Liposomes and transferosomes in the delivery of papain for the treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars.

Hypertrophic scars and keloids are characterized by an excessive collagen deposition. The available treatment options are invasive and can result in recurrence of scar formation. Using liposomes and transferosomes for the topical delivery of papain, a proteolytic enzyme, can be effective treatment.

Comparison of colorimetric, spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques for quantification of hydrogen sulfide.

Hydrogen sulfide (HS), an endogenous gasotransmitter, has potential applications in several conditions. However, its quantification in simulated physiological solutions is a major challenge due to its gaseous nature and other physicochemical properties. This study was designed to compare four commonly used HS detection and quantification methods in aqueous solutions.

Injectable Nano Drug Delivery Systems for the Treatment of Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer is the most diagnosed type of cancer, with 2.26 million cases and 685,000 deaths recorded in 2020. If left untreated, this deadly disease can metastasize to distant organs, which is the reason behind its incurability and related deaths.

Professor Raj Suryanarayanan: Scientist, Educator, Mentor, Family Man and Giant in Pharmaceutical Research.

This special edition of the Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences is dedicated to Professor Raj Suryanarayanan (Professor and William & Mildred Peters Endowed Chair, University of Minnesota, School of Pharmacy) and honors his extensive and distinguished career as a scientist, educator and mentor. The goal of this commentary is to provide an overview of Professor Suryanarayanan's noteworthy career path and summarize his key research contributions. The commentary concludes with the personal summaries by guest editors.

Alpha Tocopherol Loaded Polymeric Nanoparticles: Preparation, Characterizations, and In Vitro Assessments Against Oxidative Stress in Spinal Cord Injury Treatment.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is characterized by mechanical injury or trauma to the spinal cord. Currently, SCI treatment requires extremely high doses of neuroprotective agents, which in turn, causes several adverse effects. To overcome these limitations, the present study focuses on delivery of a low but effective dose of a naturally occurring antioxidant, α-tocopherol (α-TP).

Transformation of dolutegravir into an ultra-long-acting parenteral prodrug formulation.

Ultra-long-acting integrase strand transfer inhibitors were created by screening a library of monomeric and dimeric dolutegravir (DTG) prodrug nanoformulations. This led to an 18-carbon chain modified ester prodrug nanocrystal (coined NM2DTG) with the potential to sustain yearly dosing. Here, we show that the physiochemical and pharmacokinetic (PK) formulation properties facilitate slow drug release from tissue macrophage depot stores at the muscle injection site and adjacent lymphoid tissues following single parenteral injection.

Injectable gelling delivery system for the treatment of jawbone infections.

A polymeric gelling delivery system for localized and sustained delivery to jawbone infections was developed. gelling delivery systems were prepared using either Poly(dl-lactic acid) or chitosan and Pluronic F127/Pluronic F68. Metronidazole nanoparticles were prepared using poly(dl-lactide-co-glycolide) or chitosan.

Comparative evaluation of the Munt-Dash air-interface diffusion chamber and Franz chamber for the in vitro examination of topical spray formulations.

In vitro diffusion testing of topical formulations has long been examined using Franz diffusion chambers, however, Franz chambers are typically used with relatively large volumes, lack the air/membrane interface present in vivo, and do not account for changes in formula characteristics as solvent evaporates. Here we present our patented Munt-Dash diffusion chamber designed for direct spray application onto a model membrane. Diffusion characteristics from topical spray formulations utilizing both the Munt-Dash chamber and Franz diffusion chambers were evaluated and compared.

The effects of phosphocreatine disodium salts plus blueberry extract supplementation on muscular strength, power, and endurance.

Background: Numerous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of creatine supplementation for improvements in exercise performance. Few studies, however, have examined the effects of phosphocreatine supplementation on exercise performance. Furthermore, while polyphenols have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, little is known regarding the influence of polyphenol supplementation on muscular strength, power, and endurance.

Liposomes and transferosomes: a breakthrough in topical and transdermal delivery.

