Sheefali Mahant

Formulation and characterization of benzoyl peroxide gellified emulsions.

The present investigation was carried out with the objective of formulating a gellified emulsion of benzoyl peroxide, an anti-acne agent. The formulations were prepared using four different vegetable oils, viz. almond oil, jojoba oil, sesame oil, and wheat germ oil, owing to their emollient properties. The idea was to overcome the skin irritation and dryness caused by benzoyl peroxide, making the formulation more tolerable. The gellified emulsions were characterized for their homogeneity, rheology, spreadability, drug content, and stability. In vitro permeation studies were performed to check the drug permeation through rat skin. The formulations were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity, as well as their acute skin irritation potential. The results were compared with those obtained for the marketed formulation. Later, the histopathological examination of the skin treated with various formulations was carried out. Formulation F3 was found to have caused a very mild dysplastic change to the epidermis. On the other hand, the marketed formulation led to the greatest dysplastic change. Hence, it was concluded that formulation F3, containing sesame oil (6%w/w), was the optimized formulation. It exhibited the maximum drug release and anti-microbial activity, in addition to the least skin irritation potential.

Nanotherapeutics: An insight into healthcare and multi-dimensional applications in medical sector of the modern world

In recent years nanotechnology has revolutionized the healthcare strategies and envisioned to have a tremendous impact to offer better health facilities. In this context, medical nanotechnology involves design, fabrication, regulation, and application of therapeutic drugs and devices having a size in nano-range (1-100 nm). Owing to the revolutionary implications in drug delivery and gene therapy, nanotherapeutics has gained increasing research interest in the current medical sector of the modern world. The areas which anticipate benefits from nano-based drug delivery systems are cancer, diabetes, infectious diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, blood disorders and orthopedic problems. The development of nanotherapeutics with multi-functionalities has considerable potential to fill the lacunae existing in the present therapeutic domain. Nanomedicines in the field of cancer management have enhanced permeability and retention of drugs thereby effectively targeting the affected tissues. Polymeric conjugates of asparaginase, polymeric micelles of paclitaxel have been recmended for various types of cancer treatment .The advancement of nano therapeutics and diagnostics can provide the improved effectiveness of the drug with less or no toxicity concerns. Similarly, diagnostic imaging is having potential future applications with newer imaging elements at nano level. The newly emerging field of nanorobotics can provide new directions in the field of healthcare. In this article, an attempt has been made to highlight the novel nanotherapeutic potentialities of polymeric nanoparticles, nanoemulsion, solid lipid nanoparticle, nanostructured lipid carriers, dendrimers, nanocapsules and nanosponges based approaches. The useful applications of these nano-medicines in the field of cancer, nutrition, and health have been discussed in details. Regulatory and safety concerns along with the commercial status of nanosystems have also been presented. In summary, a successful translation of emerging nanotherapeutics into commercial products may lead to an expansion of biomedical science. Towards the end of the review, future perspectives of this important field have been introduced briefly.

Essential oil–cyclodextrin complexes: an updated review

Cyclodextrins, degradation product of carbohydrates, have been extensively exploited by food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry by virtue of their ease of availability and their ability to entrap guest moieties. Various cyclodextrin derivatives have been granted generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status by several countries. The most noteworthy characteristic of cyclodextrins is their ability to form inclusion complexes with variety of molecules, imparting protection and enabling solubility, bioavailability and safety enhancement of challenging bioactives. In the last few decades, investigations have revealed anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal, analgesic and sedative properties of essential oils. However, their poor solubility, volatility and sensitivity to environmental factors pose challenge for the formulation scientists. Inclusion complexes of essential oils with cyclodextrins have proved a useful strategy to circumvent these challenges. The success of this approach for essential oils is examplified by the commercial garlic oil/β-cyclodextrin products, available under the trade names Xund, Tegra, Allidex and Garlessence. Here, we present an in-depth account of essential oil loaded cyclodextrin inclusion complexes.

Novel Carriers for Coenzyme Q10 Delivery

BACKGROUND Coenzyme Q10, a natural yellow benzoquinone, is a vitamin-like substance commonly found in blood and inner mitochondrial and cellular membranes. It is a natural antioxidant principle which plays an essential role in maintaining several biochemical pathways of body. It has exhibited many pharmacological activities in chronic heart failure, cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome, diabetes mellitus, carcinomas, autoimmune disease, cataract, asthma, periodontal disease and thyroid disorders. Moreover, it has demonstrated efficacy as nutritional supplement, in addition to its relevance in cosmetics. OBJECTIVE Coenzyme Q10 is a potent molecule but its high molecular weight and low aqueous solubility hamper its use as a therapeutic agent. Therefore, various novel drug delivery systems have been explored and developed to overcome these limitations in literature. Hence, objective of this review is to summarize the recent works on design and development of novel drug delivery systems for CoQ10, which include liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, polymeric micelles, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, self-emulsifying drug delivery systems, nanoemulsions, solid and aqueous dispersions. Further, an account of pharmaceutical studies has also been given. RESULTS & CONCLUSION The reported studies indicate the promise of nanotechnology in enhancing the therapeutic value of CoQ10, promoting its usage as first line therapeutic agent, thus, revolutionizing its role in current medical therapy. The application of CoQ10 in pharmaceutical industry has grown tremendously in the past decade, due to its versatile nature. The successful application of this molecule in medicine, cosmetics and nutraceuticals points the way for its future development.

