Chang-Koo Shim

Docetaxel microemulsion for enhanced oral bioavailability: Preparation and in vitro and in vivo evaluation

A microemulsion system of docetaxel was prepared and evaluated for its solubilization capacity and oral bioavailability improvement. Based on a solubility study and pseudo ternary phase diagrams, microemulsions of about 30 nm in mean diameter were formulated with improved solubilization capacity towards the hydrophobic drug, docetaxel. The o/w microemulsion formulation (M-3) composed of Capryol 90 (oil), Cremophor EL (surfactant) and Transcutol (co-surfactant) enhanced the solubility of docetaxel up to 30 mg/mL, which maintained solubilization capacity for 24 h even after it was diluted 20 times with normal saline. The three formulations did not show significant difference in the in vitro lipid digestion study. Both the ultrafiltration and dialysis studies revealed that the release of 80% of docetaxel was released from the microemulsions within 12 h in vitro. Compared to the commercial product Taxotere (0.025 microg/cm(2)), the apical to basolateral transport of docetaxel across the Caco-2 cell monolayer from the M-3 formulation (Capryol 90/Cremophor EL/Transcutol=29.4:24.9:12.4, w/w) was significantly improved (0.624 microg/cm(2), p < 0.01). Moreover, the oral bioavailability of the M-3 formulation in rats (34.42%) rose dramatically compared to that of the orally administered Taxotere (6.63%). This increase in bioavailability was probably due to the combined effect of the enhancement in solubility, the inhibition of P-gp efflux system and the increase in permeability. These results encourage further development of docetaxel microemulsions as an oral drug delivery system.

The effects of mixed MPEG-PLA/Pluronic® copolymer micelles on the bioavailability and multidrug resistance of docetaxel

A mixed micelle that comprised of MPEG-PLA (MPP) and Pluronic copolymers was developed for enhanced bioavailability and to overcome multidrug resistance of docetaxel in cancer therapy. The mixed micelles that sufficiently solubilized docetaxel were evaluated for the effect of Pluronic copolymers weight ratio on the mixed micelles with respect to drug loading and drug release. In vitro, cell viability and cytotoxicity studies in KB and KBv cells revealed that the mixed micellar formulations were more potent than the commercial docetaxel formulation (Taxotere). In vivo pharmacokinetics study in rats showed that the mixed micelles significantly enhanced the bioavailability of docetaxel (3.6 fold) than Taxotere. Moreover, antitumor activity assessed in KBv cancer xenograft BALB/C nude mice models showed that the mixed micelles significantly reduced the tumor size than the control (Taxotere). Clear differences in the intracellular uptake of docetaxel between MPP and mixed micelles were observed using confocal laser scanning microscopy. This study presents not only a new micelle structure for a diblock-triblock copolymer system, but also a method for enhanced bioavailability of docetaxel and to overcome some of the limitations on its multidrug resistance in cancer therapy.

Increased bioavailability of propranolol in rats by retaining thermally gelling liquid suppositories in the rectum.

Mucoadhesive liquid suppositories were prepared by adding mucoadhesive polymers (0.6%) to a formulation of thermally gelling suppositories that contained poloxamer 407 (15%), poloxamer 188 (15%) and propranolol HCl (2%). Hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), carbopol, polycarbophil and sodium alginate were examined as mucoadhesive polymers. The characteristics of the suppositories differed depending on the choice of mucoadhesive polymer. For example, the gelation temperature was between 30 and 36 degrees C, the mucoadhesive force was between 430 and 5800 dyne/cm2, the apparent first-order release rate constant in phosphate buffer, pH 6.8, was between 0.399 and 0.271 h-1, the migration distance of the suppository in the rectum 4 h after administration was between 1 and 5 cm, and the bioavailability of propranolol was between 60.9 and 84.7%. Rectal bioavailability increased as the mucoadhesive force increased (r=0.984, p<0.0005), and the migration distance decreased (r=-0.951, p<0.005). No relationship was found between the bioavailability and the gelation temperature, drug release or irritation of the rectal mucosal membrane by the suppository. Therefore, retaining propranolol at the dosed site in the rectum by the addition of appropriate mucoadhesives to the formulation of liquid suppositories appears to be a very important factor in avoiding first-pass hepatic elimination and thereby increasing the bioavailability of the drug. Among the mucoadhesive polymers examined, sodium alginate and polycarbophil exhibited the largest mucoadhesive force and the smallest intrarectal migration resulting in the largest bioavailability of propranolol (84.7 and 82.3%, respectively). In contrast to other polymers, sodium alginate alone caused no irritation of the rectal mucosal membrane. Thus, poloxamer liquid suppositories containing sodium alginate appears to be a preferred formulation for drugs that are sensitive to extensive first-pass metabolism.

