Pao-Chu Wu

In vitro skin permeation of estradiol from various proniosome formulations

The skin permeation of estradiol from various proniosome gel formulations across excised rat skin was investigated in vitro. The encapsulation efficiency and size of niosomal vesicles formed from proniosomes upon hydration were also characterized. The encapsulation (%) of proniosomes with Span surfactants showed a very high value of about 100%. Proniosomes with Span 40 and Span 60 increased the permeation of estradiol across skin. Both penetration enhancer effect of non-ionic surfactant and vesicle-skin interaction may contribute to the mechanisms for proniosomes to enhance estradiol permeation. Niosome suspension (diluted proniosomal formulations) and proniosome gel showed different behavior in modulating transdermal delivery of estradiol across skin. Presence or absence of cholesterol in the lipid bilayers of vesicles did not reveal difference in encapsulation and permeation of the associated estradiol. The types and contents of non-ionic surfactant in proniosomes are important factors affecting the efficiency of transdermal estradiol delivery.

Comparison of 5-aminolevulinic acid-encapsulated liposome versus ethosome for skin delivery for photodynamic therapy.

Topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is an alternative therapy for many non-melanoma skin cancers. The major limitation of this therapy, however, is the low permeability of ALA through the stratum corneum (SC) of the skin. The objective of the present work was to characterize ethosomes containing ALA and to enhance the skin production of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), compared to traditional liposomes. Results showed that the average particle sizes of the ethosomes were less than those of liposomes. Moreover, the entrapment efficiency of ALA in the ethosome formulations was 8-66% depending on the surfactant added. The particle size of the ethosomes was still approximately <200 nm after 32 days of storage. An in vivo animal study observed the presence of PpIX in the skin by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The results indicated that the penetration ability of ethosomes was greater than that of liposomes. The enhancements of all the formulations were ranging from 11- to 15-fold in contrast to that of control (ALA in an aqueous solution) in terms of PpIX intensity. In addition, colorimetry detected no erythema in the irradiated skin. The results demonstrated that the enhancement ratio of ethosome formulations did not significantly differ between the non-irradiated and irradiated groups except for PE/CH/SS, which may have been due to a photobleaching effect of the PDT-irradiation process.

Topical delivery of 5-aminolevulinic acid-encapsulated ethosomes in a hyperproliferative skin animal model using the CLSM technique to evaluate the penetration behavior

Psoriasis, an inflammatory skin disease, exhibits recurring itching, soreness, and cracked and bleeding skin. Currently, the topical delivery of 5-aminolevulinic acid-photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) is an optional treatment for psoriasis which provides long-term therapeutic effects, is non-toxic and enjoys better compliance with patients. However, the precursor of ALA is hydrophilic, and thus its ability to penetrate the skin is limited. Also, little research has provided a platform to investigate the penetration behavior in disordered skin. We employed a highly potent ethosomal carrier (phosphatidylethanolamine; PE) to investigate the penetration behavior of ALA and the recovery of skin in a hyperproliferative murine model. We found that the application of ethosomes produced a significant increase in cumulative amounts of 5-26-fold in normal and hyperproliferative murine skin samples when compared to an ALA aqueous solution; and the ALA aqueous solution appeared less precise in terms of the penetration mode in hyperproliferative murine skin. After the ethosomes had been applied, the protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) intensity increased about 3.64-fold compared with that of the ALA aqueous solution, and the penetration depth reached 30-80 microm. The results demonstrated that the ethosomal carrier significantly improved the delivery of ALA and the formation of PpIX in both normal and hyperproliferative murine skin samples, and the expression level of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha was reduced after the ALA-ethosomes were applied to treat hyperproliferative murine skin. Furthermore, the results of present study encourage more investigations on the mechanism of the interaction with ethosomes and hyperproliferative murine skin.

In vitro permeation and in vivo whitening effect of topical hesperetin microemulsion delivery system.

