Active brain targeting of a fluorescent P-gp substrate using polymeric magnetic nanocarrier system.

Magnetic nanoparticles (NP) were developed for the active brain targeting of water-soluble P-glycoprotein (P-gp) substrate rhodamine 123 (Rh123). The NP matrix of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and methoxy poly(ethyleneglycol)-poly(lactic acid) (M-PEG-PLA) was prepared by single emulsion solvent evaporation of polymers with oleic acid-coated magnetic nanoparticles (OAMNP) and Rh123. All formulations were characterized in terms of morphology, particle size, magnetic content and Rh123 encapsulation efficiency. The maximum encapsulation efficiency of Rh123 was 45 ± 3% and of OAMNP was 42 ± 4%. The brain targeting and biodistribution study was performed on Sprague Dawley rats (3 groups, n = 6). Rh123 (0.4 mg kg(-1)) was administered in saline form, NP containing Rh123, and NP containing Rh123 in the presence of a magnetic field (0.8 T). The fluorimetric analysis of brain homogenates revealed a significant uptake (p < 0.05) of Rh123 in the magnetically targeted group relative to controls. These results were supported by fluorescence microscopy. This study reveals the ability of magnetically targeted nanoparticles to deliver substances to the brain, the permeation of which would otherwise be inhibited by the P-gp system.

The formulation, characterization and in vivo evaluation of a magnetic carrier for brain delivery of NIR dye.

This work reports the targeting of the near infrared (NIR) dye indocyanine green (ICG) to the brain using composite nanoparticles. Thermal decomposition of iron pentacarbonyl was used to synthesize monodisperse oleic acid coated magnetic nanoparticles (OAMNP). Synthesized OAMNP and ICG were encapsulated in a poly (lactide-co-glycolide) matrix using an emulsion evaporation method. Different batches containing OAMNP:PLGA ratios (1:4, 1:2 and 3:4) were prepared with ICG (group B-1, 2, 3) and without ICG (group A-1, 2, 3) loading. All the formulations were characterized in terms of morphology, particle size, zeta potential, magnetic content, ICG encapsulation efficiency and the spectral properties of ICG. The optimized formulation showed an encapsulation efficiency of 56 +/- 4.6% for ICG and 57 +/- 1.37% for OAMNP. The biodistribution and brain targeting study involved three groups of six animals, each with 0.4 mg kg(-1) equivalent of ICG, given as neat ICG solution, composite nanoparticles without the aid of a magnetic field, and composite nanoparticles under the influence of a magnetic field (8000 G) to groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The tissue analysis and microscopy images revealed a significantly higher brain concentration of ICG (p < 0.05) for group 3 than the two control groups. These results are encouraging for the brain delivery of hydrophilic dyes/drugs using this method for biomedical applications.

Solid dispersion of carbamazepine in PVP K30 by conventional solvent evaporation and supercritical methods.

This study compares the physicochemical properties of carbamazepine (CBZ) solid dispersions prepared by either a conventional solvent evaporation versus a supercritical fluid process. Solid dispersions of carbamazepine in polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) K30 with either Gelucire 44/14 or Vitamin E TPGS, NF (d-alpha-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate) were prepared and characterized by intrinsic dissolution, differential scanning calorimetry, powder X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. CBZ/PVP K30 and CBZ/PVP K30/TPGS solid dispersions showed increased dissolution rate. The best intrinsic dissolution rate (IDR) was obtained for supercritically processed CBZ/PVP K30 that was four-fold higher than pure CBZ. Thermograms of various solid dispersions did not show the melting peak of CBZ, indicating that CBZ was in amorphous form inside the carrier system. This was further confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies. Infrared spectroscopic studies showed interaction between CBZ and PVP K30 in solid dispersions. The amorphous state of CBZ coupled with presence of interaction between drug and PVP K30 suggests fewer, if any, stability problems. Because the supercritical-based process produced solid dispersions with IDR better than conventional solid dispersions augmented with amphiphilic carriers, stability issues associated with lipid carriers do not apply, which, in turn, implies easier scale up under current Good Manufacturing Practice for this technique.

Microencapsulation of beta-galactosidase with Eudragit L-100.

