OBJECTIVE: A sensitive method for the estimation of CRM in plasma, as well as fecal matter-based solid self-nano emulsifying drug delivery system (S-SNEDDS), has been reported for the first time.
METHODS: A bioanalytical method was optimized using Box-Behnken Design having 13 runs and 3 responses. The optimized method was developed using methanol and water (70:30 v/v) with a flow rate of 1 mL/min. Quercetin was used as an internal standard. A specificity test was also performed for the developed CRM solid self-nano emulsifying drug delivery system.
RESULTS: The retention time of CRM was found to be 14.18 minutes. The developed method was validated and found to be linear in the range of 50-250 ng/mL with an R2 of 0.999. Accuracy studies indicated that CRM had a percentage recovery of less than 105% and more than 95%, respectively. Precision studies were carried out for inter, intraday, and inter-analyst precision, and the %RSD was found to be less than 2%. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were found to be 3.37 ng/mL and 10.23 ng/mL, respectively. Stability studies for shortterm, long term and freeze-thaw cycles showed a %RSD of less than 2%, indicating the stability of CRM in the plasma matrix. Moreover, the blank fecal microbiota extract slurry did not show any peak at the retention time of CRM in a CRM-loaded solid nanoemulsifying drug delivery system containing fecal microbiota extract indicating its specificity.
CONCLUSION: Hence, the developed method can have clinical implications as it helps estimate CRM in blood samples and also provides a simple and sensitive method for the estimation of plant-based flavonoids along with fecal microbiota extract formulations.
AREAS COVERED: The present review provides a brief insight into the strategies of loading water-sensitive drugs into NANEs. Further advancement in these anhydrous systems with the use of solid particulate surfactants in the form of Pickering emulsions is also discussed.
EXPERT OPINION: NANEs offer a unique platform for delivering water-sensitive drugs by loading them in anhydrous formulation. The biggest advantage of NANEs vis-à-vis the other nano-cargos is that they can also be prepared without using equipment-intensive techniques. However, the use of NANEs in drug delivery is quite limited. Looking at the small number of studies available in this direction, a need for further research in this field is required to explore this delivery system further.
METHODS: It was formulated using high pressure homogenization followed by probe sonication and formulation variables were optimized using Central Composite Design. The particle size (PS), zeta potential (ZP), entrapment efficiency (EE), drug release, cytotoxicity on NIH 3T3 fibroblasts cells and HaCaT keratinocytes cells and efficacy on RAW264.7 cells for optimized formulation was determined.
RESULTS: The PS, ZP and EE were found to be 85.26 nm, -23.7 ± 7.45 mV, 99.2 ± 2.62 % (Mes) and 84 ± 1.51 % (Cur), respectively. The good correlation between predicted and obtained value indicated suitability and reproducibility of experimental design. NLCs showed spherical shape as confirmed by TEM. In vitro drug release profile of prepared formulation showed that Mes exhibited 100 % release at 48 h, whereas Cur exhibited 82.23 ± 2.97% release at 120 h. Both the drugs exhibited sustained release upon incorporation into the NLCs. The absence of any significant cell death during MTT assay performed on NIH 3T3 fibroblasts cells and HaCaT keratinocytes cells indicated that NLCs' were safe for use. Furthermore, significant reduction in nitric oxide level during anti-inflammatory evaluation of formulation on RAW264.7 cells showed excellent potential for the formulation to treat inflammation. The formulation was found stable as no significant difference between the PS, ZP and EE of the fresh and aged NLCs was observed.
CONCLUSION: The outcomes of study deciphered successful formulation of Mes-Cur NLCs.