Nanotechnology based blended chitosan-pectin hybrid for safe and efficient consolidative antiemetic and neuro-protective effect of meclizine hydrochloride in chemotherapy induced emesis.

The aim of this study was to formulate an easily-administered, safe and effective dosage form loaded with meclizine for treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) through the buccal route. CINV comprises bothersome side effects accompanying cytotoxic drugs administration in cancer patients. Meclizine was loaded in chitosan-pectin nanoparticles which were further incorporated within a buccal film. Different formulations were prepared based on a 21.31 full factorial study using Design Expert®8. The optimum formulation possessed favorable characters regarding its particle size (129 nm), entrapment efficiency (90%) and release profile. Moreover, its permeation efficiency through sheep buccal mucosa was assessed via Franz cell diffusion and confocal laser microscopy methods. Enhanced permeation was achieved compared with the free drug form. In-vivo performance was assessed using cyclophosphamide induced emesis. The proposed formulation exerted significant relief of the measured responses (reduced body weight and motor coordination, elevated emesis, anorexia, proinflammatory mediators and neurotransmitters that were also associated with scattered degenerated neurons and glial cells). The developed formulation ameliorated all behavioral, biochemical and histopathological changes induced by cyclophosphamide. The obtained data were promising suggesting that our bioadhesive formulation can offer an auspicious medication for treating distressing symptoms associated with chemotherapy for cancer patients.

Preparation of an oral thin film containing meclizine hydrochloride: In vitro and in vivo evaluation.

Oral thin film (OTF) is a preparation of postage stamp size, with advantages of flexible, tasty and without water for oral administration. A commercial product (Zentrip®) was developed for people who suffered from motion sickness. In order to improve the mechanical strength of Zentrip®, OTF containing meclizine hydrochloride (MH) was designed and prepared using the solvent casting method. The characteristics of the prepared OTF were evaluated using micrometer, auto stripping tester, DSC, X-ray diffraction. ATR-FTIR was employed to investigate the interaction between drug and polymer. The thickness of MH OTF obtained was 0.116±0.004mm, the tensile strength was 17.37±1.54Nmm(-2) and the drug dissolution at 5min was more than 80% both in distilled water and 0.1mol/L HCL. DSC and XRD showed MH was amorphous in the polymer. ATR-FTIR indicated the MH molecules inserted into the network structure of polymer, which resulted in an inhibition of drug recrystallization. The Cmax of Zentrip® and MH OTF were 1.46±0.44µg/mL and 1.91±0.51µg/mL, and the AUC were 10.38±2.93µgh/mL and 13.74±3.23µgh/mL, respectively. Compared with Zentrip®, MH OTF successfully overcome the weakness of mechanical strength, possessed faster dissolution profile and showed bioequivalence in pharmacokinetics, deserving to a further development.

Prenatal and developmental toxicity study of meclizine and caffeine combination in female albino Wistar rats.

Meclizine and caffeine combination is used for the treatment of morning sickness. Both compounds are teratogenic and caffeine is known to possess anti-fertility activity also. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the reproductive toxic effect of meclizine and caffeine combination. Three doses were taken for the study; low dose (LD; meclizine 3.7 mg/kg and caffeine 3 mg/kg) was selected from commercially available formulation, middle dose (MD; meclizine 37 mg/kg and caffeine 30 mg/kg) and high dose (HD; meclizine 370 mg/kg and caffeine 300 mg/kg). The mixture was administered 1-7 days and 8-14 days for fertility and embryotoxic studies respectively. Laparotomy was done on 10t day of gestation period. Number of implants and corpora lutea were counted, pre and post-implantation losses were determined. In embryo toxicity study fetuses were evaluated for external, skeletal and visceral examination. High dose was removed from both fertility and embryotoxicity studies due to its severe toxicity to the dam. Significant anti-fertility activity was observed at middle dose. Embryotoxicity study showed significant reduction in fetal body weight, body length and body mass index, dam body weight gain on gestation day 14. Absolute kidney weight in MD and absolute and relative spleen weight in both LD and MD were significantly reduced. There was no increase in external or internal congenital anomalies at both LD and MD. The, results suggest that prescription of meclizine and caffeine for morning sickness in early pregnancy should be reviewed carefully.

Evaluation of teratogenic effects of risperidone following simultaneous administration with antihypertensive and antiemetic drugs.

Multiple drug administration is an important aspect of clinical practice particularly in specific physiological situation such as in neonates, elderly or pregnancy, since in all such situations, possibility of unwanted effects increases due to altered body physiology. In present study, the teratogenic effects of multiple drug administration risperidone, meclizine/pyridoxine and hydralazine have been compared with the teratogenic effects of individual drugs in pregnant mice. Moreover the role of folic acid and α-tocopherol if any had also been investigated in reducing the teratogenic effects of these drugs in combinations.