Enhanced electrostatic interaction between chitosan-modified PLGA nanoparticle and tumor

In our previous study, lung tumor-specific targeting of paclitaxel was achieved in mice by intravenous administration of chitosan-modified paclitaxel-loaded PLGA nanoparticles (C-NPs-paclitaxel). Transient formation of aggregates in the blood stream followed by enhanced trapping in the capillaries was proposed as a mechanism of the lung-specific accumulation of paclitaxel. In the present study, the mechanism of tumor lung preferential accumulation of paclitaxel from C-NPs-paclitaxel was investigated. Zeta potential and in vitro cellular cytotoxicity (A549 cells and CT-26 cells) of C-NPs-paclitaxel, and in vitro uptake of coumarin 6 to these cells from chitosan-modified coumarin 6 containing PLGA nanoparticles (C-NPs-coumarin 6) were examined as a function of pH (6.8, 7.4 and 8.0). The zeta potential of C-NPs-paclitaxel increased as the medium pH became more acidic. In vitro uptake of coumarin 6 by A549 cells and CT-26 cells was enhanced at lower pH for C-NPs-coumarin 6. In vitro cytotoxicity experiment with C-NPs-paclitaxel demonstrated enhanced cytotoxicity as the pH became more acidic. Therefore, enhanced electrostatic interaction between chitosan-modified PLGA nanoparticles and acidic microenvironment of tumor cells appears to be an underlying mechanism of lung tumor-specific accumulation of paclitaxel from C-NPs-paclitaxel.

Lung‐specific delivery of paclitaxel by chitosan‐modified PLGA nanoparticles via transient formation of microaggregates

Chitosan-modified paclitaxel-loaded poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles with a mean diameter of 200-300 nm in distilled water were prepared by a solvent evaporation method. The mean diameter increased dramatically in contact with the mouse (CDF(1)) plasma, as a function of chitosan concentration in the modification solution (e.g., 2670.5 nm for 0.7% chitosan-modified nanoparticles, NP(3)), but reverted to almost its original size (i.e., 350.7 nm for NP(3)) following 5 min of gentle agitation. The zeta potential of PLGA nanoparticles was changed to positive by the chitosan modification. The in vitro uptake into, and cytotoxicity of the nanoparticles against, a lung cancer cell line (A549) were significantly increased by the modification. Most importantly, a lung-specific increase in the distribution index of paclitaxel (i.e., AUC(lung)/AUC(plasma)) was observed for chitosan-modified nanoparticles (e.g., 99.9 for NP(3) vs. 5.4 for Taxol) when nanoparticles were administered to lung-metastasized mice via the tail vein at a paclitaxel dose of 10 mg/kg. Transient formation of aggregates in the blood stream followed by enhanced trapping in the lung capillaries, and electrical interaction-mediated enhanced uptake across the endothelial cells of the lung tumor capillary appear to be responsible for the lung-tumor-specific distribution of the chitosan modified nanoparticles.

