Hot-melt extruded in situ gelling systems (MeltDrops Technology): Formulation development, in silico modelling and in vivo studies.

In situ gelling systems (ISGS) can prolong retention time and bioavailability of ophthalmic solutions. The complexity and cost of ISGS avert their industrial scale-up and clinical implementation. In this study, we demonstrate novel application of hot-melt extrusion (HME) technology for continuous manufacturing of ISGS (MeltDrops Technology). Timolol maleate (TIM) and dorzolamide hydrochloride (DRZ) loaded MeltDrops were successfully developed using HME for glaucoma management, thereby resolving issues with batch manufacturing of ISGS, prolonging retention time thus improving bioavailability. The MeltDrops technology involves one-step, i.e., passing all the ingredients through an extruder at a screw speed between 20 and 50 rpm and barrel temperature of 80 °C. The comparative evaluation of MeltDrops and batch-processed ISGS demonstrated that MeltDrops exhibited better physical and chemical content uniformity. The extrusion temperature and screw speed were critical factors influencing content uniformity and properties of the MeltDrops. MeltDrops showed sustained drug release for > 12 h in vitro (TIM = 83.07%; DRZ = 60.43%, 12 h) versus marketed eyedrops. The developed MeltDrops followed Peppas-Sahlin model, combining Fickian diffusion and swelling processes. The in vivo study in New Zealand rabbits revealed superior effectiveness and safety of the MeltDrops as compared to the marketed eyedrops. Herein we conclude, MeltDrops would serve as a cutting-edge platform technology that can be used to manufacture various ISGS with one-step processability, cost-effectiveness, and improved product quality, which are otherwise processed by batch manufacturing that involves numerous complex processing steps.

Green Surfactants (Biosurfactants): A Petroleum-Free Substitute for Sustainability-Comparison, Applications, Market, and Future Prospects.

Surfactants are a group of amphiphilic molecules (i.e., having both hydrophobic and hydrophilic domains) that are a vital part of nearly every contemporary industrial process such as in agriculture, medicine, personal care, food, and petroleum. In general surfactants can be derived from (i) petroleum-based sources or (ii) microbial/plant origins. Petroleum-based surfactants are obvious results from petroleum products, which lead to petroleum pollution and thus pose severe problems to the environment leading to various ecological damages. Thus, newer techniques have been suggested for deriving surfactant molecules and maintaining environmental sustainability. Biosurfactants are surfactants of microbial or plant origins and offer much added advantages such as high biodegradability, lesser toxicity, ease of raw material availability, and easy applicability. Thus, they are also termed "green surfactants". In this regard, this review focused on the advantages of biosurfactants over the synthetic surfactants produced from petroleum-based products along with their potential applications in different industries. We also provided their market aspects and future directions that can be considered with selections of biosurfactants. This would open up new avenues for surfactant research by overcoming the existing bottlenecks in this field.

Neuroprotective potential of cannabidiol: Molecular mechanisms and clinical implications.

Cannabidiol (CBD), a nonpsychotropic phytocannabinoid that was once largely disregarded, is currently the subject of significant medicinal study. CBD is found in Cannabis sativa, and has a myriad of neuropharmacological impacts on the central nervous system, including the capacity to reduce neuroinflammation, protein misfolding and oxidative stress. On the other hand, it is well established that CBD generates its biological effects without exerting a large amount of intrinsic activity upon cannabinoid receptors. Because of this, CBD does not produce undesirable psychotropic effects that are typical of marijuana derivatives. Nonetheless, CBD displays the exceptional potential to become a supplementary medicine in various neurological diseases. Currently, many clinical trials are being conducted to investigate this possibility. This review focuses on the therapeutic effects of CBD in managing neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and epilepsy. Overall, this review aims to build a stronger understanding of CBD and provide guidance for future fundamental scientific and clinical investigations, opening a new therapeutic window for neuroprotection. Please cite this article as: Tambe SM, Mali S, Amin PD, Oliveira M. Neuroprotective potential of Cannabidiol: Molecular mechanisms and clinical implications. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(3): 236-244.

Nebulizer systems: a new frontier for therapeutics and targeted delivery.

Drug delivery via the pulmonary route is a cornerstone in the pharmaceutical sector as an alternative to oral and parenteral administration. Nebulizer inhalation treatment offers multiple drug administration, easily employed with tidal breathing, suitable for children and elderly, can be adapted for severe patients and visible spray ensures patient satisfaction. This review discusses the operational and mechanical characteristics of nebulizer delivery devices in terms of aerosol production processes, their usage, benefits and drawbacks that are currently shaping the contemporary landscape of inhaled drug delivery. With the advent of particle engineering, novel inhaled nanosystems can be successfully developed to increase lung deposition and decrease pulmonary clearance. The above-mentioned advances might pave the path for treating a life-threatening disorder like severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which is also discussed in the current state of the art.