Increasing Cellular Uptake and Permeation of Curcumin Using a Novel Polymer-Surfactant Formulation.

Several therapeutically active molecules are poorly water-soluble, thereby creating a challenge for pharmaceutical scientists to develop an active solution for their oral drug delivery. This study aimed to investigate the potential for novel polymer-surfactant-based formulations (designated A and B) to improve the solubility and permeability of curcumin. A solubility study and characterization studies (FTIR, DSC and XRD) were conducted for the various formulations.

Preparation of liposomes containing small gold nanoparticles using electrostatic interactions.

The development of liposome-nanoparticle colloid systems offers a versatile approach towards the manufacture of multifunctional therapeutic platforms. A strategy to encapsulate small metallic nanoparticles (<4nm) within multilamellar vesicles, effected by exploiting electrostatic interactions was investigated. Two liposome-gold nanoparticle (lipo-GNP) systems were prepared by the reverse-phase evaporation method employing cationic or anionic surface functionalised particles in combination with oppositely charged lipid compositions with subsequent post-formulation PEGylation.

Influence of alcohol on the release of tramadol from 24-h controlled-release formulations during in vitro dissolution experiments.

Recent warnings by regulatory bodies and a product recall by the FDA have generated much interest in the area of dose dumping from controlled-release opioid analgesic formulations when coingested with alcohol. It was the aim of this study to address this issue and in doing so, gain understanding on how alcohol-induced effects may be avoided. In this study, tramadol release from Ultram ER tablets and T-long capsules was significantly increased in the presence of ethanol.

pH-dependent nitration of para-hydroxyphenylacetic acid in the stomach.

The major urinary metabolite of nitrotyrosine is 3-nitro-4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (3-Nitro-HPA). However, recent animal studies have shown that the majority of urinary 3-Nitro-HPA is derived from nitration of endogenous para-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (HPA), a metabolite of tyrosine. One potential site for the formation of 3-Nitro-HPA is the stomach, where nitrous acid is formed by the reaction of nitrite in saliva with gastric acid.