Current understanding and future directions of cruciferous vegetables and their phytochemicals to combat neurological diseases.

Neurological disorders incidences are increasing drastically due to complex pathophysiology, and the nonavailability of disease-modifying agents. Several attempts have been made to identify new potential chemicals to combat these neurological abnormalities. At present, complete abolishment of neurological diseases is not attainable except for symptomatic relief. However, dietary recommendations to help brain development or improvement have increased over the years. In recent times, cruciferous vegetables and their phytochemicals have been identified from preclinical and clinical investigations as potential neuroprotective agents. The present review highlights the beneficial effects and molecular mechanisms of phytochemicals such as indole-3-carbinol, diindolylmethane, sulforaphane, kaempferol, selenium, lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamins of cruciferous vegetables against neurological diseases including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, Huntington's disease, autism spectra disorders, anxiety, depression, and pain. Most of these cruciferous phytochemicals protect the brain by eliciting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties. Regular dietary intake of cruciferous vegetables may benefit the prevention and treatment of neurological diseases. The present review suggests that there is a lacuna in identifying the clinical efficacy of these phytochemicals. Therefore, high-quality future studies should firmly establish the efficacy of the above-mentioned cruciferous phytochemicals in clinical settings.

WNT-ß Catenin Signaling as a Potential Therapeutic Target for Neurodegenerative Diseases: Current Status and Future Perspective.

Wnt/ß-catenin (WßC) signaling pathway is an important signaling pathway for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis from the embryonic developmental stages to adulthood. The canonical pathway of WßC signaling is essential for neurogenesis, cell proliferation, and neurogenesis, whereas the noncanonical pathway (WNT/Ca2+ and WNT/PCP) is responsible for cell polarity, calcium maintenance, and cell migration. Abnormal regulation of WßC signaling is involved in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS), and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Hence, the alteration of WßC signaling is considered a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease. In the present review, we have used the bibliographical information from PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus to address the current prospects of WßC signaling role in the abovementioned neurodegenerative diseases.

The use of novel tools for the assessment of powders and granules flow properties and for the analysis of minitablets compression process.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to apply the rheological measurements to assess the flow properties of powders and granules and to compare the results with the standard pharmacopeial tests. Quality by design approach was utilized to better understand the compression of the solids into minitablets.Significance: Insights are provided regarding the methodology of rheological properties of powders and granules using powder flow analyzer (PFA). The 'six sigma' approach was presented as a tool for assessment of the minitablets manufacturing process.Methods: Pharmacopeial methods and rheological tests using PFA were performed to assess the flow properties of designed powder and fractionated granule mixtures - placebo and with benzodiazepines. Compression of 2.5 and 3 mm minitablets was carried out and the compression force registered during the process and weight uniformity were statistically analyzed by calculating the capability indices.Results: The flow rate measurement and cohesion test (PFA test) resulted in the best differentiation between mixtures. Higher values of capability indices were obtained for processes in which granule mixtures with better flow properties were compressed and 3 mm minitablets were produced and the usefulness of QbD tools in assessment of minitablets compression process was confirmed.Conclusion: Performed study showed that the flow properties are the critical quality attributes determining the performance of minitablets compression. The cohesion test is the most discriminative to distinguish the analyzed mixtures. Capability indices can be used to assess the manufacturing process as a useful tool in pharmaceutical development of minitablets.

