Formulation and Characterization of Polymeric Cross-Linked Hydrogel Patches for Topical Delivery of Antibiotic for Healing Wound Infections.

Wound healing faces significant challenges in clinical settings. It often contains a series of dynamic and complex physiological healing processes. Instead of creams, ointments and solutions, alternative treatment approaches are needed. The main objective of the study was to formulate bacitracin zinc-loaded topical patches as a new therapeutic agent for potential wound healing. A free radical polymerization technique was optimized for synthesis. Polyethylene glycol-8000 (PEG-8000) was chemically cross-linked with acrylic acid in aqueous medium, using Carbopol 934 as a permeation enhancer and tween 80 as surfactant. Ammonium persulfate and N,N'-Methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) were utilized as initiator and cross-linker. FTIR, DSC, TGA, and SEM were performed, and patches were evaluated for swelling dynamics, sol-gel analysis, in vitro drug release in various media. A Franz diffusion cell was used for the permeation study. Irritation and wound healing with the drug-loaded patches were also studied. The characterization studies confirmed the formation of a cross-linked hydrogel network. The highest swelling and drug release were observed in formulations containing highest Polyethylene glycol-8000 and lowest N,N'-Methylenebisacrylamide concentrations. The pH-sensitive behavior of patches was also confirmed as more swelling, drug release and drug permeation across skin were observed at pH 7.4. Fabricated patches showed no sign of irritation or erythema as evaluated by the Draize scale. Faster wound healing was also observed with fabricated patches compared to marketed formulations. Therefore, such a polymeric network can be a promising technology for speeding up wound healing and minor skin injuries through enhanced drug deposition.

Preparation of Spilanthes acmella based emulgel: Antimicrobial study and evaluation.

SSTIs (Skin and soft tissue infections) are the most commonly occurring infections among all age groups. This study aimed to create an herbal emulgel for the treatment of bacterial skin infections as many bacteria have developed strong resistance against antibiotics. Spilanthe acmella plant extract contains spilanthol which has strong anti-bacterial properties. Methanolic S. acmella extract-based emulgels being promising drug delivery systems have been evaluated for various parameters like physical characteristics, viscosity, pH, spreading coefficient, Bioadhesive strength determination, Extrudability, antioxidant and antibacterial activity. 200µg/100µl exhibited the highest antioxidative activity 60.01±0.28% radical scavenging activity. MIC values of pure extract found in the range of 0.83±0.21 to 1.66±0.41µg/100µl, MBC values found in the range of 1.66±0.41 to 3.33±0.83µg/100µl for all strains of bacteria. Statistically significant antibacterial activity of all extract containing emulgels was observed against S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, E. coli p-value = 0.00, while maximum antibacterial effect all formulations have produaced zone of inhibitions against E. Coli p-value = 0.00. The current study thus suggests the use of S. acmella extract-based emulgel for the treatment of bacterial skin infections caused by S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and E. coli.

Once daily controlled release matrix tablet of Prochlorperazine maleate: influence of Ethocel® and/or Methocel® on in vitro drug release and bioavailability.

CONTEXT: Controlled release (CR) matrix tablet of Prochlorperazine maleate was developed to improve its patient compliance. METHODS: Tablet formulations F1, F2 and F3 based on different concentrations of Methocel(®) K100 LV-CR Premium, were compacted by direct compression method while tablet formulations F4, F5 and F6, based on distinct blends of Methocel(®) K100 LV-CR Premium and Ethocel(®) Standard 7FP Premium, were compressed by flow-bound dry granulation-slugging method. The prepared powder mixtures, granules and tablets were evaluated for their physicochemical performance. Bioequivalence study of the optimized test tablet versus reference-conventional Stemitil(®) tablet was conducted on rabbits, using HPLC-UV system at λ(max) 254 nm. RESULTS: The test tablet, containing 28% Methocel(®) and 58% Ethocel(®) (F6) exhibited desired zero order kinetics for 24 h and was found stable at accelerated storage conditions for 6 months. In vitro drug release rate decreased as the Ethocel(®) content in the blend was increased, perhaps due to slower penetrability of water. Hydrodynamic conditions and hardness of tablets could not affect drug release kinetics. The tablet displayed significantly (p < 0.05) optimized peak drug concentration-C(max) (45 ± 3.42 vs. 64.5 ± 4.03), extended half life-t(1/2) (16.071 ± 3.97 vs. 5.257 ± 1.314 h) and bioequivalence to the reference tablet taken three times a day (1409 ± 15 ng·h/mL vs. 1346 ± 23 ng h/mL). The tablet showed strong Level A correlation (R(2) = 0.8458) between drug absorbed in vivo and drug released in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: The developed tablet may be adopted by pharmaceutical industry to improve patient compliance of the Prochlorperazine maleate.

Physicochemical characterization of artemether solid dispersions with hydrophilic carriers by freeze dried and melt methods.

Solid dispersions of artemether (ARM), a poorly soluble drug, were prepared using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVPK25, MW 25000) and polyethyleneglycol (PEG4000, MW 4000) as excipients. These dispersions were studied by physical mixture, freeze-drying, and melting methods. They were characterized by X-ray diffraction pattern, fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry, differential scanning calorimetery, and dissolution studies. X-ray diffraction pattern revealed the complete crystalline nature of artemether, whereas physical mixtures, melt mixtures (MM), and freeze-dried solid dispersions (FDSD) of ARM-PVP and ARM-PEG showed reduced peak intensities with increased PVP/PEG content. PEG showed lower decreases in intensity than PVP preparations. Differential scanning calorimetery also confirmed this finding by showing either a small or absent endotherm. Red shifts in O-H stretching vibrations of ARM were higher in the MM of ARM-PVP than its FDSD as exhibited by fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry. The carbonyl peak of PEG was blue shifted in MM and FDSD, whereas the C=O peak of PVP was red shifted in FDSD and MM, indicating different H-bonding by PEG and PVP with ARM. The rate of dissolution (phosphate buffer at pH 4.5) was improved up to 4-fold in MM and FDSD compared to artemether, and up to 50% compared to physical mixtures. The preparation of solid dispersions influenced the rate of dissolution at various drug-carrier ratios, i.e., the dissolution order of 1:1-1:4 ratio was MM > FDSD; FDSD > MM at 1:6-1:8 ratios of both ARM-PVP and ARM-PEG; and FDSD of ARM-PEG > FDSD of ARM-PVP > MM of ARM-PEG > MM of ARM-PVP at a 1:10 ratio.