Enhancement in Oral Absorption of Ceftriaxone by Highly Functionalized Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

The present study aims at the development, characterization, biocompatibility investigation and oral bioavailability evaluation of ceftriaxone (CFT)-loaded N′-methacryloylisonicotinohydrazide (MIH)-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (CFT-MIH-MNPs). Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) showed that the developed CFT loaded MIH-MNPs are spherical, with a measured hydrodynamic size of 184.0 ± 2.7 nm and negative zeta potential values (–20.2 ± 0.4 mV). Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) analysis revealed interactions between the nanocarrier and the drug. Nanoparticles showed high drug entrapment efficiency (EE) of 79.4% ±1.5%, and the drug was released gradually in vitro and showed prolonged in vitro stability using simulated gastrointestinal tract (GIT) fluids. The formulations were found to be highly biocompatible (up to 100 µg/mL) and hemocompatible (up to 1.0 mg/mL). Using an albino rabbit model, the formulation showed a significant enhancement in drug plasma concentration up to 14.4 ± 1.8 µg/mL in comparison with its control (2.0 ± 0.6 µg/mL). Overall, the developed CFT-MIH-MNPs formulation was promising for provision of high drug entrapment, gradual drug release and suitability for enhancing the oral delivery of CFT.

Safety Test of Agarwood Leaves Tea (Aquilaria malaccencis Lamk.) Through Skin Sensitization Test on Albino Rabbit

BACKGROUND: Agarwood tree (Aquilaria malaccensis Lamk) is a tree from the Thymeleaceae tribe that has a high selling value. The part that is often used is the sapwood of the agarwood tree, used as a base for perfumes and traditional medicines. Agarwood farmers in Langkat have used their leaves as tea drinks, brewing aloes leaves. Before being widely produced by the community, it is necessary to test the safety of agarwood leaf tea products through skin sensitization test. AIM: To find out whether steeping aloes leaves irritate the skin or not. METHODS: The test method using test animals namely albino rabbits as many as 15 tails, consisting of 4 test groups 1 group there were 3 test animals and 1 control group, induced with Freund's Complete Adjuvant (FCA) by intradermal and topical injection with a test position of 1.3%, 2.6%, 3.9% and 5.2% to form an immune response, then a Challenge test. The level and degree of skin reaction were assessed based on the Magnusson and Kligman scales. RESULTS: From the observation for 72 hours there was no change in the skin of the test animals after exposure to the test doses, indicating that the agarwood leaf tea is safe to consume if the tea is on the skin, the skin will not experience irritation. CONCLUSION: Testing on albino rabbits with four different doses did not show an irritating effect on the skin. Observation also shows that there is not a single bit that can affect intradermal to challenge testing so it was safe for consumption.

FORMULASI DAN KARAKTERISASI SEDIAAN NANOEMULSI VITAMIN A [Formulation and Characterization of Vitamin A Nanoemulsion]

Vitamin A is an essential nutrient to support the function of vision, growth, and immune system. Vitamin A cannot be synthesized in the body hence must be obtained through foods or supplements. However, oral administration of vitamin A is often hindered by poor absorption due to its hydrophobic nature and by its easily degradable nature by light and oxygen, particularly at high temperature. This study aimed to prepare a self-assembly vitamin A nanoemulsion with a high loading capacity to improve vitamin A absorption accross intestinal mucosa and to slow down its degradation process. The nanoemulsion was composed by glyceryl monooleate, Cremophor RH-40, and PEG 400 (1:8:1), then titrated with aqueous phase. The nanoemulsion characterization included globule size evaluation, size distribution, zeta potential, globule morphology, entrapment efficiency, physical and chemical stabilities, and ex vivo penetration test on New Zealand albino rabbit intestines. The vitamin A nanoemulsion was found to form transparent and nano-sized emulsions even when loaded with 16.67% vitamin A. The formula also produced 58.1±2.0 nm spherical globules with -0.69 mV zeta potential. Entrapment efficiency of vitamin A in the nanoemulsion was higher than 95%. The nanoemulsion shows stable after storage for 10 days at room temperature, as well as able to increase penetration rate compared to free vitamin A. Taken together, our established vitamin A nanoemulsion has a good stability and was proved to increase vitamin A absorption through intestinal mucosa while simultaneously decreased the vitamin A degradation rate.