Abdullah H. Alomrani

Itraconazole-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin loaded deformable liposomes: In vitro skin penetration studies and antifungal efficacy using Candida albicans as model

The study aimed to develop novel ITZ-loaded deformable liposomes (DL) in presence of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) (DL-CD) to enhance antifungal activity. These formulations have been reported as conceivable vesicles to deliver drug molecules to the skin layers. The efficiency of the prepared systems was compared with conventional liposomes (CL) and ITZ solution. The developed liposomes were characterized for particle size, entrapment efficiency (EE %), deformability, stability, and morphology of the vesicles. In addition, ex vivo penetration and antifungal activity were evaluated. It was found that the presence of HPβCD played a significant role in reducing the vesicle size to nano range. The deformability study and TEM images revealed that membrane deformability of DL and DL-CD was much higher than that of CL. Moreover, DL-CD enhanced the amount of ITZ in SC and deeper skin layers compared to DL and CL. The antifungal activity of ITZ-loaded deformable liposomes remained intact compared to ITZ solution. It can be concluded that deformable liposomes in the presence of HPβCD may be a promising carrier for effective cutaneous delivery of ITZ.

Novel sulpiride-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles with enhanced intestinal permeability.

Background Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN), novel drug delivery carriers, can be utilized in enhancing both intestinal permeability and dissolution of poorly absorbed drugs. The aim of this work was to enhance the intestinal permeability of sulpiride by loading into SLN. Methods A unique ultrasonic melt-emulsification method with minimum stress conditions was used for the preparation of SLN. The mixture of the drug and the melted lipids was simply dispersed in an aqueous solution of a surfactant at a temperature that was 10°C higher than the melting points of the lipids using probe sonication, and was then simultaneously dispersed in cold water. Several formulation parameters were optimized, including the drug-to-lipid ratio, and the types of lipids and surfactants used. The produced SLN were evaluated for their particle size and shape, surface charge, entrapment efficiency, crystallinity of the drug and lipids, and the drug release profile. The rat everted sac intestine model was utilized to evaluate the change in intestinal permeability of sulpiride by loading into SLN. Results The method adopted allowed successful preparation of SLN with a monodispersed particle size of 147.8–298.8 nm. Both scanning electron microscopic and atomic force microscopic images showed uniform spherical particles and confirmed the sizes determined by the light scattering technique. Combination of triglycerides with stearic acid resulted in a marked increase in zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, and drug loading; however, the particle size was increased. The type of surfactant used was critical for particle size, charge, drug loading, and entrapment efficiency. Generally, the in vitro release profile demonstrated by all formulations showed the common biphasic mode with a varying degree of burst release. The everted sac model showed markedly enhanced sulpiride permeability in the case of the SLN-loaded formulation. The in situ results showed a very good correlation with the in vitro release data. Conclusion Incorporation of sulpiride into SLN results in enhanced intestinal permeability of sulpiride, that may in turn increase overall oral absorption of the drug. The superior attributes of the prepared SLN, specifically the high particle size uniformity and drug loading capacity, is considered novel, especially given the simplicity and modest nature of the sonication method used.

Influence of the Flexible Liposomes on the Skin Deposition of a Hydrophilic Model Drug, Carboxyfluorescein: Dependency on Their Composition

This study focuses on the effect of different flexible liposomes containing sodium cholate, Tween 80, or cineol on skin deposition of carboxyfluorescein (CF). Size distribution, morphology, zeta potential, and stability of the prepared vesicles were evaluated. The influence of these systems on the skin deposition of CF utilizing rat skin as membrane model was investigated. Results showed that all of the investigated liposomes had almost spherical shapes with low polydispersity (PDI < 0.3) and particles size range from 83 to 175 nm. All liposomal formulations exhibited negative zeta potential, good drug entrapment efficiency, and stability. In vitro skin deposition data showed that flexible liposomes gave significant deposition of CF on the skin compared to conventional liposomes and drug solutions. This study revealed that flexible liposomes, containing cineole, were able to deliver higher amount of CF suggesting that the hydrophilic drugs delivery to the skin was strictly correlated to the vesicle composition.

