Development of fluorometholone-loaded PLGA nanoparticles for treatment of inflammatory disorders of anterior and posterior segments of the eye.

The main objective of this study was the development and optimization of fluorometholone-loaded PLGA nanoparticles for the treatment of inflammatory conditions of the eye. Design of experiments was used to obtain nanoparticles with the best physicochemical characteristics. The optimized nanoparticles containing 1.5 mg·mL-1 of fluorometholone showed a negative surface charge (-30 mV) and an average size below 200 nm being suitable for ocular administration. Drug-polymer interaction studies confirmed no new bonds were formed during the synthesis. Nanoparticles performance was assessed with biopharmaceutical behavior studies, ocular tolerance, anti-inflammatory efficacy and bioavailability. The biopharmaceutical behavior of the drug from nanoparticles was adjusted to hyperbola order showing a significantly greater permeation in the cornea than in the sclera. The optimized formulation had significantly greater anti-inflammatory effects than the commercial formulation. In addition, nanoparticles increased drug penetration toward the vitreous. Polymeric nanoparticles of fluorometholone could provide a suitable alternative for the treatment of inflammatory disorders of the anterior and posterior segments of the eye against of conventional topical formulations.

Memantine loaded PLGA PEGylated nanoparticles for Alzheimer's disease: in vitro and in vivo characterization.

BACKGROUND: Memantine, drug approved for moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease, has not shown to be fully effective. In order to solve this issue, polylactic-co-glycolic (PLGA) nanoparticles could be a suitable solution to increase drug's action on the target site as well as decrease adverse effects. For these reason, Memantine was loaded in biodegradable PLGA nanoparticles, produced by double emulsion method and surface-coated with polyethylene glycol. MEM-PEG-PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) were aimed to target the blood-brain barrier (BBB) upon oral administration for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. RESULTS: The production parameters were optimized by design of experiments. MEM-PEG-PLGA NPs showed a mean particle size below 200 nm (152.6 ± 0.5 nm), monomodal size distribution (polydispersity index, PI < 0.1) and negative surface charge (- 22.4 mV). Physicochemical characterization of NPs confirmed that the crystalline drug was dispersed inside the PLGA matrix. MEM-PEG-PLGA NPs were found to be non-cytotoxic on brain cell lines (bEnd.3 and astrocytes). Memantine followed a slower release profile from the NPs against the free drug solution, allowing to reduce drug administration frequency in vivo. Nanoparticles were able to cross BBB both in vitro and in vivo. Behavioral tests carried out on transgenic APPswe/PS1dE9 mice demonstrated to enhance the benefit of decreasing memory impairment when using MEM-PEG-PLGA NPs in comparison to the free drug solution. Histological studies confirmed that MEM-PEG-PLGA NPs reduced ß-amyloid plaques and the associated inflammation characteristic of Alzheimer's disease. CONCLUSIONS: Memantine NPs were suitable for Alzheimer's disease and more effective than the free drug.

Optimization, Biopharmaceutical Profile and Therapeutic Efficacy of Pioglitazone-loaded PLGA-PEG Nanospheres as a Novel Strategy for Ocular Inflammatory Disorders.

PURPOSE: The main goal of this study was to encapsulate Pioglitazone (PGZ), in biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles as a new strategy for the treatment of ocular inflammatory processes. METHODS: To improve their biopharmaceutical profile for the treatment of ocular inflammatory disorders, nanospheres (NSs) of PGZ were formulated by factorial design with poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) polyethylene glycol (PLGA-PEG). Interactions drug-polymer have been carried out by spectroscopic (X-ray spectroscopy, FTIR) and thermal methods (DSC). The PGZ-NSs were tested for their in vitro release profile, cytotoxicity, and ocular tolerance (HET-CAM® test); ex vivo corneal permeation, and in vivo inflammatory prevention and bioavailability. RESULTS: The optimized system showed a negative surface charge of -13.9 mV, an average particle size (Zav) of around 160 nm, a polydispersity index (PI) below 0.1, and a high encapsulation efficiency (EE) of around 92%. According to the DSC results, the drug was incorporated into the NSs polymeric matrix. The drug release was sustained for up to 14 h. PGZ-NSs up to 10 µg/ml exhibited no retinoblastoma cell toxicity. The ex vivo corneal and scleral permeation profiles of PGZ-NSs showed that retention and permeation through the sclera were higher than through the cornea. Ocular tolerance in vitro and in vivo demonstrated the non-irritant character of the formulation. CONCLUSION: The in vivo anti-inflammatory efficacy of developed PGZ-NSs indicates this colloidal system could constitute a new approach to prevent ocular inflammation.

