Current Issue : October-December Volume : 2025 Issue Number : 4 Articles : 5 Articles
Despite the promising natural origin, biocompatibility, and biodegradability of chitosan for biomedical applications, developing biodegradable nanocarriers with controllable sizes and precise drug delivery targeting remains a significant challenge, hindering its integration into precision medicine. To address this, we synthesized gold nanocage (AuNCs)/poly- (N-isopropylacrylamide-co-carboxymethyl chitosan) core-shell multifunctional composite nanospheres (CPAu) through a two-step one-pot method. The resulting CPAu nanospheres (~146 nm in size) exhibited multi-sensitive release properties, excellent biocompatibility, and potent photothermal therapy (PTT) activity. These nanospheres effectively encapsulated diverse antitumor drugs while demonstrating triple responsiveness (thermo-, reduction-, and PTT-triggered) for targeted tumor cell delivery, thereby achieving enhanced antitumor efficacy in combinatorial chemotherapy....
Background/Objectives: Chronic lung diseases are among the leading causes of death worldwide. In the treatment of these diseases, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be effective. We have previously developed an excipient formulation alongside a modern manufacturing protocol, which we aim to further investigate. We have chosen two new model drugs, meloxicam (MX) and its water-soluble salt, meloxicam-potassium (MXP). The particles in dry powder inhaler (DPI) formulation were expected to have a spherical shape, fast drug release, and good aerodynamic properties. Methods: The excipients were poloxamer-188, mannitol, and leucine. The samples were prepared by spray drying, preceded by solution preparation and wet grinding. Particle size was determined by laser diffraction, shape by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), crystallinity by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), interactions by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), in vitro drug dissolution by paddle apparatus, and in vitro aerodynamic properties by Andersen cascade impactor and Spraytec® device. Results: We achieved the proper particle size (<5 μm) and spherical shape according to laser diffraction and SEM. The XRPD showed partial amorphization. FT-IR revealed no interaction between the materials. During the in vitro dissolution tests, more than 90% of MX and MXP were released within the first 5 min. The best products exhibited an aerodynamic diameter of around 4 μm, a fine particle fraction around 50%, and an emitted fraction over 95%. The analysis by Spraytec® supported the suitability for lung targeting. Conclusions: The developed preparation process and excipient system can be applied in the development of different drugs containing DPIs....
Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is the most common superficial fungal skin infection affecting large number of the population worldwide. Prevalence of this disease has been increased. The present study aimed to formulate topical gel loaded with Ketoconazole (KTZ) as an antifungal agent and black seed oil with antiinflammatory or antifungal activity to effectively treat seborrheic dermatitis (SD). The dispersion method was used to formulate gel preparations using gelling agents (Carbopol 934, Methylcellulose, and Xanthan gum). The prepared gels were evaluated for organoleptic properties, pH, spreadability, rheology, and drug content. The antifungal assay was performed using Malassezia furfur. In vitro permeation studies were performed on Franz diffusion cells. For drug-excipients compatibility studies, FTIR was performed. According to ICH guidelines, three months of stability studies were performed. The results indicated that gel formulations follow non-Newtonian shear-thinning pseudo-plastic type flow; F2 has high drug content (92.22 ± 0.32%), and the zone of inhibition (22 ± 1.25 mm), and highest drug release (91.88 ± 0.11%). No physicochemical interactions were found between the drug and polymer. Stability studies revealed that the formulations were stable at 25 °C. In conclusion, a gel of KTZ with oil exhibited a synergetic effect and offered a potential SD treatment strategy, suggesting it may be an alternative treatment for SD....
Background/Objectives: Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is a commonly used pharmaceutical excipient. At present, the catalytic potential of MCCs for the degradation of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) has not been paid adequate attention. This study aims to investigate the representativeness of the pH value of an MCC determined in accordance with the pharmacopeia method to the acidity on its surface. Methods: We tested the differences between the catalytic activities of different MCCs and their supernatant prepared in accordance with the pharmacopeia method for the hydrolysis of ginsenoside Re, which is relatively stable in neutral or weak alkaline aqueous solutions but sensitive to acid. The sulfur content of the sulfuric acid-prepared MCC was measured using an ICP-OES. Results: All of the five tested commercially available and two self-prepared MCCs have been found to significantly promote the hydrolysis of ginsenoside Re. But their supernatants were neutral and chemically inert to Re. The sulfur content of the MCC prepared in this experiment using sulfuric acid hydrolysis was determined to be 109.60 μg/g, which is equivalent to 186 to 465 μM of sulfuric acid on the surface. Conclusions: The pH value of an MCC determined in accordance with the pharmacopeia method is not representative of the acidity on its surface. The primary reason should be that there is immobilized acid that is not so easily dissociated into the media. Ginsenoside Re is sensitive and applicable as a probe for the evaluation of the catalytic potential of pharmaceutically used MCCs....
Background/Objectives. The paediatric population is a heterogenous group that is known to be a therapeutic orphan despite the recent incentives to promote the development of children’s formulations. Especially in low and middle-income countries, there is still a worldwide shortfall for the treatment and prevention of a variety of paediatric conditions. In this context, we developed a formulation specifically intended to administer metronidazole to paediatric patients using basic and low-cost excipients and with a simple set-up method. Methods. Various mixtures of excipients were prepared to obtain a suitable metronidazole liquid formulation at a concentration of 250 mg/5 mL. The best formula was tested for its quality and stability, assessing the uniformity of content, the pH, and the dispersion quality. We evaluated the stability of the preparation for 180 days at room temperature (25 +/− 2 ◦C), in a thermostatic oven (40 +/− 2 ◦C), and in a fridge (4 +/− 2 ◦C). Results. The tests performed gave excellent results. No variation greater than 10% was detected in the metronidazole concentration or in pH values after 180 days regardless of the temperature conditions during storage. Moreover, the microscope analysis confirmed the absence of significant differences over time. Conclusions. The results were consistent in different environmental conditions, ensuring the possibility of using the formulation even in those tropical countries where is not always possible to guarantee the conservation of medicines in controlled conditions. Moreover, the simple composition and easy preparation procedure make it possible to produce the suspension in any context, ensuring the quality of the finished product....
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