Hesperetin is one of the flavonoids and possess anti-inflammatory, UV-protecting and antioxidant effects. Permeation issues for topical delivery systems of such effects are occasionally problematic, and in view of the fact that microemulsions are potential carriers for transdermal delivery system, the objective of this study was to design an optimal microemulsion formulation by in vitro permeation study for hesperetin topical dosage form and determine its topical photoprotective effect and skin irritation by in vivo study. The hesperetin-loaded microemulsion showed an enhanced in vitro permeation compared to the aqueous and isopropyl myristate (IPM) suspension dosage form of hesperetin. In comparison, the effect of co-surfactant on the drug permeation capacity, propylene glycol showed highest permeation rate, followed by ethanol, glycerol and polyethylene glycol (PEG 400). Sunscreen agent padimate O, as a transdermal enhancer could increase the permeation rate of hesperetin. In case of in vivo study, the hesperetin-loaded microemulsion showed significant topical whitening effect and diminished skin irritation when compared with the non-treatment group, indicating that the hesperetin microemulsion could be used as an effective whitening agent.

Oral Apomorphine Delivery from Solid Lipid Nanoparticles with Different Monostearate Emulsifiers: Pharmacokinetic and Behavioral Evaluations

Apomorphine, a dopamine receptor agonist for treating Parkinsons disease, has very poor oral bioavailability (<2%) due to the first-pass effect. The aim of this work was to investigate whether the oral bioavailability and brain regional distribution of apomorphine could be improved by utilizing solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs). Glyceryl monostearate (GMS) and polyethylene glycol monostearate (PMS) were individually incorporated into SLNs as emulsifiers. It was found that variations in the emulsifiers had profound effects on the physicochemical characteristics. Mean diameters of the GMS and PMS systems were 155 and 63 nm, respectively. More than 90% of the apomorphine was entrapped in the SLNs. The interfacial film was the likely location for most of apomorphine molecules. The PMS system, when incubated in simulated intestinal medium, was found to be more stable in terms of particle size and encapsulation efficiency than the GMS system. Using the GMS and PMS systems to orally administer apomorphine (26 mg/kg) equally enhanced the bioavailability in rats. SLNs showed 12- to 13-fold higher bioavailability than the reference solution. The drug distribution in the striatum, the predominant site of therapeutic action, also increased when using the SLNs. The anti-Parkinsonian activity of apomorphine was evaluated in rats with 6-hydroxydopamine-induced lesions, a model of Parkinsons disease. The contralateral rotation behavior was examined after oral apomorphine delivery. The total number of rotations increased from 20 to 94 and from 20 to 115 when the drug was administered from SLNs containing GMS and PMS, respectively. The experimental results suggest that SLNs may offer a promising strategy for apomorphine delivery via oral ingestion.

Baicalein loaded in tocol nanostructured lipid carriers (tocol NLCs) for enhanced stability and brain targeting.

The objective of the present work was to investigate the specific brain targeting of baicalein by intravenous injection after incorporation into nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs). The NLC system, composed of tripalmitin, Gelucires, vitamin E, phospholipids, and poloxamer 188 (referred to as tocol NLCs), was characterized in terms of its physicochemical properties, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), stability, in vivo pharmacokinetics, and brain distribution. The lipid nanoparticles were spherical with an average size of ∼100 nm. The zeta potential of the nanoparticles was about -50 mV. DSC studies suggested that the majority of the inner cores of tocol NLCs had a slightly disordered crystal arrangement. The nanoparticulate dispersions demonstrated good physical stability during storage for 6 days. The incorporation of vitamin E in the formulations greatly reinforced baicaleins stability. The aqueous control and tocol NLCs were intravenously administered to rats. The plasma level of baicalein in NLCs was much higher and the half-life much longer than those in the free control. In the experiment on the brain distribution, NLCs respectively revealed 7.5- and 4.7-fold higher baicalein accumulations compared to the aqueous solution in the cerebral cortex and brain stem. Greater baicalein accumulations with NLCs were also detected in the hippocampus, striatum, thalamus, and olfactory tract. A 2-3-fold increase in baicalein amounts were achieved in these regions. Tocol NLCs improved baicaleins stability and the ability of baicalein to penetrate the brain; thus, this is a promising drug-targeting system for the treatment of central nervous system disorders.

