Prabhat Ranjan Mishra

Production and characterization of Hesperetin nanosuspensions for dermal delivery

Nanosuspensions of Hesperetin were produced using four different stabilizers, Poloxamer 188, Inutec SP1, Tween 80 and Plantacare 2000, possessing different mechanisms of stabilisation. The nanosuspensions were characterized with regard to size (photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS), laser diffractometry (LD)) and charge (zeta potential measurements). A nanocrystal PCS size of about 300 nm was obtained after 30 homogenization cycles at 1500 bar with the stabilizers Poloxamer, Inutec and Plantacare. Tween was slightly less efficient to preserve the nanocrystal size directly after production (347 nm). The short-term stability was assessed by storage of the nanosuspensions at 4 degrees C, room temperature and 40 degrees C. As predicted from the zeta potential measurements, Inutec and Plantacare stabilized nanosuspensions were stable with no change in PCS diameter and LD diameter 99%. Slight increases in size were found for the Poloxamer and the Tween stabilized nanosuspensions, which is not considered to impair their use in dermal formulations.

Paclitaxel loaded PEGylated gleceryl monooleate based nanoparticulate carriers in chemotherapy.

A PEGylated drug delivery system of paclitaxel (PTX), based on glyceryl monooleate (GMO) was prepared by optimizing various parameters to explore its potential in anticancer therapy. The prepared system was characterized through polarized light microscopy, TEM, AFM and SAXS to reveal its liquid crystalline nature. As GMO based LCNPs exhibit high hemolytic toxicity and faster release of entrapped drug (66.2 ± 2.5% in 24 h), PEGylation strategy was utilized to increase the hemocompatibility (reduction in hemolysis from 60.3 ± 10.2 to 4.4 ± 1.3%) and control the release of PTX (43.6 ± 3.2% released in 24 h). The cytotoxic potential and cellular uptake was assessed in MCF-7 cell lines. Further, biodistribution studies were carried out in EAT (Ehrlich Ascites tumor) bearing mice using (99m)Tc-(Technetium radionuclide) labeled formulations and an enhanced circulation time and tumor accumulation (14 and 8 times, respectively) were observed with PEGylated carriers over plain ones, at 24 h. Finally, tumor growth inhibition experiment was performed and after 15 days, control group exhibited 15 times enhancement in tumor volume, while plain and PEGylated systems exhibited only 8 and 4 times enhancement, respectively, as compared to initial tumor volume. The results suggest that PEGylation enhances the hemocompatibility and efficacy of GMO based system that may serve as an efficient i.v. delivery vehicle for paclitaxel.

Withaferin A: a proteasomal inhibitor promotes healing after injury and exerts anabolic effect on osteoporotic bone

Withania somnifera or Ashwagandha is a medicinal herb of Ayurveda. Though the extract and purified molecules, withanolides, from this plant have been shown to have different pharmacological activities, their effect on bone formation has not been studied. Here, we show that one of the withanolide, withaferin A (WFA) acts as a proteasomal inhibitor (PI) and binds to specific catalytic β subunit of the 20S proteasome. It exerts positive effect on osteoblast by increasing osteoblast proliferation and differentiation. WFA increased expression of osteoblast-specific transcription factor and mineralizing genes, promoted osteoblast survival and suppressed inflammatory cytokines. In osteoclast, WFA treatment decreased osteoclast number directly by decreasing expression of tartarate-resistant acid phosphatase and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B (RANK) and indirectly by decreasing osteoprotegrin/RANK ligand ratio. Our data show that in vitro treatment of WFA to calvarial osteoblast cells decreased expression of E3 ubiquitin ligase, Smad ubiquitin regulatory factor 2 (Smurf2), preventing degradation of Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RunX2) and relevant Smad proteins, which are phosphorylated by bone morphogenetic protein 2. Increased Smurf2 expression due to exogenous treatment of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) to primary osteoblast cells was decreased by WFA treatment. This was corroborated by using small interfering RNA against Smurf2. Further, WFA also blocked nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kB) signaling as assessed by tumor necrosis factor stimulated nuclear translocation of p65-subunit of NF-kB. Overall data show that in vitro proteasome inhibition by WFA simultaneously promoted osteoblastogenesis by stabilizing RunX2 and suppressed osteoclast differentiation, by inhibiting osteoclastogenesis. Oral administration of WFA to osteopenic ovariectomized mice increased osteoprogenitor cells in the bone marrow and increased expression of osteogenic genes. WFA supplementation improved trabecular micro-architecture of the long bones, increased biomechanical strength parameters of the vertebra and femur, decreased bone turnover markers (osteocalcin and TNFα) and expression of skeletal osteoclastogenic genes. It also increased new bone formation and expression of osteogenic genes in the femur bone as compared with vehicle groups (Sham) and ovariectomy (OVx), Bortezomib (known PI), injectible parathyroid hormone and alendronate (FDA approved drugs). WFA promoted the process of cortical bone regeneration at drill-holes site in the femur mid-diaphysis region and cortical gap was bridged with woven bone within 11 days of both estrogen sufficient and deficient (ovariectomized, Ovx) mice. Together our data suggest that WFA stimulates bone formation by abrogating proteasomal machinery and provides knowledge base for its clinical evaluation as a bone anabolic agent.

