Liposomes and Their Therapeutic Applications in Enhancing Psoriasis and Breast Cancer Treatments.

Psoriasis and breast cancer are two examples of diseases where associated inflammatory pathways within the body's immune system are implicated. Psoriasis is a complex, chronic and incurable inflammatory skin disorder that is primarily recognized by thick, scaly plaques on the skin. The most noticeable pathophysiological effect of psoriasis is the abnormal proliferation of keratinocytes.

Insights into Asymmetric Liposomes as a Potential Intervention for Drug Delivery Including Pulmonary Nanotherapeutics.

Liposome-based drug delivery systems are nanosized spherical lipid bilayer carriers that can encapsulate a broad range of small drug molecules (hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs) and large drug molecules (peptides, proteins, and nucleic acids). They have unique characteristics, such as a self-assembling bilayer vesicular structure. There are several FDA-approved liposomal-based medicines for treatment of cancer, bacterial, and viral infections.

PEGylated polymeric nanocapsules for oral delivery of trypsin targeted to the small intestines.

The lack of trypsin in the intestines may end up with malnutrition; thus, trypsin replacement therapy is required in such cases. The main objective of this study is to formulate and evaluate polymeric nanocapsule (PNC) systems able to deliver trypsin to the small intestines with the minimal release in the stomach with the maximum biological activity. Four nanocapsule formulations were prepared by double emulsion/evaporation method as w/o/w and s/o/w.

The Effects of Hydration Parameters and Co-Surfactants on Methylene Blue-Loaded Niosomes Prepared by the Thin Film Hydration Method.

This work aimed to investigate and optimise the effects of co-surfactants, hydration volume, and time on the entrapment of methylene blue (MB) within niosomes and the vesicle sizes of MB-loaded niosomes upon different storage temperatures. Niosomes were prepared by the thin film hydration method followed by gel permeation chromatography to obtain purified niosome suspensions. The probe sonication method was used to reduce the niosome vesicle size and distribution.

Brief Effect of a Small Hydrophobic Drug (Cinnarizine) on the Physicochemical Characterisation of Niosomes Produced by Thin-Film Hydration and Microfluidic Methods.

Novel niosomal formulations containing cinnarizine were developed to enhance its drug characteristics. In this work, niosomes (non-ionic surfactant vesicles) were prepared by conventional thin-film hydration (TFH) and microfluidic (MF) methods with sorbitan monostearate (Span 60), cholesterol, and co-surfactants (Cremophor ELP, Cremophor RH40 and Solutol HS15) as key excipients. The aim was to study the effect of cinnarizine on the characteristics of different niosomal formulations manufactured by using different methods.

Feasibility of Using Gluconolactone, Trehalose and Hydroxy-Propyl Gamma Cyclodextrin to Enhance Bendroflumethiazide Dissolution Using Lyophilisation and Physical Mixing Techniques.

Purpose: Hydrophobic drugs are facing a major challenge in dissolution rate enhancement and solubility in aqueous solutions; therefore, a variety of methods have been used to improve dissolution rate and/or solubility of bendroflumethiazide as a model hydrophobic drug.

Methods: In this study, two main methods (physical mixing and lyophilisation) were used with gluconolactone, hydroxyl propyl γ-ccyclodextrin, and trehalose to explore this challenge. Bendroflumethiazide, practically insoluble in water, was mixed with one of the three excipients gluconolactone, hydroxyl propyl γ-cyclodextrin, and trehalose in three different ratios 1:1, 1:2, 1:5.

In vitro characterisation of Span 65 niosomal formulations containing proteins.

Proteins can be encapsulated in niosomes as they are known to protect proteins against the surrounding environment. Niosomes of Span 65/cholesterol/pluronic F -127 were prepared by thin film hydration method. Insulin and lysozyme were chosen as model proteins.

Incorporation of calcium salts into xanthan gum matrices: hydration, erosion and drug release characteristics.

Xanthan gum (XG), a hydrophilic biopolymer with modified release properties, was used to produce directly compressed matrix tablets containing a model drug, sodium p-aminosalicylate. Three formulations were prepared, each containing a different calcium dihydrate salt: calcium chloride, calcium sulfate or dibasic calcium phosphate. The aim of the investigation was to relate the calcium ion content and solubility of the calcium salt to the in vitro drug release profile of the xanthan matrices.

The role of palliative radiotherapy for haemostasis in unresectable gastric cancer: a single-institution experience.

Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes of patients with gastric cancer bleeding who had been treated with palliative radiotherapy with haemostatic intent.

Methods And Materials: Fifty-two gastric cancer patients aged 52-92 years (median 78 years) with active bleeding or anaemia resulting from inoperable gastric cancer were treated with short-course radiotherapy. Responses to radiotherapy treatment were evaluated based on the changes of haemoglobin level, number of transfusions received before and after radiotherapy, and overall median survival.

Compare and contrast the effects of surfactants (PluronicF-127 and CremophorEL) and sugars (β-cyclodextrin and inulin) on properties of spray dried and crystallised lysozyme.