Microneedle-assisted transdermal delivery of Zolmitriptan: effect of microneedle geometry, in vitro permeation experiments, scaling analyses and numerical simulations.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of salient microneedle (MN) geometry parameters like length, density, shape and type on transdermal permeation enhancement of Zolmitriptan (ZMT). METHODS: Two types of MN devices viz. AdminPatch® arrays (ADM) (0.6, 0.9, 1.2 and 1.5 mm lengths) and laboratory fabricated polymeric MNs (PM) of 0.6 mm length were employed. In the case of PMs, arrays were applied thrice at different places within a 1.77 cm2 skin area (PM-3) to maintain the MN density closer to 0.6 mm ADM. Scaling analyses was done using dimensionless parameters like concentration of ZMT (Ct/Cs), thickness (h/L) and surface area of the skin (Sa/L2). RESULTS: Micro-injection molding technique was employed to fabricate PM. Histological studies revealed that the PM, owing to their geometry/design, formed wider and deeper microconduits when compared to ADM of similar length. Approximately 3.17- and 3.65-fold increase in ZMT flux values were observed with 1.5 mm ADM and PM-3 applications when compared to the passive studies. Good correlations were observed between different dimensionless parameters with scaling analyses. Numerical simulations, using MATLAB and COMSOL software, based on experimental data and histological images provided information regarding the ZMT skin distribution after MN application. DISCUSSION: Both from experimental studies and simulations, it was inferred that PM were more effective in enhancing the transdermal delivery of ZMT when compared to ADM. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that MN application enhances the ZMT transdermal permeation and the geometrical parameters of MNs play an important role in the degree of such enhancement.

Lidocaine-loaded fish scale-nanocellulose biopolymer composite microneedles.

Microneedle (MN) technology has emerged as an effective drug delivery system, and it has tremendous potential as a patient friendly substitute for conventional methods for transdermal drug delivery (TDD). In this paper, we report on the preparation of lidocaine-loaded biodegradable microneedles, which are manufactured from fish scale-derived collagen. Lidocaine, a common tissue numbing anaesthetic, is loaded in these microneedles with an aim of delivering the drug with controlled skin permeation. Evaluation of lidocaine permeation in porcine skin has been successfully performed using Franz diffusion cell (FDC) which has shown that the drug permeation rate increases from 2.5 to 7.5% w/w after 36 h and pseudo steady state profile is observed from 5.0 to 10.0% w/w lidocaine-loaded microneedle. Swelling experiments have suggested that the microneedles have negligible swellability which implies that the patch would stick to the tissue when inserted. The experiments on MN dissolution have depicted that the lidocaine loaded in the patch is lower than the theoretical loading, which is expected as there can be losses of the drug during initial process manufacture.

Effect of microneedles on transdermal permeation enhancement of amlodipine.

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of microneedle (MN) geometry parameters like length, density, shape and type on transdermal permeation enhancement of amlodipine (AMLO). Two types of MN devices viz. AdminPatch® arrays (ADM) (0.6, 1.2 and 1.5 mm lengths) and laboratory-fabricated polymeric MNs (PM) of 0.6 mm length were employed. In the case of PMs, arrays were applied thrice at different places within a 1.77-cm2 skin area (PM-3) to maintain the MN density closer to 0.6 mm ADM. Scaling analyses were done using dimensionless parameters like concentration of AMLO (Ct/Cs), thickness (h/L) and surface area of the skin (Sa/L2). Microinjection moulding technique was employed to fabricate PM. Histological studies revealed that the PM, owing to their geometry/design, formed wider and deeper microconduits when compared to ADM of similar length. Approximately 6.84- and 6.11-fold increase in the cumulative amount (48 h) of AMLO permeated was observed with 1.5 mm ADM and PM-3 treatments respectively, when compared to passive permeation amounts. Good correlations (R 2 > 0.89) were observed between different dimensionless parameters with scaling analyses. The enhancement in AMLO permeation was found to be in the order of 1.5 mm ADM ≥ PM-3 > 1.2 mm ADM > 0.6 mm ADM ≥PM-1 > passive. The study suggests that MN application enhances the AMLO transdermal permeation and the geometrical parameters of MNs play an important role in the degree of such enhancement.

Effect of Microneedle Type on Transdermal Permeation of Rizatriptan.

