasal, vaginal, and ocular mucosa. This review aims to provide an overview of and critically discuss the use of films as transmucosal drug delivery systems. For this, aspects such as the composition of these formulations, the theories of mucoadhesion, and the methods of production were deeply considered, and an analysis of the main transmucosal pathways for which there are examples of developed films was conducted. All of this allowed us to point out the most relevant characteristics and opportunities that deserve to be taken into account in the use of films as transmucosal drug delivery systems.

Eflornithine Hydrochloride-Loaded Electrospun Nanofibers as a Potential Face Mask for Hirsutism Application

Hirsutism is a distressing condition that can affect women's self-esteem due to the excessive amount of hair growth in different body parts, including the face. A temporary managing option is to develop a self-care routine to remove unwanted hair through shaving or waxing. Laser or electrolysis are alternative methods, but in some cases, the use of medications, such as the topical cream Vaniqa®, can help in reducing the growth of unwanted hair. Electrospun fibers have been used in several drug delivery applications, including skin care products, owing to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, high surface area-to-volume ratio, and dry nature that can release the encapsulated drugs with maximum skin penetration. Therefore, polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) fibers were fabricated in combination with hyaluronic acid to deliver the active compound of Vaniqa®, i.e., Eflornithine hydrochloride (EFH), as a face mask to inhibit excess facial hair growth. The prepared drug-loaded fibers showed a diameter of 490 ± 140 nm, with an encapsulation efficiency of 88 ± 7% and a drug loading capacity of 92 ± 7 μg/mg. The in vitro drug release of EFH-loaded fibers exhibited an initial burst release of 80% in the first 5 min, followed by a complete release after 360 min, owing to the rapid disintegration of the fibrous mat (2 s). The in vitro cytotoxicity indicated a high safety profile of EFH at all tested concentrations (500-15.625 μg/mL) after 24-h exposure to human dermal fibroblast (HFF-1) cells. Therefore, this drug-loaded nanofibrous system can be considered a potentially medicated face mask for the management of hirsutism, along with the moisturizing effect that it possesses. Topical applications of the developed system showed reduced hair growth in mice to a certain extent.

Overview about Oral Films in Mental Disorders

Mental disorders are increasing worldwide, and efforts have been developed by multidisciplinary research groups to combine knowledge from different areas such as psychology, neuroscience, medicine, and biotechnology to develop strategies and products to promote the prevention of mental disorders. Excessive antipsychotic consumption is a public health problem, and innovative strategies must be devised. The development of innovative and, if possible, natural products is one of the strategies to combat this public health problem. Oral films are recent delivery systems that have been developed with several advantages that should be applied in this area. This review intends to draw attention to these new dosage forms of drugs and bioactive molecules pertinent to the field of mental health prevention and therapy and to the need for regulatory guidelines to ensure their quality and safety. This is a critical overview about strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to oral film implementation in mental disorder treatment.

Development of Imeglimin Electrospun Nanofibers as a Potential Buccal Antidiabetic Therapeutic Approach

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) has been growing worldwide; hence, safe and effective antidiabetics are critically warranted. Recently, imeglimin, a novel tetrahydrotriazene compound, has been approved for use in T2D patients in Japan. It has shown promising glucose-lowering properties by improving pancreatic beta-cell function and peripheral insulin sensitivity. Nevertheless, it has several drawbacks, including suboptimal oral absorption and gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort. Therefore, this study aimed to fabricate a novel formulation of imeglimin loaded into electrospun nanofibers to be delivered through the buccal cavity to overcome the current GI-related adverse events and to provide a convenient route of administration. The fabricated nanofibers were characterized for diameter, drug-loading (DL), disintegration, and drug release profiles. The data demonstrated that the imeglimin nanofibers had a diameter of 361 ± 54 nm and DL of 23.5 ± 0.2 μg/mg of fibers. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) data confirmed the solid dispersion of imeglimin, favoring drug solubility, and release with improved bioavailability. The rate of drug-loaded nanofibers disintegration was recorded at 2 ± 1 s, indicating the rapid disintegration ability of this dosage form and its suitability for buccal delivery, with a complete drug release after 30 min. The findings of this study suggest that the developed imeglimin nanofibers have the potential to be given via the buccal route, thereby achieving optimal therapeutic outcomes and improving patient compliance.

