MsrA Efflux Pump Inhibitory Activity of Piper cubeba L.f. and its Phytoconstituents against Staphylococcus aureus RN4220.

MsrA, an efflux pump belonging to ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter family that conferred resistance to macrolides, was detected in Staphylococcus aureus strains. Herein, we report the isolation of phytoconstituents from Piper cubeba fruit methanol extract and investigated their efflux pump inhibitory potential against S. aureus MsrA pump. Four isolated compounds, viz. pellitorine, sesamin, piperic acid and tetrahydropiperine studied in combination with erythromycin in S. aureus RN4220, exhibited 2-8-fold reduction in minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of erythromycin. Pellitorine and sesamin decreased MIC of erythromycin by 8-fold. The real-time fluorometry-based efflux and accumulation studies of ethidium bromide (EtBr) on S. aureus RN4220 in the presence of these compounds showed reduced efflux and enhanced uptake, thus indicating inhibition of the efflux pump. Pellitorine showed significant post-antibiotic effect of erythromycin. The results revealed that the primary mechanism of action of these compounds involves steady ATP production impairment.

Self-assembled nanomicelles of amphiphilic clotrimazole glycyl-glycine analogue augmented drug delivery, apoptosis and restrained melanoma tumour progression.

In present investigation, self-assembled nanomicelles of amphiphilic clotrimazole glycyl-glycine (CLT-GG-SANMs) analogue were customized for augmenting drug delivery, permeability and apoptosis in B16F1 mouse melanoma cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo following intratumoral (i.t.) route of administration. The mean particle size of CLT-GG-SANMs was measured to be 35.9 ±â€¯3.4 nm in addition to zeta-potential of -17.1 ±â€¯3.5 mV. The shape of CLT-GG-SANMs was visualized to be smooth and spherical as like nanoparticles. The critical micellar concentration (CMC) of CLT-GG-SANMs was estimated to be 17 µg/ml using DPH (1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene) as a UV probe. Modification of CLT to CLT-GG-SANMs induced the amorphization in therapeutic moiety. Next, CLT suspension released only 9.7% of the drug within 1 h under dissolution testing and further analysis up to 48 h did not display any remarkable effect on the drug release. On the other hand, CLT-GG-SANMs released 46.2% of the drug significantly (P < 0.01) higher than CLT suspension at 4 h. The IC50 of CLT-GG-SANMs was measured to be 15.1-µM significantly (P < 0.05) lower than CLT suspension (IC50 > 20 µM) in B16F1 cells. Western blotting and histopathological analysis also supported the superior therapeutic efficacy of CLT-GG-SANMs in terms of higher extent of apoptosis, tumour regression and exhibition of strong antioxidant potential against B16F1 cells induced tumour in C57BL6J mice. In conclusion, in vitro and in vivo therapeutic efficacy analysis indicated that CLT-GG-SANMs may be a potential candidate for translating in to a clinically viable product.

