Nanovesicle Formulation Enhances Anti-inflammatory Property and Safe Use of Piroxicam.

Background: Enhanced utilization of certain drugs may be possible through the development of alternative delivery forms. It has been observed that NSAIDs have adverse gastrointestinal tract effects such as irritation and ulceration during anti-inflammatory therapy. This challenge may be overcome through nano topical formulations.

Nanovesicular carriers as alternative drug delivery systems: ethosomes in focus.

Introduction: The application of vesicular carrier formulations has generated promise of overcoming some problems associated with drug delivery arising from not only the physicochemical properties of the drug but also those of the biological barriers, such as the membrane linings of various body tissues and the skin. This review article discusses the importance of various vesicular carriers, namely liposomes, niosomes, transfersomes and ethosomes in drug delivery with greater emphasis on ethosomes.

Areas Covered: The nature, mechanism of drug delivery, methods of preparation as well as characterization of vesicular carriers was discussed with a focus on ethosomes.

New direct compression excipient from tigernut starch: physicochemical and functional properties.

Tigernut starch has been isolated and modified by forced retrogradation of the acidic gel by freezing and thawing processes. Relevant physicochemical and functional properties of the new excipient (tigernut starch modified by acid gelation and accelerated (forced) retrogradation (ST(AM))) were evaluated as a direct compression excipient in relation to the native tigernut starch (ST(NA)), intermediate product (tigernut starch modified by acid gelation (ST(A))), and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). The particle morphology, swelling capacity, moisture sorption, differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) thermographs and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) patterns, flow, dilution capacity, and tablet disintegration efficiency were evaluated.

Sustained-release diclofenac potassium-loaded solid lipid microparticle based on solidified reverse micellar solution: in vitro and in vivo evaluation.

Objective: To formulate sustained-release diclofenac potassium-loaded solid lipid microparticles (SLMs) based on solidified reverse micellar solution (SRMS) and to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo properties.

Methods: SRMS consisting of mixtures of Phospholipon® 90H and Softisan® 154 were used to formulate diclofenac potassium-loaded SLMs. Characterization based on the particle size and morphology, stability and encapsulation efficiency (EE%) were carried out on the SLMs.

Physicochemical and binder properties of starch obtained from Cyperus esculentus.

The purpose of this study was to isolate starch from the tubers of Cyperus esculentus L. and evaluate its physicochemical and binder properties. Extraction of starch using sodium metabisulfite yielded 37 g of starch per 100 g of the tubers.

Novel multifunctional pharmaceutical excipients derived from microcrystalline cellulose-starch microparticulate composites prepared by compatibilized reactive polymer blending.

The choice of excipients remains a critical factor in pharmaceutical formulations. Microcrystalline cellulose-maize starch composites (MCC-Mst) have been prepared by mixing colloidal dispersions of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) with 10% (w/w) of chemically gelatinized maize starch (Mst) at controlled temperature conditions for use as multifunctional excipients with direct compression and enhanced disintegration abilities. The novel excipient was evaluated for its direct compression and enhanced disintegrant properties and the result compared with the properties of the individual components.

Preparation and characterization of mucinated cellulose microparticles for therapeutic and drug delivery purposes.

Mucinated cellulose microparticles were generated by mixing equal concentrations of colloidal dispersions of porcine mucin (Mc) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). The hybrid polymer was recovered by precipitating at controlled temperature and pH conditions using acetone. Some physicochemical, functional and thermal properties of the hybrid polymer were determined and compared with those of Mc and MCC.

Preparation and evaluation of mucinated sodium alginate microparticles for oral delivery of insulin.

Effective oral insulin delivery remains a challenge to the pharmaceutical industry. In this study, insulin-loaded microparticles for oral delivery were prepared with mucin and sodium alginate combined at different ratios using a novel method based on polymer coacervation and diffusion filling. Some physical characteristics of the various insulin-loaded microparticles such as particle size, morphology and compressibility indices were determined.

Preparation and characterization of mucinated agarose: a mucin-agarose physical crosslink.

Efficient, biocompatible and biodegradable new polymer materials are continually being sought to meet the challenging needs of drug delivery. Mucinated agarose, a physical crosslink of mucin and agarose, which are both biodegradable natural polymers, has been successfully prepared by a temperature controlled coarcervation technique of aqueous dispersions of equal concentrations of both polymers. Some functional and physicochemical characteristics of the new polymer such as swelling, moisture uptake, mucoadhesive as well as the thermal properties were determined and compared to those of agarose and mucin alone.