Investigation of the degradation and in-situ amorphization of the enantiomeric drug escitalopram oxalate during Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing

Hot-melt extrusion (HME) and subsequent FDM 3D printing offer great potential opportunities in the formulation development and production of customized oral dosage forms with poorly soluble drugs. However, thermal stress within these processes can be challenging for thermo-sensitive drugs. In this work, three different formulations were prepared to investigate the degradation and the solid state of the thermo-sensitive and poorly soluble drug escitalopram oxalate (ESC-OX) during the two heat-intensive processes HME and FDM 3D printing. For this purpose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) and basic butylated methacrylate copolymer (bPMMA) were chosen as polymers. DSC and XRD measurements revealed that ESC-OX is amorphous in the HPMC based formulations in both, extrudates and 3D printed tablets. In contrast, in-situ amorphization of the drug from crystalline state in bPMMA filaments was observed during FDM 3D printing. With regard to the content, it was found that degradation of ESC-OX in extrudates with bPMMA could be avoided and in 3D printed tablets almost fully reduced. Furthermore, a possible conversion into the R-enantiomer in the formulation with bPMMA could be excluded using a chiral column. Compared to the commercial product Cipralex®, drug release from extrudates and tablets with bPMMA was slower but still qualified as immediate drug release.

Buccal delivery of small molecules and biologics: Of mucoadhesive polymers, films, and nanoparticles - An update

Buccal delivery of small and large molecules is an attractive route of administration that has been studied extensively over the past few decades. This route bypasses first-pass metabolism and can be used to deliver therapeutics directly to systemic circulation. Moreover, buccal films are efficient dosage forms for drug delivery due to their simplicity, portability, and patient comfort. Films have traditionally been formulated using conventional techniques, including hot-melt extrusion and solvent casting. However, newer methods are now being exploited to improve the delivery of small molecules and biologics. This review discusses recent advances in buccal film manufacturing, using the latest technologies, such as 2D and 3D printing, electrospraying, and electrospinning. This review also focuses on the excipients used in the preparation of these films, with emphasis on mucoadhesive polymers and plasticizers. Along with advances in manufacturing technology, newer analytical tools have also been used for the assessment of permeation of the active agents across the buccal mucosa, the most critical biological barrier and limiting factor of this route. Additionally, preclinical and clinical trial challenges are discussed, and some small molecule products already on the market are explored.

A Review of Clinical Studies Assessing the Therapeutic Efficacy of Escitalopram: A Step Towards Development

BACKGROUND

Major depression is a debilitating, sometimes fatal disorder, deteriorating the quality of life and well-being. Escitalopram showed highly selective and dose-dependent inhibitory activity on human serotonin transport. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the first-line drugs to manage major depressive disorder (MDD).

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to explore the therapeutic potential of escitalopram, a clinically approved drug to manage MDD and panic disorders.

METHODS

It emphasizes comparative and clinical trial studies with several pharmacological targets reviewed from the data available on PubMed, Science Direct, Clinicaltrails.gov, and from many reputed foundations.

RESULTS

To highlight the clinical efficacy, safety, recent development, and stable formulation of escitalopram with an increased bioavailability profile. Evidence-based on the available clinical and pharmacoeconomic data, escitalopram represents an effective first-line treatment option for MDD patients.

CONCLUSION

The present review highlights the placebo-controlled clinical studies and the recent development that can be helpful for further research perspectives.

Polymeric Biomaterials for Topical Drug Delivery in the Oral Cavity: Advances on Devices and Manufacturing Technologies

There are several routes of drug administration, and each one has advantages and limitations. In the case of the topical application in the oral cavity, comprising the buccal, sublingual, palatal, and gingival regions, the advantage is that it is painless, non-invasive, allows easy application of the formulation, and it is capable of avoiding the need of drug swallowing by the patient, a matter of relevance for children and the elderly. Another advantage is the high permeability of the oral mucosa, which may deliver very high amounts of medication rapidly to the bloodstream without significant damage to the stomach. This route also allows the local treatment of lesions that affect the oral cavity, as an alternative to systemic approaches involving injection-based methods and oral medications that require drug swallowing. Thus, this drug delivery route has been arousing great interest in the pharmaceutical industry. This review aims to condense information on the types of biomaterials and polymers used for this functionality, as well as on production methods and market perspectives of this topical drug delivery route.

