Optimization of in vivo antimalarial efficacy of combinations of aqueous leaf extracts of Artemisia annua L., Vernonia amygdalina Del, and Microglossa pyrifolia (Lam.) Kuntze using factorial design.

Background: Malaria continues to be among the leading causes of mortality in Africa including Uganda, with the emergence of parasite resistance to the first-line therapeutics (Artemisinin- based Combination Therapy). To find new therapeutics, this study has reported an in vivo antimalarial efficacy of combinations of Artemisia annua (Aa), Vernonia amygdalina (Va), and Microglossa pyrifolia (Mp) in mice model using factorial design.

Methods: The Aa and Va were extracted by hot infusion, and Mp by cold maceration using distilled water.

A review of efficacy and safety of Ugandan anti-malarial plants with application of RITAM score.

Background: Malaria, a treatable disease mainly caused by Plasmodium falciparum has remained a health challenge in Africa, a continent that accounted for 96% of total global cases and deaths in 2021. Uganda, a malaria endemic country is experiencing malaria parasite resistance to some of the drugs used in the artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). In an effort to prioritize herbal medicines for new product development, this review synthesized the available safety and efficacy literature on the Ugandan anti-malarial plants to suggest most effective herbal plants.

Effects of Autoclaving and Freeze-Drying on Physicochemical Properties of Plectranthus esculentus Starch Derivatives.

The goal of this research was to assess the effects of autoclaving followed by freeze-drying on acetylated xerogel (AXS) and carboxymethylated (CMS) derivatives of Plectranthus esculentus starch as potential vaccine stabilizers. Starch extracted from tubers of P. esculentus were modified by single (carboxymethylation) and dual (acetylation followed by xerogel formation) methods.

Ex Vivo and In Vivo Characterization of Interpolymeric Blend/Nanoenabled Gastroretentive Levodopa Delivery Systems.

One approach for delivery of narrow absorption window drugs is to formulate gastroretentive drug delivery systems. This study was undertaken to provide insight into in vivo performances of two gastroretentive systems ( and IPB matrices) in comparison to Madopar® HBS capsules. The pig model was used to assess gastric residence time and pharmacokinetic parameters using blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and urine samples.

Starch-based xerogels: Effect of acetylation on Physicochemical and rheological properties.

This study was aimed at evaluating the physicochemical and rheological properties of starch-based xerogels. The starch from the shoots of Borassus aethiopium was physically modified by xerogelization, and chemically by acetylation, and combination of acetylation and xerogelization. The solubility, swelling and syneresis of the starches were determined by gravimetric techniques.

Design and Characterization of Metformin-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles for Colon Cancer.

Colorectal cancer is a global concern, and its treatment is fraught with non-selective effects including adverse side effects requiring hospital visits and palliative care. A relatively safe drug formulated in a bioavailability enhancing and targeting delivery platform will be of significance. Metformin-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) were designed, optimized, and characterized for particle size, zeta potential, drug entrapment, structure, crystallinity, thermal behavior, morphology, and drug release.

An optimized gastroretentive nanosystem for the delivery of levodopa.

Characterization of the physicochemical and physicomechanical properties as well as biopharmaceutical suitability of a drug delivery system is needful in optimization of the formulation and manufacturing processes in order to achieve the desired responses. Interpolymeric blend (IPB) nano-enabled gastroretentive levodopa-loaded drug delivery systems were formulated, optimized and characterized using techniques such as spectroscopy, calorimetry, density, textural analysis, morphological analysis, porosity analysis and magnetic resonance imaging. The in vitro drug release of the delivery systems was compared to those of the conventional dosage forms and in vivo absorption was predicted.

A Co-blended Locust Bean Gum and Polymethacrylate-NaCMC Matrix to Achieve Zero-Order Release via Hydro-Erosive Modulation.

Locust bean gum (LBG) was blended with a cellulose/methacrylate-based interpolyelectrolyte complex (IPEC) to assess the hydro-erosive influence of addition of a polysaccharide on the disposition and drug delivery properties inherent to IPEC matrix. The addition of LBG modulated the drug (levodopa) release characteristics of the IPEC by reducing excessive swelling and preventing bulk erosion. After 8 h in pH 4.

