Arfat Anis

Preparation and characterization of novel carbopol based bigels for topical delivery of metronidazole for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis

The current study reports the development of bigels using sorbitan monostearate-sesame oil organogel and carbopol 934 hydrogel. The microstructures and physicochemical properties were investigated by microscopy, viscosity measurement, mechanical analysis and differential scanning calorimetry analysis. Fluorescence microscopy confirmed the formation of oil-in-water type of emulsion gel. There was an increase in the strength of the bigels as the proportion of the organogel was increased in the bigels. The developed bigels showed shear-thinning flow behavior. The stress relaxation study suggested viscoelastic nature of the bigels. The developed bigels were biocompatible. Metronidazole, drug of choice for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis, loaded bigels showed diffusion-mediated drug release. The drug loaded gels showed good antimicrobial efficiency against Escherichia coli. In gist, the developed bigels may be used as delivery vehicles for the vaginal delivery of the drugs.

Olive oil based novel thermo-reversible emulsion hydrogels for controlled delivery applications

Gels have been considered as a popular mode of delivering medicament for the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) (e.g. human immunodeficiency virus, bacterial vaginosis, epididymitis, human papillomavirus infection and condylomata acuminata etc.). The present study discusses the development of novel olive oil based emulsion hydrogels (EHs) using sorbitan monopalmitate as the structuring agent. The developed EHs may be tried as drug delivery vehicle for the treatment of STDs. The formation of EHs was confirmed by fluorescence and confocal microscopy. FTIR studies suggested intermolecular hydrogen bonding amongst the components of the EHs. X-ray diffraction study suggested the amorphous nature of the EHs. The developed EHs have shown non-Newtonian flow behavior. The EHs were found to be biocompatible. The formulations were able to effectively deliver two model antimicrobial drugs (e.g. ciprofloxacin and metronidazole), commonly used in the treatment of the STDs.

Hydrogel-Based Controlled Release Formulations: Designing Considerations, Characterization Techniques and Applications

Hydrogels have evolved over the last decade as materials of choice in varied biomedical applications. This is associated with the inherent biocompatible nature of the hydrogels. The modulation of the properties of the hydrogels is easily possible due to the availability of polymers of varied chemistry and physical properties. This review discusses the pharmaceutical aspects of the controlled release of bioactive agents from hydrogel-based formulations.

Developments in Shape Memory Polymeric Materials

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are the class of self-repairing and intelligent materials that have received significant attention from both industry and academia. SMP materials are attractive substitutes to metals because of their flexibility, bio-compatibility, low cost, easy manufacturing and programming together with wide scope of modifications. SMPs have wide spectrum of possible applications in the fields of high performance textiles, self-repairing plastic components in vehicles, biomedical devices, etc. The present review mainly highlights the recent progress in synthesis, characterization, evaluation, proposed applications and future outlook of SMPs and related composites.

Effect of mechanical and electrical behavior of gelatin hydrogels on drug release and cell proliferation

The present study was aimed to explore the effect of the mechanical and the electrical properties of the gelatin hydrogels on the mammalian cell proliferation and drug release properties. FTIR analysis of the hydrogels suggested that gelatin retained its secondary protein structure. A decrease in the diffusion constant of the water molecules was observed with the increase in the gelatin concentration in the hydrogels. The mechanical and the electrical stabilities of the hydrogels were enhanced with the increase in the gelatin content. Stress relaxation and creep studies were modeled using Weichert and Burger׳s models, respectively. The relaxation time (stress relaxation study) did not follow a concentration-dependent relationship and was found to affect the MG-63 cell (human osteoblast) proliferation. The impedance profile of the hydrogels was modeled using a (RQ)Q model. Release of ciprofloxacin from the hydrogels was inversely dependent on the rate of swelling. The release of the drug was not only dependent on the Fickian diffusion but also on the relaxation process of the gelatin chains. The inhomogeneous constant of the constant phase element representing the hydrogel-electrode interface indicated improved cell proliferation rate with a decrease in the inhomogeneous constant. In gist, the rate of cell proliferation could be related to the relaxation time (stress relaxation) and the inhomogeneous constant of the sample-electrode constant phase element (electrical study) properties, whereas, the drug release properties can be related to the bulk resistance of the formulations.

