Bioadhesive Nanoparticles as Potent Drug Delivery Carriers.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, numerous scientists have gained interest in nanotechnology- based systems, especially for biomedical applications. Then, nanocarriers present tunable abilities and can be easily functionalized to target specific epithelial cells, tissues, and organs, while various materials can be chosen and generate nanosized particles. At present, nanoparticles that possess bioadhesion have been studied as potent drug carriers since they can easily penetrate and target organs. OBJECTIVE: Aim of this study was to explore the various applications of the bioadhesive nanoparticles found in the literature. METHODS: Authors have studied the literature finding that bioadhesive nanoparticles can be administered via routes such as oral, topical, ocular, dermal, vaginal, etc., according to the clinician's opinion and treatment choice. Therefore, the knowledge of general characteristics of bioadhesive nanoparticles, the bioadhesion theory, and other properties of nanoparticles should be known for developing innovative bioadhesive drug nanocarriers. RESULTS: In this review article, the authors state the current knowledge of theories. In addition, the present categories of nanoparticles and their basic characteristics are also discussed. Finally, the biomedical applications of bioadhesive nanocarriers and the several administration routes are extensively reviewed. CONCLUSION: The review article aims to cover the most current bioadhesive nanoparticles for drug delivery to assist any scientist who desires to study or develop innovative bioadhesive formulations.

An Updated Review for the Diabetic Wound Healing Systems.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Diabetes is a global health problem that has resulted in millions of deaths; one of the most common diabetes complications is that wounds of diabetic patients tend to heal more slowly or may not heal at all, resulting in undesirable outcomes. Diabetic wounds, if become chronic and infected, could provoke lower extremities amputation, sepsis, and even death. Hence, early detection, careful examination, debridement, cleaning, and prevention or controlling the infection of diabetic wounds are important factors for the successful outcome of the case. Over the years, various promising wound dressings incorporating antimicrobial molecules, growth factors, and wound healing agents have been developed, targeting diabetic wounds. Nonetheless, the choice of dressing is mainly based on the experience of each clinician. SUMMARY: This review summarizes the main points of diabetes complications, diabetic wounds, and infections. Further, an overview of the current drug delivery systems for topical wound delivery of various active ingredients has been performed. This update could be helpful for scientists and especially clinicians who desire to plan and work with new strategies for the healing of diabetic wounds.

Current Status of Mucoadhesive Gel Systems for Buccal Drug Delivery.

BACKGROUND: Buccal drug delivery is a fascinating research field. Gel-based formulations present potent characteristics as buccal systems since they have great physicochemical properties. METHODS: Among the various gels, in situ gels are viscous colloidal systems consisting of polymers; when physiological conditions change (pH, temperature, ion activation), they are transformed into the gel phase. These systems can improve bioavailability. Other systems, such as nanogels or emulgels can also be applied for buccal delivery with promising results. Polymeric gel-based systems can be produced by natural, semisynthetic, and synthetic polymers. Their main advantage is that the active molecules can be released in a sustained and controllable manner. Several gels based on chitosan are produced for the entrapment of drugs demonstrating efficient retention time and bioavailability due to chitosan mucoadhesion. Besides polysaccharides, poloxamers and carbopol are also used in buccal gels due to their high swelling ability and reversed thermal gelation behavior. RESULTS: Herein, the authors focused on the current development of mucoadhesive gel systems used in buccal drug delivery. After explaining buccal drug delivery and mucoadhesion, various studies with hydrogels, in situ gels, and nanogels were analyzed as buccal gel systems. Various mucoadhesive gel studies with mucoadhesive polymers have been studied and summarized. This review is presented as valuable guidance to scientists in formulating buccal mucoadhesive drug delivery systems. CONCLUSION: This review aimed to assist researchers working on buccal drug delivery by summarizing buccal drug delivery, mucoadhesion, and buccal mucoadhesive gel systems recently found in the literature.

Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems and their Potential in Alzheimer's Disease Management.

Alzheimer's disease is a neuropathological disease with symptoms such as language problems, confusion as to place or time, loss of interest in activities, which were previously enjoyed, behavioral changes, and memory loss. Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia affect almost 46.8 million people globally and are estimated to strike about 131.5 million people in 2050. It has been reported that Alzheimer's is the sixth main cause of mortality. The most used drugs, which are currently approved by the Food, and Drug Administration for Alzheimer's disease are donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine, memantine, and the combination of donepezil and memantine. However, most of the drugs present various adverse effects. Recently, the transdermal drug delivery route has gained increasing attention as an emerging tool for Alzheimer's disease management. Besides, transdermal drug delivery systems seem to provide hope for the management of various diseases, due to the advantages that they offer in comparison with oral dosage forms. Herein, the current advancements in transdermal studies with potent features to achieve better Alzheimer's disease management are presented. Many researchers have shown that the transdermal systems provide higher efficiency since the first-pass hepatic metabolism effect can be avoided and a prolonged drug release rate can be achieved. In summary, the transdermal administration of Alzheimer's drugs is an interesting and promising topic, which should be further elaborated and studied.