Transdermal Innovations in Diabetes Management

Diabetes mellitus, an endocrine disorder affecting glucose metabolism, has been crippling mankind for the past two centuries. Despite the advancements in the understanding pertaining to its pathogenesis and treatment, the currently available therapeutic options are far from satisfactory. The growing diabetic population increases the gravity of the situation. The shortcomings of the conventional drug delivery systems necessitate the need to delve into other routes. On account of its merits over other routes, the transdermal approach has drawn the interest of the researchers around the world. The transdermal drug delivery systems are aimed to achieve therapeutic concentrations of the drug through skin. These systems are designed so that the drug can be delivered at a pre-determined and controlled rate. This makes it particularly conducive to treat chronic disorders like diabetes. Correspondingly, the adverse effects and inconvenience concomitant with oral and parentral route are circumvented. This article attempts to outline the development of transdermal drug delivery systems to optimize diabetes pharmacotherapy. It not only covers the transdermal approaches adopted to fine-tune insulin delivery, but also, discusses various transdermal drug delivery systems fabricated to improve the therapeutic performance of oral hypoglycaemic agents. Such formulations include the advanced drug delivery systems, namely, transferosomal gels, microemulsions, self-dissolving micropiles, nanoparticles, insulin pumps, biphasic lipid systems, calcium carbonate nanoparticles, lecithin nanoparticles; physical techniques such as iontophoresis and microneedles and, drugs formulated as transdermal patches. In addition to this, the authors have also shed light on the future prospects and patented and commercial formulations of antidiabetic agents.

Therapeutic potential of Citronella Essential Oil: a review

Mosquito borne diseases such as malaria, filariasis, chikunguniya, yellow fever, dengue and Japanese encephalitis are the major cause of remarkable morbidity and mortality in livestock and humans worldwide. Since ancient times, aromatic plants are used for their medicinal value. Essential oils derived from these plants may be used as effective alternatives/adjuvents in pharmaceuticals, biomedical, cosmetic, food, veterinary and agriculture applications. These oils have also gained popularity and interest for prevention and treatment of various disorders. However, several reports on adverse effects including skin eruption, contact artricaria or toxic encephalopathy in children are available for synthetic repellent in literature. Thus, natural insect repellents like essential oils have been explored recently as an alternative. One such essential oil studied widely, is citronella oil, extracted mainly from Cymbopogon nardus. This essential oil has exhibited good efficacy against mosquitoes. It is a mixture of components including citronellal, citronellol, geraniol as major constituents contributing to various activities (antimicrobial, anthelmintic, antioxidant, anticonvulsant antitrypanosomal and wound healing), besides mosquito repellent action. Citronella essential oil is registered in US EPA (Environmental protection agency) as insect repellent due to its high efficacy, low toxicity and customer satisfaction. However, poor stability in the presence of air and high temperature limits its practical applications. Since, specific knowledge on properties and chemical composition of oil is fundamental for its effective application, the present review compiles and discusses biological properties of citronella oil. It also sheds light on various formulations and applications of this essential oil.

Nanostructured lipid carriers: Revolutionizing skin care and topical therapeutics

Abstract The tremendous impact of nanotechnology in the arena of healthcare has virtually revolutionized the outlook on health and disease management. Dermatological and skin care products constitute an expansive segment, and with the advent of nanotechnological revolution, several innovative carrier systems have emerged. Lipid-based carriers are particularly suited for topical application. Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) were developed as an advancement to solid lipid nanoparticles. The blend of solid and liquid lipids in NLCs permits increased loading of the active agent and exhibits greater stability. In addition, enhanced benefits, such as skin occlusion, hydration, sun protection, controlled release, and skin targeting have been achieved. This chapter attempts to discuss NLCs as carrier systems for delivering topical and dermatological active agents. The chapter provides a comprehensive account of their composition and preparation techniques, factors affecting the performance of these nanocarriers, and the mechanism of their action on skin. Furthermore, the review sheds light on the characterization of NLCs and their benefits typical to cutaneous application and skin care.

Tea tree oil: a promising essential oil

Abstract The use of essential oils (EOs) in the perfumery, agriculture, food industry and cosmetics is quite common owing to their aromatic properties. Tea tree oil is an EO with immense potential for the treatment of dermatological disorders due to its antimicrobial properties against broad spectrum of micro-organisms. It has minimal tendency to develop resistance. It is obtained from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, an Australian species, by steam distillation. It is a mixture of components like monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and their alcohols, contributing to various (analgesic, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer) activities. Tea tree oil is reported to overcome resistance development by bacterial species towards conventional drugs. However, its hydrophobic nature, volatility and sensitivity to light, air and temperature, pose challenges to formulation scientists for its effective delivery. Tea Tree oil is reported as a safe, natural and effective agent. Since, specific knowledge on the chemical composition and properties of oil is fundamental for its adequate use, the present review compiles and discusses the hitherto scattered data on activities, tolerability, safety, toxicity and stability concern of tea tree oil. It also sheds light on various reported drug delivery systems and applications of this EO.