Cocoa Butter: Evolution from Natural Food Ingredient to Pharmaceutical Excipient and Drug Delivery System.

For decades, cocoa butter has been extensively used in food industries, particularly in the production of chocolate confectioneries. The composition of fats within cocoa butter, such as stearic acid, palmitic acid, and oleic acid, determines its properties. Studies have indicated the existence of at least six polymorphic forms of cocoa butter, each possessing distinct characteristics and melting points. Recently, cocoa butter has garnered attention for its potential as a delivery system for pharmaceutical products. This review thoroughly explores cocoa butter, encompassing its production process, composition, properties, and polymorphism. It delves into its diverse applications across various industries including food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, the review investigates cocoa butter alternatives aiming to substitute cocoa butter and their roles in different drug delivery systems. The unique properties of cocoa butter have sparked interest in pharmaceutical industries, particularly since its introduction as a drug delivery system and excipient. This has prompted researchers and industry stakeholders to explore novel formulations and delivery methods, thereby expanding the range of options available to consumers in the pharmaceutical market.

Comparison of oven drying and freeze drying methods for the production of fast melt films containing quetiapine fumarate.

BACKGROUND: Quetiapine fumarate (QTP) is commonly prescribed for schizophrenic patient, typically available in tablet or oral suspension form, presenting challenges such as administration difficulties, fear of choking and distaste for its bitter taste. Fast melt films (FMF) offer an alternative dosage form with a simple development process, ease of administration and rapid drug absorption and action onset. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to prepare FMF with different formulations using solvent casting methods and to compare the effects of different drying methods, including oven drying and freeze drying, on the properties of the films. METHODS: Various formulations were created by manipulating polymer types (starch, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and guar gum) at different concentrations, along with fixed concentrations of QTP and other excipients. Characterization tests including surface morphology, weight, thickness, pH, tensile strength, elongation length, Young's modulus, folding endurance and disintegration time were conducted. The optimal FMF formulation was identified and further evaluated for moisture and drug content, dissolution behavior, accelerated stability, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and palatability. RESULTS: FMF containing 10 mg guar gum/film developed using oven drying emerged as the optimum choice, exhibiting desirable film appearance, ultra-thin thickness (0.453 ± 0.002 mm), appropriate pH for oral intake (pH 5.0), optimal moisture content of 11.810%, rapid disintegration (52.67 ± 1.53 s), high flexibility (folding endurance > 300 times) and lower Young's modulus (1.308 ± 0.214). CONCLUSION: Oven drying method has been proven to be favorable for developing FMF containing QTP, meeting all testing criteria and providing an alternative option for QTP prescription.

Nano vs Resistant Tuberculosis: Taking the Lung Route.

Tuberculosis (TB) is among the top 10 infectious diseases worldwide. It is categorized among the leading killer diseases that are the reason for the death of millions of people globally. Although a standardized treatment regimen is available, non-adherence to treatment has increased multi-drug resistance (MDR) and extensive drug-resistant (XDR) TB development. Another challenge is targeting the death of TB reservoirs in the alveoli via conventional treatment. TB Drug resistance may emerge as a futuristic restraint of TB with the scarcity of effective Anti-tubercular drugs. The paradigm change towards nano-targeted drug delivery systems is mostly due to the absence of effective therapy and increased TB infection recurrent episodes with MDR. The emerging field of nanotechnology gave an admirable opportunity to combat MDR and XDR via accurate diagnosis with effective treatment. The new strategies targeting the lung via the pulmonary route may overcome the new incidence of MDR and enhance patient compliance. Therefore, this review highlights the importance and recent research on pulmonary drug delivery with nanotechnology along with prevalence, the need for the development of nanotechnology, beneficial aspects of nanomedicine, safety concerns of nanocarriers, and clinical studies.

Bacterial cellulose/acrylamide pH-sensitive smart hydrogel: development, characterization, and toxicity studies in ICR mice model.

