Natural Polymeric Nanobiocomposites for Anti-Cancer Drug Delivery Therapeutics: A Recent Update.

Cancer is one of the most common lethal diseases and the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Effective cancer treatment is a global problem, and subsequent advancements in nanomedicine are useful as substitute management for anti-cancer agents. Nanotechnology, which is gaining popularity, enables fast-expanding delivery methods in science for curing diseases in a site-specific approach, utilizing natural bioactive substances because several studies have established that natural plant-based bioactive compounds can improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Bioactive, in combination with nanotechnology, is an exceptionally alluring and recent development in the fight against cancer. Along with their nutritional advantages, natural bioactive chemicals may be used as chemotherapeutic medications to manage cancer. Alginate, starch, xanthan gum, pectin, guar gum, hyaluronic acid, gelatin, albumin, collagen, cellulose, chitosan, and other biopolymers have been employed successfully in the delivery of medicinal products to particular sites. Due to their biodegradability, natural polymeric nanobiocomposites have garnered much interest in developing novel anti-cancer drug delivery methods. There are several techniques to create biopolymer-based nanoparticle systems. However, these systems must be created in an affordable and environmentally sustainable way to be more readily available, selective, and less hazardous to increase treatment effectiveness. Thus, an extensive comprehension of the various facets and recent developments in natural polymeric nanobiocomposites utilized to deliver anti-cancer drugs is imperative. The present article provides an overview of the latest research and developments in natural polymeric nanobiocomposites, particularly emphasizing their applications in the controlled and targeted delivery of anti-cancer drugs.

An Outlook Towards Nano-Sponges: A Unique Drug Delivery System and its Application in Drug Delivery.

Nanosponges are colloidal and crosslinked nanocarriers consisting of a solid mesh-like network with nanocavities to encompass various types of substances like antineoplastic, proteins, peptides, volatile oil, DNA and then incorporated into topical medications that are mainly formulated such as gels, creams, lotions, ointments, liquid and powders etc. for topical drug delivery system. In the polymeric construction of nanosponges, the release of enthalpy-rich water molecules accounts for high complexation efficiency for different molecular substances. The benefits of nanosponges involve the extended and controlled release of encapsulated particles with excellent competence and great stability. Nanosponges assume a significant part in new varieties of medicaments, beautifiers, farming, horticulture, high atomic weight containing proteins, innovative fire retardants, gas transporters, and water filters. Nanosponges are a novel technology that offers controlled and targeted drug delivery by various routes like oral, parenteral, and topical routes. Nanosponges are an effective transporter for biologically active ingredients; therefore, it is broadly employed in anti-cancer, antiviral, antiplatelet, and antilipidemic therapy. This review article gives attention to the general introduction, merits and demerits, classification, characteristic features, procedures for developing nanosponges, and numerous factors which affect nanosponge formulation, evaluation parameters, and applications in the medicinal industry.

Formulation Development and Optimization of Matrix Tablet of Tramadol Hydrochloride.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present investigation is to formulate and optimize oral sustained release matrix tablet of highly water soluble drug Tramadol HCl and to evaluate the effect of varying concentration of hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymer on drug release, based on a survey done on the recent patents of Tramadol HCl (US7374781, CA 2479252) and sustained release matrix tablets. METHODS: The tablets were prepared by double granulation process, by melt granulation and wet granulation technique using Carnauba wax (CW) and HPMC K100 as release retardant. RESULTS: Pre and post compression factors were evaluated and all the parameters were found within the limit. The drug release data were subjected to different models in order to evaluate release kinetics and mechanism of drug release. The prepared formulations showed drug release in the range 100±2% in 6hrs, 7hrs, 8hrs and 9hrs and upto 12 hrs respectively. The optimized tablet having 25% CW and 20% HPMC showed sustained drug release pattern. Hydrophilic matrix of HPMC alone could not control the Tramadol release effectively for 12 h whereas when combined with CW could slow down the release of drug and can be successfully employed for formulating sustained-release matrix tablets. Similarity factor, f2 shows the test and reference profile are identical. CONCLUSION: Double granulation technique with CW and HPMC K100 proved as a better technique for sustaining the drug release from the matrix tablet.

Comparative study on the predictability of statistical models (RSM and ANN) on the behavior of optimized buccoadhesive wafers containing Loratadine and their in vivo assessment.

OBJECTIVE: Buccoadhesive wafer dosage form containing Loratadine is formulated utilizing Formulation by Design (FbD) approach incorporating sodium alginate and lactose monohydrate as independent variable employing solvent casting method. METHODS: The wafers were statistically optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Artificial Neural Network algorithm (ANN) for predicting physicochemical and physico-mechanical properties of the wafers as responses. Morphologically wafers were tested using SEM. Quick disintegration of the samples was examined employing Optical Contact Angle (OCA). RESULTS: The comparison of the predictability of RSM and ANN showed a high prognostic capacity of RSM model over ANN model in forecasting mechanical and physicochemical properties of the wafers. The in vivo assessment of the optimized buccoadhesive wafer exhibits marked increase in bioavailability justifying the administration of Loratadine through buccal route, bypassing hepatic first pass metabolism.

