Identification of multi-targeted anti-migraine potential of nystatin and development of its brain targeted chitosan nanoformulation.

The complex pathophysiology involved in migraine necessitates the drug treatment to act on several receptors simultaneously. The present investigation was an attempt to discover the unidentified anti-migraine activity of the already marketed drugs. Shared featured pharmacophore modeling was employed for this purpose on six target receptors (ß2 adrenoceptor, Dopamine D3, 5HT1B, TRPV1, iGluR5 kainate and CGRP), resulting in the generation of five shared featured pharmacophores, which were further subjected to virtual screening of the ligands obtained from Drugbank database. Molecular docking, performed on the obtained hit compounds from virtual screening, indicated nystatin to be the only active lead against the receptors iGluR5 kainate receptor (1VSO), CGRP (3N7R), ß2 adrenoceptor (3NYA) and Dopamine D3 (3PBL) with a high binding energy of -11.1, -10.9, -10.2 and -12kcal/mole respectively. The anti-migraine activity of nystatin was then adjudged by fabricating its brain targeted chitosan nanoparticles. Its brain targeting efficacy, analyzed qualitatively by confocal laser scanning microscopy, demonstrated a significant amount of drug reaching the brain. The pharmacodynamic models on Swiss male albino mice revealed significant anti-migraine activity of the nanoformulation. The present study reports for the first time the therapeutic potential of nystatin in migraine management, hence opening avenues for its future exploration.

Multivariate Optimization of Rizatriptan Benzoate-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles for Brain Targeting and Migraine Management.

The present investigation aimed at development of brain-targeted rizatriptan benzoate-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (RB-SLNs) by design of experiment, for improvement of its anti-migraine potential. Several formulation variables affecting the fabrication of RB-SLNs were screened using the Plackett-Burman design (PBD). The PBD results demonstrated lipid (Precirol® ATO 5) concentration, co-surfactant (Phospholipon® 90 H) concentration and temperature of lipid melt to be the critical variables, having a significant effect on the achievement of minimum particle size, maximum entrapment efficiency coupled with sustained drug release. The interactions between these formulation parameters and the variability between the batches were further explored employing the Box-Behnken design (BBD). The BBD results were validated by fabricating the suggested optimized solution, which yielded 220.4 ± 2.3 nm particle size with a sufficiently high entrapment efficiency of 71.8 ± 1.9% and 45.9 ± 2.7% cumulative drug release in 8 h. The optimized formulation was, thereafter, characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, wide angle XRD, thermal analysis and TEM imaging technique. The in vivo studies revealed the brain uptake potential of optimized RB-SLNs to be 18.43-folds higher with respect to the pure drug in its free form, post 2 h of oral drug administration. The significant anti-migraine efficacy of RB-SLNs was corroborated through the pharmacodynamic studies on adult male Swiss albino mice. The results hence explicate that RB-SLNs have distinctly improved brain target ability and offer an apt approach for the efficient therapeutic management of migraine.

A Comparative Study of Orally Delivered PBCA and ApoE Coupled BSA Nanoparticles for Brain Targeting of Sumatriptan Succinate in Therapeutic Management of Migraine.

PURPOSE: The present investigation aimed at brain targeting of sumatriptan succinate (SS) for its optimal therapeutic effect in migraine through nanoparticulate drug delivery system using poly (butyl cyanoacrylate) (PBCA) and bovine serum albumin linked with apolipoprotein E3 (BSA-ApoE). METHOD: The study involved formulation optimization of PBCA nanoparticles (NPs) using central composite design for achieving minimum particle size, maximum entrapment efficiency along with sustained drug release. SS incorporated in BSA-ApoE NPs (S-AA-NP) were prepared by desolvation technique and compared with SS loaded polysorbate 80 coated optimized PBCA NPs (FPopt) in terms of their brain uptake potential, upon oral administration in male Wistar rats. The NPs were characterized by FTIR, thermal, powder XRD and TEM analysis. RESULTS: The in vivo studies of FPopt and S-AA-NP on male Wistar rats demonstrated a fairly high brain/plasma drug ratio of 9.45 and 12.67 respectively 2 h post oral drug administration. The behavioural studies on male Swiss albino mice affirmed the enhanced anti-migraine potential of S-AA-NP than FPopt (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this work, therefore, indicate that BSA-ApoE NPs are significantly better than polysorbate 80 coated PBCA NPs for brain targeting of SS (P < 0.05) and also offer an improved therapeutic strategy for migraine management.

Development of zolmitriptan loaded PLGA/poloxamer nanoparticles for migraine using quality by design approach.

The purpose of this investigation was to develop Poly (D,L Lactide-co-Glycolide) (PLGA)/poloxamer nanoparticles (NPs) of the hydrophilic drug Zolmitriptan using quality-by-design approach for brain targeting. Randomized 2(4) full factorial design was employed to achieve the critical quality attributes of minimized particle size and maximized encapsulation efficiency. The PLGA/poloxamer NPs were fabricated using modified double emulsion solvent diffusion technique and particle size varied from 165.4-245.4 nm, encapsulation efficiency was in the range of 48.96-95.97% and percent cumulative drug release varied from 43.32 to 100%. The optimized nanoparticles were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction technique which indicated the loading of drug in NPs without any chemical interactions between drug and the excipients. The uniform and spherical shape of the particles was affirmed from TEM analysis. The in-vivo studies for determination of brain uptake potential demonstrated a 14.13 fold increase in drug delivered to brain from the NPs as compared to the free drug. The pharmacodynamic studies involving Swiss albino mice further confirmed successful delivery of drug to brain circumventing the blood brain barrier, through significantly enhanced anti-migraine potential. This investigation thus presents the suitability of zolmitriptan loaded PLGA/poloxamer NPs in brain targeting for the efficient treatment of migraine.