Intratumoral administration of carboplatin bearing poly (ε-caprolactone) nanoparticles amalgamated with in situ gel tendered augmented drug delivery, cytotoxicity, and apoptosis in melanoma tumor.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In a phase II clinical trial, carboplatin (CBDCA) displayed the response rate of 19% equivalent to dacarbazine in the treatment of malignant melanoma. However, besides desirable therapeutic profile, intravenous (i.v) administration of CBDCA delivers a subtherapeutic concentration at the target site. This entails administration of CBDCA through an alternate route by using nanovectors to achieve therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of melanoma. METHODS AND RESULTS: Carboplatin loaded poly(ε-caprolactone) nanoparticles (CBDCA-PCL-NPs) were formulated and amalgamated with chitosan-ß-glycerophosphate gel (CBDCA-PCL-NPs-Gel) for intratumoral (i.t) administration. The mean particle size and zeta-potential of CBDCA-PCL-NPs were determined to be 54.5 ±â€¯6.3-nm and -8.1 ±â€¯0.9-mV, in addition to spherical shape of the nanoformulation. FT-IR spectroscopy denied any issue of chemical incompatibility between drug and polymer. XRD pattern indicated the amorphous lattice of CBDCA-PCL-NPs. The drug loading capacity of CBDCA-PCL-NPs-Gel was estimated to be 152 mg/1 ml. CBDCA-PCL-NPs-Gel demonstrated prolonged drug release up to 48 h. Furthermore, CBDCA-PCL-NPs-Gel displayed the IC50 of 80.3-µM significantly (P < 0.05) lower than 162.8-µM of CBDCA-PCL-NPs and 248.5-µM of CBDCA solution in B16F1, melanoma cancer cells. CBDCA-PCL-NPs-Gel verified 80.2% of apoptosis significantly (P < 0.01) higher than 57.6% of CBDCA-PCL-NPs and 43.4% of CBDCA solution. Continuation to this, CBDCA-PCL-NPs-Gel significantly (P < 0.01) suppressed the tumor volume to 95.5 ±â€¯8.4-mm3 as compared to 178.9 ±â€¯10.2-mm3 of CBDCA solution injected i.t. and 210.6 ±â€¯17.1-mm3 displayed by CBDCA solution injected i.v. vis-à-vis 815.4 ±â€¯17.1-mm3 tumor volume of B16F1 tumor bearing C57BL6J mice. CONCLUSION: The promising preclinical results of CBDCA-PCL-NPs-Gel warrant further investigations under a set of stringent parameters for the treatment of melanoma.

Chloroquine diphosphate bearing dextran nanoparticles augmented drug delivery and overwhelmed drug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum parasites.

Chloroquine diphosphate (CHQ) is primarily used for the treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria at the dose of 500mg orally or 10mg/kg parenterally. However, point mutations in Plasmodiumfalciparum chloroquine resistance transporter (PfCRT) protein and Plasmodium falciparum multidrug resistance protein 1 (Pfmdr1) localized in digestive vacuole membrane, are responsible for CHQ resistance. Therefore, in present investigation, dextran nanoparticles bearing chloroquine diphosphate (CHQ-DEX-NPs) were formulated by solvent diffusion method of size below 70nm with zeta-potential of -20.1±3.2mV. FT-IR, DSC and PXRD techniques confirmed the successful loading of drug in nanomatrix system with amorphous attributes. In vitro drug release analysis indicated the Higuchi pattern with diffusion controlled drug release. The IC50 of CHQ-DEX-NPs in sensitive (3D7) and resistant (RKL9) Plasmodium falciparum strains was estimated to be 0.031-µg/ml and 0.13-µg/ml significantly lower than 0.059-µg/ml and 0.36-µg/ml of CHQ. The augmented therapeutic efficacy of CHQ-DEX-NPs may be credited to deposition of tailored nanoparticles in food vacuoles of malaria parasites owing to the affinity of parasite towards DEX that consequently lower the drug resistance and improved the therapeutic index. In conclusion, CHQ-DEX-NPs must be evaluated under a set of stringent in vivo parameters to establish its therapeutic efficacy in preclinical model.

Iodinated curcumin bearing dermal cream augmented drug delivery, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.

OBJECTIVES: Curcumin (Cur) exhibits weak microbicidal activity owing to high lipophilicity and low cell permeability. Therefore, in the present investigation, Cur was iodinated using elemental iodine (I2) to synthesise Cur-I2 powder that was later formulated as Cur-I2 dermal cream and characterised in vitro for antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. METHODS AND RESULTS: Electrophilic addition of I2 saturated the olefinic bonds of Cur, as confirmed by UV/visible spectroscopy, FT-IR, 1H NMR and DSC techniques. In addition, in vitro skin permeation and retention analysis indicated that Cur-I2 cream followed the first order and Higuchi model for drug release through the rat skin. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Cur-I2 powder was measured to be 60 and 90 µg/ml significantly (p < 0.05) lower than 150 and 120 µg/ml of Cur against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively. Moreover, Cur-I2 also exhibited strong antioxidant potential. CONCLUSIONS: Cur-I2 cream warrants further in vivo study to scale up the technology for clinical translation.

Noscapinoids bearing silver nanocrystals augmented drug delivery, cytotoxicity, apoptosis and cellular uptake in B16F1, mouse melanoma skin cancer cells.

