Novel Thermosensitive and Mucoadhesive Nasal Hydrogel Containing 5-MeO-DMT Optimized Using Box-Behnken Experimental Design.

We present the development and characterization of a nasal drug delivery system comprised of a thermosensitive mucoadhesive hydrogel based on a mixture of the polymers Poloxamer 407, Poloxamer 188 and Hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose, and the psychedelic drug 5-methoxy-N,-N-dimethyltryptamine. The development relied on a 3 × 3 Box-Behnken experimental design, focusing on optimizing gelification temperature, viscosity and mucoadhesion. The primary objective of this work was to tailor the formulation for efficient nasal drug delivery. This would increase contact time between the hydrogel and the mucosa while preserving normal ciliary functioning. Following optimization, the final formulation underwent characterization through an examination of the in vitro drug release profile via dialysis under sink conditions. Additionally, homogeneity of its composition was assessed using Raman Confocal Spectroscopy. The results demonstrate complete mixing of drug and polymers within the hydrogel matrix. Furthermore, the formulation exhibits sustained release profile, with 73.76% of the drug being delivered after 5 h in vitro. This will enable future studies to assess the possibility of using this formulation to treat certain mental disorders. We have successfully developed a promising thermosensitive and mucoadhesive hydrogel with a gelling temperature of around 32 °C, a viscosity close to 100 mPas and a mucoadhesion of nearly 4.20 N·m.

Optimization and synthesis of etoricoxib-loaded low molecular weight chitosan nanoparticles / Otimização e síntese de nanopartículas de quitosana de baixo peso molecular carregadas com etoricoxib

This study reports the optimization of the preparation of etoricoxib (ETX)-loaded low molecular weight of chitosan (LMWC) nanoparticles (ETX-LMWC-NPs) by ionic gelation method with sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) as cross-linking agent. The independent variables (LMWC/TPP mass ratio, LMWC, and poloxamer 188 concentration) were formulated and optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) Box-Behnken design (BBD) with three levels for each factor. Size of particles, polydispersity index (PDI), and encapsulation efficiency was investigated as the dependent variable. ETX-LMWC-NPs were characterized by particle size analyzer, scanning electron microscope, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, and Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy. The ETX-LMWC-NPs have an average particle size of 259.91 nm, a PDI of 0.041, and encapsulation efficiency of 51.25%. ETX-LMWC-NPs are spherical and have a spectrum at wavenumber 1656 cm-1 and 718 cm-1, respectively, indicating the presence of C=N and C-Cl originating from the ETX compound. The ETX release profile at pH 1.2 and 6.8 mediums approach the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. ETX released pH 1.2 did not differ significantly from free ETX with a maximum 10-12% release. ETX release at pH 6.8 had a maximum release of 21% and showed a 19% increase in dissolution rate than free ETX. The ETX-LMWC-CSNPs prepared by optimum formula (2.65 % LMWC, 5.5 LMWC/TPP mass ratio, and 1 mg/mL) showed stable monodispersity nanoparticles and easily soluble in water.

Este experimento relata a otimização da preparação de nanopartículas de quitosana de baixo peso molecular (LMWC) (ETX-LMWC-NPs) carregadas com etoricoxibe (ETX) pelo método de gelificação iônica com tripolifosfato de sódio (TPP) como agente de reticulação. As variáveis ​​independentes (razão de massa LMWC / TPP, LMWC e concentração de poloxamer 188) foram formuladas e otimizadas usando metodologia de superfície de resposta (RSM) projeto Box-Behnken (BBD) com três níveis para cada fator. Tamanho das partículas, índice de polidispersidade (PDI) e eficiência de encapsulação foram investigados como a variável dependente. ETX-LMWC-NPs foram caracterizados por analisador de tamanho de partícula, microscópio eletrônico de varredura, espectrofotometria UV-Vis e espectroscopia de infravermelho com transformada de Fourier. Os ETX-LMWC-NPs têm um tamanho médio de partícula de 259,91 nm, um PDI de 0,041 e eficiência de encapsulação de 51,25%. ETX-LMWC-NPs são esféricos e apresentam um espectro no número de onda 1656 cm-1 e 718 cm-1, respectivamente, indicando a presença de C = N e C-Cl originários do composto ETX. O perfil de liberação de ETX em meios de pH 1,2 e 6,8 se aproxima do modelo Korsmeyer-Peppas. O ETX liberado em pH 1,2 não diferiu significativamente do ETX livre com uma liberação máxima de 10-12%. A liberação de ETX em pH 6,8 teve uma liberação máxima de 21% e mostrou um aumento de 19% na taxa de dissolução do que o ETX livre. Os ETX-LMWC-CSNPs preparados pela fórmula ótima (2,65% LMWC, 5,5 LMWC / razão de massa TPP e 1 mg / mL) mostraram nanopartículas de monodispersidade estáveis ​​e facilmente solúveis em água.

Poloxamer 188-Coated Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer Nanocarriers Enhance Loperamide Permeability across Pgp-Expressing Epithelia.

