A new pro-prodrug aminoacid-based for trans-ferulic Acid and silybin intestinal release.

The aim of this work was the preparation and characterization of a pro-prodrug able to simultaneously transport silybin, a drug possessing various pharmacological effects, and trans-ferulic acid, a known antioxidant. More specifically, l-phenylalanine-N-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl) prop-2-en-O-(2R,3R)-3,5,7-trihydroxy-2-((2R,3R)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-benzo-(1,4)-dioxin-6-yl)croman-4-one was synthesized by using the aminoacid l-phenylalanine (l-Phe) as carrier. Indeed, l-Phe is characterized by an intrinsic chemical reactivity due to the presence of an amino group, placed on the chiral center, and of a carboxylic group.

Preparation, characterization and in vitro activities evaluation of solid lipid nanoparticles based on PEG-40 stearate for antifungal drugs vaginal delivery.

The present article reports the preparation, characterization and performance evaluation of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) based on polyoxyethylene-40 stearate (PEG-40 stearate) for the administration of antifungal agents such as ketoconazole and clotrimazole. These nanoparticles could be useful in the treatment of vaginal infections sustained by Candida albicans. In particular, PEG-40 stearate was made to react with acryloyl chloride in order to introduce an easily polymerizable moiety for the creation of a second shell and to ensure a slow drug release.

Anticancer activity of a hydrogel containing folic acid towards MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to prepare a hydrogel, based on ellagic acid and glycine, embedded with folic acid, as a subcutaneous implant for the treatment of breast cancer. The function of folic acid is to selectively and actively target tumor cells which are well-known to overexpress folic acid receptors on their surface.

Materials And Methods: A pro-drug based on L-glycine and ellagic acid, was functionalized with a polymerizable group and loaded with folic acid to make it more natural, non-toxic, compatible and specific for the site of action.

Isoniazid-gelatin conjugate microparticles containing rifampicin for the treatment of tuberculosis.

Objectives: In this work, a new polymeric microparticle system based on gelatin covalently bound to isoniazid (ISN) and containing rifampicin (RFP) was prepared by spray-drying technique. Microparticle aptitude to nebulisation and their capability of interacting with A549, alveolar basal epithelial cells, were evaluated in vitro.

Methods: Microparticles were obtained by spray drying, and their morphology, size, zeta potential, thermotropic behaviour and nebulisation ability were evaluated.

Trans-ferulic acid-based solid lipid nanoparticles and their antioxidant effect in rat brain microsomes.

In this study, stearic acid- and stearyl ferulate-based solid lipid nanoparticles containing trans-ferulic acid (SLN-FA and SLN-SF-FA, respectively), were prepared and characterized for loading efficiency, size and shape. In addition, by using rat brain microsomes, we evaluated in vitro the antioxidant activity of these formulations against three well known initiators of lipid peroxidation, such as AAPH, NADPH/ADP-Fe(3+) and SIN-1 which in turn generate the peroxyl and perferryl radicals as well as peroxynitrite, respectively. Commercially available FA and its ethyl ester (FAEE) were used as comparators.

Dextran-pegylated microparticles for enhanced cellular uptake of hydrophobic drugs.

Polyethylene glycol monosubstituted with a polymerizable acrylic moiety was linked to 6-carboxy free position on dextran side chains and then subjected to radical polymerization with a comonomer in order to obtain microspheres for the oral controlled release of ketoconazole, a hydrophobic model drug. Microparticles were submitted to studies on their ability to absorb and retain water. Cell uptake studies, in the presence and absence of mucus, across two different monolayers, respectively, HT29-MTX-E12 and Caco-2, were done.

Preparation, characterization and efficacy evaluation of synthetic biocompatible polymers linking natural antioxidants.

The purpose of this work was the synthesis, characterization and efficacy evaluation of new biocompatible antioxidant polymers linking trans-ferulic acid or a-lipoic acid. In particular, ferulic or lipoic acid were introduced in the preformed polymeric backbone. The new antioxidant biopolymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography.

