Preparation and Evaluation of Nanostructured Mesalamine Niosomes with Different Concentrations of Non-Ionic Surfactant

Introduction: Vesicular drug delivery system is currently the most cutting-edge area of pharmaceutical research. In terms of stability, niosomes are often superior to other vesicular systems like liposomes. Niosomes are a good method for delivering drugs to a particular site of action. Objective: The preparation and evaluation of Mesalamine niosomal dispersion using ether injection and thin film hydration techniques were the goals of this work. The niosomes formulation has tremendous promise and might be used in the future for its clinical implications for a variety of administration methods, making it a more effective formulation for treating diverse illnesses. Mesalamine has potent anti-inflammatory properties. Materials and Methods: In this study, non-ionic surfactants and cholesterol were used at various concentrations to produce niosomes containing dispersion utilizing the thin film hydration technique and the ether injection method. The created formulations were assessed using optical microscopy, zeta potential, in-vitro drug release, and other methods. Results: The ratio 2:1 of span 60 and cholesterol showed better results of the thin film hydration method. Hence, it was optimized as the final vesicle formulation. The results of the Fourier transform infra-red investigation showed that mesalamine did not interact with any of the excipients. As compared to the ether injection method niosomes forming by thin film hydration technique show the best and most promising results. Conclusion: The present study concluded that the thin film hydration technique was an optimized technique for the preparation of mesalamine niosomes than the ether injection method.

Formulation Development, Characterization and In-vitro Evaluation of Tamoxifen Loaded Liposomes

Background: The study was aimed to prepare and evaluate tamoxifen loaded controlled release liposomes to reduce the side effects of tamoxifen during cancer treatment. Methods: Different tamoxifen loaded liposomes were prepared by modified ether injection (MEIM) and thin film hydration method (TFHM) under prescribed conditions. The prepared liposomes were characterized by using optical microscopy, evaluating encapsulation efficiency, in-vitro and ex-vivo diffusion studies by using dialysis membrane and chicken intestinal sac respectively.Results: The data revealed that all of the liposomes were spherical in shape and stable under three physical conditions i.e. 4, 25 and 37 ± 2°C temperatures and 60 ±5% relative humidity. Additionally most of the liposomes followed zero order and class II release kinetics. It was also observed that with the increase of phospholipids and cholesterol, entrapment efficiency of liposome vesicles increased thus giving a controlled release drug delivery system but further increase reduced this efficiency at a certain level.Conclusion: The formulated control release liposomes might be a good drug delivery system for target oriented drug delivery with minimum side effects of tamoxifen during cancer treatment

Preparation of dl-tetrahydropalmatine ethosomes and their ex vivo transdermal permeation properties / 中草药

Objective To prepare dl-tetrahydropalmatine (dl-THP) ethosomes (ETS) and elucidate their transdermal absorption properties. Methods Dl-tetrahydropalmatine ethosomes (dl-THP ETS) were prepared by ethanol injection combined with pH-gradient active drug-loading method. Their physicochemical properties including elasticity, vesicle size, morphology and entrapment efficiency were characterized. Franz diffusion cells were used to investigate the ex vivo skin permeation characteristics of the formulation with liposomes (LPS) and tinctures being used as reference preparations. Results According to a preferred formulation of dl-THP ETS [dl-THP 100 mg, vitamin E 1.3 mg, soybean lecithin 1 200 mg, cholesterol 120 mg, absolute ethanol 9 mL and citrate buffered saline (pH 3.0) 21 mL, 0.1 mol/L NaOH solution suitable quantity (to adjust the pH value to 5.5) ], the obtained dl-THP ETS had an elasticity index of (20.1 ± 1.1) mL, an average size of (85.8 ± 0.9) nm with a polydispersity index of (0.082 ± 0.003) and an entrapment efficiency of (81.7 ± 3.2)%. The cumulative permeated drug quantity per unit area (Qn) of dl-THP ETS in 24 h was (2 306.4 ± 592.3) μg/cm2 with no significant difference compared with the Qn of the LPS [(2 434.2 ± 564.4) μg/cm2] (P > 0.05) and about 4 times of that of the tincture [(633.1 ± 218.0) μg/cm2] (P < 0.05). And the averages of RSD of the Qn at each time point were (28.37 ± 10.9)% and (62.83 ± 44.1)% for the ETS and LPS, respectively, indicating that the Qn fluctuation among samples of the ETS was smaller than that of the LPS (P < 0.05). Average correlation coefficients of (0.968 ± 0.033) and (0.882 ± 0.078) (P < 0.05) were obtained for the ETS and LPS respectively when their 24 h permeation curves were fitted to linear relationship, indicating the permeation of the former was closer to zero-order kinetics than that of the latter. Conclusion The dl-THP ETS have a high elasticity, a suitable size, a high entrapment efficiency, and enhanced and stable percutaneous absorption in line with zero-order kinetics.

