Electrospun Nanofiber and Cryogel of Polyvinyl Alcohol Transdermal Patch Containing Diclofenac Sodium: Preparation, Characterization and In Vitro Release Studies

Bifonazole caffeate: The first molecular salt of bifonazole with enhanced biopharmaceutical property based on experiments and quantum chemistry research

In order to make novel breakthroughs in molecular salt studies of BCS class-IV antifungal medication bifonazole (BIF), a salification-driven strategy towards ameliorating attributes and aiding augment efficiency is raised. This strategy fully harnesses structural characters together attributes and benefits of caffeic acid (CAF) to concurrently enhance dissolvability and permeability of BIF by introducing the two ingredients into the identical molecular salt lattice through the salification reaction, which, coupled with the aroused potential activity of CAF significantly amplifies the antifungal efficacy of BIF. Guided by this route, the first BIF-organic molecular salt, BIF-CAF, is directionally designed and synthesized with satisfactorily structural characterizations and integrated theoretical and experimental explorations on the pharmaceutical properties. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction resolving confirms that there is a lipid-water amphiphilic sandwich structure constructed by robust charge-assistant hydrogen bonds in the salt crystal, endowing the molecular salt with the potential to enhance both dissolvability and permeability relative to the parent drug, which is validated by experimental evaluations. Remarkably, the comprehensive DFT-based theoretical investigations covering frontier molecular orbital, molecular electrostatic potential, Hirshfeld surface analysis, reduced density gradient, topology, sphericity and planarity analysis strongly support these observations, thereby allowing some positive relationships between macroscopic properties and microstructures of the molecular salt can be made. Intriguingly, the optimal properties, together with the stimulated activity of CAF markedly augment in vitro antifungal ability of the molecular salt, with magnifying inhibition zones and reducing minimum inhibitory concentrations. These findings fill in the gaps on researches of BIF-organic molecular salt, and adequately exemplify the feasibility and validity by integrating theoretical and experimental approaches to resolve BIF's problems via the salification-driven tactic.

Multifunctional polymeric nanofibrous scaffolds enriched with azilsartan medoxomil for enhanced wound healing

A prolonged and compromised wound healing process poses a significant clinical challenge, necessitating innovative solutions. This research investigates the potential application of nanotechnology-based formulations, specifically nanofiber (NF) scaffolds, in addressing this issue. The study focuses on the development and characterization of multifunctional nanofibrous scaffolds (AZL-CS/PVA-NF) composed of azilsartan medoxomil (AZL) enriched chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol (CS/PVA) through electrospinning. The scaffolds underwent comprehensive characterization both in vitro and in vivo. The mean diameter and tensile strength of AZL-CS/PVA-NF were determined to be 240.42 ± 3.55 nm and 18.05 ± 1.18 MPa, respectively. A notable drug release rate of 93.86 ± 2.04%, was observed from AZL-CS/PVA-NF over 48 h at pH 7.4. Moreover, AZL-CS/PVA-NF exhibited potent antimicrobial efficacy for Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The expression levels of Akt and CD31 were significantly elevated, while Stat3 showed a decrease, indicating a heightened tissue regeneration rate with AZL-CS/PVA-NF compared to other treatment groups. In vivo ELISA findings revealed reduced inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) within treated skin tissue, implying a beneficial effect on injury repair. The comprehensive findings of the present endeavour underscore the superior wound healing activity of the developed AZL-CS/PVA-NF scaffolds in a Wistar rat full-thickness excision wound model. This indicates their potential as novel carriers for drugs and dressings in the field of wound care.

Supramolecular Hydrogel Dexamethasone-Diclofenac for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) severely affects patients' quality of life and is commonly treated with glucocorticosteroids injections, like dexamethasone, which may have side effects. This study aimed to create a novel low dose of twin-drug hydrogel containing dexamethasone and diclofenac and explore its potential as a drug delivery system for an enhanced anti-inflammatory effect. Its characterization involved rheology, transmission electron microscope (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Furthermore, the hydrogel demonstrated thixotropic properties. The hydrogel exhibited no cytotoxicity against RAW 264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, the hydrogel demonstrated a significant anti-inflammatory efficacy by effectively downregulating the levels of NO, TNF-α, and IL-6 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages. The co-delivery approach, when intra-articularly injected in adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) rats, significantly alleviated chronic inflammation leading to reduced synovitis, delayed bone erosion onset, and the downregulation of inflammatory cytokines. The biocompatibility and adverse effect evaluation indicated good biological safety. Furthermore, the hydrogel demonstrated efficacy in reducing NF-κB nuclear translocation in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages and inhibited p-NF-kB, COX-2, and iNOS expression both in RAW 264.7 macrophages and the joints of AIA rats. In conclusion, the findings indicate that the hydrogel possesses potent anti-inflammatory activity, which effectively addresses the limitations associated with free forms. It presents a promising therapeutic strategy for the management of RA.