A novel therapeutic approach with Caviunin-based isoflavonoid that en routes bone marrow cells to bone formation via BMP2/Wnt- β -catenin signaling

Recently, we reported that extract of Dalbergia sissoo made from leaves and pods have antiresorptive and bone-forming effects. The positive skeletal effect attributed because of active molecules present in the extract of Dalbergia sissoo. Caviunin 7-O-[β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1-6)-β-D-glucopyranoside] (CAFG), a novel isoflavonoid show higher percentage present in the extract. Here, we show the osteogenic potential of CAFG as an alternative for anabolic therapy for the treatment of osteoporosis by stimulating bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) and Wnt/β-catenin mechanism. CAFG supplementation improved trabecular micro-architecture of the long bones, increased biomechanical strength parameters of the vertebra and femur and decreased bone turnover markers better than genistein. Oral administration of CAFG to osteopenic ovariectomized mice increased osteoprogenitor cells in the bone marrow and increased the expression of osteogenic genes in femur and show new bone formation without uterine hyperplasia. CAFG increased mRNA expression of osteoprotegerin in bone and inhibited osteoclast activation by inhibiting the expression of skeletal osteoclastogenic genes. CAFG is also an effective accelerant for chondrogenesis and has stimulatory effect on the repair of cortical bone after drill-hole injury at the tissue, cell and gene level in mouse femur. At cellular levels, CAFG stimulated osteoblast proliferation, survival and differentiation. Signal transduction inhibitors in osteoblast demonstrated involvement of p-38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway stimulated by BMP2 to initiate Wnt/β-catenin signaling to reduce phosphorylation of GSK3-β and subsequent nuclear accumulation of β-catenin. Osteogenic effects were abrogated by Dkk1, Wnt-receptor blocker and FH535, inhibitor of TCF-complex by reduction in β-catenin levels. CAFG modulated MSC responsiveness to BMP2, which promoted osteoblast differentiation via Wnt/β-catenin mechanism. CAFG at 1 mg/kg/day dose in ovariectomy mice (human dose ∼0.081 mg/kg) led to enhanced bone formation, reduced bone resorption and bone turnover better than well-known phytoestrogen genistein. Owing to CAFG’s inherent properties for bone, it could be positioned as a potential drug, food supplement, for postmenopausal osteoporosis and fracture repair.

Development of nanocapsules bearing doxorubicin for macrophage targeting through the phosphatidylserine ligand: a system for intervention in visceral leishmaniasis