PURPOSE: Noscapine (Nos) and reduced brominated analogue of noscapine (Red-Br-Nos) prevent cellular proliferation and induce apoptosis in cancer cells either alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic drugs. However, owing to poor physicochemical properties, Nos and Red-Br-Nos have demonstrated their anticancer activity at higher and multiple doses. Therefore, in present investigation, silver nanocrystals of noscapinoids (Nos-Ag2+ nanocrystals and Red-Br-Nos-Ag2+ nanocrystals) were customized to augment drug delivery, cytotoxicity, apoptosis and cellular uptake in B16F1 mouse melanoma cancer cells. METHODS AND RESULTS: Nos-Ag2+ nanocrystals and Red-Br-Nos-Ag2+ nanocrystals were prepared separately by precipitation method. The mean particle size of Nos-Ag2+ nanocrystals was measured to be 25.33±3.52nm, insignificantly (P>0.05) different from 27.43±4.51nm of Red-Br-Nos-Ag2+ nanocrystals. Furthermore, zeta-potential of Nos-Ag2+ nanocrystals was determined to be -25.3±3.11mV significantly (P<0.05) different from -15.2±3.33mV of Red-Br-Nos-Ag2+ nanocrystals. The shape of tailored nanocrystals was slightly spherical and or irregular in shape. The architecture of Nos-Ag2+ nanocrystals and Red-Br-Nos-Ag2+ nanocrystals was crystalline in nature. FT-IR spectroscopy evinced the successful interaction of Ag2+ nanocrystals with Nos and Red-Br-Nos, respectively. The superior therapeutic efficacy of tailored nanocrystals was measured in terms of enhanced cytotoxicity, apoptosis and cellular uptake. The Nos-Ag2+ nanocrystals and Red-Br-Nos-Ag2+ nanocrystals exhibited an IC50 of 16.6µM and 6.5µM, significantly (P<0.05) lower than 38.5µM of Nos and 10.3µM of Red-Br-Nos, respectively. Finally, cellular morphological alterations in B16F1 cells upon internalization of Nos-Ag2+ nanocrystals and Red-Br-Nos-Ag2+ nanocrystals provided the evidences for accumulation within membrane-bound cytoplasmic vacuoles and in enlarged lysosomes and thus triggered mitochondria mediated apoptosis via caspase activation. CONCLUSION: Preliminary investigations substantiated that Nos-Ag2+ nanocrystals and Red-Br-Nos-Ag2+ nanocrystals must be further explored and utilized for the delivery of noscapinoids to melanoma cancer cells.

Stealth recombinant human serum albumin nanoparticles conjugating 5-fluorouracil augmented drug delivery and cytotoxicity in human colon cancer, HT-29 cells.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a first-line chemotherapeutic drug in colorectal cancer. However, intravenous administration of 5-FU at the dose of 7-12mg/kg exhibits curbs like short half-life (20min) and toxic side-effects on bone marrow cells. Therefore, in present investigation, 5-FU was conjugated to poly (ethylene glycol) anchored recombinant human serum albumin nanoparticles (5-FU-rHSA-PEG-NPs) to improve the pharmacokinetic and therapeutic profiles. METHODS AND RESULTS: The mean particle size of 5-FU-rHSA-NPs was measured to be 44.3±5.8-nm, significantly (P<0.05) lesser than 65.7±7.2-nm of 5-FU-rHSA-PEG-NPs. In addition, zeta-potential of 5-FU-rHSA-NPs was estimated to be -10.2±2.6-mV significantly (P<0.05) lower than -25.8±3.5-mV of 5-FU-rHSA-PEG-NPs. Moreover, both 5-FU-rHSA-NPs and 5-FU-rHSA-PEG-NPs were smooth, spherical and regular in shape. In-vitro drug release analysis indicated that 5-FU-rHSA-NPs and 5-FU-rHSA-PEG-NPs separately released 10.9% and 9.23% of 5-FU in PBS (pH∼7.4) with no significant difference (P>0.05) up to 48h. However, addition of 20% v/v serum to PBS (pH∼7.4) boosted the drug release. 5-FU-rHSA-NPs and 5-FU-rHSA-PEG-NPs released 78.26% and 48.9% of the 5-FU up to 48h in presence of PBS (pH∼7.4 and 20% serum) with significant difference (P<0.05). Furthermore, 5-FU-rHSA-PEG-NPs displayed the IC50 of 3.7-µM significantly (P<0.05) lower than 6.8-µM and 11.2-µM of 5-FU-rHSA-NPs and 5-FU solution, respectively. One compartmental pharmacokinetic elements indicated that 5-FU-rHSA-PEG-NPs demonstrated the half-life (t1/2) of 5.33±0.15-h significantly (P<0.001) higher than 1.50±0.08-h and 0.30±0.09-h of 5-FU-rHSA-NPs and 5-FU solution, respectively. CONCLUSION: 5-FU-rHSA-PEG-NPs tendered improved cytotoxicity and pharmacokinetic profile. Hence, 5-FU-rHSA-PEG-NPs must be further tested under stringent milieu for translating in to a clinical product.

