Injectable vancomycin-loaded silk fibroin/methylcellulose containing calcium phosphate-based in situ thermosensitive hydrogel for local treatment of osteomyelitis: Fabrication, characterization, and in vitro performance evaluation.

The conventional treatment of osteomyelitis with antibiotic-loaded nondegradable polymethylmethacrylate (ATB-PMMA) beads has certain limitations, including impeded bone reconstruction and the need for secondary surgery. To overcome this challenge, this study aimed to develop and characterize an injectable vancomycin-loaded silk fibroin/methylcellulose containing calcium phosphate-based in situ thermosensitive hydrogel (VC-SF/MC-CAPs). The VC-SF/MC-CAPs solution can be easily administered at room temperature with a low injectability force of ≤30 N and a high vancomycin (VC) content of ~96%.

Mucoadhesive Hybrid System of Silk Fibroin Nanoparticles and Thermosensitive In Situ Hydrogel for Amphotericin B Delivery: A Potential Option for Fungal Keratitis Treatment.

The purpose of this work was to investigate the feasibility of a novel ophthalmic formulation of amphotericin B-encapsulated silk fibroin nanoparticles incorporated in situ hydrogel (AmB-FNPs ISG) for fungal keratitis (FK) treatment. AmB-FNPs ISG composites were successfully developed and have shown optimized physicochemical properties for ocular drug delivery. Antifungal effects against and in vitro ocular irritation using corneal epithelial cells were performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the composite formulations.

A solid lipid particle formulation of long pepper extract reduces pain and astrocyte activation in a rat model of neuropathic pain.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of solid lipid microparticle (SLM) creams containing a long pepper extract (LPE) or piperine on neuropathy-related pain and the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) as a measure of astrogliosis.

Methods: Neuropathic pain in male Spraque Dawley rats was induced by sciatic nerve ligation (SNL) and followed by treatment with LPE-SLM, piperine-SLM, capsaicin or vehicle creams. The pain score was assessed by thermal hyperalgesia test.

Calcium phosphate incorporated in silk fibroin/methylcellulose based injectable hydrogel: Preparation, characterization, and in vitro biological evaluation for bone defect treatment.

Bone defect is still a challenging problem in orthopedic practice. Injectable bone substitutes that can fill different geometry of bone defect and improve biological environment for bone regeneration are attracting attention. Herein, silk fibroin (SF) is noticeable polymer regarding its biocompatible and biodegradable properties.

Effects of curcumin and γ-oryzanol solid dispersion on the brain of middle-aged rats.

Oxidative stress is one of the major factors that contributes to brain deterioration in the elderly. Oxidation causes molecular alterations, structural damage, and brain dysfunction, which includes cognitive impairment. Memory loss can begin in middle-aged individuals, so prevention of brain deterioration before aging is important.

Trends in advanced oral drug delivery system for curcumin: A systematic review.

Although curcumin is globally recognized for its health benefits, its clinical application has been restricted by its poor aqueous solubility and stability. To overcome these limitations, nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems (NDS) are one of the most effective approaches being extensively explored over the last few decades to improve curcumin's physicochemical and pharmacological effects. Various NDS could provide productive platforms for addressing the formulation challenge of curcumin, but evidence of such systems has not been summarized.

Development of Metronidazole-loaded Thermosensitive Hydrogel for Periodontitis Treatment.

Objectives: Periodontal treatment focuses on the thorough removal of specific periodontal pathogens, mainly anaerobic Gram-negative bacteria, by mechanical scaling and root planning. In case the periodontal abscess is detected after treatment, a high dose of antimicrobial agents is commonly applied via oral administration. However, this approach increases the risk of antibiotic resistance and systemic side effects and decreases efficacy.

Strategies to enhance oral delivery of amphotericin B: a comparison of uncoated and enteric-coated nanostructured lipid carriers.