The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of salient microneedle (MN) geometry parameters like length, density, shape and type on transdermal permeation of rizatriptan (RIZ). Studies were carried out using two types of MN devices viz. AdminPatch® arrays (ADM) (0.6, 0.9, 1.2 and 1.5 mm lengths) and laboratory-fabricated polymeric MNs (PMs) of 0.6 mm length. In the case of the PMs, arrays were applied three times at different places within a 1.77-cm2 skin area (PM-3) to maintain the MN density closer to 0.6 mm ADM. Histological studies revealed that PM, owing to their geometry/design, formed wider and deeper microconduits when compared to ADM of similar length. Approximately 4.9- and 4.2-fold increases in the RIZ steady-state flux values were observed with 1.5 mm ADM and PM-3 applications when compared to the passive studies. A good correlation between different dimensionless parameters like the amount of RIZ permeated (C t /C s), thickness (h/L) and surface area (S a/L 2) of the skin was observed with scaling analyses. Numerical simulations provided further information regarding the distribution of RIZ in MN-treated skin after application of different MNs. Overall, the study suggests that MN application enhances the RIZ transdermal permeation and the geometrical parameters of MNs play an important role in the degree enhancement.

Application of Microneedle Arrays for Enhancement of Transdermal Permeation of Insulin: In Vitro Experiments, Scaling Analyses and Numerical Simulations.

The aim of this investigation is to study the effect of donor concentration and microneedle (MN) length on permeation of insulin and further evaluating the data using scaling analyses and numerical simulations. Histological evaluation of skin sections was carried to evaluate the skin disruption and depth of penetration by MNs. Scaling analyses were done using dimensionless parameters like concentration of drug (C t/C s), thickness (h/L) and surface area of the skin (S a/L (2)). Simulation studies were carried out using MATLAB and COMSOL software to simulate the insulin permeation using histological sections of MN-treated skin and experimental parameters like passive diffusion coefficient. A 1.6-fold increase in transdermal flux and 1.9-fold decrease in lag time values were observed with 1.5 mm MN when compared with passive studies. Good correlation (R (2) > 0.99) was observed between different parameters using scaling analyses. Also, the in vitro and simulated permeations profiles were found to be similar (f 2 ≥ 50). Insulin permeation significantly increased with increase in donor concentration and MN length (p < 0.05). The developed scaling correlations and numerical simulations were found to be accurate and would help researchers to predict the permeation of insulin with new dimensions of MN in optimizing insulin delivery. Overall, it can be inferred that the application of MNs can significantly enhance insulin permeation and may be an efficient alternative for injectable insulin therapy in humans.

In Vitro Skin Permeation Enhancement of Sumatriptan by Microneedle Application.

Different dimensions of commercially available microneedle devices, namely, Admin- Patch(®) microneedle arrays (MN) (0.6, 0.9, 1.2 and 1.5 mm lengths) and Dermaroller(®) microneedle rollers (DR) (0.5 and 1mm lengths) were evaluated for their relative efficiency in enhancement of transdermal permeation of Sumatriptan (SMT). Solubility assessment of SMT was carried out using propylene glycol (PG), polyethylene glycol (PEG) in combination with saline (S) at different ratios and the order of solubility was found to be 70:30 > 80:20 > 90:10 %v/v in both PG:S and PEG:S. In vitro skin permeation studies were performed using PG:S (70:30 %v/v) as donor vehicle. A significant increase in cumulative amount of SMT permeated, steady state flux, permeability coefficient and diffusion coefficient values were observed after microneedle treatment, and the values were in the order of 1.5mm MN >1.2mm MN >0.9mm MN >1mm DR >0.6mm MN >0.5mm DR > passive permeation. Lag times were significantly shorter after longer microneedle application (0.24h for 1.5mm MN). Arrays were found to be superior to rollers with similar microneedle lengths in enhancing SMT permeation and may be attributed to higher density of microneedles and force of application onto skin. The in vitro flux values revealed that 2.5cm(2) area patch is sufficient for effective therapy after treatment of skin with 1.5mm MN. It may be inferred that microneedle application significantly enhances the transdermal penetration of SMT and that it may be feasible to deliver clinically relevant therapeutic levels of SMT using microneedle assisted transdermal delivery systems.