Progress in Carbon Fiber and Its Polypropylene- and Polyethylene-Based Composites

Due to their lightweight and excellent toughness, carbon fiber (CF) and its reinforced thermoplastic composites are suitable for high-performance applications such as aerospace, aviation, automotive and sport equipments. In this study, comprehensive detail is provided on the production of carbon fiber, its various forms and geometry and their corresponding effects on the mechanical properties of CF and its reinforced polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) composites. Here we discuss extensively various methods reported in literature on improving the interfacial fiber-matrix adhesion and dispersion in order to achieve better mechanical properties for such composites.

Development of soy lecithin based novel self-assembled emulsion hydrogels.

The current study reports the development and characterization of soy lecithin based novel self-assembled emulsion hydrogels. Sesame oil was used as the representative oil phase. Emulsion gels were formed when the concentration of soy lecithin was >40% w/w. Metronidazole was used as the model drug for the drug release and the antimicrobial tests. Microscopic study showed the apolar dispersed phase in an aqueous continuum phase, suggesting the formation of emulsion hydrogels. FTIR study indicated the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonding, whereas, the XRD study indicated predominantly amorphous nature of the emulsion gels. Composition dependent mechanical and drug release properties of the emulsion gels were observed. In-depth analyses of the mechanical studies were done using Ostwald-de Waele power-law, Kohlrausch and Weichert models, whereas, the drug release profiles were modeled using Korsmeyer-Peppas and Peppas-Sahlin models. The mechanical analyses indicated viscoelastic nature of the emulsion gels. The release of the drug from the emulsion gels was diffusion mediated. The drug loaded emulsion gels showed good antimicrobial activity. The biocompatibility test using HaCaT cells (human keratinocytes) suggested biocompatibility of the emulsion gels.

Review on Encapsulation of Vegetable Oils: Strategies, Preparation Methods, and Applications

ABSTRACT In the 21st century, one of the challenges being faced by food, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic industries is to deliver vegetable oils in their bioactive form. In this process, the taste and the aroma of the bioactive oils need to be preserved. To achieve this objective, encapsulation of vegetable oils namely essential and nonessential oils have been carried out. In this review, the strategies for the encapsulation of vegetable oils and their preparation methods have been discussed. At the end, applications of the encapsulated vegetable oils as antimicrobials, insecticide/pesticide/pest repellent, drug delivery, food packaging and preservation of food flavor, and lipid oxidation have been highlighted. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Development and Characterization of Soy Lecithin and Palm Oil-based Organogels

Preparation and characterization of soy lecithin (SL) and palm oil (PO) based organogels have been reported in this study. The optimization of the composition of the organogels was carried out by varying the proportions of SL, PO and water. Microscopic studies suggested the presence of aqueous phase either as spherical droplets or fluid filled fibers or both, depending on the composition of the organogels. FTIR study indicated strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding among the organogel components. The release of metronidazole (model drug, MZ) suggested diffusion mediated drug release. MZ loaded organogels showed good antimicrobial property against B. subtilis and E. coli.

Effect of Span 60 on the Microstructure, Crystallization Kinetics, and Mechanical Properties of Stearic Acid Oleogels: An In‐Depth Analysis

Modulation of crystallization of stearic acid and its derivatives is important for tuning the properties of stearate oleogels. The present study delineates the crystallization of stearic acid in stearate oleogels in the presence of Span 60. Microarchitecture analysis revealed that stearic acid crystals in the oleogels changed its shape from plate-like structure to a branched architecture in the presence of Span 60. Consequently, a significant variation in the mobility of the solute molecules inside the oleogel (Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching studies, FRAP analysis) was observed. Thermal analysis (gelation kinetics and DSC) revealed shortening of nucleation induction time and secondary crystallization with an increase in the Span 60 concentration. Furthermore, isosolid diagram suggested better physical stability of the formulations at higher proportions of Span 60. XRD analysis indicated that there was a decrease in the crystal size and the crystallinity of the stearic acid crystals with an increase in Span 60 concentration in the Span 60 containing oleogels. However, crystal growth orientation was unidirectional and found unaltered with Span 60 concentration (Avarmi analysis using DSC data). The mechanical study indicated a composition-dependent variation in the viscoelastic properties (instantaneous [τ1 ], intermediate [τ2 ], and delayed [τ3 ] relaxation times) of the formulations. In conclusion, Span 60 can be used to alter the kinetics of the crystallization, crystal habit and crystal structure of stearic acid. This study provides a number of clues that could be used further for developing oleogel based formulation.