The oral delivery of amphotericin B (AmB) has remained a challenge due to its low solubility, permeability, and instability in gastric acidic pH. To solve these issues, herein, we reported a novel approach of using nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) and NLCs coating with EudragitL100-55 (Eu-NLCs) for the oral delivery of AmB. This study aimed to compare their ability in protecting the drug from degradation in gastrointestinal fluids and permeation enhancement in Caco-2 cells.

Copolymeric Micelles Overcome the Oral Delivery Challenges of Amphotericin B.

Classified as a Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS) class IV drug, amphotericin B (AmB) has low aqueous solubility and low permeability leading to low oral bioavailability. To improve these limitations, this study investigated the potential of AmB-loaded polymeric micelles (AmB-PM) to increase intestinal absorption. AmB-PM were prepared with polyvinyl caprolactam-polyvinyl acetate-polyethylene glycol copolymer (Soluplus) as a polymeric carrier and used a modified solvent diffusion and microfluidics (NanoAssemblr) method.

Novel daily disposable therapeutic contact lenses based on chitosan and regenerated silk fibroin for the ophthalmic delivery of diclofenac sodium.

The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of chitosan and regenerated silk fibroin (CS/RSF) blended films as novel biomaterials for daily disposable therapeutic contact lenses based ophthalmic drug delivery system. Diclofenac sodium (DS), a hydrophilic anti-inflammatory agent, was loaded into CS/RSF films by a soaking method. The best conditions of DS loading manifested the loading time of 2 h and pH 6.

Crosslinked Fibroin Nanoparticles: Investigations on Biostability, Cytotoxicity, and Cellular Internalization.

Recently, crosslinked fibroin nanoparticles (FNP) using the crosslinker 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) or the polymer poly(ethylenimine) (PEI) have been developed and showed potentials as novel drug delivery systems. Thus, this study further investigated the biological properties of these crosslinked FNP by labeling them with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) for in vitro studies. All formulations possessed a mean particle size of approximately 300 nm and a tunable zeta potential (-20 to + 30 mV) dependent on the amount/type of crosslinkers.

Fibroin nanoparticles: a promising drug delivery system.

Fibroin is a dominant silk protein that possesses ideal properties as a biomaterial for drug delivery. Recently, the development of fibroin nanoparticles (FNPs) for various biomedical applications has been extensively studied. Due to their versatility and chemical modifiability, FNPs can encapsulate different types of therapeutic compounds, including small and big molecules, proteins, enzymes, vaccines, and genetic materials.

Nanostructured lipid carriers: A novel hair protective product preventing hair damage and discoloration from UV radiation and thermal treatment.

The goal of this study was to investigate the protective effects of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) and vitamin E loaded NLCs (Vit E-NLCs) on preventing hair damages and discoloration against UV radiation and thermal treatment. The NLCs and Vit E-NLCs were prepared using a high-pressure homogenization technique. At optimal conditions, they showed spherical particles with a mean particle size of ~140 nm and a polydispersity index of < 0.

Paclitaxel loaded EDC-crosslinked fibroin nanoparticles: a potential approach for colon cancer treatment.

Colon cancer is one of the most life-threatening cancers with high incidence and mortality rates. Current first-line treatments are ineffective and possess many unwanted effects. The off-label use of paclitaxel encapsulated in nanoparticles proves an innovative approach.

Amphotericin B Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers for Parenteral Delivery: Characterization, Antifungal and In vitro Toxicity Assessment.

Background: Amphotericin B (AmB) is important for the treatment of systemic fungal infections. Nowadays, only intravenous administration (IV) of AmB has been available due to its low aqueous solubility. Two forms of AmB are available.

Alpha mangostin loaded crosslinked silk fibroin-based nanoparticles for cancer chemotherapy.

Silk fibroin has been utilized extensively for biomedical purposes, especially the drug delivery systems. This study introduced and characterized three novel α-mangostin loaded crosslinked fibroin nanoparticles (FNPs), using EDC or PEI as a crosslinker, for cancer treatment. All three formulas were spherical particles with a mean size of approximately 300 nm.