The objective of this study is to synthesize and evaluate acute toxicity of the bacterial cellulose (BC)/acrylamide (Am) hydrogels as noncytotoxic and biocompatible oral drug delivery vehicles. A novel series of solubilized BC/Am hydrogels were synthesized using a microwave irradiation method. The hydrogels were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), swelling ratio, porosity, drug release, and in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility experiments. FTIR spectra revealed that the BC crystallinity and gel fraction decreased as the NaOH concentration increased from 2% to 10% w/v, whereas the optical transparency, pH sensitivity, and porosity were enhanced with increasing alkali concentration. Theophylline was used as a model drug for drug loading and release studies. The percentage of drug released was higher at pH 7.4 compared to pH 1.5. In vitro cytotoxicity and hemolytic tests indicated that the BC/Am hydrogel is noncytotoxic and hemocompatible. Results of acute oral toxicity tests on ICR mice suggested that the hydrogels are nontoxic up to 2000 mg/kg when administered orally, as no toxic response or histopathological changes were observed in comparison to control mice. The results of this study demonstrated that the pH-sensitive smart hydrogel makes it a possible safe carrier for oral drug delivery.

Pluronic-F127 composite film loaded with erythromycin for wound application: formulation, physicomechanical and in vitro evaluations.

Composite film dressings composed of pluronic F127 (PL)-pectin (PC) and pluronic (PL) F127-gelatin (GL) were investigated as potential drug delivery system for wound healing. Composite films were solvent cast by blending PL with PC or GL in different ratios using glycerol (2.5%) as plasticizer. Erythromycin (ER) (0.1%) was incorporated in films as model hydrophobic antibiotic. The optimized composite films were characterized for physical appearance, morphology, mechanical profile, and thermal behavior. In addition, drug release, antibacterial activity, and cytocompatibility of the films were investigated to assess their potential as drug delivery system. The composite films exhibited excellent wound dressing characters in terms of appearance, stability, and mechanical profile. Moreover, ER-loaded composite films released ER in controlled manner, exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, and were non-toxic to human skin fibroblast. These findings demonstrate that these composite films hold the potential to be formulated as antibacterial wound dressing.

In vivo evaluation of bacterial cellulose/acrylic acid wound dressing hydrogel containing keratinocytes and fibroblasts for burn wounds.

The healing of wounds, including those from burns, currently exerts a burden on healthcare systems worldwide. Hydrogels are widely used as wound dressings and in the field of tissue engineering. The popularity of bacterial cellulose-based hydrogels has increased owing to their biocompatibility. Previous study demonstrated that bacterial cellulose/acrylic acid (BC/AA) hydrogel increased the healing rate of burn wound. This in vivo study using athymic mice has extended the use of BC/AA hydrogel by the addition of human epidermal keratinocytes and human dermal fibroblasts. The results showed that hydrogel loaded with cells produces the greatest acceleration on burn wound healing, followed by treatment with hydrogel alone, compared with the untreated group. The percentage wound reduction on day 13 in the mice treated with hydrogel loaded with cells (77.34 ± 6.21%) was significantly higher than that in the control-treated mice (64.79 ± 6.84%). Histological analysis, the expression of collagen type I via immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy indicated a greater deposition of collagen in the mice treated with hydrogel loaded with cells than in the mice administered other treatments. Therefore, the BC/AA hydrogel has promising application as a wound dressing and a cell carrier.

Development of a bacterial cellulose-based hydrogel cell carrier containing keratinocytes and fibroblasts for full-thickness wound healing.

Bacterial cellulose (BC)/acrylic acid (AA) hydrogel has successfully been investigated as a wound dressing for partial-thickness burn wound. It is also a promising biomaterial cell carrier because it bears some resemblance to the natural soft tissue. This study assessed its ability to deliver human epidermal keratinocytes (EK) and dermal fibroblasts (DF) for the treatment of full-thickness skin lesions. In vitro studies demonstrated that BC/AA hydrogel had excellent cell attachment, maintained cell viability with limited migration, and allowed cell transfer. In vivo wound closure, histological, immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy evaluation revealed that hydrogel alone (HA) and hydrogel with cells (HC) accelerated wound healing compared to the untreated controls. Gross appearance and Masson's trichrome staining indicated that HC was better than HA. This study suggests the potential application of BC/AA hydrogel with dual functions, as a cell carrier and wound dressing, to promote full-thickness wound healing.

Microwaved bacterial cellulose-based hydrogel microparticles for the healing of partial thickness burn wounds.

