Impact of nanostructured formulations for schistosomiasis treatment: a systematic review of in vivo preclinical evidence.

Background: Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by Schistosoma sp., and praziquantel (PZQ) is the first-line treatment. However, traditional PZQ formulations have low solubility and fast metabolism, limiting its effectiveness.

NLC-Based Sunscreen Formulations with Optimized Proportion of Encapsulated and Free Filters Exhibit Enhanced UVA and UVB Photoprotection.

The topical use of sunscreens is recommended for avoiding the damaging effects of UV radiation. However, improvements are still needed in the existing products to enhance their photoprotection effectiveness and safety. This involves minimizing the use of chemical UV filters while providing enhanced and prolonged photoprotection.

Evaluation of methotrexate-loaded surfactants, ceramides and cholesterol-based lamellar phases as a topical treatment for psoriasis.

Objective: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder. Oral or subcutaneous methotrexate (MTX) is a first-line antipsoriatic treatment, whose adverse effects can be observed even at low doses. To minimize systemic side effects, antipsoriatic drugs should be administered topically, since they could permeate the stratum corneum.

Preclinical Evaluation of Polymeric Nanocomposite Containing Pregabalin for Sustained Release as Potential Therapy for Neuropathic Pain.

This study offers a novel oral pregabalin (PG)-loaded drug delivery system based on chitosan and hypromellose phthalate-based polymeric nanocomposite in order to treat neuropathic pain (PG-PN). PG-PN has a particle size of 432 ± 20 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.238 ± 0.

Preclinical study of methotrexate-based hydrogels versus surfactant based liquid crystal systems on psoriasis treatment.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune, inflammatory and chronic skin disease in which cell growth and proliferation are increased, causing erythema, lesions and skin's peeling. Oral methotrexate (MTX) is the first-choice drug when phototherapy or retinoid treatment are not effective. Topical administration can be advantageous to better orientate the drug's delivery; however, the stratum corneum performs as a barrier for hydrofilic drugs penetration.

Preclinical evaluation of methotrexate-loaded polyelectrolyte complexes and thermosensitive hydrogels as treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

This work proposes new methotrexate (MTX) loaded drug delivery systems (DDS) to treat rheumatoid arthritis via the intra-articular route: a poloxamer based thermosensitive hydrogel (MTX-HG), oligochitosan and hypromellose phthalate-based polyelectrolyte complexes (MTX-PEC) and their association (MTX-PEC-HG). MTX-PEC showed 470 ± 166 nm particle size, 0.298 ± 0.

The liquid crystalline phase behaviour of a nasal formulation modifies the brain disposition of donepezil in rats in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Although nanoparticles, polymeric micelles, liposomes, nanoemulsions, and microemulsions were extensively evaluated as formulations for nasal administration of drugs, lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC) mesophases have been few studied. The phase transition from a low-viscosity microemulsion to a more viscous LLC may improve the mucoadhesion of the formulation. Donepezil is a drug administered orally in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, and with gastrointestinal side effects that are typical of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.

Mucoadhesive nanostructured lipid carriers as a cannabidiol nasal delivery system for the treatment of neuropathic pain.

The therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD) has been explored to treat several pathologies, including those in which pain is prevalent. However, the oral bioavailability of CBD is low owing to its high lipophilicity and extensive first-pass metabolism. Considering the ability of the nasal route to prevent liver metabolism and increase brain bioavailability, we developed nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) for the nasal administration of CBD.

Cardiovascular risk factors among oil refinery workers: ecological study.

Background: Monitoring the health of workers is indispensable to develop indicators to identify potential risk factors and the workload impact on illness and characterize their morbidity profile.

Objective: To identify modifiable and non-modifiable cardiovascular risk factors among employees of an oil refinery with fixed work schedule or allocated to shifts.

Methods: Ecological, exploratory, descriptive and quantitative study with data retrieved from the company's record system.

Development and In Vitro Evaluation of Lyotropic Liquid Crystals for the Controlled Release of Dexamethasone.

In this study, amphiphilic polymers were investigated as biomaterials that can control dexamethasone (DXM) release. Such materials present interfacial properties in the presence of water and an oily phase that can result in lyotropic liquid crystalline systems (LLCS). In addition, they can form colloidal nanostructures similar to those in living organisms, such as bilayers and hexagonal and cubic phases, which can be exploited to solubilize lipophilic drugs to sustain their release and enhance bioavailability.

Computational and experimental approaches for development of methotrexate nanosuspensions by bottom-up nanoprecipitation.

Development of nanosuspensions offers a promising tool for formulations involving poorly water-soluble drugs. In this study, methotrexate (MTX) nanosuspensions were prepared using a bottom-up process based on acid-base neutralization reactions. Computational studies were performed to determine structural and electronic properties for isolated molecules and molecular clusters in order to evaluate the mechanism of MTX nanoparticle formation.

Molecularly imprinted microparticles in lipid-based formulations for sustained release of donepezil.

