In vivo study of hypericin-loaded poloxamer-based mucoadhesive in situ gelling liquid crystalline precursor system in a mice model of vulvovaginal candidiasis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Rocha de Araújo ◽  
Giovana Maria Fioramonti Calixto ◽  
Victor Hugo Sousa Araújo ◽  
Mariana Rillo Sato ◽  
Camila Fernanda Rodero ◽  
...  

Abstract The present study reports the performance of the pigment hypericin (HYP)-loaded poloxamer-based mucoadhesive in situ gelling liquid crystalline precursor system (LCPS) for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) in mice. LCPS composed of 40% of ethoxylated and propoxylated cetyl alcohol, 30% of oleic acid and cholesterol (7:1), 30% of a dispersion of 16% poloxamer 407 and 0.05% of HYP (HYP-LCPS) was prepared and characterized by polarized light microscopy (PLM), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and ex vivo permeation and retention studies across vaginal porcine mucosa were performed. In addition, the antifungal properties of the HYP-LCPS were evaluated in a murine in vivo model; for this, infected C57BL female mice groups were treated with both HYP in solution and HYP-LCPS, and after 6 days colony forming unit (CFU)/ml count was performed. PLM and SAXS confirmed that HYP-LCPS is a microemulsion situated in boundary transition region confirming its action as an LCPS. When in contact with simulated vaginal fluid, HYP-LCPS became rigid and exhibited maltase crosses and bragg peaks characteristics of lamellar phase. Ex vivo permeation and retention studies showed that HYP-LCPS provides a localized treatment on the superficial layers of porcine vaginal mucosa. HYP-LCPS induced a significant reduction in the number of CFU/ml in the mice; thus this formulation indicated it is as effective as a commercial dosage form. It was concluded that LCPS maintains the biological activity of HYP and provides an adequate drug delivery system for this lipophilic molecule at the vaginal mucosa, being a promising option in cases of VVC.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shreya Kaul ◽  
Upendra Nagaich ◽  
Navneet Verma

Abstract The research work was driven to develop novel nanostructured liquid crystalline particles of vancomycin for its improved pre-ocular residence time, ocular bio-availability, enhanced targeting, increased permeability, reduced dosing frequency, controlled drug release and reduced systemic side-effects. Formulation was developed by fragmenting cubic crystalline phase of glycerol monooleate, water and poloxamer 407. A four-factor, three-level Taguchi statistical experimental design was constructed to optimize the formulation. Formulations exhibited internal-cubic structure of the vesicles with particle size in the range of 51.11 ± 0.96 nm to 158.73 ± 0.46 nm and negative zeta potential. Ex-vivo transcorneal permeation studies demonstrated that the optimized cubosomes had 2.4-fold increase in apparent permeability co-efficient as compared to vancomycin solution. Whereas, in-vivo studies in rabbits demonstrated that the severity of keratitis was considerably lowered in day 3 with optimized cubosomes. Ocular pharmacokinetic studies evaluated level of drug in aqueous humor and results revealed that the time to peak concentration (Tmax) of vancomycin loaded cubosomal formulation was about 1.9-fold higher and mean residence time was 2.2-fold greater than vancomycin solution. Furthermore, histological examination revealed that the corneal layers displayed well-maintained morphology without any stromal swelling, consequently indicating safety of formulation. In conclusion, results manifested that the developed vancomycin loaded cubosomes could be a promising novel ocular carrier and an ideal substitute for conventional eye-drops for the management of bacterial-keratitis.