Burn wound management is a complex process because the damage may extend as far as the dermis which has an acknowledged slow rate of regeneration. This study investigates the feasibility of using hydrogel microparticles composed of bacterial cellulose and polyacrylamide as a dressing material for coverage of partial-thickness burn wounds. The microparticulate carrier structure and surface morphology were investigated by Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The cytotoxicity profile of the microparticles showed cytocompatibility with L929 cells. Dermal irritation test demonstrated that the hydrogel was non-irritant to the skin and had a significant effect on wound contraction compared to the untreated group. Moreover, histological examination of in vivo burn healing samples revealed that the hydrogel treatment enhanced epithelialization and accelerated fibroblast proliferation with wound repair and intact skin achieved by the end of the study. Both the in vitro and in vivo results proved the biocompatibility and efficacy of hydrogel microparticles as a wound dressing material.

Characterization and biocompatibility evaluation of bacterial cellulose-based wound dressing hydrogel: effect of electron beam irradiation doses and concentration of acrylic acid.

The use of bacterial cellulose (BC)-based hydrogel has been gaining attention owing to its biocompatibility and biodegradability. This study was designed to investigate the effect of radiation doses and acrylic acid (AA) composition on in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility of BC/AA as wound dressing materials. Physical properties of the hydrogel, that is, thickness, adhesiveness, rate of water vapor transmission, and swelling were measured. Moreover, the effect of these parameters on skin irritation and sensitization, blood compatibility, and cytotoxicity was studied. Increased AA content and irradiation doses increased the thickness, crosslinking density, and improved the mechanical properties of the hydrogel, but reduced its adhesiveness. The swelling capacity of the hydrogel increased significantly with a decrease in the AA composition in simulated wound fluid. The water vapor permeability of polymeric hydrogels was in the range of 2035-2666 [g/(m-2 day-1 )]. Dermal irritation and sensitization test demonstrated that the hydrogel was nonirritant and nonallergic. The BC/AA hydrogel was found to be nontoxic to primary human dermal fibroblast skin cells with viability >88% and was found to be biocompatible with blood with a low hemolytic index (0.80-1.30%). Collectively, these results indicate that these hydrogels have the potential to be used as wound dressings. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 2553-2564, 2017.

Recent advances in the role of supramolecular hydrogels in drug delivery.

INTRODUCTION: Supramolecular hydrogels, formed by noncovalent crosslinking of polymeric chains in water, constitute an interesting class of materials that can be developed specifically for drug delivery and biomedical applications. The biocompatibility, stimuli responsiveness to various external factors, and powerful functionalization capacity of these polymeric networks make them attractive candidates for novel advanced dosage form design. AREAS COVERED: This review summarizes the significance of supramolecular hydrogels in various biomedical and drug delivery applications. The recent advancement of these hydrogels as potential advanced drug delivery systems (for gene, protein, anticancer and other drugs) is discussed. The importance of these hydrogels in biomedical applications, particularly in tissue engineering, biosensing, cell-culture research and wound treatment is briefly described. EXPERT OPINION: The use of supramolecular hydrogels in drug delivery is still in very early stages. However, the potential of such a system is undeniably important and very promising. A number of recent studies have been conducted, which mainly focus on the use of cyclodextrin-based host-guest complex as well as other supramolecular motifs to form supramolecular hydrogels for delivery of various classes of drugs, therapeutic agents, proteins and genes. However, there are still plenty of opportunities for further development in this area for drug delivery and other biomedical applications.

Bacterial cellulose/acrylic acid hydrogel synthesized via electron beam irradiation: accelerated burn wound healing in an animal model.

Natural polymer-based hydrogels are of interest to health care professionals as wound dressings owing to their ability to absorb exudates and provide hydration for healing. The aims of this study were to develop and characterize bacterial cellulose/acrylic acid (BC/AA) hydrogels synthesized by electron beam irradiation and investigate its wound healing potential in an animal model. The BC/AA hydrogels were characterized by SEM, tensile strength, water absorptivity, and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR). The cytotoxicity of the hydrogels was investigated in L929 cells. Skin irritation and wound healing properties were evaluated in Sprague-Dawley rats. BC/AA hydrogels had a macroporous network structure, high swelling ratio (4000-6000% at 24h), and high WVTR (2175-2280 g/m(2)/day). The hydrogels were non-toxic in the cell viability assay. In vivo experiments indicated that hydrogels promoted faster wound-healing, enhanced epithelialization, and accelerated fibroblast proliferation compared to that in the control group. These results suggest that BC/AA hydrogels are promising materials for burn dressings.