Comparative Studies of the Uptake and Internalization Pathways of Different Lipid Nano-Systems Intended for Brain Delivery.

Lipid nano-systems were prepared and characterized in a series of well-established in vitro tests that could assess their interactions with the and cell lines as a model for the blood-brain barrier and neuronal function, accordingly. The prepared formulations of nanoliposomes and nanostructured lipid carriers were characterized by z-average diameters of ~120 nm and ~105 nm, respectively, following a unimodal particle size distribution (PDI < 0.3) and negative Z-potential (-24.

Nanotechnology - a robust tool for fighting the challenges of drug resistance in non-small cell lung cancer.

Genomic and proteomic mutation analysis is the standard of care for selecting candidates for therapies with tyrosine kinase inhibitors against the human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR TKI therapies) and further monitoring cancer treatment efficacy and cancer development. Acquired resistance due to various genetic aberrations is an unavoidable problem during EGFR TKI therapy, leading to the rapid exhaustion of standard molecularly targeted therapeutic options against mutant variants. Attacking multiple molecular targets within one or several signaling pathways by co-delivery of multiple agents is a viable strategy for overcoming and preventing resistance to EGFR TKIs.

Lipid nano-carriers loaded with Cannabis sativa extract for epilepsy treatment - in vitro characterization and in vivo efficacy studies.

Taking into consideration the latest reported beneficial anticolvusant effects of cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabiodiolic acid (CBDA) for clinical applications and the advantages of lipid nano-systems as carriers for targeted brain delivery, the aim of this study was set in direction of in vitro physico-chemical and biopharmaceutical characterization and in vivo evaluation of nanoliposomes and nanostructured lipid carriers loaded with Cannabis sativa extract intended for safe and efficient transport via blood-brain barrier and treatment of epilepsy. These nanoliposomes and nanostructured lipid formulations were characterized with z-average diameter <200 nm, following unimodal particle size distribution, negative values for Z-potential, high drug encapsulation efficiency and prolonged release during 24h (38.84-60.

The potentially harmful excipients in prescribed medications in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Kosovo and available safer alternatives.

Background: Medicinal products contain excipients that might be associated with toxicity in neonates. The aim of this study was to investigate the administration of medication containing potentially harmful excipients to neonates hospitalized in Kosovo and to identify the possibility of reducing neonatal exposure to these excipients through product substitution.

Methods: Data on all medication administered to hospitalized neonates from 1st of February to 1st of August 2018 along with patients` demographic data were collected from medical records for each neonate.

Design and evaluation of nanostructured lipid carriers loaded with Salvia officinalis extract for Alzheimer's disease treatment.

Considering the potential of Salvia officinalis in prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD), as well as the ability of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) to successfully deliver drug molecules across blood-brain barrier (BBB), the objective of this study was design, development, optimization and characterization of freeze-dried salvia officinalis extract (FSE) loaded NLC intended for intranasal administration. NLC were prepared by solvent evaporation method and the optimization was carried out using central composite design (CCD) of experiments. Further, the optimized formulation (NLCo) was coated either with chitosan (NLCc) or poloxamer (NLCp).

Design of ophthalmic micelles loaded with diclofenac sodium: effect of chitosan and temperature on the block-copolymer micellization behaviour.

Diclofenac sodium 0.1% is a commonly used NSAID with well-documented clinical efficacy in reducing postoperative inflammation; however, its corneal tolerability and ophthalmic tissue bioavailability require further improvement. Advanced micellar delivery systems composed of block-copolymers and chitosan showing fine balance between the mucoadhesion and mucus permeation, capable to slip through the mucus barrier and adhere to the epithelial ocular surface, may be used to tackle both challenges.

The impact of molecular tumor profiling on the design strategies for targeting myeloid leukemia and EGFR/CD44-positive solid tumors.

Nanomedicine has emerged as a novel cancer treatment and diagnostic modality, whose design constantly evolves towards increasing the safety and efficacy of the chemotherapeutic and diagnostic protocols. Molecular diagnostics, which create a great amount of data related to the unique molecular signatures of each tumor subtype, have emerged as an important tool for detailed profiling of tumors. They provide an opportunity to develop targeting agents for early detection and diagnosis, and to select the most effective combinatorial treatment options.

Transmission Electron Microscopy: Novel Application of Established Technique in Characterization of Nanoparticles as Drug Delivery Systems.