Liposomes for enhanced cytotoxic activity of bleomycin

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of liposome composition, which affects the nature of vesicular membrane on the cytotoxic efficacy of bleomycin. Formulation A comprised phosphatidylcholine (PC), cholesterol (CH), and dicetylphosphate (DCP). Formulation B employed PC, CH with dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) as the fusogenic component. Formulation C consisted of rigid liposomes comprising dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), CH, and DCP. Preparation D contained dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC), CH, and DCP. Formulation E employed the same components of B, with PC being replaced with Pegylated PC. The cytotoxic efficacy was monitored using the Daudi cell line obtained from Burkitts lymphoma. Formulations A and B significantly increased the cell death via necrosis compared with drug solution. Formulation D produced marginal increase in the efficacy of bleomycin with the rigid vesicles being similar to the control. Pegylated liposomes (E) were as effective as A and B, but the cytotoxic effect was via apoptosis. In conclusion, the efficacy of liposomes depended on the composition with fusogenic, flexible, or Pegylated vesicles being superior. Drug Dev Res 72: 265–273, 2011.

Simvastatin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers attenuate the atherogenic risk of erythrocytes in hyperlipidemic rats

&NA; This study aimed to investigate the effect of simvastatin (SV) loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (SV loaded NLCs) on atherogenic index (AI), erythrocytes membrane lipid and antioxidant/pro‐oxidant status in hyperlipidemic rats. SV loaded NLCs were successfully prepared with desired nano‐particles size, spherical shape, high encapsulation efficiency (EE %) and sustained SV release. The results of biological studies revealed that administration of SV loaded NLCs to rats increased SV bioavailability compared to SV suspension. Intraperitoneal injection of tyloxapol as hyperlipidemic agent induces a significant increase of plasma AI, uric acid, lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation. While, plasma total antioxidant capacity and paraoxonase‐1 activity were significantly decreased. Moreover, tyloxapol induced‐hyperlipidemia increases erythrocytes membrane cholesterol and deteriorates erythrocytes antioxidant enzyme activity, GSH/GSSG ratio and NO level However, the propagation of erythrocytes pro‐oxidant activity and hemolysis was observed. On the contrast, the treatment of these rats with SV loaded NLCs improved the measured parameters compared to rats received SV suspension and hyperlipidemic rats. The predominant effect of SV loaded NLCs may be attributed to the enhancement of absorption, prolonged duration and improvement of bioavailability of SV. Accordingly, SV loaded NLCs showed advantageous effects on the blood lipid levels and atherogenic risk of erythrocytes in hyperlipidemic conditions compared to SV suspension. Graphical abstract Figure. No caption available.

Flexosomes for transdermal delivery of meloxicam: characterization and antiinflammatory activity

Abstract The study aims to investigate the impact of flexosomes (FLs) on transdermal delivery of meloxicam (MLX). FLs are composed of phospholipid, Tween 80, and ethanol which were prepared by film hydration method. The prepared FLs were characterized for particle size, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency (EE). Ex vivo skin penetration studies were perfomed, and the best formulation was further evaluated using in vivo antiinflammatory activity test. FLs were in nano-size scale carring negative charge and observed high EE% and enhanced skin penetration of MLX compared to conventional liposomes (CLs). The best formula was FL4 which was composedof phospholipid (10%), Tween 80 (1.5%), and ethanol (40%). FL4 showed 143.4 nm vesicle size, 84% EE, and 31-fold ex vivo permeation enhancement through skin compared to CLs. The antiinflammatory activity of FL4 gel showed significant increase compared to control. This study observed the effectiveness of using FLs as carriers for transdermal delivery of MLX.

Design, characterization and evaluation of oral fast dissolving polymeric films of isradipine inclusion complex

This study aimed to enhance the dissolution rate of isradipine and to avoid the problem of first-pass metabolism using oral fast dissolving films (OFDFs). Isradipine was complexed with hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) using the solvent co-evaporation technique to produce an isradipine inclusion complex with increased solubility. This complex was evaluated for its solubility and dissolution behavior compared with the free drug. Then, the inclusion complex was formulated in OFDFs. The fabricated films were evaluated for their drug content uniformity, surface pH, thickness, tensile strength, percent elongation, disintegration time and in vitro drug release profile. Additionally, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry were utilized to characterize the medicated films and the corresponding physical mixture as well as the individual components. The results indicated that the inclusion complexation of isradipine enhances its solubility and dissolution rate. Films were found to be faint yellow, elastic, compatible and palatable and to have acceptable tensile strength. The complexed drug with HP-β-CD in the presence of a high level of disintegrants enhanced the drug dissolution compared to the plain film.

A Validated RP-HPLC Method for the Determination of Piperidone Analogue of Curcumin

Curcumin (Diferuloylmethane) is a natural product extracted from the root of Curcuma longa. 5-Bis (4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)-N-methyl-4-piperidone, the piperidone analogue of curcumin (PAC), was one of the analogues that, demonstrated potential anticancer effects against breast and colon cancers compared with native curcumin. A simple, accurate, and rapid isocratic reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analytical method utilizing UV detection was developed and validated for the determination of PAC utilizing C18 column with run time was 7 min. Chromatogram showed a peak of PAC at retention time of 5.8±0.92 min. The method was validated for linearity, accuracy, precision, limit of detection, limit of quantitation and robustness. Linear relationship (r > 0.99) was observed between AUP of PAC and the corresponding concentrations over 100-10000μg/mL. The LOQ of this assay was 3.9ng/mL with a corresponding relative standard deviation of 4.8 and 4.0%. The LOD was 13.1ng/mL at a signal-to-noise ratio of >3.

Novel docetaxel chitosan-coated PLGA/PCL nanoparticles with magnified cytotoxicity and bioavailability

In the present study, docetaxel (DTX)-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) nanoparticles were successfully prepared and coated with chitosan (CS). The prepared nanoparticles (NPs) were evaluated for their particle size, zeta potential, particle morphology, drug entrapment efficiency (EE%), and in vitro drug release profile. The anticancer activity of DTX-loaded NPs was assessed in human HT29 colon cancer cell line utilizing MTT assay. The pharmacokinetics of DTX-loaded NPs was monitored in Wistar rats in comparison to DTX solution. The prepared NPs exhibited particle sizes in the range 177.1 ± 8.2-287.6 ± 14.3 nm. CS decorated NPs exhibited a significant increase in particle size and a switch of zeta potential from negative to positive. In addition, high EE% values were obtained for CS coated PCL NPs and PLGA NPs as 67.1 and 76.2%, respectively. Moreover, lowering the rate of DTX in vitro release was achieved within 48 h by using CS coated NPs. Furthermore, a tremendous increase in DTX cytotoxicity was observed by CS-decorated PLGA NPs compared to all other NPs including DTX-free-NPs and pure DTX. The in vivo study revealed significant enhancement in DTX bioavailability from CS-decorated PLGA NPs with more than 4-fold increase in AUC compared to DTX solution. In conclusion, CS-decorated PLGA NPs are a considerable DTX-delivery carrier with magnificent antitumor efficacy.

Effect of neat and binary vehicle systems on the solubility and cutaneous delivery of piperine

Vitiligo is a skin disease characterized by depigmentation disorders due to lack of melanin production. Piperine, an alkaloid extracted from black piper, is active in melanocytes proliferation. To achieve this, the drug has to reach the melanocytes which exist in the deep layer of the epidermis. Higher drug concentration can be obtained after application of optimized formulation to skin. Accordingly, the aim of this work is to investigate the effect of vehicles on skin penetration of piperine as the first step in development of optimized formulation. The tested vehicles include ethanol (Eth), propylene glycol (PG), polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG), and oleic acid (OA) and their combinations. Water was used as the control and skin permeation was monitored using rabbit ear model skin. The highest piperine solubility (48.6 mg/ml) and flux (40.8 μg/cm2 h) was achieved by Eth and the lowest piperine flux (1.17 μg/cm2 h) was reported for PEG. PG and OA showed piperine flux values comparable to that of the control. Among different combination systems, Eth-OA (75:25) binary system had the highest piperine flux (59.3 μg/cm2 h) followed by Eth-OA (50:50) (32.3 μg/cm2 h) and PG-OA (90:10) (22.7 μg/cm2 h). The study thus introduced a vehicle system as the first step in the development of topical formulation of piperine.