Sumatriptan succinate loaded chitosan solid lipid nanoparticles for enhanced anti-migraine potential.

The objective of the present investigation was to prepare chitosan solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN), containing sumatriptan succinate using solvent injection method and to optimize the formulations for brain targeting potential. The formulation optimization was performed using three factor two level full factorial design so as to minimize the particle size and zeta potential, maximize the entrapment efficiency as well as maximize the concentration of drug in brain with maximized brain/plasma ratio of the drug. The particle size, zeta potential and entrapment efficiency for all the batches were in the range of 192-301.4nm, 30.2-51.4mV and 76.3-91.1% respectively. The optimized formulation showed a 4.54-fold increase in brain/blood ratio of drug after 2h of drug administration in male Wistar rats. The optimized nanoparticles were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, DSC, TGA, powder X-ray diffraction study and TEM analysis. It could be elucidated from the experimental in vivo and behavioral studies that the formulations successfully crossed the blood brain barrier and significantly exhibited its anti-migraine activity. Present investigation indicated that the hydrophilic drug sumatriptan succinate, loaded in chitosan SLN, can be successfully targeted to brain via oral delivery and thus present an effective approach for the therapeutic management of migraine.

Enhancement of ketorolac tromethamine permeability through rat skin using penetration enhancers: An ex-vivo study.

INTRODUCTION: Ketorolac tromethamine (KT), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, when given orally causes gastrointestinal disturbances. Its transdermal drug delivery may reduce such side effects associated with them. The present investigation was aimed at evaluating the efficiency of various penetration enhancers for improved permeation of KT through the skin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A concentration of 1 mg/mL of the drug solution with enhancers was used to evaluate diffusion through the rat skin using a Franz diffusion cell assembly. 20 different penetration enhancers were selected for this study. RESULTS: Saturated fatty acids like stearic and palmitic acid were found to increase the permeation rate of the drug to a great extent whereas unsaturated fatty acid viz. oleic acid exhibited maximum permeation. Increase in permeability efficiency of various penetration enhancers was observed in the following order: Oleic acid > stearic acid > palmitic acid > isopropyl myristate > tween 80 > span 80 > span 40 > span 20 > l-limonene > l-menthol > fenchone > α-pinene > urea > dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) > triton X-100 > tween 20 > dimethyl formamide > acetone > control > citric acid > ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid and citric acid had no effect on permeation rate. CONCLUSION: The results revealed that the permeation of KT through the skin can maximally be enhanced using oleic acid-an unsaturated fatty acid.

Targeting silymarin for improved hepatoprotective activity through chitosan nanoparticles.

INTRODUCTION: Silymarin is one of the best known hepatoprotective drugs, which is obtained from the seeds of Silybum marianum L., Family: Asteraceae or Compositae. The plant has traditionally been used for centuries as a natural remedy for liver and biliary tract diseases. The aim of the present investigation was to enhance the hepatoprotective activity of silymarin by incorporating it in chitosan (Ch) nanoparticles (NPs) for passive targeted delivery, thereby prolonging its retention time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Silymarin loaded NPs were prepared by ionic gelation technique, which were then optimized using a central composite design in order to minimize the particle size and maximize the drug entrapment efficiency. The optimized formulation was evaluated for in vitro drug release study and in vitro study on Swiss Albino mice using carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) induced hepatotoxicity model. RESULTS: In vitro dissolution studies illustrated sustained, zero order drug release from optimized formulation; also its therapeutic potential was amplified during in vitro studies on Swiss Albino mice using CCL4 induced hepatotoxicity model. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that NPs of silymarin could successfully enhance its hepatoprotective effect by passive targeting and sustained release.

Disentangling the intricacies of migraine: a review.

The etiology of migraine, a neurological disorder, has still not been clearly established, although it may be categorized as a headache disorder with specific characteristics such as focal neurological symptoms preceding or accompanying the headache. Many researchers have suggested genetic predisposition as one of the underlying causes of migraine. An insight into the various pathophysiological mechanisms such as the role of cortical spreading depression, abnormal brain stem activity, trigeminal nerves, calcitonin gene related peptide, nitric oxide and serotonin receptors in the development of migraine, has been conferred in the present article. The accurate diagnosis of migraine and identification of its type is a prerequisite for appropriate therapy. Ample opportunity still exists for the improvement in the safety, efficacy and tolerance capacity of the currently available antimigraine medications, through the design and development of targeted drug delivery system. In the present review, an attempt has been made to highlight all the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of migraine, its diagnosis, treatment and therapeutic area to be explored including mitigation of biochemical pathways and gene therapy.

Supercritical fluid technology: a promising approach in pharmaceutical research.

Supercritical fluids possess the unique properties of behaving like liquids and gases, above their critical point. Supercritical fluid technology has recently emerged as a green and novel technique for various processes such as solubility enhancement of poorly soluble drugs, plasticization of polymers, surface modification, nanosizing and nanocrystal modification, and chromatographic extraction. Research interest in this area has been fuelled because of the numerous advantages that the technology offers over the conventional methods. This work aims to review the merits, demerits, and various processes such as rapid expansion of supercritical solutions (RESS), particles from gas saturated solutions (PGSS), gas antisolvent process (GAS), supercritical antisolvent process (SAS) and polymerization induced phase separation (PIPS), that have enabled this technology to considerably raise the interest of researchers over the past two decades. An insight has been given into the numerous applications of this technology in pharmaceutical industry and the future challenges which must be appropriately dealt with to make it effective on a commercial scale.