Placement of a Jejunal Feeding Tube via an Ultrasound-Guided Antral Progressive Water Injection Method / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>Background</b>Jejunal feeding tube allows the nutrition of critical care patients more easy and safe. However, its placement remains a challenge. This study aimed to introduce a jejunal feeding tube through an ultrasound-guided antral progressive water injection method and subsequently to examine its efficacy.</p><p><b>Methods</b>Between April 2016 and April 2017, 54 patients hospitalized in the Department of Critical Care Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, China who needed nutritional support through a jejunal feeding tube were recruited for this study. Patients who applied ultrasound-guided antral progressive water injection method were classified into the experimental group. Patients who applied conventional method were registered as control group.</p><p><b>Results</b>No significant differences were found in age, body mass index, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation score, but a significant difference in operation time was found between the experimental group and the control group. Of the 24 individuals in the control group, 17 displayed clear catheter sound shadows once the tube entered the esophagus. In comparison, of the 30 individuals in the experimental group, all harbored catheter sound shadows through the esophageal gas injection method. Subsequent observation revealed that in the control group (via ultrasonographic observation), 15 individuals underwent successful antral tube entry, for a success rate of 63%. In the experimental group (via antral progressive water injection), 27 individuals underwent successful antral tube entry, for a success rate of 90%. There was a significant difference between the success rates of the two groups (χ = 5.834, P = 0.022).</p><p><b>Conclusion</b>The antral progressive water injection method for the placement of a jejunal feeding tube is more effective than the traditional ultrasonic placement method.</p>

Comparison of priming versus slow injection for reducing etomidate-induced myoclonus: a randomized controlled study / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Etomidate injection is often associated with myoclonus. Etomidate injection technique influences the incidence of myoclonus. This study was designed to clarify which of the two injection techniques—slow injection or priming with etomidate—is more effective in reducing myoclonus. METHODS: This prospective randomized controlled study was conducted on 189 surgical patients allocated to three study groups. Control group (Group C, n = 63) received 0.3 mg/kg etomidate (induction dose) over 20 s. Priming group (Group P, n = 63) received pretreatment with 0.03 mg/kg etomidate, followed after 1 min by an etomidate induction dose over 20 s. Slow injection group (Group S, n = 63) received etomidate (2 mg/ml) induction dose over 2 min. The patients were observed for occurrence and severity of myoclonus for 3 min from the start of injection of the induction dose. RESULTS: The incidence of myoclonus in Group P (38/63 [60.3%], 95% CI: 48.0–71.5) was significantly lower than in Group C (53/63 [84.1%], 95% CI: 72.9–91.3, P = 0.003) and Group S (49/63 [77.8%], 95% CI: 66.0–86.4, P = 0.034). Myoclonus of moderate or severe grade occurred in significantly more patients in Group C (68.3%) than in Group P (36.5%, P < 0.001) and Group S (50.8%, P = 0.046), but the difference between Groups P and S was not significant (P = 0.106). CONCLUSIONS: Priming is more effective than slow injection in reducing the incidence of myoclonus, but their effects on the severity of myoclonus are comparable.

Study on preparation of sinomenine hydrochloride transfersomes and their therapeutic effects on rheumatoid arthritis in rats / 中草药

Objective To optimize the formulation of sinomenine hydrochloride transfersomes (SHTs) and to verify their therapeutic effects on rheumatoid arthritis in rats. Methods SHTs were prepared by ethanol injection method. Their formulation was optimized by an orthogonal test, which was based on the elasticity of transfersomes. Elasticity of transfersomes was measured by constant pressure extrusion method and entrapment efficiency was measured by HPLC combined with centrifugation ultrafiltration. The model of rheumatoid arthritis was established by subcutaneous injection of type II collagen into Wistar rats' tail. The therapeutic effects of the preparation on rheumatoid arthritis in rats were evaluated based on ankle joint score, swelling degree, level of TNF-α and IL-1β in serum as well as histological changes including inflammatory cell infiltration, pannus formation, cartilage destruction, and bone erosion. Results The optimized formulation was as follows: egg phospholipid 300 mg, cholesterol 30 mg, sinomenine hydrochloride 100 mg, sodium deoxycholate 60 mg, vitamin E 5 mg, phosphate buffered saline (pH 8.0) 23 mL, and absolute ethyl alcohol 2 mL. The optimized transfersomes had an average size of (83.31 ± 0.08) nm, Zeta potential of (-32.57 ± 3.27) mV, deformability index of 38.69 ± 1.66, drug content of (2.96 ± 0.27) mg/mL, and entrapment efficiency of (39.82 ± 0.97) %. The results of pharmacodynamical test revealed that the preparation could significantly reduce joint swelling caused by rheumatoid arthritis (P < 0.01) and lower TNF-α and IL-1β level in serum (P < 0.01), effectively alleviate inflammatory response and improve histological changes of ankle joint. Conclusion The preparation process for the transfersomes is feasible and their quality can be controlled. The optimized SHTs are effective for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in rats.