Formulation and mathematical optimization of controlled release calcium alginate micro pellets of frusemide.

OBJECTIVE: Frusemide loaded calcium alginate micropellets, an oral microparticulate delivery system, was statistically optimized exhibiting prolonged therapeutic action minimizing its adverse effects. METHODS: Ionotropic Gelation technique was adopted employing 3(2) Factorial designs and keeping the entire process free from organic solvents. Physicochemical and the release characteristics of the prepared formulations were studied, keeping variations only in sodium alginate (primary polymer) and Acrycoat E30D (copolymer) dispersion. RESULT: Sodium alginate was predominant over Acrycoat E30D in all batches. Nonadditives or interaction was observed to be insignificant. Multiple regressions produced second-order polynomial equation, and the predictive results obtained were validated with high degree of correlation. The in vivo study applauded that optimized calcium alginate micropellets of frusemide can produce a much greater diuretic effect over an extended period of 24 hours. CONCLUSION: This study reveals that the potential of a single dose of the mathematically optimized micro pellets of frusemide formulation is sufficient in the management of peripheral edema and ascites in congestive heart failure and as well in the treatment of chronic hypertension, leading to better patient compliance, and can be produced with minimum experimentation and time, proving far more cost-effective formulation than the conventional methods of formulating dosage forms.

Design expert supported mathematical optimization and predictability study of buccoadhesive pharmaceutical wafers of Loratadine.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this work encompasses the application of the response surface approach in the development of buccoadhesive pharmaceutical wafers of Loratadine (LOR). METHODS: Experiments were performed according to a 3(2) factorial design to evaluate the effects of buccoadhesive polymer, sodium alginate (A), and lactose monohydrate as ingredient, of hydrophilic matrix former (B) on the bioadhesive force, disintegration time, percent (%) swelling index, and time taken for 70% drug release (t(70%)). The effect of the two independent variables on the response variables was studied by response surface plots and contour plots generated by the Design-Expert software. The desirability function was used to optimize the response variables. RESULTS: The compatibility between LOR and the wafer excipients was confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry, FTIR spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Bioadhesion force, measured with TAXT2i texture analyzer, showed that the wafers had a good bioadhesive property which could be advantageous for retaining the drug into the buccal cavity. CONCLUSION: The observed responses taken were in agreement with the experimental values, and Loratadine wafers were produced with less experimental trials, and a patient compliant product was achieved with the concept of formulation by design.

Fabrication and development of pectin microsphere of metformin hydrochloride.

Purpose. The objective of the proposed work is to evaluate the efficacy of Pectins to qualify them as polymers for designing an oral microsphere for the delivery of selected oral antidiabetic drug-like metformin hydrochloride. Methods. Different Microspheres formulations were prepared by the water in oil (w\o) emulsion solvent evaporation technique and subsequently evaluated for its different physical parameters as well as its in vitro and in vivo drug release study. Results. The formulations F2 (98.42) and F3 (98.03) showed a constant and high release in the dissolution profile, so among these two formulations, F2 was taken for development study, due to the better result shown over in other evaluation parameters. From the HPLC determinations after in vivo study, it had been found that the test samples and the standard sample had not shown any significant fluctuation in relation to their retention time. Conclusion. From in vitro and in vivo results, it may be concluded that drug-loaded pectin microspheres in 1 : 1 ratio are a suitable delivery system for metformin hydrochloride and may be used for effective management of NIDDM. From this experiment, it could be concluded that as a natural polymer, pectin has potentiality in novel drug delivery system.

Calves born from anestrus yaks (Poephagus grunniens L.) subjected to Ovsynch and superovulation treatment.

An attempt was made to induce estrus and ovulation in eight anestrus yaks by use of the Ovsynch protocol. Six out of eight yaks were successfully induced into estrus, and ovulation occurred in all the responding yaks 1-2 days after the second GnRH administration. Out of the six animals that responded to the treatment, two mated naturally with yak bulls, and calves were obtained from them. The other four animals were further administered a superovulatory regimen of Folltropin (FSH-P). Following Folltropin and Ilerin (a PGF(2alpha) analog) treatment, the animals were subjected to natural insemination. Only one animal in which natural mating occurred was flushed non-surgically for embryo recovery 7 days post-insemination. Thereafter, all the donor animals were administered with Ilerin. After 48-72 h, they came into heat and mated naturally with yak bulls, and calves were obtained from them after expiration of the normal gestation period. Following superovulation, the average numbers of palpable corpora lutea in the right and left ovaries were 2.25+/-0.6 and 1.75 +/-0.3, respectively. Three embryos were recovered by non-surgical flushing from a single animal. One embryo was transferred to a recipient yak, who produced one female calf after 258 days. This is the first report of production of a yak calf through embryo transfer-technology.