Synthesis, characterization and in-vitro antitubercular activity of isoniazid-gelatin conjugate.

Objectives: A novel and simple method to synthesize antitubercular-protein conjugate by solid phase synthesis was developed employing a carboxypolystyrene resin. The aim was to covalently bind a drug with antitubercular activity, isoniazid, to a biomacromolecule, gelatin, widely used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industry.

Methods: Calorimetric and (1) H NMR analyses were performed to verify the bond formation between the antitubercular drug and gelatin.

Respirable rifampicin-based microspheres containing isoniazid for tuberculosis treatment.

The purpose of this investigation was to develop small microspheres for delivering antimycobacterial drugs to infected host macrophages. Rifampicin-based microparticles were prepared. The drug was covalently linked to acrylic moieties to obtain a polymerizable derivative for the preparation of materials useful as drug delivery systems that then were loaded with isoniazid acting in synergy with rifampicin.

Synthesis of pro-prodrugs L-lysine based for 5-aminosalicylic acid and 6-mercaptopurine colon specific release.

The aim of this work is to design, prepare and characterize L-lysine based prodrugs capable of targeting 6-mercaptopurine to the colon, an anti-tumor and immunosuppressant drug, and 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), drug of choice for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). More specifically, Nɛ-feruloyl-S-(6-purinyl)-L-lysine and Nɛ-acryloyl-S-(6-purinyl)-L-lysine were synthesized and then characterized by FT-IR, (1)H-NMR and GC/MS spectroscopies. The ability of feruloyl derivative in inhibiting lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomal membranes, induced in vitro by tert-butyl hydroperoxide as source of free radicals, was evaluated.

A new approach for the evaluation of niosomes as effective transdermal drug delivery systems.

The central motivation for this study was to evaluate if the increased hydrophilic drug permeation across the skin, which is always observed in presence of vesicular systems, is dependent on the structural organization of niosomes, that are used to transport the active molecules, or if it is only dependent on the surfactant dual nature. To answer this question, non-ionic surfactants belonging to the class of Pluronic and sucrose esters were used both as components of niosomal systems or in the form of sub-micellar solutions. The obtained niosomes were characterized by their entrapment efficiency, size and morphology.

Synthesis, characterization, and anti-inflammatory activity of diclofenac-bound cotton fibers.

In the present work, we report on the synthesis of cellulose cotton fibers covalently linked to diclofenac moieties and the evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity of this new biomaterial. In spite of recent progress in experimental and clinical medicine, the problem of chronic wounds treatment is still debated. In fact, conventional methods are based on the use of ointment-soaked bandages, but several physical and biological factors contribute to making the efficacy of this method quite low.

L-lysine pro-prodrug containing trans-ferulic acid for 5-amino salicylic acid colon delivery: synthesis, characterization and in vitro antioxidant activity evaluation.

In the present work, we report the synthesis of a new 5-amino salicylic acid (5-ASA) pro-prodrug, useful in Crohn disease treatment, and the evaluation of its antioxidant activity. Using as pharmacological carrier L-lysine amino acid and taking advantage of its intrinsic chemical reactivity, due to the presence of two amino groups, placed on the chiral center and in epsilon-position, we inserted trans-ferulic acid in epsilon-position, through amidation reaction, esterified with methanol the carboxylic group and, finally, submitted the free amino group to diazotation with 5-ASA, principal drug for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) care. All intermediates of synthesis and the final product (derivative A) were characterized with usual spectroscopic techniques, as FT-IR, GC/MS and (1)H-MNR.

New sucrose cocoate based vesicles: Preparation, characterization and skin permeation studies.

A commercial sucrose cocoate surfactant was used to obtain a new vesicular system for transdermal drug delivery. The preparation, the dimensional and morphological characterizations and the skin permeation profile of these new niosomes were evaluated. Moreover we studied the possible employment of mixture of sucrose cocoate and cholesterol at different weigh ratios for the vesicles preparation and we analyzed the influence of cholesterol on niosomes properties.