Development and Evaluation of Mouth Dissolving Films of Amlodipine Besylate for Enhanced Therapeutic Efficacy.

The present investigation was undertaken with an objective of formulating mouth dissolving films (MDFs) of Amlodipine Besylate (AMLO) to enhance convenience and compliance of the elderly and pediatric patients for better therapeutic efficacy. Film formers like hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) and methyl cellulose (MC) along with film modifiers like poly vinyl pyrrolidone K30 (PVP K30), and sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) as solubilizing agents were evaluated. The prepared MDFs were evaluated for in vitro dissolution characteristics, in vitro disintegration time, and their physicomechanical properties. All the prepared MDFs showed good mechanical properties like tensile strength, folding endurance, and % elongation. MDFs were evaluated by means of FTIR, SEM, and X-RD studies. MDFs with 7.5% (w/w) of HPMC E3 gave better dissolution properties when compared to HPMC E5, HPMC E15, and MC. MDFs with PVP K30 and SLS gave superior dissolution properties when compared to MDFs without PVP K30 and SLS. The dissolution properties of MDFs with PVP K30 were superior when compared to MDFs with SLS. In the case of F3 containing 7.5% of HPMC E3 and 0.04% of PVP K30, complete and faster release was observed within 60 sec when compared to other formulations. Release kinetics data reveals diffusion is the release mechanism.

Preparation and Evaluation of Valsartan Liquid Filling Formulations for Soft Gels.

The present investigation includes the preparation of liquid filling formulations for soft gels using an antihypertensive drug, valsartan (VAL), in order to improve its dissolution properties and thereby its bioavailability. Formulations were prepared using excipients like polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400), propylene glycol (PG), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP K-30), antioxidants, ethanol, and purified water. Prepared formulations were evaluated for appearance, pH, drug content percentage, viscosity, stability, and in vitro dissolution studies. The compatibility between the drug and excipients in formulations was confirmed by FTIR spectra. The drug contents were in the range of 99.62-99.63 and the viscosity was in the range of 60.9-591.7 cps with all the formulations developed. Formulations containing 10 mg PVP K 30 gave better dissolution properties when compared to formulations without PVP K 30, and a complete drug dissolution was observed within 10 min and followed the first-order release kinetics. Stability studies were conducted for selected formulations (F4-F9) for a period of 6 months at room temperature (~30°C/65% RH). From the studies, it can be concluded that VAL liquid filling formulations for soft gels were successfully prepared with in vitro dissolution properties superior when compared to VAL itself.

Tablet formulation studies on nimesulide and meloxicam-cyclodextrin binary systems.

The objective of this work was to develop tablet formulations of nimesulide-beta-cyclodextrin (NI-beta-CD) and meloxicam-gamma-cyclodextrin (ME-gamma-CD) binary systems. In the case of nimesulide, 3 types of binary systems--physical mixtures, kneaded systems, and coevaporated systems--were studied. In the case of meloxicam, 2 types of binary systems--physical mixtures and kneaded systems--were investigated. Both drug-CD binary systems were prepared at 1:1 and 1:2 molar ratio (1:1M and 1:2M) and used in formulation studies. The tablet formulations containing drug-CD binary systems prepared by the wet granulation and direct compression methods showed superior dissolution properties when compared with the formulations of the corresponding pure drug formulations. Overall, the dissolution properties of tablet formulations prepared by the direct compression method were superior to those of tablets prepared by the wet granulation method. Selected tablet formulations showed good stability with regard to drug content, disintegration time, hardness, and in vitro dissolution properties over 6 months at 40 degrees C +/- 2 degrees C and 75% relative humidity.

In vitro release studies on matrix type transdermal drug delivery systems of naltrexone and its acetyl prodrug.