Programmable Electro-Assembly of Collagen: Constructing Porous Janus Films with Customized Dual Signals for Immunomodulation and Tissue Regeneration in Periodontitis Treatment

Currently available guided bone regeneration (GBR) films lack active immunomodulation and sufficient osteogenic ability- in the treatment of periodontitis, leading to unsatisfactory treatment outcomes. Challenges remain in developing simple, rapid, and programmable manufacturing methods for constructing bioactive GBR films with tailored biofunctional compositions and microstructures. Herein, the controlled electroassembly of collagen under the salt effect is reported, which enables the construction of porous films with precisely tunable porous structures (i.e., porosity and pore size). In particular, bioactive salt species such as the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac sodium (DS) can induce and customize porous structures while enabling the loading of bioactive salts and their gradual release. Sequential electro-assembly under pre-programmed salt conditions enables the manufacture of a Janus composite film with a dense and DS-containing porous layer capable of multiple functions in periodontitis treatment, which provides mechanical support, guides fibrous tissue growth, and acts as a barrier preventing its penetration into bone defects. The DS-containing porous layer delivers dual bio-signals through its morphology and the released DS, inhibiting inflammation and promoting osteogenesis. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of electrofabrication as a customized manufacturing platform for the programmable assembly of collagen for tailored functions to adapt to specific needs in regenerative medicine.

Electrospun PVA Fibers for Drug Delivery: A Review

Innovation in biomedical science is always a field of interest for researchers. Drug delivery, being one of the key areas of biomedical science, has gained considerable significance. The utilization of simple yet effective techniques such as electrospinning has undergone significant development in the field of drug delivery. Various polymers such as PEG (polyethylene glycol), PLGA (Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)), PLA(Polylactic acid), and PCA (poly(methacrylate citric acid)) have been utilized to prepare electrospinning-based drug delivery systems (DDSs). Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) has recently gained attention because of its biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-toxicity, and ideal mechanical properties as these are the key factors in developing DDSs. Moreover, it has shown promising results in developing DDSs individually and when combined with natural and synthetic polymers such as chitosan and polycaprolactone (PCL). Considering the outstanding properties of PVA, the aim of this review paper was therefore to summarize these recent advances by highlighting the potential of electrospun PVA for drug delivery systems.

Cryogels: Advancing Biomaterials for Transformative Biomedical Applications

Cryogels, composed of synthetic and natural materials, have emerged as versatile biomaterials with applications in tissue engineering, controlled drug delivery, regenerative medicine, and therapeutics. However, optimizing cryogel properties, such as mechanical strength and release profiles, remains challenging. To advance the field, researchers are exploring advanced manufacturing techniques, biomimetic design, and addressing long-term stability. Combination therapies and drug delivery systems using cryogels show promise. In vivo evaluation and clinical trials are crucial for safety and efficacy. Overcoming practical challenges, including scalability, structural integrity, mass transfer constraints, biocompatibility, seamless integration, and cost-effectiveness, is essential. By addressing these challenges, cryogels can transform biomedical applications with innovative biomaterials.

