Long-term Survival, Tolerability, and Safety of First-Line Bevacizumab and FOLFIRI in Combination With Ginsenoside-Modified Nanostructured Lipid Carrier Containing Curcumin in Patients With Unresectable Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.

Background: Colorectal cancer is the third most common malignant disease and the second leading cause of death worldwide. Previous studies showed improved bioavailability and cytotoxicity of ginsenoside-modified nanostructured lipid carrier containing curcumin (G-NLC) in human colon cancer cell lines. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and tolerability with long-term survival rates in patients with colorectal cancer with unresectable metastases after treatment with first-line bevacizumab/FOLFIRI (folinic acid, bolus/continuous fluorouracil, and irinotecan) in combination with a dietary supplement of G-NLC.

In Vitro Cytotoxicity and Bioavailability of Ginsenoside-Modified Nanostructured Lipid Carrier Containing Curcumin.

Our aim was to investigate the cellular uptake, in vitro cytotoxicity and bioavailability of ginsenoside-modified nanostructured lipid carrier loaded with curcumin (G-NLC). The formulation was prepared by melt emulsification technique, in which water was added to the melted lipids and homogenized to give a uniform suspension of NLC (without ginsenoside) and G-NLC. Cellular uptake of curcumin in two colon cancer cell lines (HCT116 and HT29) was increased when administered using both NLC and G-NLC compared to control (curcumin dissolved into DMSO) as measured by fluorescence microscopy.

Ginsenoside improves physicochemical properties and bioavailability of curcumin-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier.

The aim of this study was to develop a ginsenoside-modified nanostructured lipid carrier (G-NLC) dispersion containing curcumin. The NLC was prepared by melt emulsification with slight modification process. Different G-NLC dispersion systems were prepared using lipid carrier matrix composed of ginsenoside, phosphatidylcholine, lysophosphatidylcholine, and hydrogenated bean oil.

In Vitro and In Vivo Skin Distribution of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors Loaded Into Liquid Crystalline Nanoparticles.

In this study, we developed positively charged liquid crystalline nanoparticles (LCN) coated with chitosan (CHI) to enhance the skin permeation and distribution of 5α-reductase inhibitors for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. LCN and surface-modified LCN (CHI-LCN) were prepared by ultrasonication method, and their physicochemical properties were characterized. In vitro and in vivo skin permeation and retention were studied using porcine abdominal skin and mice skin using the Franz diffusion cell.

Skin permeation and retention of topical bead formulation containing tranexamic acid.

The objective of this study is to develop a topical bead formulation of tranexamic acid (TA) which can be used concomitantly with laser treatment. The bead formulation of TA (TAB) was successfully prepared by fluidized bed drying method. Physicochemical properties of the TAB were evaluated in terms of chemical stability of TA and differential scanning calorimetry.

Quercetin-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticle Dispersion with Improved Physicochemical Properties and Cellular Uptake.

The objective of this study was to formulate and characterize properties of solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) dispersion containing quercetin. SLN was prepared by ultrasonication method using tripalmitin and lecithin as lipid core and then the surface was coated with chitosan. Entrapment efficiency was greater than 99%, and mean particle size of SLN was 110.

Meta-analysis of the Efficacy and Safety of Secukinumab for the Treatment of Plaque Psoriasis.

Background: In January 2015, US FDA approved secukinumab, a human interleukin-17A (IL-17A) antagonist, for the treatment of plaque psoriasis.

Objective: To provide unbiased drug information about the efficacy and safety of secukinumab for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis by performing meta-analysis.

Methods: PubMed and EMBASE database searches were conducted.

Meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir for the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection.

Background: Hepatitis C virus infection is a worldwide health problem and one of the leading causes of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Recently, sofosbuvir was introduced to the therapeutic arsenal against this virus, thereby paving the way for all-oral regimen. Aims of the review This study aimed to systematically analyze the efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir for the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection.

Enhanced skin permeation of 5α-reductase inhibitors entrapped into surface-modified liquid crystalline nanoparticles.