A novel pH-responsive interpolyelectrolyte hydrogel complex for the oral delivery of levodopa. Part I. IPEC modeling and synthesis.

This study was undertaken to synthesize an interpolyelectrolyte complex (IPEC) of polymethacrylate (E100) and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) to form a polymeric hydrogel material for application in specialized oral drug delivery of sensitive levodopa. Computational modeling was employed to proffer insight into the interactions between the polymers. In addition, the reactional profile of NaCMC and polymethacrylate was elucidated using molecular mechanics energy relationships (MMER) and molecular dynamics simulations (MDS) by exploring the spatial disposition of NaCMC and E100 with respect to each other.

A novel pH-responsive interpolyelectrolyte hydrogel complex for the oral delivery of levodopa. Part II: characterization and formulation of an IPEC-based tablet matrix.

This study was undertaken in order to apply a synthesized interpolyelectrolyte complex (IPEC) of polymethacrylate and carboxymethylcellulose as a controlled release oral tablet matrix for the delivery of the model neuroactive drug levodopa. The IPEC (synthesized in Part I of this work) was characterized by techniques such as Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectroscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Advanced DSC (ADSC), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The tablet matrices were formulated and characterized for their drug delivery properties and in vitro drug release.

A Hybrid Methacrylate-Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose Interpolyelectrolyte Complex: Rheometry and Disposition for Controlled Drug Release.

The rheological behavioral changes that occurred during the synthesis of an interpolyelectrolyte complex (IPEC) of methacrylate copolymer and sodium carboxymethylcellulose were assessed. These changes were compared with the rheological behavior of the individual polymers employing basic viscosity, yield stress, stress sweep, frequency sweep, temperature ramp as well as creep and recovery testing. The rheological studies demonstrated that the end-product of the complexation of low viscous methacrylate copolymer and entangled solution of sodium carboxymethylcellulose generated a polymer, which exhibited a solid-like behavior with a three-dimensional network.

Design of an interpolyelectrolyte gastroretentive matrix for the site-specific zero-order delivery of levodopa in Parkinson's disease.

This study focused on developing a gastroretentive drug delivery system employing a triple-mechanism interpolyelectrolyte complex (IPEC) matrix comprising high density, swelling, and bioadhesiveness for the enhanced site-specific zero-order delivery of levodopa in Parkinson's disease. An IPEC was synthesized and directly compressed into a levodopa-loaded matrix employing pharmaceutical technology and evaluated with respect to its physicochemical and physicomechanical properties and in vitro drug release. The IPEC-based matrix displayed superior mechanical properties in terms of matrix hardness (34-39 N/mm) and matrix resilience (44-47%) when different normality's of solvent and blending ratios were employed.

Are Bombax buonopozense and Bombax malabaricum possible nutraceuticals for age management?

Human longevity and healthy ageing though controversial require extended investigations. Some studies have shown that ageing can be managed by reducing the amounts of free radicals the cells are exposed to. Oxidative stress has been shown to be combated by antioxidants and plant sources are known to generate antioxidants that are efficacious and low in toxicity.

Application and Characterization of Gum from Bombax buonopozense Calyxes as an Excipient in Tablet Formulation.

This study was undertaken to explore gum from Bombax buonopozense calyxes as a binding agent in formulation of immediate release dosage forms using wet granulation method. The granules were characterized to assess the flow and compression properties and when compressed, non-compendial and compendial tests were undertaken to assess the tablet properties for tablets prepared with bombax gum in comparison with those prepared with tragacanth and acacia gums. Granules prepared with bombax exhibited good flow and compressible properties with angle of repose 28.

Fabrication, modeling and characterization of multi-crosslinked methacrylate copolymeric nanoparticles for oral drug delivery.

Nanotechnology remains the field to explore in the quest to enhance therapeutic efficacies of existing drugs. Fabrication of a methacrylate copolymer-lipid nanoparticulate (MCN) system was explored in this study for oral drug delivery of levodopa. The nanoparticles were fabricated employing multicrosslinking technology and characterized for particle size, zeta potential, morphology, structural modification, drug entrapment efficiency and in vitro drug release.