A novel transdermal delivery route for energy supplements: Electrospun chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol nanofiber patches loaded with vitamin B12

Nanofibrous patches have attracted much attention as a solution to resolve drug delivery challenges. In this study, vitamin B₁₂- loaded polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/chitosan (Cs) nanofiber patch (NFP) was electrospun and cross-linked by glutaraldehyde (GA). The physicochemical properties of the nanofiber patches were assessed by morphological studies, FTIR analysis, hydrophilicity test, mechanical tests, and in-vitro evaluations including biodegradability, MTT assay, and cumulative release test of vitamin. In-vivo studies were also carried out by measuring vitamin B₁₂ levels in the bloodstream and conducting histopathology studies on the animal models. The results showed that the mean diameter of Cs/PVA/B₁₂ and cross-linked patch were approximately 207 and 256 nm, respectively. Cross-linking of NFP led to the lower, slower, and more continuous release of the vitamin with a slight decrease in biodegradability, and an increase in the mechanical properties of the nanofiber patches. Furthermore, the cytocompatibility assay, MTT, and in vivo results revealed no cytotoxicity of Cs/PVA/B₁₂ NFP towards L929 cell line. No lesion or tissue damage was observed in the skin tissue of the animal models wearing these skin patches. Therefore, B₁₂-loaded NFP can be introduced as a potential candidate for commercial transdermal routes.

Formulation and Evaluation of Diclofenac Potassium Gel in Sports Injuries with and without Phonophoresis

Background: Pain remains a global public heath priority. Phonophoresis, also known as sonophoresis or ultrasonophoresis, is when an ultrasound is used to maximize the effects of a topical drug. Purpose: The objective of this study was to test, in patients injured in sports or accidents (N = 200), the efficacy of diclofenac potassium (DK) 6%, 4%, and 2% formulated gels with and without phonophoresis in comparison with market available standard diclofenac sodium (DS or DN) gel. Methods: The patients were enrolled after informed consent. By using the lottery method, 100 patients were randomly segregated into five groups without phonophoresis and repeated similarly with phonophoresis at a frequency of 0.8 MHz, an intensity of about 1.5 W/cm2, and at continuous mode (2:1). Group-1 was treated with 6% DK gel, group-2 was treated with 4% DK gel, group-3 was treated with 2% DK gel, group-4 was treated with 4% DS gel and group-5 was given control gel three to four times a week for 4 weeks. The patients were screened by using NPRS and WOMAC scales. They were assessed on the baseline, 4th session, 8th session, 12th session, and 16th session. Results: Significant dose-dependently relief was observed in NPRS (Numeric Pain Rating Scale) and the WOMAC (Western Ontario McMaster Osteo-Arthritis) index for pain in disability and stiffness for each group treated with DK gel compared to DS gel. Phonophoresis increased these benefits significantly when used after topical application of DK gel or DS gel, and the dose-dependent effects of DK gel plus phonophoresis were stronger than the dose-dependent effects of DS gel plus phonophoresis. The faster and profounder relief was due to phonophoresis, which allows more penetration of the DK gel into the skin as compared to the direct application of DK gel in acute, uncomplicated soft tissue injury, such as plantar fasciitis, bursitis stress injuries, and tendinitis. In addition, DK gel with phonophoresis was well tolerated. Thus, in this personalized clinical setting, according to the degree of inflammation or injured-induced pain, disability, and stiffness, DK gel 6% with phonophoresis appeared more effective and thus more recommendable than DS gel 6% alone or DS gel 6% combined to phonophoresis.

Dual-jet electrospun PDLGA/PCU nonwovens as promising mesh implant materials with controlled release of sirolimus and diclofenac

Dual-jet electrospinning was employed to produce two-component, partially degradable drug releasing nonwovens with interlacing of poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PDLGA) and different poly(carbonate urethanes) (PCUs). Diclofenac sodium and sirolimus were released simultaneously from the copolyester carrier. The research focused on determining of release profiles of drugs, depending on the hydrophilicity of introduced PCU nanofibers. The influence of drugs incorporation on the hydrolytic degradation of the PDLGA and mechanical properties of nonwovens was also studied. Evaluation for interaction with cells in vitro was investigated on a fibroblast cell line in cytotoxicity and surface adhesion tests. Significant changes in drugs release rate, depending on the applied PCU were observed. It was also noticed, that hydrophilicity of drugs significantly influenced the hydrolytic degradation mechanism and surface erosion of the PDLGA, as well as the tensile strength of nonwovens. Tests carried out on cells in an in vitro experiment showed that introduction of sirolimus caused a slight reduction in the viability of fibroblasts as well as a strong limitation in their capability to colonize the surface of fibers. Due to improvement of mechanical strength and the ability to controlled drugs release, the obtained material may be considered as prospect surgical mesh implant in the treatment of hernia.