Memantine-Loaded PEGylated Biodegradable Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disease associated with retinal ganglion cells (RGC) loss. Increasing reports of similarities in glaucoma and other neurodegenerative conditions have led to speculation that therapies for brain neurodegenerative disorders may also have potential as glaucoma therapies. Memantine is an N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist approved for Alzheimer's disease treatment. Glutamate-induced excitotoxicity is implicated in glaucoma and NMDA receptor antagonism is advocated as a potential strategy for RGC preservation. This study describes the development of a topical formulation of memantine-loaded PLGA-PEG nanoparticles (MEM-NP) and investigates the efficacy of this formulation using a well-established glaucoma model. MEM-NPs <200 nm in diameter and incorporating 4 mg mL-1 of memantine were prepared with 0.35 mg mL-1 localized to the aqueous interior. In vitro assessment indicated sustained release from MEM-NPs and ex vivo ocular permeation studies demonstrated enhanced delivery. MEM-NPs were additionally found to be well tolerated in vitro (human retinoblastoma cells) and in vivo (Draize test). Finally, when applied topically in a rodent model of ocular hypertension for three weeks, MEM-NP eye drops were found to significantly (p < 0.0001) reduce RGC loss. These results suggest that topical MEM-NP is safe, well tolerated, and, most promisingly, neuroprotective in an experimental glaucoma model.

New potential strategies for Alzheimer's disease prevention: pegylated biodegradable dexibuprofen nanospheres administration to APPswe/PS1dE9.

Dexibuprofen loaded pegylated poly(lactic-co-glycolic) nanospheres prepared by solvent diffusion method were designed to increase Dexibuprofen brain delivery reducing systemic side effects. Nanospheres exhibited a mean particle size around 200 nm (195.4 nm), monomodal population and negative surface charge. Drug loaded nanospheres showed a sustained release profile, allowing to modify the posology in vivo. Nanospheres were non-toxic neither in brain endothelial cells nor astrocytes and do not cause blood-brain barrier disruption. Nanospheres were able to partially cross the cells barrier and release the drug after co-culture in vitro experiments, increasing Dexibuprofen permeation coefficient. Behavioral tests performed in APPswe/PS1dE9 mice (mice model of familial Alzheimer's disease) showed that nanospheres reduce memory impairment more efficiently than the free drug. Developed nanospheres decrease brain inflammation leading to ß-amyloid plaques reduction. According to these results, chronical oral Dexibuprofen pegylated poly(lactic-co-glycolic) nanosystems could constitute a suitable strategy for the prevention of neurodegeneration.

Feasibility of lipid nanoparticles for ocular delivery of anti-inflammatory drugs.

Due to the multiple barriers imposed by the eye against the penetration of drugs, the ocular delivery and targeting are considered difficult to achieve. A major challenge in ocular drug therapy is to improve the poor bioavailability of topically applied ophthalmic drugs by overcoming the severe constraints imposed by the eye on drug absorption. One of the promising strategies nowadays is the use of colloidal carrier systems characterized by a submicron-meter size. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) represent promising alternatives to conventional and very popular ocular carrier systems, such as the nanoemulsions, liposomes, and polymeric nanoparticles. Nevertheless, taking into account the characteristics of the eye, morphometrical properties of the colloidal systems (e.g., average particle size and polydispersion) may represent a limiting factor for topical application without induced corneal irritation, being responsible for the selected system. This review article focuses on the application of lipid nanoparticles (SLN, NLC) as carriers for both non-steroidal and steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of ocular inflammatory disorders. Major benefits, as well as shortcomings, of ocular inflammation conditions are described, in particular upon management of inflammation induced by ocular surgery (e.g., cataracts, refractive surgery). Particular emphasis is given to the clinical choices currently available, while examining the most recent drugs that have been approved.

Nanomedicines for ocular NSAIDs: safety on drug delivery.

The eyes are among the most readily accessible organs in terms of location in the body, yet drug delivery to eye tissues is particularly problematic. Poor bioavailability of drugs from ocular dosage forms is mainly due to precorneal loss factors (e.g., tear dynamics, nonproductive absorption, transient residence time in the cul-de-sac, and relative impermeability of the corneal epithelial membrane). There is a clear need for effective topical formulations capable of promoting drug penetration and maintaining therapeutic levels with a reasonable frequency of application--a strategy that can also result in enhancement of side effects that probably would not be acceptable. Delivery of a drug via a nanotechnology-based product fulfills three main objectives: enhancement of drug permeation, controlled release, and targeting. The inflammatory response of the ocular tissues is a common side effect associated with ophthalmic surgery. Together with steroidal agents, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used in eye surgery. In this review we focus on microemulsions, polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, and drug nanocrystals as formulations incorporating anti-inflammatory drugs for ophthalmic application. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR: This review focuses on microemulsions, polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, and drug nanocrystals as novel high efficiency delivery systems of anti-inflammatory drugs in ophthalmic applications.