Formulation and characterization of atropine sulfate in albumin-chitosan microparticles for in vivo ocular drug delivery.

The overall study goal was to produce a microparticle formulation containing atropine sulfate for ocular administration with improved efficacy and lower side effects, compared with that of the standard marketed atropine solution. The objective was to prepare an atropine sulfate-loaded bovine serum albumin-chitosan microparticle that would have longer contact time on the eyes as well as better mydriatic and cycloplegic effect using a rabbit model. The microparticle formulation was prepared by method of spray-drying technique.

In vitro and ex vivo characterization of lectin-labeled Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen-containing microspheres for enhanced oral delivery.

Purpose: Oral immunization for mucosal protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis would be the best option for effective tuberculosis (TB) control. However, this route of vaccine delivery is limited due to the short residence time of the delivery system at the site of absorption. Cytoadhension has made it possible to optimize the targeted delivery of oral vaccine to lymphoid tissues.

Introduction to metallic nanoparticles.

Metallic nanoparticles have fascinated scientist for over a century and are now heavily utilized in biomedical sciences and engineering. They are a focus of interest because of their huge potential in nanotechnology. Today these materials can be synthesized and modified with various chemical functional groups which allow them to be conjugated with antibodies, ligands, and drugs of interest and thus opening a wide range of potential applications in biotechnology, magnetic separation, and preconcentration of target analytes, targeted drug delivery, and vehicles for gene and drug delivery and more importantly diagnostic imaging.

Formulation, characterization and testing of tetracaine hydrochloride-loaded albumin-chitosan microparticles for ocular drug delivery.

Most ocular surgical procedures take approximately 60 min to complete, the anaesthetic property of the safest drug, tetracaine, is initiated in a few minutes and lasts approximately 10-15 min. The purpose of the present study was to develop an ocular tetracaine formulation which can produce an immediate onset of action and/or longer duration of action during the entire surgical procedure. Tetracaine-loaded microparticle formulation was prepared by the method of spray-drying and characterized in terms of size, zeta potential, morphology, thermal stability and release pattern.

The effect of intracellular antioxidant delivery (catalase) on hydrogen peroxide and proinflammatory cytokine synthesis: a new therapeutic horizon.

Unlabelled: Reactive oxygen species synthesized by endothelial cells may be responsible for cell damage and altered physiologic function. After endotoxin stimulation, free radicals including H(2)O(2) are produced. We have developed a method of intracellular drug delivery using albumin microcapsules.

The effect of intracellular delivery of catalase and antisense oligonucleotides to NF-kappaB using albumin microcapsules in the endotoxic shock model.

Unlabelled: Microencapsulated (MC) catalase has been shown to inhibit H(2)O(2) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in vitro after endotoxin stimulation. It is the purpose of this study to determine whether MC catalase improves pro-inflammatory cytokine inhibition and mortality in an endotoxic shock model in vivo. We also examined whether MC catalase and antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) to nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) together improved survival by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines using different mechanisms.

Formulation and characterization of catalase in albumin microspheres.

Catalase in albumin microspheres were formulated for intravenous administration to antagonize the effects of over-production of reactive oxygenated species (ROS) such as hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) in septic shock. The aim was to increase effective half-life of catalase and take advantage of the phagocytic uptake of the encapsulated catalase by the vascular endothelium. Catalase microspheres were prepared by spray-drying.