Inhalable bioresponsive chitosan microspheres of doxorubicin and soluble curcumin augmented drug delivery in lung cancer cells.

In present investigation, doxorubicin (Dox) and soluble curcumin (Cur-2-HP-ß-CD-complex) combination was simultaneously loaded in inhalable bioresponsive chitosan microspheres (Dox/Cur-2-HP-ß-CD-complex-elastin-CMs) bearing a substrate-stimuli, elastin. The mean particle size and mean aerodynamic diameter of inhalable bioresponsive microspheres displayed noteworthy differences after incorporation of elastin. Moreover, combination of Dox and soluble curcumin was molecularly dispersed in microspheres matrix as substantiated by a range of spectral techniques. Inhalable bioresponsive microspheres released astonishingly higher amount of Dox in presence of elastase enzyme at pH∼5.5 in comparison to pH∼7.4. However, the release of soluble curcumin from tailored bioresponsive microspheres in presence of elastase enzyme was independent of pH. Consistently, inhalable bioresponsive microspheres exhibited outstandingly lower IC50 of 3.4-µM in comparison to 6.5-µM of inhalable drug loaded microspheres (Dox/Cur-2-HP-ß-CD-complex-CMs) bearing no elastin, against A549, non-small cell lung cancer cells. The superior therapeutic profile of inhalable bioresponsive microspheres may be attributed to enhanced drug release and consequently augmented drug exposure to A549 cells expressing elastase enzyme. In this way, stimuli triggered drug release from tailored inhalable bioresponsive microspheres boosted the phenomena of apoptosis in A549 cells. In conclusion, Dox/Cur-2-HP-ß-CD-complex-elastin-CMs warrant further in-vivo tumor regression study to prove its therapeutic efficacy.

Soluble telmisartan bearing poly (ethylene glycol) conjugated chitosan nanoparticles augmented drug delivery, cytotoxicity, apoptosis and cellular uptake in human cervical cancer cells.

Soluble telmisartan and telmisartan were loaded in to poly (ethylene-glycol) grafted chitosan nanoparticles (S-TEL-PEG-CNPs and TEL-PEG-CNPs) for targeting cervical cancer through non-invasive, intravaginal route. The mean particle size of S-TEL-PEG-CNPs was measured to be 23.4±5.9-nm significantly (P<0.05) higher than 16.2±3.2-nm of TEL-PEG-CNPs. In contrast, the zeta-potential (-21.5±4.6-mV) of S-TEL-PEG-CNPs was insignificantly (P>0.05) different from -23.8±3.7-mV of TEL-PEG-CNPs. In addition, S-TEL-PEG-CNPs exhibited higher percent mucoadhesiveness (40.2%) in comparison (P<0.05) to 31.4% of TEL-PEG-CNPs, although it was lower than CNPs (100%). S-TEL-PEG-CNPs displayed significantly (P<0.01) higher dissolution of drug, 92.5% in comparison to 31.6% from TEL-PEG-CNPs up to 24h. Furthermore, S-TEL-PEG-CNPs exhibited superior cytotoxicity, apoptosis and cellular uptake, analyzed in human cervical cancer, HeLa cells. The IC50 of S-TEL-PEG-CNPs was measured to be 22.3-µM significantly (P<0.05) lower than 40.1-µM of TEL-PEG-CNPs. S-TEL-PEG-CNPs induced higher extent of apoptosis (P<0.05) in HeLa cells as compared to TEL-PEG-CNPs, owing to higher diffusion of drug across biological membrane. Finally, quantitative and qualitative cellular uptake assay confirmed the greater endocytosis of S-TEL-PEG-CNPs in HeLa cells due to diffusion, amorphization, hydrophilicity, and submicron size particularly, below 100nm. In conclusion, S-TEL-PEG-CNPs warrant further in vivo tumour regression study to scale up the technology for clinical translation.

Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine Scaffold as Prospective Therapeutic Agents.

Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine is one of the most potential bicyclic 5-6 heterocyclic rings that is recognized as a "drug prejudice" scaffold due to its broad range of applications in medicinal chemistry such as anticancer, antimycobacterial, antileishmanial, anticonvulsant, antimicrobial, antiviral, antidiabetic, proton pump inhibitor, insecticidal activities. This scaffold has also been represented in various marketed preparations such as zolimidine, zolpidem, alpidem. Therefore, several attempts were made to carry out the structural modifications of this scaffold to discover and develop novel therapeutic agents. This review provides a valuable insight into the research findings of wide range of derivatives of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine scaffold leading to promising heterocyclic compounds which could be explored further for the synthesis of new derivatives as well as construction of potential drug-like chemical libraries for biological screening in search of new therapeutic agents.

Soluble curcumin amalgamated chitosan microspheres augmented drug delivery and cytotoxicity in colon cancer cells: In vitro and in vivo study.

In present investigation, initially curcumin was complexed with 2-HP-ß-CD (curcumin-2-HP-ß-CD-complex) in 1:1 ratio and later amalgamated with chitosan microspheres (curcumin-2-HP-ß-CD-CMs) for selective delivery in colon only through oral route of administration. Various analytical, spectral and in-silico docking techniques revealed that the curcumin was deeply inserted in the 2-HP-ß-CD cavity with apparent stability constant of 3.35×10-3M. Furthermore, the mean particle size of 6.8±2.6µm and +39.2±4.1mV surface charge of curcumin-2-HP-ß-CD-complex-CMs in addition to encapsulation efficiency of about 79.8±6.3% exhibited that the tailored microspheres were optimum for colon delivery of curcumin. This was also demonstrated in dissolution testing and standard cell proliferation assay in which curcumin-2-HP-ß-CD-complex-CMs exhibited maximum release in simulated colonic fluid (SCF, pH ∼7.0-8.0, almond emulsion-ß-glucosidase) with improved therapeutic index in HT-29 cells. Consistently, curcumin-2-HP-ß-CD-complex-CMs successively enhanced the colonic bio-distribution of curcumin by ∼8.36 folds as compared to curcumin suspension in preclinical pharmacokinetic studies. In conclusion, curcumin-2-HP-ß-CD-complex-CMs warrant further in vivo tumor regression study to establish its therapeutic efficacy in experimental colon cancer.

Protamine coated proliposomes of recombinant human insulin encased in Eudragit S100 coated capsule offered improved peptide delivery and permeation across Caco-2 cells.

In present investigation, recombinant human insulin loaded proliposomes and protamine sulphate coated proliposomes (rh insulin-proliposomes and Pt-rh insulin proliposomes) were encased in Eudragit S100 coated capsule to offer peptide release in simulated intestinal conditions. The particle size and zeta potential of Pt-rh insulin proliposomes were measured to be 583.2±10.2nm/+28.3±3.7mV significantly (P<0.05) higher than 569.7±14.9nm/-37.9±4.3mV and 534.6±24.6nm/-42.7±2.8mV of rh insulin proliposomes and proliposomes, respectively. Next, shape and surface morphology analysis pointed out the successful transformation of proliposomes in to spherical shaped liposomes. Furthermore, in vitro release study specified that free rh insulin solution encapsulated in uncoated gelatine capsule released 97.8% of peptide within 1h in SGF (pH~1.2). On other hand, rh insulin-proliposomes and Pt-rh insulin proliposomes encased in Eudragit S100 coated capsule released 93.2% and 81.6% of peptide, up to 24 h in SIF (pH~7.2). SDS-PAGE and circular dichroism (CD) ascertained the stability and intactness of isolated rh insulin from tailored dosage forms. In last, cellular uptake in Caco-2 cells indicating the superiority of Pt-rh insulin proliposomes in comparison to rh-insulin proliposomes and free rh insulin solution, respectively. In conclusion, Pt-rh insulin proliposomes displayed promising results and may be considered for further investigations.