The topical and transdermal routes of drug administration are long known to the field of pharmaceutics. These routes have been explored for the delivery of a wide range of therapeutic agents over centuries. However, the anatomy of the skin and the physicochemical properties of molecules limit their transport via these routes.

Low-intensity light-induced drug release from a dual delivery system comprising of a drug loaded liposome and a photosensitive conjugate.

This study reports the development of a binary drug delivery system consisting of charged liposomes and an oppositely charged peptide-photosensitiser conjugate. Liposomes were prepared with phosphatidyl-l-serine as a negatively charged lipid. Calcein, a fluorophore marker, and doxorubicin, an anticancer drug, were used as model hydrophilic loads.

Translational Multi-Disciplinary Approach for the Drug and Gene Delivery Systems for Cancer Treatment.

Over the last several decades, nanoparticulate delivery systems have emerged as advanced drug and gene delivery tools for cancer therapy. However, their translation into clinical use still poses major challenges. Even though many innovative nanoparticulate approaches have shown very positive results both in vitro and in vivo, few of them have found a place in clinical practice.

Low-intensity light-induced paclitaxel release from lipid-based nano-delivery systems.

Light-induced drug release has been explored as a strategy for externally modulating the release of drug from delivery systems. This study reports the development of a solid lipid nanoparticulate system (SLN) for paclitaxel (PTX), where photosensitizer-mediated oxidation of lipids was used as a mechanism for controlling the drug release. Low-intensity (23 mW/cm) near-infrared (around 730 nm) illumination was externally applied as the light source.

Long circulating liposomes: challenges and opportunities.

The poor pharmacokinetic parameters and low solubility of many anticancer therapeutics have warranted the use of drug-delivery systems such as liposomes. Overcoming some drawbacks of the conventional liposomes, targeted liposomal delivery by longer circulation time by addition of poly(ethylene glycol) to the liposomal surface and further adding specific ligands to achieve ligand selective retention and uptake has been introduced. PEGylated liposomes are the only second-generation liposomal formulations in clinical use and are now being challenged with the allergenic response they pose even in the treatment of naive patients.

Metformin-Loaded Hyaluronic Acid Nanostructure for Oral Delivery.

The objective of this study was to develop a nanodelivery system containing a mucoadhesive polymer hyaluronic acid (HA) for oral delivery. Metformin was used as a model drug. Blank and drug-loaded HA nanostructures were prepared by precipitation method and characterized for particle size (PS), zeta potential (ZP), physical stability (over 65 days), surface morphology, moisture content, and physical state of the drug in the nanostructures.

Alginate Nanoparticles Containing Curcumin and Resveratrol: Preparation, Characterization, and In Vitro Evaluation Against DU145 Prostate Cancer Cell Line.

Curcumin and resveratrol are naturally occurring polyphenolic compounds having anti-cancer potential. However, their poor aqueous solubility and bioavailability limit their clinical use. Entrapment of hydrophobic drugs into hydrophilic nanoparticles such as calcium alginate presents a means to deliver these drugs to their target site.

Physical-Chemical Characterization and Formulation Considerations for Solid Lipid Nanoparticles.

Pure glyceryl mono-oleate (GMO) (lipid) and different batches of GMO commonly used for the preparation of GMO-chitosan nanoparticles were characterized by modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC), cryo-microscopy, and cryo-X-ray powder diffraction techniques. GMO-chitosan nanoparticles containing poloxamer 407 as a stabilizer in the absence and presence of polymers as crystallization inhibitors were prepared by ultrasonication. The effect of polymers (polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), Eudragits, hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), polyethylene glycol (PEG)), surfactants (poloxamer), and oils (mineral oil and olive oil) on the crystallization of GMO was investigated.

Effect of Simultaneous Administration of Dihydroxyacetone on the Diffusion of Lawsone Through Various In Vitro Skin Models.

