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.
OBJECTIVES: Pioneering research on molecular mechanisms underlying the viral transmission, molecular pathogenicity, and potential treatments will be highlighted in this review. The development of antiviral drugs specific to SARS-CoV-2 is a complicated and tedious process. To accelerate scientific discoveries and advancement, researchers are consolidating available data from associated coronaviruses into a single pipeline, which can be readily made available to vaccine developers.
METHODS: In order to find studies evaluating the COVID-19 virus epidemiology, repurposed drugs and potential vaccines, web searches and bibliographical bases have been used with keywords that matches the content of this review.
RESULTS: The published results of SARS-CoV-2 structures and interactomics have been used to identify potential therapeutic candidates. We illustrate recent publications on SARS-CoV-2, concerning its molecular, epidemiological, and clinical characteristics, and focus on innovative diagnostics technologies in the production pipeline. This objective of this review is to enhance the comprehension of the unique characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and strengthen future control measures.
Lay Summary: An innovative analysis is evaluating the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim is to increase knowledge of possible viral detection methods, which highlights several new technology limitations and advantages. We have assessed some drugs currently for patients (Lopinavir, Ritonavir, Anakinra and Interferon beta 1a), as the feasibility of COVID-19 specific antivirals is not presently known. The study explores the race toward vaccine development and highlights some significant trials and candidates in various clinical phases. This research addresses critical knowledge gaps by identifying repurposed drugs currently under clinical trials. Findings will be fed back rapidly to the researchers interested in COVID 19 and support the evidence and potential of possible therapeutics and small molecules with their mode of action.
OBJECTIVE: To address the problem, we first prepared nifedipine loaded sustained releases microsponges and then formulated tablets for effective clinical application and patient compliance.
METHOD: Preparations of microsponges were carried out using different composition of nifedipine and polymer (1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 % molar ratio) using emulsion solvent diffusion technique.
RESULTS: The microsponges with molar ratio 1:3 (formulation code: MF-3) found optimized as revealed by analyzing surface morphology, better powder flow properties (angle of repose; 28.80 ± 0.9, Hausner ratio 1.15 ± 0.2, % compressibility 15.28 ± 0.5% and higher % drug content (80 ± 1.9 %). Different batches of tablets were then formulated incorporating MF-3 microsponges and different proportion (10-50 %) of microcrystalline cellulose and starch as additives. Among tablet formulations, batch composed of 48% of MF-3, 30% of MCC, 20 % of starch and 2 % of talc (TF-33), showed 92.73 ± 2.19 % drug release during 24 hr in vitro release study in comparison to other batches including commercial formulation which was found to be released completely in 20 hr. Further, stability analysis revealed good drug retention of loaded nifedipine as well as consistent in vitro release pattern over a period of 90 days at 40 ºC and 75% RH.
CONCLUSION: The microsponge tablet delivery system was found to be superior concerning the therapeutic advantage as well as manufacturing feasibility of nifedipine.
METHODS: We searched for the chitosan and its derivatives based nanocarrier systems for the pulmonary drug delivery. We focused on the applications of chitosan in the development of nanoparticles for the pulmonary drug delivery.
RESULTS: Chitosan, a natural linear bio poly amino saccharide is playing a crucial role in the development of novel drug delivery systems (NDDS) such as nanoparticles in order to treat various respiratory diseases effectively by managing these difficulties due to its unique characteristic properties of biodegradability, biocompatibility, mucoadhesivity and its ability to enhance macromolecule permeation. It also aids in providing sustained and targeted effects, which are the primary requirements of an ideal pulmonary drug delivery system. This review highlights the applications and importance of chitosan with special emphasis on nanotechnology, particularly employed in various respiratory diseases such as asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), lung cancer and pulmonary fibrosis.
CONCLUSIONS: This review will be of interest to both the biological and formulation scientists to have a quick snapshot on the utility of chitosan in pulmonary drug delivery systems. At present, there are no patented chitosan based controlled release products available with pulmonary drug delivery and therefore this area needs attention to explore the potential of this polymer in the area of respiratory research.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper is to review the recent literature on vesicular drug delivery systems containing curcumin.
METHODS: We have collated and summarized various recent attempts made to develop different controlled release drug delivery systems containing curcumin which would be of great interest for herbal, formulation and biological scientists. There are several vesicular nanotechnological techniques involving curcumin which have been studied recently, targeting pulmonary diseases.
RESULTS: Different vesicular systems containing curcumin are being studied for their therapeutic potential in different respiratory diseases. There has been a renewed interest in formulations containing curcumin recently, primarily owing to the broad spectrum therapeutic potential of this miracle substance. Various types of formulations, containing curcumin, targeting different bodily systems have recently emerged and, nevertheless, the search for newer frontiers with this drug goes on.
CONCLUSION: This mini review, in this direction, tries to highlight the key research interventions employing vesicular systems of drug delivery with curcumin.
METHODS: The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of DE'RAAQSIN was assessed by measuring the levels of ROS and nitric oxide (NO) produced, using the DCF-DA assay and the Griess reagent assay, respectively. The molecular pathways activated by DE'RAAQSIN were investigated via qPCR.
RESULTS: LPS stimulation of RAW264.7 cells increased the production of nitric oxide (NO) and ROS and resulted in the overexpression of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene. Furthermore, LPS induced the upregulation of the expression of key proinflammatory genes (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, and CXCL1) and of the antioxidant gene heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). DE'RAAQSIN demonstrated potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity by significantly reducing the levels of ROS and of secreted NO, simultaneously counteracting the LPS-induced overexpression of iNOS, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, and HO-1. These findings were corroborated by in silico activity prediction and physicochemical analysis of the main agarwood oil components.
CONCLUSIONS: We propose DE'RAAQSIN as a promising alternative managing inflammatory disorders, opening the platform for further studies aimed at understanding the effectiveness of DE'RAAQSIN.