Author(s):  
Kamla Pathak ◽  
Anil Kumar ◽  
Ekta Yadav

The aim of the investigation was to develop and evaluate thermoreversible in situ nasal gel formulations of repaglinide (REP) and to establish correlation between its in vitro release and ex vivo permeation profiles. The solubility of REP was enhanced by preparing solid dispersions (SDs) with hydrophilic carriers (PVP K30/ PEG 6000/ poloxamer 188) in different weight ratios. REP: PVP K30 (1:5) was selected as the optimized SD as it showed highest enhancement in solubility (405%). The optimized SD was characterized by SEM and DSC and incorporated into a blend of thermoreversible and mucoadhesive polymers (poloxamer 407 and carbopol 934 P) by cold technique to form in situ gels (F1-F6). The prepared in-situ gels were evaluated for various pharmacotechnical features and the formulation F3 exhibited least gelling time of 6.1± 0.20, good mucoadhesive property to ensure sufficient residence time at the site of application and a %CDR of 82.25%. The ex vivo permeation characteristics across goat mucosa can be summarized as CDP of 78.7%, flux = 6.80 mg/cm2/h; permeability coefficient of 2.02 mg/h and zero order kinetics. On correlating the CDR profile of F3 with that of its CDP profile, a R2 value of 0.991 (slope= 0.921) was observed. The value of slope approximating one, suggested that almost entire amount of drug released from F3 was capable of permeating across the nasal mucosa, ex-vivo indicating that in-situ nasal gels of REP for systemic action can be successfully developed for the management non-insulin dependent type-II diabetes mellitus.


Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 360
Author(s):  
Lubna M. Eldesouky ◽  
Riham M. El-Moslemany ◽  
Alyaa A. Ramadan ◽  
Mahmoud H. Morsi ◽  
Nawal M. Khalafallah

An ophthalmic cyclosporine (CsA) formulation based on Lipid nanocapsules (LNC) was developed for dry eye management, aiming to provide targeting to ocular tissues with long-term drug levels and maximum tolerability. CsA-LNC were of small particle size (41.9 ± 4.0 nm), narrow size distribution (PdI ≤ 0.1), and high entrapment efficiency (above 98%). Chitosan (C) was added to impart positive charge. CsA-LNC were prepared as in-situ gels using poloxamer 407 (P). Ex vivo mucoadhesive strength was evaluated using bovine cornea, while in vivo corneal biodistribution (using fluorescent DiI), efficacy in dry eye using Schirmer tear test (STT), and ocular irritation using Draize test were studied in rabbits compared to marketed ophthalmic CsA nanoemulsion (CsA-NE) and CsA in castor oil. LNC incorporation in in-situ gels resulted in an increase in mucoadhesion, and stronger fluorescence in corneal layers seen by confocal microscopy, compared to the other tested formulations. Rate of recovery (days required to restore corneal baseline hydration level) assessed over 10 days, showed that CsA-LNC formulations produced complete recovery by day 7 comparable to CsA-NE. No Ocular irritation was observed by visual and histopathological examination. Based on data generated, CsA-LNC-CP in-situ gel proved to be a promising effective nonirritant CsA ophthalmic formulation for dry eye management.


Author(s):  
Hussein K. Alkufi ◽  
Hanan J. Kassab

     Objective: The purpose of this study to develop and optimize nasal mucoadhesive in situ gel IG of sumatriptan ST (serotonin agonist) to enhance nasal residence time for migraine management.      Method: Cold method was used to prepare ST nasal in-situ gel, using thermosensitive polymers (poloxamer 407  and/or poloxamer 188) with a mucoadhesive polymer (hyaluronic acid HA) which were examined for gelation temperature and gelation time, pH, drug content, gel strength, spreadability, mucoadhesive force determination, viscosity,  in-vitro drug release, and the selected formula was subjected to ex-vivo permeation study and histological evaluation of the sheep mucosal tissue after application.     Results: The results showed that the formula IG7 prepared from poloxamer 407(19%), poloxamer188 (4%) and HA (0.5%)   had an optimum gelation temperature (32.66±1.52°C), gel  strength (43.66± 1.52 sec),  mucoadhesive force (8067.93± 746.45dyne\cm2), in-vitro drug release (95.98%) over 6hr, ex-vivo permeation study release (89.6%)  during the 6 h. study with no  histological or pathological change in the nasal sheep tissue.     Conclusion: The ease of administration via a nasal drop of ST coupled with less frequent administration and prolong drug release, will enhance patient compliance.


Pharmaceutics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li-qian Ci ◽  
Zhi-gang Huang ◽  
Feng-mei Lv ◽  
Jun Wang ◽  
Ling-lin Feng ◽  
...  