Unprotected sunlight exposure is a risk factor for a variety of cutaneous cancers. Topically used dihydroxyacetone (DHA) creates, via Maillard reaction, chemically fixed keratin sunscreen in the stratum corneum with significant protection against UVA/Soret radiation. When used in conjunction with naphthoquinones a naphthoquinone-modified DHA Maillard reaction is produced that provides protection across the UVB/UVA/Soret spectra lasting up to 1 week, resisting sweating and contact removal.

Effect of differential drying techniques on PLGA nanoparticles containing hydrophobic and hydrophilic anticancer agents.

Aim: Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles containing both paclitaxel (PTX) and gemcitabine hydrochloride (GEM) were prepared and the effect of lyophilization and spray drying on physicochemical characteristics of these nanoparticles were evaluated.

Methods: Nanoemulsions were prepared by oil-in-water emulsion solvent diffusion technique using sonication and high-pressure homogenization. Nanoemulsion was dried using lyophilization or spray drying and drug content analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Multifunctional nanoparticles for prostate cancer therapy.

The relapse of cancer after first line therapy with anticancer agents is a common occurrence. This recurrence is believed to be due to the presence of a subpopulation of cells called cancer stem cells in the tumor. Therefore, a combination therapy which is susceptible to both types of cells is desirable.

Effect of high-pressure homogenization and stabilizers on the physicochemical properties of curcumin-loaded glycerol monooleate/chitosan nanostructures.

Aim: The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of the high-pressure homogenization (HPH) process and stabilizers on the physicochemical properties of glycerol monooleate (GMO)/chitosan nanostructures using curcumin as a model hydrophobic drug.

Materials & Methods: The oil-in-water nanoemulsion of the GMO/chitosan system was prepared by sonication and HPH techniques using two different stabilizers (polyvinyl alcohol [PVA] and poloxamer 407). The particle size (PS), ζ-potential (ZP) and physical stability of the nanoemulsion were investigated.

Surface-modified solid lipid nanoparticulate formulation for ifosfamide: development and characterization.

Aims: The present research focuses on the development of the surface modified solid lipid nanoparticulate (SLN) system for enhancing the stability and sustaining the release of a model hydrophilic drug ifosfamide.

Materials & Methods: SLNs consisting of glyceryl monooleate (GMO) and chitosan were prepared by double emulsion technique, crosslinked with sodium tripolyphosphate, followed by lyophilization under two different vacuum conditions. The physicochemical characterization of SLNs included evaluation of surface morphology, particle size and surface charge, moisture content and physical state of the drug in the delivery system.

Antitumor efficacy, tumor distribution and blood pharmacokinetics of chitosan/glyceryl-monooleate nanostructures containing paclitaxel.

Aims: This investigation compared the tumor distribution, efficacy, blood pharmacokinetic parameters and hematological alterations following treatment with chitosan/glyceryl-monooleate (GMO) nanostructures containing paclitaxel (PTX) to a conventional formulation of PTX (Taxol(®)) in BALB/c female mice.

Materials & Methods: The tumor and blood concentrations of PTX were evaluated by HPLC and the pharmacokinetic parameters were determined through noncompartmental methods. Tumor development was evaluated by histopathological methods and hematological composition was monitored through differential white blood cells counts.

Chitosan and glyceryl monooleate nanostructures containing gemcitabine: potential delivery system for pancreatic cancer treatment.

The objectives of this study are to enhance cellular accumulation of gemcitabine with chitosan/glyceryl monooleate (GMO) nanostructures, and to provide significant increase in cell death of human pancreatic cancer cells in vitro. The delivery system was prepared by a multiple emulsion solvent evaporation method. The nanostructure topography, size, and surface charge were determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM), and a zetameter.

Combination antiretroviral drugs in PLGA nanoparticle for HIV-1.

Background: Combination antiretroviral (AR) therapy continues to be the mainstay for HIV treatment. However, antiretroviral drug nonadherence can lead to the development of resistance and treatment failure. We have designed nanoparticles (NP) that contain three AR drugs and characterized the size, shape, and surface charge.