Merging Experimental Design and Nanotechnology for the Development of Optimized Simvastatin Spanlastics: A Promising Combined Strategy for Augmenting the Suppression of Various Human Cancer Cells

Magnetic targeting of lornoxicam/SPION bilosomes loaded in a thermosensitive in situ hydrogel system for the management of osteoarthritis: Optimization, in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies in rat model via modulation of RANKL/OPG

Osteoarthritis is a bone and joint condition characterized pathologically by articular cartilage degenerative damage and can develop into a devastating and permanently disabling disorder. This investigation aimed to formulate the anti-inflammatory drug lornoxicam (LOR) into bile salt-enriched vesicles loaded in an in situ forming hydrogel as a potential local treatment of osteoarthritis. This was achieved by formulating LOR-loaded bilosomes that are also loaded with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) for intra-muscular (IM) administration to improve joint targeting and localization by applying an external magnet to the joint. A 31.22 full factorial design was employed to develop the bilosomal dispersions and the optimized formula including SPION (LSB) was loaded into a thermosensitive hydrogel. Moreover, in vivo evaluation revealed that the IM administration of LSB combined with the application of an external magnet to the joint reversed carrageen-induced suppression in motor activity and osteoprotegerin by significantly reducing the elevations in mitogen-activated protein kinases, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa beta/osteoprotegerin expressions. In addition, the histopathological evaluation of knee joint tissues showed a remarkable improvement in the injured joint tissues. The results proved that the developed LSB could be a promising IM drug delivery system for osteoarthritis management.

Fabrication of nanostructured lipid carriers ocugel for enhancing Loratadine used in treatment of COVID-19 related symptoms: statistical optimization, in-vitro, ex-vivo, and in-vivo studies evaluation

Loratadine (LORA), is a topical antihistamine utilized in the treatment of ocular symptoms of COVID-19. The study aimed to develop a Loratadine Nanostructured Lipid Carriers Ocugel (LORA-NLCs Ocugel), enhance its solubility, trans-corneal penetrability, and bioavailability. full-factorial design was established with 2⁴ trials to investigate the impact of several variables upon NLCs properties. LORA-NLCs were fabricated by using hot melt emulsification combined with high-speed stirring and ultrasonication methods. All obtained formulae were assessed in terms of percent of entrapment efficiency (EE%), size of the particle (PS), zeta potential (ZP), as well as in-vitro release. Via using Design Expert® software the optimum formula was selected, characterized using FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and stability studies. Gel-based of optimized LORA-NLCs was prepared using 4% HPMC k100m which was further evaluated in terms of physicochemical properties, Ex-vivo, and In-vivo studies. The optimized LORA-NLCs, comprising Compritol 888 ATO^®, Labrasol^®, and Span^® 60 showed EE% of 95.78 ± 0.67%, PS of 156.11 ± 0.54 nm, ZP of -40.10 ± 0.55 Mv, and Qh6% of 99.67 ± 1.09%, respectively. Additionally, it illustrated a spherical morphology and compatibility of LORA with other excipients. Consequently, gel-based on optimized LORA-NLCs showed pH (7.11 ± 0.52), drug content (98.62%± 1.31%), viscosity 2736 cp, and Q12% (90.49 ± 1.32%). LORA-NLCs and LORA-NLCs Ocugel exhibited higher ex-vivo trans-corneal penetrability compared with the aqueous drug dispersion. Confocal laser scanning showed valuable penetration of fluoro-labeled optimized formula and LORA-NLCs Ocugel through corneal. The optimized formula was subjected to an ocular irritation test (Draize Test) that showed the absence of any signs of inflammation in rabbits, and histological analysis showed no effect or damage to rabbit eyeballs. C_max and the AUC_0-24 were higher in LORA-NLCs Ocugel compared with pure Lora dispersion-loaded gel The research findings confirmed that NLCs could enhance solubility, trans-corneal penetrability, and the bioavailability of LORA.

Spanlastics as a Potential Platform for Enhancing the Brain Delivery of Flibanserin: In Vitro Response-Surface Optimization and In Vivo Pharmacokinetics Assessment

Flibanserin was licensed by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an oral non-hormonal therapy for pre-menopausal women with inhibited sexual desire disorder. However, it suffers from susceptibility to first-pass metabolism in the liver, low aqueous solubility, and degradation in the acidic stomach environment. Such hurdles result in a limited oral bioavailability of 33%. Thus, the aim of the study was to utilize the principles of nanotechnology and the benefits of an intranasal route of administration to develop a formulation that could bypass these drawbacks. A response-surface randomized D-optimal strategy was used for the formulation of flibanserin spanlastics (SPLs) with reduced size and increased absolute zeta potential. Two numerical factors were studied, namely the Span 60: edge activator ratio (w/w) and sonication time (min), in addition to one categorical factor that deals with the type of edge activator. Particle size (nm) and zeta potential (mV) were studied as responses. A mathematical optimization method was implemented for predicting the optimized levels of the variables. The optimized formulation was prepared using a Span: sodium deoxycholate ratio of 8:2 w/w; a sonication time of 5 min showed particle sizes of 129.70 nm and a zeta potential of -33.17 mV. Further in vivo assessment following intranasal administration in rats showed boosted plasma and brain levels, with 2.11- and 2.23-fold increases (respectively) compared to raw FLB. The aforementioned results imply that the proposed spanlastics could be regarded as efficient drug carriers for the trans-nasal delivery of drugs to the brain.

Ion-Triggered In Situ Gelling Intranasal Spray of Dronedarone Hydrochloride Nanocarriers: In Vitro Optimization and In Vivo Pharmacokinetic Appraisal

The current study aims to develop niosomal nanocarriers for intranasal delivery of dronedarone hydrochloride to ameliorate its limited bioavailability. Niosomes were prepared by ethanol injection method and optimized using 3² full factorial experimental design. Both Span® type (X1) and Span®: cholesterol ratio (X2) were set as independent variables. Vesicle size (Y1), polydispersity index (Y2), zeta potential (Y3), and entrapment efficiency (Y4) were set as responses. The optimal formula was further incorporated into an ion-sensitive in situ gelling polymer for intranasal delivery. Optimal formula (N7), which is composed of Span® 80: cholesterol (1:1), was of the least vesicle size (121.27 ± 13.31 nm), least polydispersity index (0.43 ± 0.073), highest zeta potential (-22.23 ± 2.84 mV) and highest entrapment efficiency (73.44 ± 2.8%). About 75.86% and 60.29% of dronedarone hydrochloride were released from N7 dispersion and in situ gel, respectively, within 12 h, compared to only 13.3% released from a drug-free suspension. In vivo pharmacokinetic study on male New Zealand rabbits resulted in significantly higher Cmax, AUC0-72, and AUC0-∞ of intranasal niosomal in situ gel compared to oral suspension. Almost twofold amplification of relative bioavailability was obtained after intranasal administration of niosomal in situ gel (195.7%) compared to oral suspension.