The stabilisation of proteins using different excipients in dried forms for possible therapeutic use is extensively studied. However, the effects of excipients on proteins in crystallised forms are sparsely documented. Therefore, the influences of PluronicF-127 and CremophorEL (as surfactants) and β-cyclodextrin and inulin (as sugars) on stability and biological activity of lysozyme, a model protein, in spray dried and crystallised forms were investigated.

Production and characterization of pellets using Avicel CL611 as spheronization aid.

Purpose: The study looked into the feasibility of producing pellet using Avicel CL611 as spheronization aid by the extrusion/spheronization technique.

Methods: Pellets were formulated to contain either 20% or 40% Avicel CL611 and lactose monohydrate as the other sole ingredient. Water is used as liquid binder.

Preparation and characterization of enteric microparticles by coacervation.

The aim of this study was to produce cinnarizine loaded Eudragit(®) L100-55 microparticles by coacervation technique in order to achieve pH responsive drug release using hydroxypropyl methycellulose (HPMC) as stabilizer. The effect of enteric polymer: HPMC ratio on properties of microparticles was investigated with regard to particle size distribution, morphology, yield, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro drug release profiles and interaction between cinnarizine and Eudragit(®) L100-55. High drug encapsulation efficiency was seen in all microparticles.

Effect of formulation compositions on niosomal preparations.

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of molar ratio of cholesterol to Span 60 and stabilizers (Solutol HS 15 or dicetyl phosphate (DCP)) on the entrapment of methylene blue, a model hydrophilic drug. The niosomes were prepared by the film hydration method and characterized for drug entrapment efficiency (EE), vesicle size, zeta potential and thermal properties of niosomal membrane. It was found that niosomal vesicles possessed median diameter ranging from 0.

Formulation and in vitro evaluation of self-emulsifying formulations of Cinnarizine.

The main objectives of this study were to improve the aqueous solubility and to modify in vitro dissolution profile of hydrophobic drug using self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS). SEDDS were formulated using Capmul PG-12, Cremophor RH 40 and Tween 20 at different weight ratios and incorporated with Cinnarizine. The drug incorporation into pre-concentrate and drug solubility in phosphate buffer (pH 7.

Ciclosporin-loaded poly(lactide) microparticles: effect of TPGS.

The properties of spray dried PLA microparticles were affected by the choice of solvents, amount of ciclosporin and TPGS added. Ethyl acetate formed microparticle with smooth surface when compared to those produced by dichloromethane. The results of FTIR have not shown chemical interaction amongst PLA, ciclosporin and TPGS while thermal analysis showed physical interactions amongst these components.

Thermally responsive core-shell nanoparticles self-assembled from cholesteryl end-capped and grafted polyacrylamides:; drug incorporation and in vitro release.

The thermally responsive cholesteryl end-capped poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N,N-dimethylacrylamide) and cholesteryl grafted poly[N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N-(hydroxymethyl) acrylamide] amphiphilic polymers were synthesized and utilized to encapsulate cyclosporin A (CyA) and indomethacin (IND) within core-shell nanoparticles by a membrane dialysis method. The blank and drug-loaded nanoparticles were characterized using various analytical tools. The blank nanoparticles had a mean diameter less than 100 nm, whereas the drug-loaded nanoparticles were between 100 and 200 nm in diameter.

Preparation, characterization, and in vitro evaluation of physostigmine-loaded poly(ortho ester) and poly(ortho ester)/poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) blend microspheres fabricated by spray drying.

The physostigmine-loaded poly(ortho ester) (POE), poly(dl-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and POE/PLGA blend microspheres were fabricated by a spray drying technique. The in vitro degradation of, and physostigmine release from, the microspheres were investigated. SEM analysis showed that the POE and POE/PLGA blend particles were spherical.

Double walled POE/PLGA microspheres: encapsulation of water-soluble and water-insoluble proteins and their release properties.

The poly(orthoester) (POE)-poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (50:50) (PLGA) double-walled microspheres with 50% POE in weight were loaded with hydrophilic bovine serum albumin (BSA) and hydrophobic cyclosporin A (CyA). Most of the BSA and CyA was entrapped within the shell and core, respectively, because of the difference in their hydrophilicity. The morphologies and release mechanisms of proteins-loaded double-walled POE/PLGA microspheres were investigated.

Design of physostigmine-loaded polymeric microparticles for pretreatment against exposure to organophosphate agents.

Physostigmine is an anti-cholinesterase used for the pretreatment of a poisoning caused by highly toxic organophosphorus neurotoxins. The aim of this study is to design a polymeric microparticle system for sustained release of physostigmine. In this paper, we have attempted to encapsulate physostigmine in microparticles made from poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) with various contents of glycolide and poly(D,L-lactide) (PLA) using spray-drying and single emulsion techniques.

Simple liquid chromatographic method for the determination of physostigmine and its metabolite eseroline in rat plasma: application to a pharmacokinetic study.

Physostigmine, an anticholinergic drug, and its metabolite eseroline can be quantitated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with photodiode-array detection. After addition of the structurally related internal standard (-)-N-methylphysostigmine, rat plasma samples were extracted and cleaned using a Varian Bond Elut C(18) column. The methanol-ammonia (98:2) eluate was evaporated to dryness and reconstituted with 0.