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to explore the applicability, targeting potential and drug delivery to specialized phagocytes via phosphatidylserine (PS)-specific ligand-anchored nanocapsules (NCs) bearing doxorubicin. METHODS The layer-by-layer method was utilized to prepare NCs having a nanoemulsion core loaded with doxorubicin (NCs-DOX), which was further grafted with PS. PS-coated NCs (PS-NCs-DOX) were compared with NCs-DOX for in vitro targeting ability by studying uptake by macrophages, intracellular localization, in vivo pharmacokinetics and organ distribution studies. The in vivo antileishmanial activity of free doxorubicin, NCs-DOX and PS-NCs-DOX was tested against visceral leishmaniasis in Leishmania donovani-infected hamsters. RESULTS Flow cytometric data revealed 1.75-fold enhanced uptake of PS-NCs-DOX in J774A.1 macrophage cell lines compared with NCs-DOX. In vivo organ distribution studies in Wistar rats demonstrated a significantly higher extent of accumulation of PS-NCs-DOX compared with NCs-DOX in macrophage-rich organs, particularly in liver and spleen. Highly significant antileishmanial activity (P < 0.05 compared with NCs) was observed with PS-NCs-DOX, causing 85.23% ± 4.49% inhibition of splenic parasitic burden. NCs-DOX and free doxorubicin caused only 72.88% ± 3.87% and 42.85% ± 2.11% parasite inhibition, respectively, in Leishmania-infected hamsters (P < 0.01 for PS-NCs-DOX versus free doxorubicin and NCs-DOX versus free doxorubicin). CONCLUSIONS We conclude that the PS targeting moiety can provide a new insight for efficient drug delivery to specialized macrophages and thus may be developed for effective use in macrophage-specific delivery systems, especially for leishmaniasis.

Pharmacokinetics study of arteether loaded solid lipid nanoparticles: an improved oral bioavailability in rats.

Arteether (ART), an artemisinin derivative, is a life saving drug for multiple drug resistant malaria. It has a deliverance effect in Falciparum malaria and cerebral malaria. We have prepared solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) by high pressure homogenization (HPH) technique. ART-loaded SLN (ART-SLN) has been produced reproducibly with homogeneous particle size. ART-SLN was characterized for their size measured by Zetasizer Nano-ZS, Malvern, UK and by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and which was found to be 100 ± 11.2 nm. The maximum percentage entrapment efficiency (%EE) determined with the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has been found to be 69 ± 4.2% in ART-SLN-3. The release pattern from ART-SLN revealed that the release of ART is slow but time-dependent manner, which is desirable as it will help to protect the acid degradation of ART in stomach. The percentage cytotoxicity of blank SLN has been found within the acceptable range. The pharmacokinetics results indicated that ART-SLN-3 absorption has been significantly enhanced in comparison to ART in aqueous suspension and ART in ground nut oil (GNO) in rats. The % relative bioavailability (RB%) of ART-SLN to the ART in GNO and ART in aqueous suspension in rats was 169.99% and 7461%, respectively which was found to be significantly high in both the cases. From the results, it can be concluded that ART-SLN offers a new approach to improve the oral bioavailability of ART.

Characterization and evaluation of amphotericin B loaded MDP conjugated poly(propylene imine) dendrimers

This paper describes a novel strategy for targeted delivery of amphotericin B (AmB) to macrophages with muramyl dipeptide (MDP) conjugated multimeric poly(propyleneimine) (PPI) dendrimers. Synergistic antiparasitic activity due to immunostimulation by multimeric presentation of MDP on dendrimers was anticipated. MDP conjugated 5.0G PPI (MdPPI) dendrimers were synthesized and characterized. Therapeutic activity and toxicity of dendrimeric formulation of AmB (MdPPIA) were compared with marketed formulations of AmB. Highly significant (P<0.01) reduction in toxicity was observed in hemolytic toxicity and cytotoxicity studies in erythrocytes and J774A.1 macrophage cells, respectively. Formulation MdPPIA showed appreciable macrophage targeting potential and higher or equivalent antiparasitic activity against parasite infected macrophage cell lines and in vivo infection in Balb/c mice. These results suggest the developed MDP conjugated dendrimeric formulation of AmB as a promising immunostimulant targeted drug delivery system and a safer alternative to marketed formulations. From the clinical editor: Parasitic infections remain a significant issue in the clinical setting. The authors in this article studied the use of ligand anchored dendrimeric formulation of Amphotericin B to target infected macrophages and showed reduced toxicity, high anti-leishmanial activity. This may add another treatment option to available formulations in the future.