Antitumor Effect of Paclitaxel-Loaded PEGylated Immunoliposomes Against Human Breast Cancer Cells

PurposeThe antitumor effect of paclitaxel-loaded PEGylated immunoliposome (PILs) was investigated in breast cancer cell lines and the xenograft model.MethodsHerceptin was conjugated to paclitaxel-loaded PEGylated liposomes (PLs). In vitro cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of PILs were determined in breast cancer cell lines while in vivo antitumor efficacy was evaluated in the xenograft nude mouse model.ResultsThe PILs formulation was able to significantly increase the HER2 mediated cellular uptake of paclitaxel compared to the PLs in cell lines overexpressing HER2 (BT-474 and SK-BR-3 cells). However, in the MDA-MB-231 cells, which express low levels of HER2, the difference between the PILs and PLs formulation was not significant. The biological activity of Herceptin was maintained throughout the conjugation process as exhibited by the antitumor dose–response curves determined for Herceptin itself, for the thiolated Herceptin alone and subsequently for the immunoliposome-coupled Herceptin. In BT-474 and SK-BR-3 cells, the cytotoxicity of the PILs was more potent than that of Taxol. Moreover, in in vivo studies, PILs showed significantly higher tumor tissue distribution of paclitaxel in the BT-474 xenograft model and more superior antitumor efficacy compared to Taxol and PLs. However, in the MDA-MB-231 xenograft model, PILs and PLs showed similar tumor tissue distribution as well as antitumor activity.ConclusionsThese results suggest that HER2-mediated endocytosis is involved in the PILs formulation. The ability of the PILs formulation to efficiently and specifically deliver paclitaxel to the HER2-overexpressing cancer cells implies that it is a promising strategy for tumor-specific therapy for HER2-overexpressing breast cancers.

A novel vesicular carrier, transethosome, for enhanced skin delivery of voriconazole: Characterization and in vitro/in vivo evaluation

This study describes a novel carrier, transethosome, for enhanced skin delivery of voriconazole. Transethosomes (TELs) are composed of phospholipid, ethanol, water and edge activator (surfactants) or permeation enhancer (oleic acid). Characterization of the TELs was based on results from recovery, particle size, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), zeta potential and elasticity studies. In addition, skin permeation profile was obtained using static vertical diffusion Franz cells and hairless mouse skin treated with TELs containing 0.3% (w/w) voriconazole, and compared with those of ethosomes (ELs), deformable liposomes (DLs), conventional liposomes (CLs) and control (polyethylene glycol, PG) solutions. The recovery of the studied vesicles was above 90% in all vesicles, as all of them contained ethanol (7-30%). There was no significant difference in the particles size of all vesicles. The TEM study revealed that the TELs were in irregular spherical shape, implying higher fluidity due to perturbed lipid bilayer compared to that of other vesicles which were of spherical shape. The zeta potential of vesicles containing sodium taurocholate or oleic acid showed higher negative value compared to other vesicles. The elasticities of ELs and TELs were much higher than that of CLs and DLs. Moreover, TELs dramatically enhanced the skin permeation of voriconazole compared to the control and other vesicles (p<0.05). Moreover, the TELs enhanced both in vitro and in vivo skin deposition of voriconazole in the dermis/epidermis region compared to DLs, CLs and control. Therefore, based on the current study, the novel carrier TELs could serve as an effective dermal delivery for voriconazole.

Effect of fatty acids and urea on the penetration of ketoprofen through rat skin

Abstract The effects of several fatty acids and urea on the penetration of ketoprofen in propylene glycol and aqueous vehicles through excised rat skins have been studied. The penetration of ketoprofen through the skins increased 8–50-fold maximum compared to the control with the addition of the fatty acids in PG and urea in water. The enhancement of skin permeability of ketoprofen with the fatty acids in propylene glycol was mainly due to the increase in ketoprofen partitioning between the skin and the vehicle. When the concentration of lauric acid in propylene glycol — responsible for maximum permeation of ketoprofen — was varied from 0 to 10% in propylene glycol, ketoprofen permeation reached maximum with 5% lauric acid. The enhancement effect of urea on the penetration of ketoprofen through excised rat skins depended on the vehicles used. Its permeation constant increased significantly when added to ketoprofen-water vehicle. On the other hand, the effect of urea was not pronounced when added to ketoprofen-PG vehicle and ketoprofen-PG: ethanol: water (1:3:6) mixture. Nevertheless, the diffusion of ketoprofen through the skin increased in all three cases. Urea seemed to form large and extensive hydrophilic diffusion channels that do not exist in fresh skin.