Nanotechnology presents a modern field of science that in the last twenty-five years plays a dominant role in the biomedicine. Different analytical methods are used for evaluation of the physico-chemical properties of nanoparticles including chromatography, electrophoresis, X-ray scattering, spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, zeta potential measurement and microscopy on which this article will focus. Herein, we present novel application of the long-established TEM technique that is focused on characterization and evaluation of various nanoparticles in development of drug delivery systems.

Encapsulated in Soy Protein Isolate and Alginate Microparticles Prepared by Spray Drying.

This article presents a novel formulation for preparation of 01 encapsulated in soy protein isolate and alginate microparticles using spray drying method. A response surface methodology was used to optimise the formulation and the central composite face-centered design was applied to study the effects of critical material attributes and process parameters on viability of the probiotic after microencapsulation and in simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Spherical microparticles were produced in high yield (64%), narrow size distribution (=9.

Implementation of quality by design principles in the development of microsponges as drug delivery carriers: Identification and optimization of critical factors using multivariate statistical analyses and design of experiments studies.

Microsponges drug delivery system (MDDC) was prepared by double emulsion-solvent-diffusion technique using rotor-stator homogenization. Quality by design (QbD) concept was implemented for the development of MDDC with potential to be incorporated into semisolid dosage form (gel). Quality target product profile (QTPP) and critical quality attributes (CQA) were defined and identified, accordingly.

Formulation and characterization of ORMOSIL particles loaded with budesonide for local colonic delivery.

In this study, hybrid silica xerogel particles were developed as carriers of budesonide (BDS) for efficient local treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Organically modified silica particles (ORMOSILs) were prepared by co-condensation of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) by an ambient temperature acid catalysed sol-gel process followed by spray-drying. Formulation for preparation of BDS-loaded particles was optimized and their physicochemical parameters and drug release profiles were evaluated in vitro.

Wheat germ agglutinin-functionalised crosslinked polyelectrolyte microparticles for local colon delivery of 5-FU: in vitro efficacy and in vivo gastrointestinal distribution.

We have previously reported the development and characterisation of wheat germ agglutinin (WGA)-functionalised chitosan-Ca-alginate (CTS-Ca-ALG) microparticles (MPs) loaded with acid-resistant particles of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). In the present work, our goal was to evaluate the potential of these carriers for efficient treatment of colon cancer by studying in vitro permeability and cell association of 5-FU and [methyl-³H]thymidine uptake in Caco-2 cells, as well as in vivo gastrointestinal distribution. The amount of 5-FU permeated through Caco-2 cells was 15.

Factorial design analysis and optimisation of alginate-Ca-chitosan microspheres.

The purpose of this study was to apply factorial design in order to determine the influence of the formulation factors and their interactions on several responses such as particle size, dissolution behaviour at pH 1.2 and pH 7.4 as well as production yield, during the development of budesonide loaded, chitosan coated Ca-alginate microparticles (MPs) intended for treatment of inflammatory diseases in the gastrointestinal tract.

Chitosan coated Ca-alginate microparticles loaded with budesonide for delivery to the inflamed colonic mucosa.

Using a novel one-step spray-drying process uncoated and Eudragit S 100 coated chitosan-Ca-alginate microparticles efficiently loaded with budesonide (BDS), with bioadhesive and controlled release properties in GIT, were prepared. Microparticles were spherical with mean particle size of 4.05-5.

Formulation and evaluation of diazepam hydrogel for rectal administration.

Diazepam (DZP) has become a commonly used drug for treatment of acute repetitive epileptic seizures and febrile convulsions in children. Considering the advantages of rectal administration of DZP, the objective of our study was to formulate and evaluate rectal hydrogels containing DZP as a drug substance in combination with suitable co-solvents and preservatives. Prepared HPMC (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) hydrogels containing different concentrations of DZP (2, 4 and 6 mg mL(-1)) manifested good quality in respect to physico-chemical parameters (pH value, drug content, ingredients content and viscosity), antimicrobial efficiency and microbiological quality.

5-Fluorouracil in topical liposome gels for anticancer treatment--formulation and evaluation.

Liposome gels bearing an antineoplastic agent, 5-fluorouracil, intended for topical application have been prepared and drug release properties in vitro have been evaluated. Different formulations of liposomes were prepared by the film hydration method by varying the lipid phase composition (PL 90H/cholesterol mass ratio) and hydration conditions of dry lipid film (drug/aqueous phase mass ratio). Topical liposome gels were prepared by incorporation of lyophilized liposomes into a structured vehicle (1%, m/m, chitosan gel base).