Acid-responsive polymeric nanocarriers for topical adapalene delivery.

PURPOSE: The acne skin is characteristic of a relatively lower pH microenvironment compared to the healthy skin. The aim of this work was to utilize such pH discrepancy as a site-specific trigger for on-demand topical adapalene delivery. METHODS: The anti-acne agent, adapalene, was encapsulated in acid-responsive polymer (Eudragit® EPO) nanocarriers via nanoprecipitation. The nanocarriers were characterized in terms of particle size, surface morphology, drug-carrier interaction, drug release and permeation. RESULTS: Adapalene experienced a rapid release at pH 4.0 in contrast to that at pH 5.0 and 6.0. The permeation study using silicone membrane revealed a significant higher drug flux from the nanocarrier (6.5 ± 0.6 µg.cm(-2).h(-1)) in comparison to that (3.9 ± 0.4 µg.cm(-2).h(-1)) in the control vehicle (Transcutol®). The in vitro pig skin tape stripping study showed that at 24 h post dose-application the nanocarrier delivered the same amount of drug to the stratum corneum as the positive control vehicle did. CONCLUSIONS: The acid-responsive nanocarriers hold promise for efficient adapalene delivery and thus improved acne therapy.

Pharmacokinetic evaluation of intranasally administered vinyl polymer-coated lorazepam microparticles in rabbits.

The intranasal (IN) administration of lorazepam is desirable in order to maximize speed of onset and minimise carry-over sedation; however, this benzodiazepine is prone to chemical hydrolysis and poor airway retention, and thus, innovative epithelial presentation is required. The aim of this study was to understand how the in situ self-assembly of a mucoretentive delivery system, formed by the dissolution of vinyl polymer-coated microparticles in the nasal mucosa, would influence lorazepam pharmacokinetics (PK). IN administration of the uncoated lorazepam powder (particle size, 6.7 ± 0.1 µm) generated a biphasic PK profile, which was indicative of sequential intranasal and oral absorption (n = 6; dose, 5 mg/kg). Coating the drug with the vinyl polymer, MP1 (9.9 ± 0.5 µm with 38.8 ± 14.0%, w/w lorazepam) and MP2 (10.7 ± 0.1 µm with 47.0 ± 1.0%, w/w lorazepam), allowed rapid systemic absorption (MP1, T (max) 14.2 ± 4.9 min; MP2, T (max) 9.3 ± 3.8 min) in rabbits and modified the PK profiles in a manner that suggested successful nasal retention. The poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)-rich MP2 system provided the best comparative bioavailability, it prolonged the early-phase nasal drug absorption and minimised drug mucociliary clearance, which correlated well with the intermolecular hydrogen-bond-driven vinyl polymer interactions observed in vitro.

Free radical facilitated damage of ungual keratin.

Thioglycolic acid (TA) and urea hydrogen peroxide (urea H(2)O(2)) are thought to disrupt alpha-keratin disulfide links in the nail. However, optimal clinical use of these agents to improve the treatment of nail disorders is currently hindered by a lack of fundamental data to support their mechanism of action. The aim of this study was to investigate how the redox environment of ungual keratin, when manipulated by TA and urea H(2)O(2), influenced the properties of the nail barrier. Potentiometric and voltammetric measurements demonstrated that urea H(2)O(2) obeyed the Nernst equation for a proton coupled one-electron transfer redox process while TA underwent a series of redox reactions that was complicated by electrode adsorption and dimer formation. The functional studies demonstrated that nail permeability, measured through TBF penetration (38.51+/-10.94 microg/cm(2)/h) and nail swelling (244.10+/-14.99% weight increase), was greatest when relatively low concentrations of the thiolate ion were present in the applied solution. Limiting the thiolate ion to low levels in the solution retards thiolate dimerisation and generates thiyl free radicals. It appeared that this free radical generation was fundamental in facilitating the redox-mediated keratin disruption of the ungual membrane.