The present study was carried out to investigate the potential of cationic functionalization on imatinib nanocrystals to improve the mucoadhesiveness and, thus, delivery to the lesion of cervicovaginal tumors. Amino-group-functionalized imatinib nanocrystals (NC@PDA-NH2) were prepared with near-spheroid shape, nanoscale size distribution, positive zeta potential, and relatively high drug content with the aid of the polydopamine-coating technique. Efficient interaction between NC@PDA-NH2 and mucin was proven by mucin adsorption which was related to the positive zeta-potential value of NC@PDA-NH2 and the change in the size distribution on mixing of NC@PDA-NH2 and mucin. Cellular uptake, growth inhibition, and apoptosis induction in cervicovaginal cancer-related cells demonstrated the superiority of NC@PDA-NH2 over unmodified nanocrystals. For practical intravaginal administration, NC@PDA-NH2 was dispersed in Pluronic F127-based thermosensitive in situ hydrogel, which showed suitable gelation temperature and sustained-release profiles. In comparison with unmodified nanocrystals, NC@PDA-NH2 exhibited extended residence on ex vivo murine vaginal mucosa, prolonged in vivo intravaginal residence, and enhanced inhibition on the growth of murine orthotopic cervicovaginal model tumors indicated by smaller tumor size, longer median survival time, and more intratumor apoptosis with negligible mucosal toxicity. In conclusion, cationic functionalization endowed NC@PDA-NH2 significant mucoadhesiveness and, thus, good potential against cervicovaginal cancer via intravaginal administration.


Pharmaceutics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vigani ◽  
Faccendini ◽  
Rossi ◽  
Sandri ◽  
Bonferoni ◽  
...  

Local administration of vaginal probiotics, especially lactobacilli, has been recently proposed as an effective prevention strategy against candidosis recurrences, which affect 40–50% of women. In this context, the aim of the present work was the development of a mucoadhesive in situ gelling formulation for the vaginal administration of Lactobacillus gasseri. Mixtures of poloxamer 407 (P407) and methylcellulose (MC), two thermosensitive polymers, were prepared and subjected to rheological analyses for the assessment of their sol/gel transition temperature. The association of P407 (15% w/w) with MC (1.5% w/w) produced an increase in gelation extent at 37 °C even after dilution in simulated vaginal fluid (SVF). The presence of 0.5% w/w pectin (PEC) produced a reduction of vehicle pH and viscosity at 25 °C that is the vehicle resistance to flow during administration. The presence of a low concentration of xyloglucan (XYL) (0.25% w/w) increases the mucoadhesive properties and the capability to gelify at 37 °C of the formulation after dilution with SVF. A three-component (P407/MC/PEC; 3cM) and a four-component (P407/MC/PEC/XYL; 4cM) mixture were selected as promising candidates for the delivery of L. gasseri to the vaginal cavity. They were able to preserve L. gasseri viability and were cytocompatible towards the HeLa cell line.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Divya Thakur ◽  
Gurpreet Kaur ◽  
Sheetu Wadhwa ◽  
Ashana Puri

Background: Metronidazole (MTZ) is an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent with beneficial therapeutic properties. The hydrophilic nature of molecule limits its penetration across the skin. Existing commercial formulations have limitations of inadequate drug concentration present at target site, which requires frequent administration and poor patient compliance. Objective: The aim of current study was to develop and evaluate water in oil microemulsion of Metronidazole with higher skin retention for treatment of inflammatory skin disorders. Methods: Pseudo ternary phase diagrams were used in order to select the appropriate ratio of surfactant and co-surfactant and identify the microemulsion area. The selected formulation consisted of Capmul MCM as oil, Tween 20 and Span 20 as surfactant and co-surfactant, respectively, and water. The formulation was characterized and evaluated for stability, Ex vivo permeation studies and in vivo anti-inflammatory effect (carrageenan induced rat paw edema, air pouch model), anti-psoriatic activity (mouse-tail test). Results: The particle size analyses revealed average diameter and polydispersity index of selected formulation to be 16 nm and 0.373, respectively. The results of ex vivo permeation studies showed statistically higher mean cumulative amount of MTZ retained in rat skin from microemulsion i.e. 21.90 ± 1.92 μg/cm2 which was 6.65 times higher as compared to Marketed gel (Metrogyl gel®) with 3.29 ± 0.11 μg/cm2 (p<0.05). The results of in vivo studies suggested the microemulsion based formulation of MTZ to be similar in efficacy to Metrogyl gel®. Conclusion: Research suggests efficacy of the developed MTZ loaded microemulsion in treatment of chronic skin inflammatory disorders.


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