Loperamide is a µ-opioid agonist with poor gastrointestinal absorption, mainly because of its modest aqueous solubility and being a P-glycoprotein (Pgp) efflux substrate. Nevertheless, studies associated with therapeutic effects strongly suggest that loperamide holds potential pharmacological advantages over traditional µ-opioid agonists commonly used for analgesia. Thus, in this Communication, we assessed in MDCK-hMDR1 cell lines the effects over loperamide uptake and efflux ratio, when loaded into Eudragit RS (ERS) nanocarriers coated with poloxamer 188 (P188). ERS was chosen for enhancing loperamide aqueous dispersibility and P188 as a potential negative Pgp modulator. In uptake assays, it was observed that Pgp limited the accumulation of loperamide into cells and that preincubation with P188, but not coincubation, led to increasing loperamide uptake at a similar extent of Pgp pharmacological inhibition. On the other hand, the efflux ratio displayed no alterations when Pgp was pharmacologically inhibited, whereas ERS/P188 nanocarriers effectively enhanced loperamide uptake and absorptive transepithelial transport. The latter suggests that loperamide transport across cells is significantly influenced by the presence of the unstirred water layer (UWL), which could hinder the visualization of Pgp-efflux effects during transport assays. Thus, results in this work highlight that formulating loperamide into this nanocarrier enhances its uptake and transport permeability.

Screening of Ketoprofen-Poloxamer and Ketoprofen-Eudragit solid dispersions for improved physicochemical characteristics and dissolution profile

The aim of the present study was to enhance the dissolution rate of an NSAID drug Ketoprofen by formulating it into solid dispersions with water soluble carrier Poloxamer 188 and Eudragit S 100. The solid dispersions of Ketoprofen with Poloxamer 188 were prepared at 1:1, 1:1.5 and 1:2 (Ketoprofen: Poloxamer 188) ratio by Solvent evaporation methods. The same concentration ratio was used for the preparation of solid dispersion with Eudragit S 100 by melting/fusion technique. Further, solid dispersions were investigated by solubility, ATR-FTIR, XRD, DSC, surface morphology, in-vitro dissolution and accelerated stability study. Results demonstrated that both Poloxamer 188 and Eudragit S 100 improve solubility of drugs by 8­10 folds. The result of ATR-FTIR study showed the slight shifting/broadening of principle peaks. In vitro dissolution studies showed that in the solid dispersion system containing Ketoprofen: Poloxamer 188 batch P2 (1:1.5) gives faster dissolution rate of Ketoprofen than the physical mixtures. The solid dispersion with Eudragit S 100, batch E1 (1:1) gives faster dissolution rate of Ketoprofen than the physical mixtures. In phase solubility study with Poloxamer 188 showed concentration dependent solubilization of drug but Eudragit S 100 produced opposite result. The effect of pH on solubility of Eudragit S 100 was carried out which showed solubility at pH 7.4. The dissolution profile of solid dispersion with Eudragit S 100 at pH 7.4 gives excellent result. The Accelerated stability of solid dispersions & its physical mixtures were studied at 400±2 °C/75 ± 5% RH for a period of 1 month. In these studies, Solid Dispersion batches produced an unstable formulation. The Ketoprofen solid dispersions with Poloxamer 188 and Eudragit S 100 could be introduced as a suitable form with improved solubility

Preparation and characterization of cefuroxime axetil solid dispersions using poloxamer 188

The main objective of the present work was to enhance the solubility and dissolution rate of poorly water-soluble drug cefuroxime axetil (CA) by formulating it into solid dispersions (SDs) with water soluble carrier poloxamer 188. Different methods were employed to prepare the dispersion, such as: Solvent method (SM), Kneading method (KM), Melt evaporation method (MEM) and Physical mixture (PM) in different drug: carrier ratios 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 (cefuroxime axetil: poloxamer 188). The physical mixture(s) and solid dispersion(s) were characterized for drug carrier interaction, drug content, solubility, dissolution rate, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and FT-IR study. The dissolution rate of the prepared solid dispersion systems was determined in phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) for 1 h. The solubility of drug from different systems was also determined in water. All SD formulations were found to have a higher dissolution rate comparatively to pure CA. The dissolution rate was enhanced in the following order SM > MEM > KM. The enhancement of dissolution rate may be caused by increase wettability, dispersibillity reduction in particle size or the formation of CA ß crystalline. The FT-IR study probability revealed that there was no chemical interaction between drug and poloxamer 188

Improved nonclinical pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of a new PPAR pan-agonist and COX inhibitor in nanocapsule formulation.

We report the in vitro release profile and comparative pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of a new peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ agonist and cyclooxygenase inhibitor (Lyso-7) free or associated to poly(D,L-lactic acid) nanocapsules (NC) after intravenous administration in mice. Lyso-7 pertains to the class of insulin-sensitizing agents that shows potential beneficial effects in diabetes therapy. Monodispersed Lyso-7 NC with a mean diameter of 273 nm with high encapsulation efficiency (83%) were obtained. Lyso-7 dissolution rate was reduced (2.6-fold) upon loading in NC. The pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using a non-compartmental approach. In comparison with Lyso-7 in solution, the plasma-AUC increased 14-fold, the mean residence time 2.6-fold and the mean half-life (t1/2) 1.5-fold for Lyso-7-NC; the Lyso-7 plasma clearance, distribution volume and elimination rate were reduced 13, 10 and 1.4 fold, respectively, which indicates higher retention of encapsulated Lyso-7 in the blood compartment. Upon association with NC, organ exposure to Lyso-7 was higher in the heart (3.6-fold), lung (2.8-fold), spleen (2.3-fold), kidney (2-fold) and liver (1.8-fold) compared to Lyso-7 in solution. The analysis of whole data clearly indicates that body exposure to Lyso-7 was enhanced and the general toxicity reduced upon nanoencapsulation, allowing further evaluation of Lyso-7 in nonclinical and clinical studies.