Azathioprine is a highly efficient immunosuppressant drug used for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Systemic administration of azathioprine results in delayed therapeutic effect and serious adverse reactions. In the current study, we have developed, for the first time, colon-targeted chitosan beads for delivery of azathioprine in colitis rabbit model. Several characterizations were performed for the azathioprine-loaded beads (e.g. drug encapsulation efficiency, drug loading capacity, yield, size, shape and compatibility with other ingredients). The in vitro release profiles of acid-resistant capsules filled with azathioprine-loaded beads showed that most of azathioprine was released in IBD colon simulating medium. The therapeutic effects of azathioprine-loaded beads and azathioprine crude drug were examined on acetic acid-induced colitis rabbit model. Improved therapeutic outcomes were observed in the animals treated with the azathioprine-loaded beads, as compared to the untreated animal controls and the animals treated with the azathioprine free drug, based on the clinical activity score, index of tissue edema, mortality rate, colon macroscopic score and colon histopathological features. In the animals treated with the azathioprine-loaded beads, the levels of the inflammatory mediators, myeloperoxidase enzyme and tumor necrosis factor-α, were significantly reduced to levels similar to those observed in the normal rabbits. Furthermore, the activities of the antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase and catalase, were restored considerably in the animals treated with the drug-loaded beads. The azathioprine-loaded beads developed in the current study might have great potential in the management of IBD.

Azathioprine is a highly efficient immunosuppressant drug used for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Systemic administration of azathioprine results in delayed therapeutic effect and serious adverse reactions. In the current study, we have developed, for the first time, colon-targeted chitosan beads for delivery of azathioprine in colitis rabbit model. Several characterizations were performed for the azathioprine-loaded beads (e.g. drug encapsulation efficiency, drug loading capacity, yield, size, shape and compatibility with other ingredients). The in vitro release profiles of acid-resistant capsules filled with azathioprine-loaded beads showed that most of azathioprine was released in IBD colon simulating medium. The therapeutic effects of azathioprine-loaded beads and azathioprine crude drug were examined on acetic acid-induced colitis rabbit model. Improved therapeutic outcomes were observed in the animals treated with the azathioprine-loaded beads, as compared to the untreated animal controls and the animals treated with the azathioprine free drug, based on the clinical activity score, index of tissue edema, mortality rate, colon macroscopic score and colon histopathological features. In the animals treated with the azathioprine-loaded beads, the levels of the inflammatory mediators, myeloperoxidase enzyme and tumor necrosis factor-α, were significantly reduced to levels similar to those observed in the normal rabbits. Furthermore, the activities of the antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase and catalase, were restored considerably in the animals treated with the drug-loaded beads. The azathioprine-loaded beads developed in the current study might have great potential in the management of IBD.

Azathioprine is a highly efficient immunosuppressant drug used for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Systemic administration of azathioprine results in delayed therapeutic effect and serious adverse reactions. In the current study, we have developed, for the first time, colon-targeted chitosan beads for delivery of azathioprine in colitis rabbit model. Several characterizations were performed for the azathioprine-loaded beads (e.g. drug encapsulation efficiency, drug loading capacity, yield, size, shape and compatibility with other ingredients). The in vitro release profiles of acid-resistant capsules filled with azathioprine-loaded beads showed that most of azathioprine was released in IBD colon simulating medium. The therapeutic effects of azathioprine-loaded beads and azathioprine crude drug were examined on acetic acid-induced colitis rabbit model. Improved therapeutic outcomes were observed in the animals treated with the azathioprine-loaded beads, as compared to the untreated animal controls and the animals treated with the azathioprine free drug, based on the clinical activity score, index of tissue edema, mortality rate, colon macroscopic score and colon histopathological features. In the animals treated with the azathioprine-loaded beads, the levels of the inflammatory mediators, myeloperoxidase enzyme and tumor necrosis factor-α, were significantly reduced to levels similar to those observed in the normal rabbits. Furthermore, the activities of the antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase and catalase, were restored considerably in the animals treated with the drug-loaded beads. The azathioprine-loaded beads developed in the current study might have great potential in the management of IBD.

BACKGROUND: Progesterone (PG), a natural female sex hormone is used clinically in menopausal hormone replacement therapy and to control reproductive functions. Its very limited aqueous solubility results in reduced oral bioavailability and low patient compliance when administered in high doses. The aim of this study was to enhance PG aqueous solubility and vaginal delivery using solid dispersion, inclusion complex and micellar solubilization techniques. METHODS: PG solid dispersions and inclusion complexes were prepared by solvent evaporation method using different polymers, such as cyclodextrins, polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), poly (ethylene glycol) 6000, Pluronic® F-127 and Pluronic® F-68. PG was also incorporated into polymeric micelles of Pluronic® F-127, Pluronic® F- 68, Brij®35 and Myrj®52. The prepared solid dispersions, inclusion complexes and micelles were characterized using different techniques. Drug permeability across rabbit vaginal mucosa was also studied. RESULTS: Dissolution studies of PG solid dispersions showed that the highest drug dissolution rate was achieved at PG/polymer weight ratio of 5:5. Further, complete drug dissolution was obtained for PG/Pluronic® F-127 solid dispersion after 15 min compared to 42% dissolution for the drug alone. Brij®35 micelles had a drug loading capacity ~15%, which increased the drug aqueous solubility by more than 20 folds. PG permeability coefficients through rabbit vaginal mucosa for PG/Brij®35 micelles and PG/Pluronic® F-127 micelles were ~ two times higher than that of the drug alone. CONCLUSION: These results confirm that Brij®35 and Pluronic® F-127 micelles are promising carriers to overcome PG shortcomings through enhancing its aqueous solubility and vaginal permeability.

