In this study we have developed a high-dose dry powder inhaler formulation of indomethacin using a novel approach to carrier-based formulations. Specifically, larger drug particles serve as the carrier for the smaller micronized drug particles, such that an inhaled dose is combined with an oral dose. To study this system, the aerosol performance of a standard indomethacin-lactose formulation was compared to carrier-free micronized indomethacin and a drug-as-carrier formulation (a micronized indomethacin-coarse indomethacin blend).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe feasibility of twin-screw corotating extruder as a continuous process mixer to prepare dry powder inhalation (DPI) powders was investigated. Interactive mixtures of 1% micronized budesonide, 0.3% magnesium stearate and 98.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTwin-screw extruders are useful in tuning certain product characteristics due to the ability to greatly modify screw profiles as well as operating parameters. However, their use has not yet been applied to dry powder inhalation. In this study the feasibility of using a twin-screw extruder to blend dry powders for inhalation was assessed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe process of solids mixing is applied across a considerable range of industries. Pharmaceutical science is one of those industries that utilizes solids mixing extensively. Specifically, solids mixing as a key factor in the preparation of dry powder inhalers using the ordered mixing process will be discussed here.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFElectronic cigarettes (e-cigs) are devices that aerosolize nicotine-containing liquids for delivery as an inhaled vapor. E-cigs are currently marketed as smoking cessation devices, though the emergence and rapid adoption of these devices in recent years has sparked a great deal of concern over their safety. Given the plethora of devices and nicotine solutions available on the market and the lack of regulation and quality control, it is imperative that these devices and nicotine formulations are studied to assess critical operating parameters, the pharmacokinetic profiles of the inhaled nicotine, and the toxicity profiles of the e-cig aerosols.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlasticization, a common method of reducing the polymer melt viscosity in plastics extrusion, was investigated to improve the processability of a pharmaceutical formulation during twin-screw melt granulation. The thermolabile drug gabapentin was used as a model compound given previous work showed the benefit of preparing 80% drug loading gabapentin granules with hydroxypropyl cellulose as thermal binder. The plasticizer triethyl citrate was selected based on physicochemical compatibility with both the thermal binder and gabapentin by assessing polymer melt rheology and drug stability, respectively.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMiddle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is the causative agent of a severe respiratory disease associated with more than 2468 human infections and over 851 deaths in 27 countries since 2012. There are no approved treatments for MERS-CoV infection although a combination of lopinavir, ritonavir and interferon beta (LPV/RTV-IFNb) is currently being evaluated in humans in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Here, we show that remdesivir (RDV) and IFNb have superior antiviral activity to LPV and RTV in vitro.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEmerging viral infections are difficult to control because heterogeneous members periodically cycle in and out of humans and zoonotic hosts, complicating the development of specific antiviral therapies and vaccines. Coronaviruses (CoVs) have a proclivity to spread rapidly into new host species causing severe disease. Severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome CoV (MERS-CoV) successively emerged, causing severe epidemic respiratory disease in immunologically naïve human populations throughout the globe.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAdhesive mussel foot proteins (Mfps) rely in part on DOPA (3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-l-alanine) side chains to mediate attachment to mineral surfaces underwater. Oxidation of DOPA to Dopaquinone (Q) effectively abolishes the adsorption of Mfps to these surfaces. The thiol-rich mussel foot protein-6 (Mfp-6) rescues adhesion compromised by adventitious DOPA oxidation by reducing Q back to DOPA.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ R Soc Interface
October 2015
The California mussel, Mytilus californianus, adheres in the highly oxidizing intertidal zone with a fibrous holdfast called the byssus using 3, 4-dihydroxyphenyl-l-alanine (DOPA)-containing adhesive proteins. DOPA is susceptible to oxidation in seawater and, upon oxidation, loses adhesion. Successful mussel adhesion thus depends critically on controlling oxidation and reduction.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF