Pragya Yadav

Carbon Nanotubes: An Emerging Drug Carrier for Targeting Cancer Cells

During recent years carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been attracted by many researchers as a drug delivery carrier. CNTs are the third allotropic form of carbon-fullerenes which were rolled into cylindrical tubes. To be integrated into the biological systems, CNTs can be chemically modified or functionalised with therapeutically active molecules by forming stable covalent bonds or supramolecular assemblies based on noncovalent interactions. Owing to their high carrying capacity, biocompatibility, and specificity to cells, various cancer cells have been explored with CNTs for evaluation of pharmacokinetic parameters, cell viability, cytotoxicty, and drug delivery in tumor cells. This review attempts to highlight all aspects of CNTs which render them as an effective anticancer drug carrier and imaging agent. Also the potential application of CNT in targeting metastatic cancer cells by entrapping biomolecules and anticancer drugs has been covered in this review.

A Systemic Review on Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome (SSSS): A Rare and Critical Disease of Neonates

The symptoms of Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) include blistering of skin on superficial layers due to the exfoliative toxins released from Staphylococcus aureus. After the acute exfoliation of skin surface, erythematous cellulitis occurs. The SSSS may be confined to few blisters localized to the infection site and spread to severe exfoliation affecting complete body. The specific antibodies to exotoxins and increased clearence of exotoxins decrease the frequency of SSSS in adults. Immediate medication with parenteral anti-staphylococcal antibiotics is mandatory. Mostly, SSSS are resistant to penicillin. Penicillinase resistant synthetic penicillins such as Nafcillin or Oxacillin are prescribed as emergency treatment medicine. If Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is suspected), antibiotics with MRSA coverage (e.g., Vancomycin or Linezolid) are indicated. Clindamycin is considered as drug of choice to stop the production of exotoxin from bacteria ribosome. The use of Ringer solution to to balance the fluid loss, followed by maintainence therapy with an objective to maintain the fluid loss from exfoliation of skin, application of Cotrimoxazole on topical surface are greatlly considered to treat the SSSS. The drugs that reduce renal function are avoided. Through this article, an attempt has been made to focus the source, etiology, mechanism, outbreaks, mechanism, clinical manisfestation, treatment and other detail of SSSS.

3(2) Designing and optimization of aceclofenac transdermal films using response surface methodology: investigating the effect of hydrophilic and hydrophobic matrix on ex vivo and in vivo permeation characteristics

Abstract3(2) factorial design and response surface methodology in the fabrication of matrix transdermal films of aceclofenac (ACL) was utilized in this study to investigate the effects of polymers (hydrophilic and hydrophobic) and penetration enhancer (PE) on ex vivo and in vivo drug performance. FTIR and DSC showed no interaction of drug with polymers. The physicochemical characterization showed uniformity among the formulations. Results from the permeation study suggested the effect of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP K-30) and PE, on increasing concentration of PVP K-30 with respect to ethyl cellulose as well as increased concentration of PE resulted in enhanced permeation through the matrix. Significant effect of PE on the lipid and protein framework of the skin was also observed which is responsible for increased permeation. From response surface curve and contour plots, an optimized formulation was selected and evaluated for their ex vivo permeation, skin irritation, in vivo efficacy and stability studies. The optimized formulation showed Higuchi controlled diffusion and was found to be non-irritant and efficacious in reducing carrageenan induced paw edema in rats over a prolonged duration of time as compared to oral delivery. Thus, results indicated that the prepared transdermal system can be a promising non-oral approach to deliver effective amount of ACL to treat various inflammatory conditions.

Ex vivo and in vivo evaluation of microemulsion based transdermal delivery of E. coli specific T4 bacteriophage: A rationale approach to treat bacterial infection

Abstract This study is focused on the development and evaluation of transdermal delivery of E. coli‐specific T4 bacteriophages both ex‐vivo and in‐vivo using microemulsion as delivery carrier in eradicating the infection caused by E. coli. Microemulsions were prepared by mixing selected oil, surfactants and aqueous phase containing bacteriophages. The formulations were subjected to physicochemical characterization, ex‐vivo and in‐vivo permeation, stability studies, histological and immunofluorescence examination. The colloidal system exhibits a uniform size distribution, of finite size (150–320 nm). Transmission electron microscopy revealed the encapsulation of bacteriophage in the aqueous globule. Ex‐vivo permeation across skin was successfully achieved as 6 × 106 PFU/mL and 6.7 × 106 PFU/mL of T4 permeated from ME 6% and 10%, respectively. ME 6% was found to be thermodynamically stable and in‐vivo permeation resulted in 5.49 × 105 PFU/mL of bacteriophages in the blood of the E. coli challenged rats, while 2.48 × 105 PFU/mL was detected in germ free rats, at the end of the study. Infected rats that were treated with bacteriophage were survived while significant mortality was observed in others. Histological and IL‐6 immunofluorescence examination of the tissues revealed the efficacy/safety of the therapy. The microemulsion‐based transdermal delivery of bacteriophage could be a promising approach to treat the infections caused by antibiotic‐resistant bacteria. Graphical abstract Figure. No Caption available.

Preparation and characterization of transdermal mediated microemulsion delivery of T4 bacteriophages against E.coli bacteria: a novel anti-microbial approach

The objective of this study was to design a novel microemulsion system for transdermal delivery of natural antimicrobial agent, i.e. bacteriophage (T4) specifically lysing E. coli bacteria. Pseudoternary phase diagrams were constructed and various formulations were prepared using a combination of ethyl oleate (oil), Tween 80:Span 20 (surfactant mixture) and water (aqueous phase). Developed formulations were subjected to physicochemical characterization, ex vivo and thermodynamic stability studies, skin irritation and histology studies. All the formulations had small droplet size (150–320nm), uniform size distribution (PI < 0.4), adequate viscosity and surface tension. 4 × 105, 6.02 × 106 and 6.7 × 106 PFU/mL was the cumulative amount of bacteriophage permeated from ME1-3, respectively. Results from permeation studies suggested the synergistic effect of oil and surfactant mixture on the permeation profile (p < 0.05), on increasing surfactant concentration with respect to oil, the bacteriophage permeation was increasing and so, the flux was increases too. ME2 was found to be thermodynamically stable, non-irritant and followed zero order kinetics. The bacteriophage viability to lyse E. coli was significantly affected at various temperatures, pH and dilution. Histological findings revealed the effect of formulation variables on the skin, necessary for permeation. These results indicate that microemulsion-based transdermal delivery of bacteriophage can be a promising approach to treat the infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria but needs thorough clinical investigations.