BACKGROUND: Progesterone (PG), a natural female sex hormone is used clinically in menopausal hormone replacement therapy and to control reproductive functions. Its very limited aqueous solubility results in reduced oral bioavailability and low patient compliance when administered in high doses. The aim of this study was to enhance PG aqueous solubility and vaginal delivery using solid dispersion, inclusion complex and micellar solubilization techniques. METHODS: PG solid dispersions and inclusion complexes were prepared by solvent evaporation method using different polymers, such as cyclodextrins, polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), poly (ethylene glycol) 6000, Pluronic® F-127 and Pluronic® F-68. PG was also incorporated into polymeric micelles of Pluronic® F-127, Pluronic® F- 68, Brij®35 and Myrj®52. The prepared solid dispersions, inclusion complexes and micelles were characterized using different techniques. Drug permeability across rabbit vaginal mucosa was also studied. RESULTS: Dissolution studies of PG solid dispersions showed that the highest drug dissolution rate was achieved at PG/polymer weight ratio of 5:5. Further, complete drug dissolution was obtained for PG/Pluronic® F-127 solid dispersion after 15 min compared to 42% dissolution for the drug alone. Brij®35 micelles had a drug loading capacity ~15%, which increased the drug aqueous solubility by more than 20 folds. PG permeability coefficients through rabbit vaginal mucosa for PG/Brij®35 micelles and PG/Pluronic® F-127 micelles were ~ two times higher than that of the drug alone. CONCLUSION: These results confirm that Brij®35 and Pluronic® F-127 micelles are promising carriers to overcome PG shortcomings through enhancing its aqueous solubility and vaginal permeability.

BACKGROUND: Progesterone (PG), a natural female sex hormone is used clinically in menopausal hormone replacement therapy and to control reproductive functions. Its very limited aqueous solubility results in reduced oral bioavailability and low patient compliance when administered in high doses. The aim of this study was to enhance PG aqueous solubility and vaginal delivery using solid dispersion, inclusion complex and micellar solubilization techniques. METHODS: PG solid dispersions and inclusion complexes were prepared by solvent evaporation method using different polymers, such as cyclodextrins, polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), poly (ethylene glycol) 6000, Pluronic® F-127 and Pluronic® F-68. PG was also incorporated into polymeric micelles of Pluronic® F-127, Pluronic® F- 68, Brij®35 and Myrj®52. The prepared solid dispersions, inclusion complexes and micelles were characterized using different techniques. Drug permeability across rabbit vaginal mucosa was also studied. RESULTS: Dissolution studies of PG solid dispersions showed that the highest drug dissolution rate was achieved at PG/polymer weight ratio of 5:5. Further, complete drug dissolution was obtained for PG/Pluronic® F-127 solid dispersion after 15 min compared to 42% dissolution for the drug alone. Brij®35 micelles had a drug loading capacity ~15%, which increased the drug aqueous solubility by more than 20 folds. PG permeability coefficients through rabbit vaginal mucosa for PG/Brij®35 micelles and PG/Pluronic® F-127 micelles were ~ two times higher than that of the drug alone. CONCLUSION: These results confirm that Brij®35 and Pluronic® F-127 micelles are promising carriers to overcome PG shortcomings through enhancing its aqueous solubility and vaginal permeability.

Despite its broad-spectrum antifungal properties, voriconazole has many side effects when administered systemically. The aim of this work was to develop an ethosomal topical delivery system for voriconazole and test its potential to enhance the antifungal properties and skin delivery of the drug. Voriconazole was encapsulated into various ethosomal preparations and the effect of phospholipid and ethanol concentrations on the ethosomes properties were evaluated. The ethosomes were evaluated for drug encapsulation efficiency, particle size and morphology and antifungal efficacy. Drug permeability and deposition were tested in rat abdominal skin. Drug encapsulation efficiency of up to 46% was obtained and it increased with increasing the phospholipid concentration, whereas the opposite effect was observed for the ethanol concentration. The ethosomes had a size of 420-600 nm and negative zeta potential. The particle size of the ethosomes increased by increasing their ethanol content. The ethosomes achieved similar inhibition zones against Aspergillus flavus at a 2-fold lower drug concentration compared with drug solution in dimethyl sulfoxide. The ex vivo drug permeability through rat abdominal skin was ∼6-fold higher for the ethosomes compared with the drug hydroalcoholic solution. Similarly, the amount of drug deposited in the skin was higher for the ethosomes and was dependent on the ethanol concentration of the ethosomes. These results confirm that voriconazole ethosomal preparations are promising topical delivery systems that can enhance the drug antifungal efficacy and improve its skin delivery.

Invasive fungal infections are becoming a major health concern in several groups of patients leading to severe morbidity and mortality. Moreover, cutaneous fungal infections are a major cause of visits to outpatient dermatology clinics. Despite the availability of several effective agents in the antifungal drug arena, their therapeutic outcome is less than optimal due to limitations related to drug physicochemical properties and toxicity. For instance, poor aqueous solubility limits the formulation options and efficacy of several azole antifungal drugs while toxicity limits the benefits of many other drugs. Nanoparticles hold great promise to overcome these limitations due to their ability to enhance drug aqueous solubility, bioavailability and antifungal efficacy. Further, drug incorporation into nanoparticles could greatly reduce its toxicity. Despite these interesting nanoparticle features, there are only few marketed nanoparticle-based antifungal drug formulations. This review sheds light on different classes of nanoparticles used in antifungal drug delivery, such as lipid-based vesicles, polymeric micelles, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, nanoemulsions and dendrimers with emphasis on their advantages and limitations. Translation of these nanoformulations from the lab to the clinic could be facilitated by focusing the research on overcoming problems related to nanoparticle stability, drug loading and high cost of production and standardization.

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