Rizatriptan-Loaded Oral Fast Dissolving Films: Design and Characterizations

Rizatriptan (RZT) is an efficient anti-migraine drug which belongs to the class of selective 5 HT (1B/1D) serotonin receptor agonists. Nevertheless, RZT elicits several adverse effects and RZT nasal sprays have a limited half-life, requiring repeated doses that could cause patient noncompliance or harm to the nasopharynx and cilia. The current research aimed to develop orally disintegrating films (ODFs) of RZT employing maltodextrin (MTX) and pullulan (PUL) as film-forming polymers, as well as propylene glycol (PG) as a plasticizer. The ODFs were prepared by solvent casting method (SCM). The technique was optimized using Box-Behnken design (BBD), contemplating the ratios of PUL: MTX and different levels of PG (%) as factor variables. The influence of these factors was systematically analyzed on the selected dependent variables, including film thickness, disintegration time (D-time), folding endurance (FE), tensile strength (TS), percent elongation (%E), moisture content (%), and water uptake (%). In addition, the surface morphology, solid state analysis, drug content uniformity (%), drug release (%), and pH of the RZT-ODFs were also studied. The results demonstrated a satisfactory stable RZT-ODFs formulation that exhibited surface homogeneity and amorphous RZT in films with no discernible interactions between the model drug and polymeric materials. The optimized film showed a rapid D-time of 16 s and remarkable mechanical features. The in vitro dissolution kinetics showed that 100% RZT was released from optimized film compared to 61% RZT released from conventional RZT formulation in the initial 5 min. An animal pharmacokinetic (PK) investigation revealed that RZT-ODFs had a shorter time to achieve peak plasma concentration (T_max), a higher maximum plasma concentration (C_max), and area under the curve (AUC_0-t) than traditional oral mini capsules. These findings proposed a progressive approach for developing anti-migraine drugs that could be useful in reducing the complications of dysphagia in geriatric and pediatric sufferers.

The Optimization and Evaluation of Flibanserin Fast-Dissolving Oral Films

Flibanserin (FLB) is a drug used for female hypotensive sexual desire disorder approved by the FDA in August 2015. FLB exhibits extensive hepatic first-pass metabolism and low aqueous solubility, hence poor oral bioavailability. In this study, beta hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin-FLB inclusion complexes were incorporated into orally fast dissolving films. This dosage form was expected to improve FLB aqueous solubility, which would give fast onset of action and decrease presystemic metabolism, hence improving oral bioavailability. The inclusion complex at a ratio of 1:1 was prepared by the kneading method. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and powder X-ray diffractometry (XRD) were used to confirm complex formation. The Box–Behnken design (15 different formulae of FLB fast-dissolving oral films (FLBFDOFs) were utilized for the optimization of the prepared films. The Expert Design 11 program was utilized to examine the effects of three selected factors, polymer concentration (X₁), plasticizer concentration (X₂), and disintegrant concentration (X₃) on four responses: disintegration time (DT), initial dissolution rate (IDR), dissolution efficiency (DE), and film quality (QF). Numerical optimization was performed by minimizing disintegration time (Y1), while maximizing the initial drug dissolution rate (Y₂), dissolution efficiency (Y₃), and the quality factor (Y₄). The statistical analysis showed that X₁ has a significant positive effect on the disintegration time and a significant negative effect on IDR. While X₂ and X₃ produced a nonsignificant negative effect on IDR. Dissolution efficiency was maximized at the middle concentration of both X₂ and X₃. The best film quality was observed at the middle concentration of both X₁ and X₂. In addition, increasing X₃ leads to an improvement in film quality. The optimized film cast from an aqueous solution contains hydroxypropyl cellulose (2%) as a hydrophilic film-forming agent and propylene glycol (0.8%) as a plasticizer and cross povidone (0.2%) as a disintegrant. The prepared film released 98% of FLB after 10 min and showed good physical and mechanical properties. The optimized formula showed a disintegration time of 30 s, IDR of 16.6% per minute, DE₁₅ of 77.7%, and QF of 90%. This dosage form is expected to partially avoid the pre-systemic metabolism with a fast onset of action, hence improving its bioavailability that favors an advantage over conventional dosage forms.

