Cyclodextrin/Adamantane-Grafted Polyethylene Glycol-Based Self-assembling Constructs for Topical Delivery of Ketorolac Tromethamine: Formulation, Characterization, and In Vivo Studies.

Topical formulation of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) exhibits many advantages over the oral administration route, such as avoiding the direct effect on GIT and avoiding the poor oral bioavailability of such drugs. Our study aims to develop a new self-assembling construct based on the hydrophobic interaction between adamantane terminated poly (ethylene glycol) polymers and polymerized ß-cyclodextrin. The viscous constructs were developed from direct mixing of host and guest polymer solutions, indicating spontaneous formation without cross-linkers. The modified system was evaluated by different analyses, including X-ray diffractometry, electron microscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry, and rheological analysis. Moreover, such a system's ability for drug loading and release was investigated via the in vitro release of ketorolac tromethamine (KT) as a model of NSAIDs. Finally, the prepared formulas were applied on a rat paw edema model to prove the enhanced anti-inflammatory activities. The obtained results indicated that the modified constructs have a rubbery porous structure with an amorphous nature. Also, from rheological results, the modified system exhibited a viscous behavior with higher loss modulus (G″) compared with storage (G'). The inclusion complexation between cyclodextrin and adamantane moieties was proved by the recorded high binding constants with a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio. Furthermore, the results showed the successful KT incorporation into the modified system and quantitatively released through a semi-permeable membrane in a sustained fashion (over 24 h). Finally, the in vivo results of the medicated constructs showed a significant inhibition of the induced inflammation and swelling, indicating that the modified construct has a great utility for safe non-irritating topical delivery applications.

Emulsification/internal gelation as a method for preparation of diclofenac sodium-sodium alginate microparticles.

Emulsification/internal gelation has been suggested as an alternative to extrusion/external gelation in the encapsulation of several compounds including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as diclofenac sodium. The objective of the present study was a trial to formulate diclofenac sodium as controlled release microparticles that might be administered once or twice daily. This could be achieved via emulsification/internal gelation technique applying Box-Behnken design to choose these formulae. Box-Behnken design determined fifteen formulae containing specified amounts of the independent variables, which included stirring speed in rpm (X1), drug:polymer ratio (X2) and the surfactant span 80% (X3). The dependent variables studied were cumulative percent release after two hours (Y1), four hours (Y2) and eight hours (Y3). The prepared microparticles were characterized for their production yield, sizes, shapes and morphology, entrapment efficiency and Diclofenac sodium in vitro release as well. The results showed that the production yield of the prepared diclofenac sodium microparticles was found to be between 79.55% and 97.41%. The formulated microparticles exhibited acceptable drug content values that lie in the range 66.20-96.36%. Also, the data obtained revealed that increasing the mixing speed (X1) generally resulted in decreased microparticle size. In addition, scanning electron microscope images of the microparticles illustrated that the formula contains lower span concentration (1%) in combination with lower stirring speed (200 rpm) which showed wrinkled, but smooth surfaces. However, by increasing surfactant concentration, microspheres' surfaces become smoother and slightly porous. Kinetic treatment of the in vitro release from drug-loaded microparticles indicated that the zero order is the drug release mechanism for the most formulae.

Physically cross-linked hydrogels of ß -cyclodextrin polymer and poly(ethylene glycol)-cholesterol as delivery systems for macromolecules and small drug molecules.

An injectable hydrogel based on the inclusion complexation of polymerized ß-cyclodextrin (pß-CD) and cholesterol terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-chol) was developed and used as a delivery system for both macromolecules and small drugs. The hydrogel was characterized by different analyses including X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy. The effects of pß-CD/PEG-chol ratio and PEG-chol architecture on the hydrogel properties were also investigated. Cytotoxicity of the hydrogel was evaluated in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts using MTS assay. The hydrogel had an elastic behavior even at high temperature since the gelation temperature was observed at 68 °C. The highest hydrogel strength and stability were observed for the 8-armed PEG-chol at a pß-CD/PEG-chol ratio of 1:1, w/w. Hydrogel degradation in phosphate buffered saline occurred by gradual erosion over the course of two months. IgG, a model hydrophilic macromolecule and riluzole, a model hydrophobic small drug were incorporated into the hydrogel and quantitatively released in a sustained fashion. The released IgG maintained its bioactivity confirming the absence of deleterious effects on protein structure during loading and release. The hydrogels showed no toxicity on NIH 3T3 fibroblasts confirming their biocompatibility. These results confirm the potential of pß-CD/PEG-chol hydrogel as a versatile delivery system for drugs of different molecular weights and nature.