Publications by authors named "Paul Akpa"

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a global disease identified by hyperglycemia due to defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both.

Objective: The main objective of this research was to evaluate the ability of gelatinized Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) microparticles to be used as carriers for oral insulin delivery via double emulsion preparation.

Methods: Five different batches of the formulation consisting of gelatin:PEG were prepared as follows: 0:1 (W1), 1:0 (W2), 1:1 (W3), 1:3 (W4), and 3:1 (W5).

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Plant virus nanoparticles (PVNPs) have garnered considerable interest as a promising nanotechnology approach to combat cancer. Owing to their biocompatibility, stability, and adjustable surface functionality, PVNPs hold tremendous potential for both therapeutic and imaging applications. The versatility of PVNPs is evident from their ability to be tailored to transport a range of therapeutic agents, including chemotherapy drugs, siRNA, and immunomodulators, thereby facilitating targeted delivery to the tumor microenvironment (TME).

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Article Synopsis
  • Metformin hydrochloride (MH) is an effective but poorly absorbed diabetes medication, prompting researchers to create PEGylated solid lipid nanoparticles (PEG-SLNs) to enhance its delivery and effectiveness.
  • This study involved formulating and characterizing these nanoparticles by using specific lipid matrices and various methodologies, including high shear hot homogenization and multiple characterization techniques like DSC and FT-IR spectroscopy.
  • The results showed that PEG-SLNs had a smooth, spherical shape and favorable properties, such as an encapsulation efficiency and improved performance in antidiabetic studies on rats when compared to standard MH formulations.
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Article Synopsis
  • * Preventive measures, such as social distancing and mask-wearing, have helped slow the virus's spread; however, the persistent nature of the virus and its variants makes complete eradication difficult.
  • * The development of effective vaccines relies heavily on nanotechnology, which enhances vaccine delivery and efficacy; currently, four vaccines are approved for use, with more in progress.
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Aim: Self-healing, swellable and biodegradable polymers are vital materials that may facilitate the different stages of wound healing. The aim of this research was to prepare wound healing films using self-healing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), swellable hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), biodegradable polyglycolic acid (PGA) sutures and ciprofloxacin antibiotic for improved treatment outcome.

Methods: Films were formulated through aqueous-based mixing of varying amounts of polyvinyl alcohol (10-20% weight/weight (w/w)) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (0.

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Background: Artemether and lumefantrine display low aqueous solubility leading to poor release profile; hence the need for the use of lipid-based systems to improve their oral bioavailability so as to improve their therapeutic efficacy.

Aim And Objective: The objective of this work was to utilize potentials of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) for improvement of the oral bioavailability of artemether and lumefantrine combination and to evaluate its efficacy in the treatment of malaria. This study reports a method of formulation, characterization and evaluation of the therapeutic efficacies of caprol-based NLC delivery systems with artemether and lumefantrine.

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Anterior eye segment disorders are treated with eye drops and ointments, which have low ocular bioavailability necessitating the need for improved alternatives. Lipid microsuspension of gentamicin sulphate was developed for the treatment of susceptible eye diseases. Lipid microsuspensions encapsulating gentamicin sulphate were produced by hot homogenization and evaluated.

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Requiring regional or in-country confirmatory clinical trials before approval of drugs already approved elsewhere delays access to medicines in low- and middle-income countries and raises drug costs. Here, we discuss the scientific and technological advances that may reduce the need for in-country or in-region clinical trials for drugs approved in other countries and limitations of these advances that could necessitate in-region clinical studies.

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Background: Aspirin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is very effective in the treatment of inflammation and other health conditions, however, it causes gastric irritation. Recently, researchers have developed patents (US9757529, 2019) of inhalable aspirin for rapid absorption and circumvention of gastric irritation.

Objective: The aim of this work was to formulate aspirin-loaded lipid based formulation in order to enhance oral bioavailability and inhibit gastric irritation.

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The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of microparticles based on biocompatible phytolipids [Softisan® 154 (SF) (hydrogenated palm oil) and super-refined sunseed oil (SO)] and polyethylene glycol- (PEG-) 4000 to improve intravaginal delivery of miconazole nitrate (MN) for effective treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). Lipid matrices (LMs) consisting of rational blends of SF and SO with or without PEG-4000 were prepared by fusion and characterized and employed to formulate MN-loaded solid lipid microparticles (SLMs) by melt-homogenization. The SLMs were characterized for physicochemical properties, anticandidal activity, and stability.

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The use of conventional vaginal formulations of miconazole nitrate (MN) in the treatment of deep-seated VVC (vulvovaginal candidiasis) is limited by poor penetration capacity and low solubility of MN, short residence time and irritation at the application site. Surface-modified mucoadhesive microgels were developed to minimize local irritation, enhance penetration capacity and solubility and prolong localized vaginal delivery of MN for effective treatment of deep-seated VVC. Solid lipid microparticles (SLMs) were prepared from matrices consisting of hydrogenated palm oil (Softisan® 154, SF) and super-refined sunseed oil (SO) with or without polyethylene glycol (PEG)-4000, characterized for physicochemical performance and used to prepare mucoadhesive microgels (MMs) encapsulating MN, employing Polycarbophil as bioadhesive polymer.

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The present study aimed to develop low-dose liquisolid tablets of two antimalarial drugs artemether-lumefantrine (AL) from a nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) of lumefantrine (LUM) and estimate the potential of AL as an oral delivery system in malariogenic Wistar mice. LUM-NLCs were prepared by hot homogenization using Precirol ATO 5/Transcutol HP and tallow fat/Transcutol HP optimized systems containing 3:1 ratios of the lipids, respectively, as the matrices. LUM-NLC characteristics, including morphology, particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, yield, pH-dependent stability, and interaction studies, were investigated.

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Extracts of named medicinal herbs (Garcinia kola, Zingiber oificinale, Aframonum melequeta and Ocimum viride) were formulated into an antitussive preparation to alleviate cough. Some physical properties of the cough syrup formulation evaluated were: specific gravity, pH, viscosity, content uniformity, and shelf life. The specific gravity and viscosity of the formulations were stable on storage, with glycerin-based formulations having higher values.

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