Melittin from Bee Venom Encapsulating Electrospun Fibers as a Potential Antimicrobial Wound Dressing Patches for Skin Infections

Skin infection compromises the body’s natural defenses. Several antibiotics are no longer effective owing to the evolution of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria, hence, the constant development of novel antibacterial agents. Naturally occurring antibacterial agents may be potential candidates for AMR bacterial infection treatments; however, caution should be taken when administering such agents due to the high incidence of toxicity. A fibrous material system from a biocompatible polymer that could be used as a skin patch for skin infections treatment caused by AMR bacteria is proposed in this study. Bee venom’s active ingredient, melittin, was fabricated using electrospinning technology. Scanning electron microscopy showed that melittin-loaded fibers had smooth surfaces with no signs of beads or pores. The average diameter of this fibrous system was measured to be 1030 ± 160 nm, indicating its successful preparation. The melittin fibers’ drug loading and entrapment efficiency (EE%) were 49 ± 3 µg/mg and 84 ± 5%, respectively. This high EE% can be another successful preparatory criterion. An in vitro release study demonstrated that 40% of melittin was released after 5 min and achieved complete release after 120 min owing to the hydrophilic nature of the PVP polymer. A concentration of ≤10 µg/mL was shown to be safe for use on human dermal fibroblasts HFF-1 after 24-h exposure, while an antibacterial MIC study found that 5 μg/mL was the effective antimicrobial concentration for S. aureus, A. baumannii, E. coli and Candida albicans yeast. A melittin-loaded fibrous system demonstrated an antibacterial zone of inhibition equivalent to the control (melittin discs), suggesting its potential use as a wound dressing patch for skin infections.

Fast-Dissolving Nifedipine and Atorvastatin Calcium Electrospun Nanofibers as a Potential Buccal Delivery System

Geriatric patients are more likely to suffer from multiple chronic diseases that require using several drugs, which are commonly ingested. However, to enhance geriatric patients’ convenience, the electrospun nanofiber system was previously proven to be a successful alternative for the existing oral dosage forms, i.e., tablets and capsules. These nanofibers prepared either as single- or multi-layered fibers could hold at least one active compound in each layer. They might also be fabricated as ultra-disintegrated fibrous films for oral cavity administration, i.e., buccal or sublingual, to improve the bioavailability and intake of the administered drugs. Therefore, in this work, a combination of nifedipine and atorvastatin calcium, which are frequently prescribed for hypertension and hyperlipidemia patients, respectively, was prepared in a coaxial electrospinning system for buccal administration. Scanning electron microscopy image showed the successful preparation of smooth, non-beaded, and non-porous surfaces of the drug-loaded nanofibers with an average fiber diameter of 968 ± 198 nm. In contrast, transmission electron microscopy distinguished the inner and outer layers of those nanofibers. The disintegration of the drug-loaded nanofibers was ≤12 s, allowing the rapid release of nifedipine and atorvastatin calcium to 61% and 47%, respectively, after 10 min, while a complete drug release was achieved after 120 min. In vitro, a drug permeation study using Franz diffusion showed that the permeation of both drugs from the core–shell nanofibers was enhanced significantly (p < 0.05) compared to the drugs in a solution form. In conclusion, the development of drug-loaded nanofibers containing nifedipine and atorvastatin calcium can be a potential buccal delivery system.

Weibull Modeling of Controlled Drug Release from Ag-PMA Nanosystems

Traditional pharmacotherapy suffers from multiple drawbacks that hamper patient treatment such as antibiotic resistances or low drug selectivity and toxicity during systemic applications. Some functional hybrid nanomaterials are designed to handle the drug release process under remote-control. More attention has recently been paid to synthetic polyelectrolytes for their intrinsic properties which allow them to rearrange into compact structures, ideal to be used as drug carriers or probes influencing biochemical processes. The presence of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) in the Poly methyl acrylate (PMA) matrix leads to an enhancement of drug release efficiency, even using a low-power laser whose wavelength is far from the Ag Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) peak. Further, compared to the colloids, the nanofiber-based drug delivery system has shown shorter response time and more precise control over the release rate. The efficiency and timing of involved drug release mechanisms has been estimated by the Weibull distribution function, whose parameters indicate that the release mechanism of nanofibers obeys Fick's first law while a non-Fickian character controlled by diffusion and relaxation of polymer chains occurs in the colloidal phase.