In vitro permeation study of capsaicin and its synthetic derivatives from ointment bases using various skin types

Nonivamide (NVA) and sodium nonivamide acetate (SNA) both are synthetic analogues of capsaicin. In the present study, in vitro penetration experiments through rat skin from ointment bases were performed in order to establish and develop the transdermal drug delivery system of these two capsaicin analogues. This study was also carried out to evaluate the relative skin permeability of capsaicin and its derivatives through different skin types. As regards the in vitro transdermal absorption of ointment bases, o/w emulsion-type bases (hydrophilic and University of California Hospital (UCH) ointment) revealed better percutaneous absorption effects than the others for both NVA and SNA. However, there was a higher accumulative amount for NVA in the gel base but none for SNA. There were no changes observed in the appearance and texture when the aqueous phase of the three ointment bases (hydrophilic, absorption and UCH ointment) was replaced by pH 4.2 buffer. In the steady-state flux of absorption ointment for NVA and UCH, absorption ointment for SNA was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in pH 4.2 buffer-replaced base than in the original. In the comparison of in vitro permeability through various animal skin types, full-thickness human skin showed the poorest permeability for NVA, SNA and capsaicin. The trends of steady-state flux through the various skin types for capsaicin, NVA and SNA were quite different. However, pig skin could be successfully used as a model to study in vitro percutaneous absorption of these three compounds through human skin.

Design and evaluation of sustained release microspheres of potassium chloride prepared by Eudragit.

The aim of the present work was to prepare and evaluate the sustained release of potassium chloride formulations. Eudragit RS and/or RL loaded with potassium chloride microspheres were prepared by a solvent evaporation method. The effect of sustained release of Eudragit microspheres was evaluated by an in vitro dissolution test and in vivo oral absorption study, and the results were compared to a commercial product (Slow-K). The results showed that Eudragit microspheres loaded with potassium chloride can be easily prepared and satisfactory results obtained considering the size distribution and shapes of microspheres by incorporating aluminum stearate. The encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity were about 84-90% and 27%, respectively. Moreover, the Eudragit RS (30-45 mesh) and Eudragit RS/RL (20-30 mesh) microspheres showed a similar sustained release effect of commercial product via in vitro dissolution and in vivo oral absorption study.

Elastic liposomes as carriers for oral delivery and the brain distribution of (+)-catechin.

The aim of this work was to investigate whether the oral bioavailability and brain regional distribution of (+)-catechin could be improved by utilizing elastic liposomes. Liposomes containing soy phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol, and Tween 80 in the presence of 15% ethanol were prepared by a thin-film method and subsequent sonication and extrusion. The size, zeta potential, and stability of the liposomes in simulated gastrointestinal (GI) media were characterized. The mean size of liposomes was 35–70 nm, which decreased with an increase in the Tween 80 concentration. The zeta potential of the system was about−15 mV. More than 80% of the (+)-catechin was entrapped in the aqueous core of liposomes produced with 1% Tween 80. Liposomes entrapping (+)-catechin remained stable in the presence of GI fluids, especially in simulated intestinal fluid. The liposomes showed suppressed and sustained release of (+)-catechin compared with that from an aqueous solution. The aqueous control and liposomes were orally administered to rats. The blood level of liposomal (+)-catechin was enhanced at a later stage after administration compared with the free control. In the experiment on the brain distribution, liposomes with elastic properties showed 2.9- and 2.7-fold higher (+)-catechin accumulations compared with the aqueous solution in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, respectively. Greater compound accumulations with liposomes were also detected in the striatum and thalamus. The experimental results suggest that elastic liposomes may offer a promising strategy for improving (+)-catechin delivery via oral ingestion.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of potassium chloride sustained release formulation prepared with saturated polyglycolyed glycerides matrices.

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of sustained release of potassium chloride semi-solid matrices prepared with different kinds and added amounts of Gelucires by the in vitro dissolution test and in vivo oral absorption study, and compared with a commercial product (slow-K). The results indicating that the release rates of potassium from experimental formulations were dependent on the type of semi-solid matrices (Gelucires). The higher the melting point of the Gelucires was incorporated, the slower release rate of the active substance was observed. Moreover, the values of similarity factor of Formulae F05 and F09 versus the reference in three kinds of dissolution medium (f(2)) were higher than 50, indicating that these experimental formulations had similar sustained release effects to the reference (slow-K) in dissolution test. In vivo study, the cumulative amount (mEq) of potassium excreted curve and the excretion rate curve of F05 and F09 were found to be similar to that of slow-K, and there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in the maximum excretion rate and the mean time to reach the maximum rate between formulations and slow-K, indicating that the potassium chloride sustained release dosage form could be prepared using the Gelucires as lipid excipients.