Investigations into an alternate approach to target mannose receptors on macrophages using 4-sulfated N-acetyl galactosamine more efficiently in comparison with mannose-decorated liposomes: an application in drug delivery

UNLABELLED In this study the potential of 2 different ligands, i.e., palmitoyl mannose (Man-Lip) and 4-SO(4)GalNAc (Sulf-Lip) to target resident macrophages was investigated after surface decoration of Amphotericin B (AmB) loaded liposomes. In the case of Sulf-Lip, the 4-SO(4)GalNAc was adsorbed through electrostatic interaction on cationic liposomes, which was confirmed by change in zeta potential from +48.2 ± 3.7 mV for Lip to +12.2 ± 1.3 mV for Sulf-Lip. The mean particle size of Sulf-Lip and Man-Lip was found to be 139.4 ± 7.4 nm and 147.4 ± 8.6 nm, respectively. Flow cytometric data reveal enhanced uptake of Sulf-Lip in both J774 and RAW cell lines in comparison with the uptake of Man-Lip. Intracellular localization studies indicate that the fluorescence intensity of Sulf-Lip was much higher in comparison with that of Man-Lip and Lip formulations. Sulf-Lip and Man-Lip showed significantly higher localization of AmB at all time points in comparison with Lip (P < 0.05) after intravenous (IV) administration. The studies provide evidence that 4-SO(4)GalNAc possesses a promising feature for targeting resident macrophages and its application in the conditions of leishmaniasis is in the offing. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR This in vivo study compares two different ligands to deliver Amphotericin B l(AmB) loaded liposomes to resident macrophages. Targeted approaches showed significantly higher localization of AmB at all time points in comparison to non-targeted liposomes, and future applications in leishmaniasis are already under preparation.

An insight into functionalized calcium based inorganic nanomaterials in biomedicine: Trends and transitions.

Over the recent years the use of biocompatible and biodegradable nanoparticles in biomedicine has become a significant priority. Calcium based ceramic nanoparticles like calcium phosphate (CaP) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) are therefore considered as attractive carriers as they are naturally present in human body with nanosize range. Their application in tissue engineering and localized controlled delivery of bioactives for bones and teeth is well established now, but recently their use has increased significantly as carrier of bioactives through other routes also. These delivery systems have become most potential alternatives to other commonly used delivery system because of their cost effectiveness, biodegradability, chemical stability, controlled and stimuli responsive behaviour. This review comprehensively covers their characteristic features, method of preparation and applications but the thrust is to focus their recent development, functionalization and use in systemic delivery. On the same platform mineralization of other nanoparticulate delivery system which has widened their application drug delivery will be discussed. The emphasis has been given on their pH dependent properties which make them excellent carriers for tumour targeting and intracellular delivery. Finally this review also attempts to discuss their drawback which limits their clinical utility.

Surface-Engineered Dendrimeric Nanoconjugates for Macrophage-Targeted Delivery of Amphotericin B: Formulation Development and In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to develop an optimized dendrimeric delivery system for amphotericin B (AmB). Fifth-generation (5.0G) poly(propylene imine) (PPI) dendrimers were synthesized, conjugated with mannose, and characterized by use of various analytical techniques, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopic analysis, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Mannose-conjugated 5.0G PPI (MPPI) dendrimers were loaded with AmB and evaluated for drug loading efficiency, in vitro drug release profile, stability, hemolytic toxicity to human erythrocytes, cytotoxicity to and cell uptake by J774A.1 macrophage cells, antiparasitic activity against intracellular Leishmania donovani amastigotes, in vivo pharmacokinetic and biodistribution profiles, drug localization index, toxicity, and antileishmanial activity. AFM showed the nanometric size of the MPPI dendrimers, with a nearly globular architecture. The conjugate showed a good entrapment efficiency for AmB, along with pH-sensitive drug release. Highly significant reductions in toxicity toward human erythrocytes and macrophage cells, without compromising the antiparasitic activity of AmB, were observed. The dendrimeric formulation of AmB showed a significant enhancement of the parasiticidal activity of AmB toward intramacrophagic L. donovani amastigotes. In the in vitro cell uptake studies, the formulation showed selectivity toward macrophages, with significant intracellular uptake. Further pharmacokinetic and organ distribution studies elucidated the controlled delivery behavior of the formulation. The drug localization index was found to increase significantly in macrophage-rich organs. In vivo studies showed a biocompatible behavior of MPPIA, with negligible toxicity even at higher doses, and promising antileishmanial activity. From the results, we concluded that surface-engineered dendrimers may serve as optimized delivery vehicles for AmB with enhanced activity and low or negligible toxicity.