Shital Butani

Rifampicin loaded chitosan nanoparticle dry powder presents an improved therapeutic approach for alveolar tuberculosis

Current treatment therapeutic approach for tuberculosis is the administration of first line drugs in the form of tablets and capsules for 4-6 months. However, this approach leads to severe adverse effects. Therefore, present study was designed to achieving local and sustained targeting of anti-tubercular drugs in order to reduce dose and frequency. The nanoparticle based dry powder formulation of rifampicin was developed and analyzed with respect to its direct targeting potential of lungs. Rifampicin loaded nanoparticles were formulated by ionic gelation probe sonication method, and characterized with respect to particle size, zeta potential, entrapment and drug loading efficiency. The range of size and entrapment efficiency of prepared nanoparticles was estimated from 124.1±0.2 to 402.3±2.8nm and 72.00±0.1%, respectively. The freeze-dried powder of nanoparticle formulation was used to carry out in vitro lung deposition studies through Andersen cascade impactor. The cumulative in vitro drug release studies with developed nanoparticle formulation showed sustained release up to 24h. Our in vitro sustained drug release results were corroborated by the extended residence and slow clearance of rifampicin from the lungs. Furthermore, our results suggest the minimum lung distribution of drug in treated rats which confirms the negligible toxicity rendered by nanoparticle dry powder formulation. Moreover, pharmacokinetic and toxicity studies carried out with prepared NPs dry powder inhalation (DPI) formulations and compared with conventional DPI.

Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidative Stress Effects of Oryzanol in Glaucomatous Rabbits

Purpose. γ-Oryzanol works by anti-inflammatory and radical scavenging activity as a neuroprotective, anticancer, antiulcer, and immunosuppressive agent. The present study was conducted to investigate effect of oryzanol in acute and chronic experimental glaucoma in rabbits. Methods. Effect of oryzanol was evaluated in 5% dextrose induced acute model of ocular hypertension in rabbit eye. Chronic model of glaucoma was induced with subconjunctival injection of 5% of 0.3 ml phenol. Treatment with oryzanol was given for next two weeks after induction of glaucoma. From anterior chamber of rabbit eye aqueous humor was collected to assess various oxidative stress parameters like malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, nitric oxide, and inflammatory parameters like TNF-α and IL-6. Structural damage in eye was examined by histopathological studies. Results. In acute model of ocular hypertension oryzanol did not alter raised intraocular pressure. In chronic model of glaucoma oryzanol exhibited significant reduction in oxidative stress followed by reduction in intraocular pressure. Oryzanol treatment reduced level of TNF-α and IL-6. Histopathological studies revealed decreased structural damage of trabecular meshwork, lamina cribrosa, and retina with oryzanol treatment. Conclusions. Oryzanol showed protective effect against glaucoma by its antioxidative stress and anti-inflammatory property. Treatment with oryzanol can reduce optic nerve damage.

Combating tuberculosis infection: A forbidding challenge

After 50 years drought, several drugs are looming from the pipeline to combat tuberculosis. They will serve as a boon to the field that has been burdened with primitive, inadequate treatments and drug-resistant bacterial strains. From the decades, due to lack of interest and resources, the field has suffered a lot. Learning from the flaws, scientists have renovated their approaches to the finding of new antitubercular drugs. The first line drugs take about six months or more for the entire treatment. The second line remedy for resistant-tuberculosis requires daily injections which carry severe side effects. Drug resistance remains a constant menace because patients stop the medication once they start feeling better. So new drugs are required to be explored which are effective against tuberculosis especially drug resistant tuberculosis. These drugs need to work well with other drugs as well as with antivirals used for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus. It is also very important to be considered that the treatments need to be cheap, as tuberculosis primarily affects people more in the developing countries. Further, new drugs must cure the disease in short span of time than the current six to nine month regimen. Recently a few new and potent drugs such as bedaquiline, delamanid, teixobactin have been evolved which may serve as a nice step forward, with a better outcome. Teixobactin, a new antibiotic has been found to have promising action against resistant strains, is also under consideration.

Effect of γ-oryzanol on hyperlipidemia and thrombus formation in mice treated with poloxamer-407

Mater ia l and methods : Swiss albino male mice were divided into four groups. Animals were treated with atorvastatin (2 mg/kg, p.o., as the standard drug) and OZ (100 mg/kg, p.o.) up to 3 days. On the 3rd day poloxamer-407 (500 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered to induce hyperlipidemia. Thrombotic plaque was induced using FeCl3 (50%). Animals were sacrificed after 24 h from induction of hyperlipidemia. Blood was collected for estimation of lipid profile, coronary disease risk factors, blood coagulation parameters i.e. APTT and PT. Liver was isolated for estimation of oxidative stress parameters. Further, the effect of therapy on thrombus formation was observed by histopathology of carotid artery.

Chitosan nanoparticles as a promising approach for pulmonary delivery of bedaquiline

ABSTRACT The purpose of the present research work was to explore chitosan nanoparticles (NPs) of a novel anti‐tubercular drug, bedaquiline (BDQ) in order to reduce dose and side effects associated with oral BDQ formulation. The NPs were fabricated using ionic gelation method and evaluated for particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency and drug loading. Plackett Burman was used as screening design. Two level three‐factor factorial design was applied for optimization. Following freeze drying of NPs, the powder obtained was mixed with lactose pre‐blend to obtain a respirable powder. In vitro deposition studies were performed using non‐viable cascade impactor. In vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo toxicity studies were performed. In vivo pharmacokinetics of NPs formulation was compared with conventional dry powder inhaler (DPI) formulation and oral drug solution. Polymer amount, TPP concentration and probe sonication time were the significant factors. Optimized batch showed particle size of 109.7±9.3nm with a zeta potential of 36±2.1mV. In vitro and in vivo toxicity studies unveiled better safety profile of NPs in comparison to conventional DPI and oral solution. Pharmacokinetic studies manifested higher concentration of BDQ in lungs via developed formulation. Therefore, the developed formulation could efficiently deliver BDQ into the lungs.