Microcapsules containing beta-galactosidase (lactase) were prepared by solvent evaporation using the pH sensitive polymer, Eudragit L-100. Formulations were prepared using various polymer-enzyme ratios with total solids content of the internal phase using sucrose stearate as a droplet stabilizer. Particle size distributions were invariant to relative proportion of ingredients but were dependent on stirring conditions. Although sucrose stearate had no effect on particle size distribution, release rate or encapsulation efficiency, its presence at a minimum 2% level was necessary to ensure intact microcapsules. Encapsulation efficiencies were higher for formulations prepared with 15% compared to 10% total solid content. DSC results revealed an interaction between encapsulated Eudragit L-100-enzyme-sucrose stearate vs their physical mixtures. The enzyme activities of the freshly prepared product vs those stored under stressed condition (40 degrees C and 75% RH) were 68 and 40% of their pre-processing activity, respectively. In vitro dissolution showed no enzyme release at 1 h in acidic media but 80% of the lactase was released from the microcapsules over 2.5 h in pH 6.8 media, thus establishing the feasibility of lactase microencapsulation to retard enzyme release in an acidic environment and ensuring release at intestinal pH.

Applications of fiber-optic evanescent wave spectroscopy.

The evanescent wave (EW) component of light propagated via fiber-optic wave-guides can be used to both sense and transmit information regarding the immediate environment of the fiber's surface. In this article, an outline of the theoretical and practical aspects of this emerging methodology is given, as well as a discussion of the advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of the technique. Examples are given of how EW spectroscopy may be used in the analysis of pharmaceutical systems. Evaluation of attributes of components of EW spectroscopy allows prediction of the future for this rapidly evolving area of photonics.

Codiffusion of propylene glycol and dimethyl isosorbide in hairless mouse skin.

The in vitro percutaneous fluxes of propylene glycol (PG), cis-oleic acid (OA) and dimethyl isosorbide (DI) were determined and their effect on nifedipine (N) flux and lag time evaluated. PG, OA and DI flux through hairless mouse (HM) skin was measured in vitro by beta-scintigraphy and N permeation was measured by HPLC under finite and infinite dose conditions. Evaluation of each of the solvents separately showed that pure DI possessed the inherent ability to traverse the skin (12% in 24 h). For the tested formulation after 24 h, 57% of the PG and 40% of the DI had permeated across the skin with nearly linear permeation between 4 and 18 h and the relative order of permeation was PG > DI > N. DI permeation was further aided in the presence of PG and OA. N flux was dependent on concomitant solvent permeation. Over a 24-h test period a dose dependent response was observed for N, with 4.9-15.6 mg of N delivered from the lowest and highest doses, respectively, and the highest dose yielding zero-order flux of 146 (g/h per cm2).

Ketorolac tromethamine and ketoprofen suppositories: release profiles and bioavailability of a cocoa butter base formula in rabbits.

Ketorolac tromethamine suppositories (30 mg) and ketoprofen suppositories (50 mg) were made by the fusion method with various bases such as cocoa butter, Witepsol H15, Witepsol W25, Witepsol W35, Witepsol E75, Suppocire AML and Hydrokote AP5-1. Also, ketorolac tromethamine and ketoprofen suppositories were prepared using Eudragit L100 and propylene glycol. The release rates for both ketorolac tromethamine and ketoprofen suppositories in Sorensen's phosphate buffer pH 7.4 were determined and found to be: cocoa butter greater than Witepsol H15 greater than Witepsol W25 greater than Suppocire AML greater than witepsol W35 greater than Hydrokote AP5-1> Witepsol E75. Drug-release studies showed that ketorolac tromethamine demonstrates faster release profiles from these selected bases in comparison to those seen for ketoprofen. Analysis of the relaease kinetics for ketorolac tromethamine and ketoprofen from the various bases suggests that a combination of release mechanisms such as melting of the base followed by partititoning of the drug, along with some diffusion of the drug from the base to the dissolution media, seems to be operative in these systems. The absolute bioavailabilty of the suppository formulaion made with ketorolac tromethamine in cocoa butter base was found to be 61% in rabbits.