Donepezil is a drug administered for Alzheimer's disease treatment, and it is a potential template molecule for imprinted microparticles. The precipitation polymerization technique allows the synthesis of spherical imprinted microparticles, and the intermolecular interactions among drug and molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) play a promising role for delineating drug delivery systems. Once that donepezil is a poorly-water soluble compound, lipid based-formulations (LBFs) may enhance its oral administration.

Exploring the Phase Behavior of Monoolein/Oleic Acid/Water Systems for Enhanced Donezepil Administration for Alzheimer Disease Treatment.

Donepezil is a drug usually administered by oral route for Alzheimer disease treatment, but several gastric side effects have been reported as diarrhea, nausea, and anorexia. We explored the phase behavior of lyotropic liquid crystalline (LLC) mesophases composed by monoolein/oleic acid/water for enhanced administration of donepezil. Polarized light microscopy suggested that these systems ranged from isotropic inverse micellar solutions (L2) to viscous and birefringent reverse hexagonal (HII) mesophases according to the amount of water in the ternary systems.

Preparation and Characterization of Chitosan Nanoparticles for Zidovudine Nasal Delivery.

Zidovudine (AZT) is the antiretroviral drug most frequently used for the treatment of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. Its low oral bioavailability demands the development of innovative strategies to overcome the first pass metabolism. The nasal route is an option for enhanced therapeutic efficacy and to reduce the extent of the first-pass effect.

Design and Characterization of Silicone and Surfactant Based Systems for Topical Drug Delivery.

Nanotechnology offers advantages for new drug delivery design by providing drug targeting while minimizing the side effects. Polyoxyethylene 20 cetyl alcohol (CETETH-20) is a surfactant that may form nanostructured systems, such as liquid crystals, when in contact with water/oil, which are structurally similar to biological membranes and may improve skin interaction. The aim of this study was to develop and characterize CETETH 20-based nanostructured systems by combining CETETH-20 with water and different oily phases, including PEG-12-dimethicone for topical drug administration.

Mucoadhesive Amphiphilic Methacrylic Copolymer-Functionalized Poly(ε-caprolactone) Nanocapsules for Nose-to-Brain Delivery of Olanzapine.

Nose-to-brain drug delivery has been proposed to overcome the low absorption of drugs in central nervous system due to the absence of brain-blood barrier in the olfactory nerve pathway. However, the presence of a mucus layer and quick clearance limit the use of this route. Herein, amphiphilic methacrylic copolymer-functionalized poly(ε-caprolactone) nanocapsules were proposed as a mucoadhesive system to deliver olanzapine after intranasal administration.

Rheological, mechanical, and bioadhesive behavior of hydrogels to optimize skin delivery systems.

Background: Hydrogels are widely used for cutaneous formulations; thereby comparing the bioadhesive properties of polymers with a view to prolong the residence time of topical drugs on the skin would be very useful to design novel topical drug delivery systems.

Aim: The objective of this study was to correlate data from rheological studies and texture profile analysis, with bioadhesion on the skin.

Methods: Polyacrylic acid polymers used were carbomer homopolymer type A (C971) and type B (C974), and polycarbophil (PP) dispersed in water at various concentrations (0.

Nasal administration of liquid crystal precursor mucoadhesive vehicle as an alternative antiretroviral therapy.

The purpose of this study was to develop a mucoadhesive stimuli-sensitive drug delivery system for nasal administration of zidovudine (AZT). The system was prepared by formulating a low viscosity precursor of a liquid crystal phase, taking advantage of its lyotropic phase behavior. Flow rheology measurements showed that the formulation composed of PPG-5-CETETH-20, oleic acid and water (55, 30, 15% w/w), denominated P, has Newtonian flow behavior.

Rheological, mechanical and adhesive properties of surfactant-containing systems designed as a potential platform for topical drug delivery.

In the last few decades, nanotechnology has led to an advance in the development of topical drug delivery. Nanostructured drug delivery systems enable the compartmentalization of drugs in restricted environments, modifying the release profile and maintaining the required drug concentration for prolonged periods at the site of action and/or absorption. The development of nanostructured systems containing surfactants has evolved rapidly.

Surfactant systems for nasal zidovudine delivery: structural, rheological and mucoadhesive properties.

Objectives: Zidovudine is the antiretroviral drug most frequently used for the treatment of AIDS. Although its effectiveness is recognized, it undergoes extensive first-pass metabolism and exhibits poor oral bioavailability. The nasal route is an option for enhanced therapeutic efficacy and to reduce the extent of the first-pass effect.

Development and in vitro evaluation of surfactant systems for controlled release of zidovudine.

The development of a controlled-release dosage form of zidovudine (AZT) is of crucial importance, in view of the pharmacokinetics of its toxic activity. A suitable drug delivery system could increase AZT bioavailability, reducing its dose-dependent side effects. In this study, systems composed of polyoxypropylene (5) polyoxyethylene (20) cetyl alcohol as surfactant (S), oleic acid as oil phase (O), and water (W) were developed, as possible AZT control release systems.