The objective of this study is to enhance skin permeation of finasteride and dutasteride for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia using surface-modified liquid crystalline nanoparticle (sm-LCN) dispersion. LCN entrapped with the drugs was prepared by using monoolein as a liquid crystal former, and surface modification was performed by treatment of the LCN dispersion with same volume of 1 % v/v acetic acid solution containing chitosan. Physicochemical properties of the LCN's were studied with regard to particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, and release of the drugs.

Entrapment of curcumin into monoolein-based liquid crystalline nanoparticle dispersion for enhancement of stability and anticancer activity.

Despite the promising anticancer potential of curcumin, its therapeutic application has been limited, owing to its poor solubility, bioavailability, and chemical fragility. Therefore, various formulation approaches have been attempted to address these problems. In this study, we entrapped curcumin into monoolein (MO)-based liquid crystalline nanoparticles (LCNs) and evaluated the physicochemical properties and anticancer activity of the LCN dispersion.

Enhanced topical delivery of finasteride using glyceryl monooleate-based liquid crystalline nanoparticles stabilized by cremophor surfactants.

The aim of this study was to investigate the capability of two surfactants, Cremophor RH 40 (RH) and Cremophor EL (EL), to prepare liquid crystalline nanoparticles (LCN) and to study its influence on the topical delivery of finasteride (FNS). FNS-loaded LCN was formulated with the two surfactants and characterized for size distribution, morphology, entrapment efficiency, in vitro drug release, and skin permeation/retention. Influence of FNS-loaded LCN on the conformational changes on porcine skin was also studied using attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy.

Optimization of self-microemulsifying drug delivery system for telmisartan using Box-Behnken design and desirability function.

Objectives: To develop and optimize the novel self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) formulation for enhanced water solubility and bioavailability of telmisartan (TMS) using the Box-Behnken design (BBD) and desirability function.

Method: TMS-SMEDDS formulation consisted of the mixture of oil (Peceol), surfactant (Labrasol), co-surfactant (Transcutol), TMS and triethanolamine. A three-level BBD was applied to explore the main effect, interaction effect and quadratic effect of three independent variables, including the amount of Peceol (X1 ), Labrasol (X2 ) and Transcutol (X3 ).

Evaluation of the effect of tacrolimus-loaded liquid crystalline nanoparticles on psoriasis-like skin inflammation.

Psoriasis is a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disorder affecting 2-3% of world population. In present context, a novel topical formulation that could effectively deliver tacrolimus for psoriasis treatment would be of great interest. Liquid crystalline nanoparticle (LCN) is one of the potential drug delivery systems for topical drug delivery.

Design and in vitro evaluation of finasteride-loaded liquid crystalline nanoparticles for topical delivery.

In this study, liquid crystalline nanoparticles (LCN) have been proposed as new carrier for topical delivery of finasteride (FNS) in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. To evaluate the potential of this nanocarrier, FNS-loaded LCN was prepared by ultrasonication method and characterized for size, shape, in vitro release, and skin permeation-retention properties. The particle size ranged from 153.

The efficacy and safety of liraglutide.

Aim Of The Review: To systematically analyze the efficacy and safety of liraglutide for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in comparison to other mono- and combination therapies.

Method: PubMed (any date) and EMBASE (all years) search was conducted with liraglutide as a search term. Phase III clinical trials retrieved by the two databases and resources posted in Drug@FDA website were evaluated with regard to outcomes of efficacy and safety.

Enhanced oral bioavailability of curcumin via a solid lipid-based self-emulsifying drug delivery system using a spray-drying technique.

In this study, a novel liquid self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) containing curcumin was formulated and further developed into a solid form by a spray drying method using Aerosil 200 as the solid carrier. The optimum liquid SEDDS consisted of Lauroglycol Fcc, Labrasol and Transcutol HP as the oil phase, the surfactant and the co-surfactant at a weight ratio of 15.0 : 70.

Solid self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (S-SNEDDS) containing phosphatidylcholine for enhanced bioavailability of highly lipophilic bioactive carotenoid lutein.