Schizophrenia; A Review on Promising Drug Delivery Systems.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia belongs to mental illnesses affecting 1% of the worldwide population. Its therapy is still unmet; thus, researchers aimed to develop new pharmacological molecules which can improve its management. METHODS: Moreover, the current typical and atypical antipsychotics should be formulated in more efficacious systems that can deliver the drug in the brain with as few side effects as possible. Further, the development of long-acting efficient drug delivery systems could be significant in minimizing frequent dosing which is nonpreferred to schizophrenics. RESULTS: Herein, authors focused on current developments of antipsychotic medications used in schizophrenia management. Various studies, which include the use of first and second-generation antipsychotics, were analyzed according to their efficacy. In fact, in this review, oral, injectable, transdermal and intranasal formulations entrapped antipsychotics are presented to be valuable guidance for scientists to formulate more effective drug delivery systems for schizophrenic patients. CONCLUSION: This review aimed to assist researchers working on schizophrenia management by summarizing current medications and newly synthesized drug delivery systems recently found in the literature.

Effect of cationic surfactant adsorption on the rheological and surface properties of bentonite dispersions.

In this study, the adsorption, bridging, and intercalation effects of a cationic surfactant, benzyldimethyltetradecyl ammonium chloride (BDTDACl), on bentonite clay suspensions was investigated. The adsorption, rheological behaviors, and colloidal properties of the clay dispersions were determined as a function surfactant concentration. Adsorption isotherms were obtained using the batch-equilibrium technique. The rheological behavior of the clay suspensions was obtained by shear stress-shear rate measurements within 0-350 s-1 shear rates. The structure of the composite particles was analyzed by using X-ray diffraction analysis and it was found that the expansions of basal d-spacings are less than 16.80 A, suggesting a monolayer structure.

Abdominal insufflation-deflation injury in small intestine in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of increased intra-abdominal pressure followed by abdominal deflation on small intestine with or without previous intestinal ischaemia. DESIGN: Randomised experimental study. SETTING: University hospital, Turkey. ANIMALS: 78 male New Zealand white rabbits. INTERVENTIONS: Experiment 1: 30 rabbits (10 in each group) were subjected to intra-abdominal pressure of 0 mmHg (controls), 15 mmHg or 25 mmHg for 60 minutes. Experiment 2: 48 rabbits were divided into four groups (n = 12 in each). The first comprised sham-operated controls. In the other 3, the superior mesenteric artery was occluded for 60 minutes. Reperfusion was started and maintained under intra-abdominal pressure of 0 mmHg, 15 mmHg, or 25 mmHg for one hour. Intestinal specimens were obtained five and 60 minutes after abdominal deflation in the pressure groups and at identical times in the other groups in both experiments. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Intestinal malondialdehyde concentration, wet:dry intestinal weight ratio, and mucosal injury score under light microscopy. RESULTS: In experiment I the malondialdehyde concentration, wet:dry weight ratio, and mucosal injury scores were higher in the 25 mmHg group than in the other groups in both specimens. There was a significant increase in malondialdehyde concentration in the 15 mmHg group in only the 5-minute specimen. In experiment 2, except for the wet:dry weight ratio in the 5-minute specimen in the 15 mmHg group, there were significant increases in malondialdehyde concentration, wet:dry weight ratio, and mucosal injury score in all groups except controls in both specimens. Malondialdehyde concentration and wet:dry weight ratio were higher in the 25 mmHg group than in the 0 mmHg group in the 60-minute specimen, and higher than the 15 mmHg group in both specimens. Wet:dry weight ratio was less in the 15 mmHg group than the 0 mmHg group in both specimens. Mucosal injury score was higher in the 25 mmHg group than the other groups in both specimens. CONCLUSION: Increased intra-abdominal pressure for 60 minutes followed by abdominal deflation led to an ischaemia-reperfusion-like injury in normal small intestine in rabbits, and added to reperfusion injury in the ischaemic small intestine at an intra-abdominal pressure of 25 mmHg.

The menopausal age, related factors and climacteric symptoms in Turkish women.

An interview based survey to reveal age at menopause and associated factors was conducted in a clinic based sample of Turkish women living mainly in an urban area. Interviews by a psychologist were obtained from 1500 women aged 41-70. The study included only women who had undergone natural menopause and had their last menstrual bleeding at least 1 year previously. The mean and median age at menopause was 47.8 +/- 4.0 and 51, respectively. Parity and BMI had a statistically significant impact on the age of menopause (P = 0.0397 and 0.0403). The most common symptoms were muscle and- or joint and- or bone pain (82.3%) and hot flushes (73.9%). Although the population was clinic based, this study is the first one of its kind in Turkish women.