Matrix type acrylic adhesive transdermal patches of naltrexone (NTX) and its 3-O-acetyl ester prodrug were prepared and evaluated for drug content, thickness, and in vitro release characteristics. Among the four DURO-TAK adhesive polymers (87-2516, 87-2054, 87-2501, and 87-2582) tested, 87-2516 proved to be the most suitable and compatible polymer for the transdermal delivery of NTX from NTX and prodrug patches. A linear relationship was observed for release flux (F) and cumulative amount (Mt) values versus 1%, 2%, and 3% drug loading at equimolar levels. The release of NTX from the patches showed a good correlation (R2>0.99) for Mt vs. square root t profiles, indicating that a Higuchian matrix diffusion mechanism of drug release from the transdermal adhesive patches was obtained. Overall, the amounts of NTX released from the prodrug patches were significantly higher than from the NTX patches, at all three drug loading levels.

Transdermal delivery of naltrexone and its active metabolite 6-beta-naltrexol in human skin in vitro and guinea pigs in vivo.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the transdermal delivery of 6-beta-naltrexol (NTXOL), the active metabolite of naltrexone (NTX), across human skin and guinea pig skin in vitro and in hairless guinea pigs in vivo. NTXOL may be responsible for much of NTX's pharmacologic activity. In vitro diffusion studies on NTXOL were compared with similar studies on NTX using a formulation of propylene glycol and buffer in a flow-through diffusion cell system. In vivo guinea pig studies were carried out involving topical application of both drugs in patches containing identical formulations. The in vitro flux of NTX was about 2.3- and 5.6-fold higher than for NTXOL across guinea pig skin and human skin, respectively. NTXOL lag times were longer than NTX in both skin types. In vivo studies in guinea pigs showed that the steady-state plasma level of NTX was twofold greater than NTXOL, which correlated well with in vitro data. The results of the present study indicated that substantial levels of NTX and NTXOL could be delivered via the transdermal route, although the plasma levels of NTXOL were significantly less than NTX. Further transdermal formulation development will be investigated for permeation enhancement.

Development and validation of a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method for the quantitation of naltrexone and 6beta-naltrexol in guinea pig plasma.

A quantitative liquid chromatographic-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry method for the determination of naltrexone and 6beta-naltrexol in guinea pig plasma has been developed and validated using naloxone as an internal standard. A single step precipitation-extraction technique was carried out to extract the plasma samples using acetonitrile:ethyl acetate (1:1, v/v). The chromatographic separation was performed on a C(18) column using a mobile phase consisting of 35:65 (v/v) acetonitrile:2 mM ammonium acetate with 0.01 mM ammonium citrate at a flow rate of 0.25 mL/min. The analyte was detected after positive electrospray ionization using selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. The mean recoveries for naltrexone, naltrexol, and naloxone were 91.7, 89.3, and 99.0%, respectively. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) for naltrexone and 6beta-naltrexol was 1.25 ng/mL, and the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.75 ng/mL. The method was applied to a pharmacokinetic study in order to assess the drug disposition of naltrexone in guinea pigs.

Physicochemical characterization and dissolution properties of nimesulide-cyclodextrin binary systems.

The objective of this work is physicochemical characterization of nimesulide-cyclodextrin binary systems both in solution and solid state and to improve the dissolution properties of nimesulide (N) via complexation with alpha-, beta, and gamma-cyclodextrins (CDs). Detection of inclusion complexation was done in solution by means of phase solubility analysis, mass spectrometry, and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopic studies, and in solid state using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder x-ray diffractometry (X-RD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and in vitro dissolution studies. Phase solubility, mass spectrometry and 1H-NMR studies in solution revealed 1:1 M complexation of N with all CDs. A true inclusion of N with beta-CD at 1:2 M in solid state was confirmed by DSC, powder X-RD and SEM studies. Dissolution properties of N-CD binary systems were superior when compared to pure N.