Sigma-2 receptor ligand anchored telmisartan loaded nanostructured lipid particles augmented drug delivery, cytotoxicity, apoptosis and cellular uptake in prostate cancer cells.

Recently, the anticancer activity of telmisartan (TEL) has been discovered against prostate cancer. Nevertheless, despite favorable therapeutic profile, poor aqueous solubility and suboptimal oral bioavailability hamper the anticancer efficacy of TEL. Therefore, in this investigation, sigma-2 receptor ligand, 3-(4-cyclohexylpiperazine-1-yl) propyl amine (CPPA) anchored nanostructured lipid particles of telmisartan (CPPA-TEL-NLPs) were engineered using stearic acid for targeting prostate cancer, PC-3 cells. The mean particle size of TEL-NLPs was measured to be 25.4 ± 3.2 nm, significantly (p < 0.05) lower than 32.6 ± 5.3 nm of CPPA-TEL-NLPs. Correspondingly, the zeta-potential of TEL-NLPs was measured to be -15.4 ± 2.3 mV significantly (p < 0.05) higher than -9.6 ± 2.7 mV of CPPA-TEL-NLPs. The encapsulation efficiency of CPPA-TEL-NLPs was estimated to be 72.7 ± 4.3%, significantly (p < 0.05) lower than 77.5 ± 5.4%, displayed by TEL-NLPs. In addition, FT-IR and PXRD confirmed the molecular encapsulation of the drug in amorphous state. In vitro drug release study was conducted to determine the drug delivery potential of tailored nanoparticles. TEL-NLPs released 93.36% of drug significantly (p < 0.05) higher than 85.81%, released by CPPA-TEL-NLPs in 24 h. The IC50 of CPPA-TEL-NLPs was measured to be 20.3 µM significantly (p < 0.05) lower than 36.3 µM presented by TEL-NLPs in PC-3 cells. In contrast, CPPA-TEL-NLPs displayed the IC50 of 41.3 µM, significantly (p > 0.05) not different from 43.4 µM, exhibited by TEL-NLPs in PNT-2 cells. We elucidated that CPPA-TEL-NLPs entered the PC-3 cells via receptor mediated endocytosis pathway and thus exhibited superior cytotoxicity, apoptosis and greater extent of cellular uptake in PC-3 cells. In conclusion, CPPA-TEL-NLPs may be a promising nanomedicine and warrant further in vivo investigations for gaining clinical success.

Tetanus toxoid-loaded cationic non-aggregated nanostructured lipid particles triggered strong humoral and cellular immune responses.

In the present investigation, non-aggregated cationic and unmodified nanoparticles (TT-C-NLPs4 and TT-NLPs1) were prepared of about 49.2 ± 6.8-nm and 40.8 ± 8.3-nm, respectively. In addition, spherical shape, crystalline architecture and cationic charge were also noticed. Furthermore, integrity and conformational stability of TT were maintained in both TT-C-NLPs4 and TT-NLPs1, as evidenced by symmetrical position of bands and superimposed spectra, respectively in SDS-PAGE and circular dichroism. Cellular uptake in RAW264.7 cells indicating the concentration-dependent internalisation of nanoparticles. Qualitatively, CLSM exhibited enhanced cellular uptake of non-aggregated TT-C-NLPs4 owing to interaction with negatively charged plasma membrane and clevaloe mediated/independent endocytosis. In last, in vivo immunisation with non-aggregated TT-C-NLPs4 elicited strong humoral (anti-TT IgG) and cellular (IFN-γ) immune responses at day 42, as compared to non-aggregated TT-NLPs1 and TT-Alum following booster immunisation at day 14 and 28. Thus, non-aggregated cationic lipid nanoparticles may be a potent immune-adjuvant for parenteral delivery of weak antigens.