Novel porous matrix of hyaluronic acid for the three-dimensional culture of chondrocytes

A novel three-dimensional (3D) scaffold of chemically unmodified hyaluronic acid (HA) with minimum cross-linkage was developed for the culture of chondrocytes, thereby to promote cartilage repair. The porous structure of the scaffold was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the pore size was controlled by fabrication conditions including swelling time and composition of the HA matrix. Rabbit primary chondrocytes and human chondrocytic cell lines (C-20/A4) were cultured in the HA matrix to investigate whether they can be applied to construct the cartilage tissue in vitro. The chondrocytes retained chondrocytic spherical morphology in this HA matrix. Moreover, results from the MTT assay showed good cellular viability within the HA matrix; optical density increased for up to 28 days, demonstrating that the cells continued to proliferate inside the HA matrix. Phenotypic analysis (RT-PCR, Alcian blue staining and quantification of s-GAG) showed that chondrocytes, when three-dimensionally cultured within the HA matrix, expressed transcripts encoding collagen type II and aggrecan, and produced sulfated glycosaminoglycans (s-GAG), indicating chondrogenic differentiation. The new HA matrix therefore appears as a potentially promising scaffold for the three-dimensional culture of chondrocytes for cartilage tissue engineering.

Targeted and sustained delivery of hydrocortisone to normal and stratum corneum-removed skin without enhanced skin absorption using a liposome gel

A liposome-gel formulation containing 1% (w/w) hydrocortisone was prepared by blending phosphatidylcholine liposomes of hydrocortisone with Carbopol 934 hydrogel. The liposome-gel was applied topically onto the normal and stratum corneum (SC)-removed skins (3.0 cm2) of hairless mice at a dose of 1 mg as hydrocortisone. Percutaneous absorption of hydrocortisone across the SC-removed skin was significantly faster than that across normal skin, suggesting that SC behaves as a penetration barrier for the liposome-bound drugs. Contrary to previous reports that have suggested enhanced percutaneous penetration of drugs by liposomes, the liposome-gel in this study reduced the skin absorption of hydrocortisone, compared with the conventional ointment formulation. The amount of hydrocortisone absorbed from the liposome-gel after 8 h into the SC-removed skin was less than one-third of that from the conventional ointment. In spite of the reduced absorption, higher and sustained skin concentrations of hydrocortisone were achieved for the liposome-gel as compared to the ointment. Drug concentration in both viable and deep skin reached its maximum within 0.5 h after application of both formulations to both skin types. Drug concentrations in both skins from the ointment declined as a function of time, while those from the liposome-gel were greatly sustained. The sustainment by the liposome-gel was more remarkable in the viable skin than in the deep skin. Drug concentration in the viable skin could be maintained at a nearly constant level for over 8 h by applying the liposome-gel. As a result, a 5-fold higher viable skin drug concentration was obtained from the liposome-gel than from the ointment at 8 h after the application to the SC-removed skin. Nevertheless, the plasma concentration of hydrocortisone at 4 h from the liposome-gel was only one-fourth (p<0.01) the value from the ointment when the drug was applied to the SC-removed skin. Thus, retarded diffusion of the drug from the skin to the systemic blood stream appears to be a potential factor in the sustained skin concentration of hydrocortisone from the liposome-gel. The retarded diffusion was supported by the lower urinary (one-third, p<0.05) and fecal (one-half, p<0.05) excretion of the drug from the liposome-gel as compared to the ointment when the drug was applied to SC-removed skin. Interaction of hydrocortisone in the skin with phosphatidylcholine, a component of the liposomes and skin, may well be a factor in retarding the diffusion of the drug in the skin.