The objectives of this study was to prepare solid self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (S-SNEDDS) containing phosphatidylcholine (PC), an endogenous phospholipid with excellent in vivo solubilization capacity, as oil phase for the delivery of bioactive carotenoid lutein, by spray drying the SNEDDS (liquid system) containing PC using colloidal silica (Aerosil® 200 VV Pharma) as the inert solid carrier, and to evaluate the enhanced bioavailability (BA) of lutein from S-SNEDDS. The droplet size analyses revealed droplet size of less than 100 nm. The solid state characterization of S-SNEDDS by SEM, DSC, and XRPD revealed the absence of crystalline lutein in the S-SNEDDS.

Novel self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system for enhanced solubility and dissolution of lutein.

Self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) containing oil (Phosal 53 MCT), surfactant (Labrasol), and cosurfactant (Transcutol-HP or Lutrol-E400) was prepared to enhance solubility and dissolution of lutein. Ternary phase diagram of the SNEDDS was constructed to identify the self-emulsifying regions following which the percentage of oil, surfactant, and cosurfactant in the SNEDDS were optimized in terms of emulsification time and mean emulsion droplet size. The optimized SNEDDS consists of 25% oil, 60% surfactant, and 15% cosurfactant.

Plerixafor for stem cell mobilization in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple myeloma.

Objective: To evaluate the literature characterizing the mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and therapeutic efficacy of plerixafor for hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) mobilization for autologous transplantation in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) or multiple myeloma.

Data Sources: A PubMed search (1966-September 2009) was conducted using the key words plerixafor and AMD3100. Manufacturer's prescribing information was also used.

Formulation and in vitro assessment of minoxidil niosomes for enhanced skin delivery.

Niosomes have been reported as a possible approach to improve the low skin penetration and bioavailability characteristics shown by conventional topical vehicle for minoxidil. Niosomes formed from polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers (Brij) or sorbitan monoesters (Span) with cholesterol molar ratios of 0, 1 and 1.5 were prepared with varying drug amount 20-50mg using thin film-hydration method.

Enhanced oral bioavailability of dexibuprofen by a novel solid self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS).

The main objective of this study was to prepare a solid form of lipid-based self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) by spray drying liquid SEDDS with an inert solid carrier Aerosil 200 to improve the oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drug dexibuprofen. The liquid SEDDS was a system that consisted of dexibuprofen, Labrasol, Capryol 90 and Labrafil M 1944 CS. The particle size analysis revealed no difference in the z-average particle diameter of the reconstituted emulsion between liquid and solid SEDDS.

Skin penetration and retention of L-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate using multilamellar vesicles.

Transdermal formulation of L-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate magnesium salt (A2P) was prepared using multilamellar vesicles (MLV). A2P was either physically mixed with or entrapped into three different MLVs of neutral, cationic, and anionic liposome vesicles. For the preparation of neutral MLVs, phosphatidylcholine (PC) and cholesterol (CH) were used.

First renin inhibitor, aliskiren, for the treatment of hypertension.

Aim Of The Review: To systematically analyze the efficacy and safety of aliskiren for the treatment of hypertension in comparison to placebo, other monotherapy, and various combination therapies.

Method: A PubMed database (1966-June 2008) search was conducted with aliskiren as a search term with limits of humans, written in English, and in title only. Phase III pivotal clinical studies retrieved by PubMed database and resources such as printed labeling, approval letter, pharmacology reviews, and medical reviews posted in Drug@FDA website were evaluated with regard to study design and outcomes of efficacy and safety.

The effect of coenzyme Q10 on the pharmacokinetic parameters of theophylline.

Interaction of a drug with other drugs and dietary supplements is becoming an emerging issue for patients and health insurance authorities due to awareness of adverse drug event. In this study, we examined the effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), one of the most popular dietary supplements, on the pharmacokinetic parameters of theophylline in rats. The pharmacokinetic parameters of theophylline changed significantly when the drug was administered after five consecutive days of pretreatment with CoQ10.

Enhanced dissolution of ibuprofen using solid dispersion with polyethylene glycol 20000.

To improve its dissolution, ibuprofen solid dispersions (SDs) were prepared in a relatively easy and simple manner, characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and evaluated for solubility and in vitro drug release. Loss of individual surface properties during melting and re-solidification as revealed by SEM micrographs indicated the formation of effective SDs. Absence or shifting toward the lower melting temperature of the drug peak in SDs in DSC study indicated the possibilities of drug-polymer interactions.