Intravaginal administration of metformin hydrochloride loaded cationic niosomes amalgamated with thermosensitive gel for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome: In vitro and in vivo studies.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Metformin hydrochloride (MTF-HCl) is extensively recommended by physicians for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Mechanistically, MTF-HCl activates AMP-dependent kinase-α (AMPK-α) pathway to decrease the glucose production, enhances fatty acid oxidation and elevates the uptake of glucose in tissues. However, despite favourable physicochemical properties, oral administration of MTF-HCl is associated with impaired bioavailability (50-60%), lactic-acidosis and frequent dosing (500mg 2-3 times a day) in PCOS that ultimately influence the patient compliance. Therefore, in present investigation, MTF-HCl loaded unmodified and cationic small unilamellar niosomes were separately amalgamated with thermosensitive gel (MTF-HCl-SUNs-Gel and MTF-HCl-C-SUNs-Gel) for the treatment of PCOS through vaginal route of administration. METHODS AND RESULTS: MTF-HCl-SUNs and MTF-HCl-C-SUNs were separately prepared by reverse phase evaporation method. The nanovesicle size and zeta-potential of MTF-HCl-C-SUNs were measured to be 210.3±14.8-nm (P<0.05) and +8.7±2.7-mV (P<0.001), significantly higher than 198.5±20.3-nm and -16.6±3.9-mV of MTF-HCl-SUNs, respectively. Moreover, promising results of in vitro characterization parameters like gelation time, gelling temperature, viscosity analysis, percent mucoadhesiveness and drug release of MTF-HCl-C-SUNs-Gel and MTF-HCl-SUNs-Gel ensured the candidature of tailored gels for further in vivo investigations. In this way, treatment of PCOS rats under scheduled dose-dosage regimen with oral MTF-HCl solution, intravaginal MTF-HCl-SUNs-Gel and intravaginal MTF-HCl-C-SUNs-gel exhibited remarkable alterations, recruitment and development of normal follicles in addition to normalization of level of various hormones in PCOS. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, MTF-C-SUNs-Gel has paved the way for developing intravaginal dosage form of MTF-HCl for the treatment of PCOS.

Vincristine sulfate loaded dextran microspheres amalgamated with thermosensitive gel offered sustained release and enhanced cytotoxicity in THP-1, human leukemia cells: In vitro and in vivo study.

Vincristine sulfate (VCS) is a drug of choice for the treatment of childhood and adult acute lymphocytic leukemia, Hodgkin's, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as well as solid tumors including sarcomas. However, poor biopharmaceutical and pharmacokinetic traits of VCS like short serum half-life (12 min), high dosing frequency (1.4 mg/m(2) per week for 4 weeks) and extensive protein binding (75%) limit the clinical potential of VCS in cancer therapy. In present investigation, injectable vincristine sulfate loaded dextran microspheres (VCS-Dextran-MSs) were prepared and amalgamated with chitosan-ß-glycerophosphate gel (VCS-Dextran-MSs-Gel) to surmount the biopharmaceutical and pharmacokinetic limitations of VCS that consequently induced synergistic sustained release pattern of the drug. Particle size and zeta-potential of VCS-Dextran-MSs were measured to be 6.8 ± 2.4 µm and -18.3 ± 0.11 mV along with the encapsulation efficiency of about 60.4 ± 4.5%. Furthermore, VCS-Dextran-MSs and VCS-Dextran-MSs-Gel exhibited slow release pattern and 94.7% and 95.8% of the drug was released in 72 h and 720 h, respectively. Results from cell viability assay and pharmacokinetic as well as histopathological analysis in mice indicated that VCS-Dextran-MSs-Gel offers superior therapeutic potential and higher AUClast than VCS-Dextran-MSs and drug solution. In conclusion, VCS-Dextran-MSs-Gel warrants further preclinical tumor growth study to scale up the technology.