Application of CO2 injection method in the magnetic resonance imaging preoperative staging diagnosis for stage Ⅰ carcinoma of endometrium / 肿瘤研究与临床

Objective To explore the accuracy rate of CO2 injection method and conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the staging diagnosis for stage Ⅰ carcinoma of endometrium.Methods Preoperative staging diagnosis for stage Ⅰ carcinoma of endometrium was done,and the method of injecting CO2 gas into the uterine lumen by catheter was applied for pelvic MRI scan in 38 cases of stage Ⅰ carcinoma of endometrium.The pathological staging result was treated as the gold standard to compare the accuracy rate of CO2 injection method with conventional scan method (43 cases).Results For conventional MRI scan group,the accuracy rate of staging diagnosis in stage Ⅰ carcinoma of endometrium was 81.3 ％ (35/43),including stage Ⅰ A 75.0 ％(6/8),stage Ⅰ B 83.9 ％(26/31),stage Ⅰ c 75.0 ％(3/4).For CO2 injection group,the accuracy rate was 89.4 ％(34/38),including stage Ⅰ A 85.7 ％(6/7),stage Ⅰ B 88.9 ％(16/18),stage Ⅰ c 84.6 ％ (12/13).There was a statistical difference between the accuracy rates of two methods (x2=7.81,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Compared with conventional scan method,the CO2 injection method with better simplicity,safety and application value,could be more accurate to determine the location of endometrial cancer and the degree of myometrial infiltration.

Determination of Residual Solvents in Faeces Bombycis Extract by GC / 中国药师

Objective:To establish a method for the determination of solvent residues in faeces bombycis extract by GC .Meth-ods: A GC-headspace injection method was adopted to detect the residual organic solvents in the extract of faeces bombycis .A DB-5MS (30 m ×0.25 mm ×0.25 μm) quartz capillary column was used as the chromatographic column;nitrogen was used as the carrier gas at a flow rate of 0.6 ml· min-1;the injector temperature was 200℃;the detector was a flame ionization detector( FID) with the temperature of 250℃;the temperature program included two phases:the initial temperature was set at 40℃for 10 min, and then risen to 200℃at a rate of 5℃· min-1 and maintained for 5 min;the equilibrium temperature of headspace was 95℃;the equilibrium time was 30 min;the capillary temperature was 110℃;the injection ring temperature was 125℃.Results:The linear range of acetone , 2, 3-dimethylpentane, 3-methylhexane, heptane, 2,2-dimethylhexane, p-xylene, m-xylene, O-xylene and 2,4,6-collidine was 101-3 034μg· ml-1 , 100-2 995 μg· ml-1 , 107-3 197 μg· ml-1 , 101-3 019 μg· ml-1 , 99-2 962 μg· ml-1 , 45-1 358 μg· ml-1 , 44-1 325μg· ml-1, 47-1 411 μg· ml-1 and 104-3 130 μg· ml-1, respectively, and the average r was all above 0.992.The recovery of the method met the requirement , and the blank solvent showed no interference .Eight samples were all accordance with the requirements after the examination .Conclusion:The headspace injection method for the determination of residual organic solvents in the extract of faeces bombycis is simple and reliable .

Preparation of nasal ethosome sprays of volatile oil in Magnoliae Flos and evaluation of its quality / 中草药

Objective: To study the optimal preparation process of nasal ethosome sprays of volatile oil in Magnoliae Flos after removing a-terpineol alcohol (VOMF) and to investigate its characteristics and mucociliotoxicity. Methods: The 5% VOMF ethosome was prepared with ultrasonic injection method, and the orthogonal test was used to design the formulations of VOMF ethosome which was evaluated by entrapment efficiency and drug loading as indexes. Quality evaluation included appearance, particle diameter distribution, Zeta potential, entrapment efficiency (EE), and stability. The persistent vibration duration (PVD) and percentage of persistent vibration (PPV) in situ toad oral palate cilia were observed to evaluate the mucociliotoxicity administered by various constituents. Results: The optimal preparation was 1.5% of phospholipid, 0.15% of cholesterol, and 36% of ethyl alcohol. The quality evaluation showed that the ethosome was round and uniform, while the mean Zeta potential was (-55.9 ± 2.1) mV. The average particle diameter was getting smaller, the EE had no change, and no mucociliotoxicity was found after spraying. Conclusion: Ultrasonic injection method used to prepare VOMF ethosome is rational and stable and it can be used for nasal administration.

Research in temporal injection method of compound anisodine / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To change the traditional temporal side injection method and discuss the fea-sibility of infiltration temporal side injection method. Methods 40 patients were randomly divided into two groups, group A(20 cases) adopted infiltration temporal side injection method, group B(20 cases) used traditional temporal side injection method. Results Statistical significance existed in pain and discomfort and negative psychological influence between the two groups after injection. The treatment effect showed no difference. Evident difference existed in blood pressure and pulse before and after injection in group B,while inverse results were seen in group A. Conclusions Application of infiltration temporal side injec-tion method is superior to the traditional temporal injection method.