Harnessing polyelectrolyte complexes for precision cancer targeting: a comprehensive review.

Polyelectrolytes represent a unique class of polymers abundant in ionizable functional groups. In a solution, ionized polyelectrolytes can intricately bond with oppositely charged counterparts, giving rise to a fascinating phenomenon known as a polyelectrolyte complex. These complexes arise from the interaction between oppositely charged entities, such as polymers, drugs, and combinations thereof. The polyelectrolyte complexes are highly appealing in cancer management, play an indispensable role in chemotherapy, crafting biodegradable, biocompatible 3D membranes, microcapsules, and nano-sized formulations. These versatile complexes are pivotal in designing controlled and targeted release drug delivery systems. The present review emphasizes on classification of polyelectrolyte complex along with their formation mechanisms. This review comprehensively explores the applications of polyelectrolyte complex, highlighting their efficacy in targeted drug delivery strategies for combating different forms of cancer. The innovative use of polyelectrolyte complex presents a potential breakthrough in cancer therapeutics, demonstrating their role in enhancing treatment precision and effectiveness.

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Curcumin-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles in the Management of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes Mellitus: Application of Central Composite Design.

Due to poor bioavailability and chemical instability, the effectiveness of curcumin is negligible in the treatment of numerous diseases. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) increase the bioavailability of lipophilic compounds and protect the drug from gastrointestinal degradation. The objective of our study is the utilization of SLNs to improve the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of curcumin in the management of diabetes mellitus. Central composite design was used to prepare curcumin-loaded SLNs (Cur-SLN). The analysis of independent variables like drug concentration, lipid concentration, and surfactant concentration was carried out using analysis of variance (ANOVA) to obtain the optimized batch (optimized Cur-SLN) having the desired values of dependent variables particle size and entrapment efficiency. In vitro release, differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) studies of optimized Cur-SLN were carried out and then its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies were performed. The model was found to be significant for particle size and entrapment efficiency based on F-value and p-value. The optimized batch's predicted values were in close agreement with the actual values of particle size and entrapment efficiency. TEM results confirm mono-dispersion and spherical shape of particles in the formulation. The DSC results confirmed the changing of drug from crystalline to amorphous form. Burst release followed by the sustained release was obtained in the in vitro release studies. The pharmacokinetic study shows enhanced bioavailability of optimized Cur-SLN compared with a plain drug suspension. The optimized Cur-SLN achieved higher antidiabetic activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus rats than the plain drug suspension. SLNs can be used as a promising technique for delivering curcumin in the management of diabetes mellitus.

Design and Optimization of Febuxostat-loaded Nano Lipid Carriers Using Full Factorial Design.

OBJECTIVES: This work aims to develop nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) to improve the oral bioavailability of febuxostat (FEB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: High shear homogenization, a well-known technique, followed by bath sonication with slight modifications was used to prepare FEB-loaded NLCs using oleic acid as liquid lipid and stearic acid as solid lipid. A total of 3² full factorial design was utilized to examine the effect of 2 independent variables, namely, X1 (liquid to solid lipid ratio) and X2 (surfactant concentration) on the Y1 (particle size) and Y2 (% entrapment efficiency) of the drug. The prepared NLCs were evaluated for particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, and (%) entrapment efficiency. RESULTS: The drug's highest solubility was found in the stearic (solid lipid) and oleic acid (liquid lipid), which were further chosen for NLC preparation. Result of the present study showed an increase in entrapment efficiency and a decrease in particle size with the increase in liquid lipid to solid lipid ratio. With increased surfactant concentration, a small particle size is observed. The optimized formulation's particle size and (%) entrapment efficiency was found to be 99 nm and 80%, respectively. The formulations' zeta potential and polydispersity index were found within the range. Compared to plain drug suspension, the optimized formulation showed higher drug release, which may be due to the presence of the higher amount of liquid lipid. The particles shown in the transmission electron microscopy were round in shape and have smooth surface. Stability studies showed that the NLC formulation can be stored for a longer time period under room condition. CONCLUSION: FEB-loaded NLC were successfully prepared using full 3² factorial design, and can be further used for oral delivery of FEB for gout treatment.

Method Development and Validation of UV Spectrophotometric Method for the Quantitative Estimation of Curcumin in Simulated Nasal Fluid.

BACKGROUND: Curcumin is a polyphenolic compound with numerous therapeutic activities. There is no validated method available for the quantitative estimation of curcumin in simulated nasal fluid. OBJECTIVE: The aim of present investigation was to develop a simple and precise UV visible spectrophotometric method for estimation of pure form of curcumin in simulated nasal fluid. METHOD: Suitable solvent system was selected by estimation of curcumin at UV maxima of 421nm in simulated nasal fluid with two surfactants (tween 80 and sodium lauryl sulphate). The double beam UV visible spectrophotometer was used for measurement of absorption. The selected solvent system was further validated according to guidelines of international conference on harmonization (ICH), the analytical parameter like linearity, precision and accuracy etc. were studied. RESULTS: Simulated nasal fluid with tween 80 at 1% concentration satisfied all the conditions relative to Peak quality at the stated wavelength. In developed method, curcumin was found to be linear over selected concentration range of 5 to 60µg/ml with a correlation coefficient of 0.998. The accuracy was found to be in range of 99.51 -100.223%.The precision was found to be less than 2 in terms of % RSD. The LOD & LOQ were 0.3657 & 1.109 respectively. CONCLUSION: The proposed method was found to be simple, sensitive and precise. The most important this method can be used for routine quality control analysis of curcumin with accuracy.