Poloxamer 407-Based Thermosensitive Emulgel as a Novel Formulation Providing a Controlled Release of Oil-Soluble Pharmaceuticals-Ibuprofen Case Study.

This article covers the design and evaluation of a novel drug vehicle: a thermosensitive, injectable, high-oil-content (50% w/w) emulgel providing a controlled release of lipophilic pharmaceuticals. Different vegetable (castor, canola, olive, peanut, grapeseed, linseed), mineral (paraffin) and semisynthetic (isopropyl myristate, oleic acid) oils were screened for ibuprofen (IBU) solubility and for their capacity for high-shear emulsification in a 17% (w/w) aqueous solution of poloxamer 407. Chosen emulgels were subject to a rheological evaluation, a syringeability test (TA.XT texture analyser; 2 mL syringe; 18 G, 20 G and 22 G needles) and a drug release study (48 h; cellulose membrane; 0.05 mol/L phosphate buffer at pH 7.4). Castor oil turned out to be an optimal component for IBU incorporation. Blank and drug-loaded castor oil emulgels were susceptible to administration via a syringe and needle, with the absolute injection force not exceeding 3 kg (29.4 N). The drug release test revealed dose-dependent, quasi-linear kinetics, with up to 44 h of controlled, steady, linear release. The results indicate the significant potential of high-oil-content, oil-in-water thermosensitive emulgel formulations as vehicles for the controlled release of lipophilic APIs.

The Impact of Extracellular Ca2+ and Nanosecond Electric Pulses on Sensitive and Drug-Resistant Human Breast and Colon Cancer Cells.

(1) Background: Calcium electroporation (CaEP) is based on the application of electrical pulses to permeabilize cells (electroporation) and allow cytotoxic doses of calcium to enter the cell. (2) Methods: In this work, we have used doxorubicin-resistant (DX) and non-resistant models of human breast cancer (MCF-7/DX, MCF-7/WT) and colon cancer cells (LoVo, LoVo/DX), and investigated the susceptibility of the cells to extracellular Ca2+ and electric fields in the 20 ns-900 ns pulse duration range. (3) Results: We have observed that colon cancer cells were less susceptible to PEF than breast cancer cells. An extracellular Ca2+ (2 mM) with PEF was more disruptive for DX-resistant cells. The expression of glycoprotein P (MDR1, P-gp) as a drug resistance marker was detected by the immunofluorescent (CLSM) method and rhodamine-123 efflux as an MDR1 activity. MDR1 expression was not significantly modified by nanosecond electroporation in multidrug-resistant cells, but a combination with calcium ions significantly inhibited MDR1 activity and cell viability. (4) Conclusions: We believe that PEF with calcium ions can reduce drug resistance by inhibiting drug efflux activity. This phenomenon of MDR mechanism disruption seems promising in anticancer protocols.

Stability evaluation of thermosensitive drug carrier systems based on Pluronic F-127 polymer.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the stability of thermosensitive systems based on Pluronic F-127 polymer, in aspects of their possible application in novel drug technology. A formulation was prepared without any active ingredient, consisting of 16% (w/w) of polymer dissolved in aqueous medium. Such preparation was autoclaved and then subjected to 3-month conditioning at elevated (40 degrees) and reduced (5 degrees C) temperature. Rheological parameters: viscosity, consistency and sol-gel transition characteristics were studied in 1-month interval. The significance of measured changes was evaluated by proper statistical analyses. Significant changes exceeding the established criteria (+/- 10% of every initial value) were observed during the study. Furthermore, total involution of sol-gel transition phenomenon was observed in samples stored at 40 degrees C. Results indicate the lack of stability in tested formulation at both of storage conditions. However, some regularity indicates that the stability at reduced temperature could be confirmed, if only the concentration of polymer and the measurements schedule were slightly modified.