Impact of Nanostructured Lipid Carriers as an Artificial Tear Film in a Rabbit Evaporative Dry Eye Model.

Purpose: To characterize formulations of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) as an artificial tear film and evaluate their efficacy in protecting the ocular surface epithelial cells from desiccating stress in vivo.

Methods: The physicochemical properties of NLCs, produced with components similar to the tear film such as phosphatidylcholine and squalene, were determined. In vitro cytotoxicity of NLCs was evaluated by a short-time exposure test in porcine corneal epithelial cells using a methyl thiazol diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay.

Penetration of Nile red-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) across the porcine cornea.

Nile Red-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NR-NLCs), prepared by high-pressure homogenization technique, have been investigated for their transcorneal penetration using a confocal scanning microfluorometer (CSMF). Topical exposure of NR-NLCs led to their penetration into the epithelium and anterior stroma. The NR-NLC-40 (NR-NLCs of 40 nm) showed faster penetration compared to NR-NLC-150 (NR-NLCs of 150 nm).

Development and characterization of clay facial mask containing turmeric extract solid dispersion.

Objective: To develop clay facial mask containing turmeric extract solid dispersion (TESD) for enhancing curcumin water solubility and permeability and to determine suitable clay based facial mask.

Methods: The TESD were prepared by solvent and melting solvent method with various TE to polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) K30 mass ratios. The physicochemical properties, water solubility, and permeability were examined.

Enhanced intestinal absorption of curcumin in Caco-2 cell monolayer using mucoadhesive nanostructured lipid carriers.

This study aimed to compare the intestinal permeation of curcumin-loaded polymer coated nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) and uncoated NLCs using the Caco-2 cell model. The uncoated NLCs were prepared using a warm microemulsion technique, while polymer-coated NLCs were prepared with the same method but were followed by coating particle surface with polyethylene glycol (PEG) 400 or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). After lyophilization, all formulations possessed a mean size of <400 nm with a zeta potential of ∼-30 mV and a high entrapment efficacy up to 90%.

Mucoadhesive nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) as potential carriers for improving oral delivery of curcumin.

Purpose: To examine effects of polymer types on the mucoadhesive properties of polymer-coated nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs). Experiment: Curcumin-loaded NLCs were prepared using a warm microemulsion technique followed by coating particle surface with mucoadhesive polymers: polyethylene glycol400 (PEG400), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and chitosan (CS). The physicochemical properties and entrapment efficacy were examined.

Penetration of mucoadhesive chitosan-dextran sulfate nanoparticles into the porcine cornea.

Topical application of drugs to the eyes suffers from poor bioavailability at the ocular surface and in the anterior chamber. This is due to rapid clearance of the drug because of tear secretion and outflow. This study has investigated mucoadhesive and penetration characteristics of chitosan-dextran sulfate nanoparticles (CDNs), prepared by polyelectrolyte complexation technique, following topical administration to the ocular surface.

Crosslinked chitosan-dextran sulfate nanoparticle for improved topical ocular drug delivery.

Purpose: To examine the benefits of chitosan-dextran sulfate nanoparticles (CDNs) as a topical ocular delivery system with lutein as a model drug.

Methods: CDNs were developed by polyelectrolyte complexation of positively charged chitosan (CS) and negatively charged dextran sulfate (DS). 1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide (EDC) and polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG400) were used as co-crosslinking and stabilizing agents, respectively.

Combination of elastic liposomes and low frequency ultrasound for skin permeation enhancement of hyaluronic acid.

Hypothesis: The synergistic approach of using elastic liposomes (ELs) and low frequency ultrasound (LFU) was developed to enhance transepidermal delivery of hydrophilic macromolecules, hyaluronic acid (HA).

Experiment: HA loaded ELs were prepared with varying cholesterol contents by reverse phase evaporation technique. Their mean sizes were evaluated using dynamic light scattering.