Development of duloxetine hydrochloride loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles: characterizations and in vitro evaluation.

This study investigated the potential use of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) as a carrier for duloxetine hydrochloride (DX), which is prone to acid degradation. Sol-gel and solvothermal methods were used to synthesize the MSNs, which, after calcination and drug loading, were then characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) technique, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and diffuse reflectance ultraviolet-visible (DRS-UV-Vis) spectroscopy. Releases of DX from the MSNs were good in pH 7.4 (90%) phosphate buffer but poor in acidic pH (40%). In a comparative release study between the MSNs in phosphate buffer, TW60-3DX showed sustained release for 140 h, which was higher than the other nanoparticles. The mechanism of DX release from the MSNs was studied using Peppas kinetics model. The "n" value of all three MSNs ranged from 0.45 to 1 with a correlation coefficient (r (2)) >0.9, which indicated that the release of the drug from the system follows the anomalous transport or non-Fickian diffusion. The results supported the efficacy of mesoporous silica nanoparticles synthesized here as a promising carrier for duloxetine hydrochloride with higher drug loading and greater pH-sensitive release.

Homopiperazine grafted mesoporous silicas from rice husk ash for CO2 adsorption.

Chloro-functionalized mesoporous MCM-41, SBA-15, MCM-48 and KIT-6 were synthesized by co-condensation of 3-chloropropyl-trimethoxy-silane (CPTMS) and rice husk ash sodium silicate solution, which is subsequently grafted with a heterocyclic amine, homopiperazine (HPZ). X-ray powder diffraction and BET analysis of the chloro-functionalized mesoporous silicas confirmed the similarity between their structural properties and those obtained from conventional silica sources. CO2 adsorption studies of all HPZ-grafted mesoporous silicas exhibited 8-10 wt% of adsorption capacity and are found to be selective, recyclable and thermally stable. Here, the CO2 adsorption reaction is via the traditional carbamate mechanism. The presence of both secondary and tertiary amine in HPZ influences the high CO2 adsorption capacity. Hence, these HPZ-grafted mesoporous silicas could contribute to CO2 capture as a green, tunable, selective and efficient sorbent.

Chitosan-telmisartan polymeric cocrystals for improving oral absorption: In vitro and in vivo evaluation.

This study describes the development of polymeric cocrystals of chitosan-telmisartan (TEL) to improve the oral bioavailability of TEL, which has poor oral solubility and bioavailability. The polymeric cocrystal was prepared using chitosan a biopolymer with the aid of sodium citrate as a salting-out agent. The cocrystals were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimeteri (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). The improved solubility of TEL was observed with cocrystals as compared to that of pure drug in solubility studies with phosphate buffer (pH 7.4). The in vivo pharmacokinetics properties of cocrystal were studied by an animal model using rats after a single dose oral administration. The results showed an increased plasma drug concentration (Cmax) of 1.47, µg/ml for cocrystals when compared to pure TEL with 0.96 µg/ml with one-fold increased bioavailability (F%) that is, the cocrystals increases the solubility of the drug and the paracellular drug absorption by tight junction modulation. Further the elimination constant Kel resulted with higher value of about 0.0085 h-1 when compared to pure drug with0.0048 h-1 along with improved AUC (14.62 µg/ml).

Capecitabine encapsulated chitosan succinate-sodium alginate macromolecular complex beads for colon cancer targeted delivery: in vitro evaluation.

The present study aims to investigate the efficacy of the novel biopolymeric complex multiparticulate system consisting of chitosan succinate and alginate for the capecitabine-targeted delivery to colon cancer. A Box-Behnken design was used to optimize the CS-SA beads by considering the effect of three factors: CS (A;X1), CaCl2 (B;X2), and SA (C;X3), on the response variables Y1 (EE), Y2 (Size), and Y3 (Release). The results of response surface plots allowed an optimized bead to be identified with high drug EE and maximum drug release at colon. The swelling index showed that the beads reached a maximum good swelling at pH 7.4, and nil or little swelling at acidic pH, which proves that the beads completely protect the release of drug. The in vitro release portrayed a maximum release at pH 7.4, due to the large swelling force that was created by electrostatic repulsion between the ionized carboxylic acid groups of the CS-SA network. In vitro cytotoxicity assay (MTT) of CS-SA beads shows inhibition of the proliferation of HT-29 tumour cell to induce apoptosis over a longer period of time. The above results show that CS-SA beads prolong the release of CP in the colonic region, and also enhance antitumor efficacy.

Low-cost and eco-friendly green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Prunus japonica (Rosaceae) leaf extract and their antibacterial, antioxidant properties.

Low cost and eco-friendly green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from silver nitrate (AgNO3) using Prunus japonica leaves extract as reducing agent by a simple method at room temperature. The biosynthesized nanoparticles (NPs) were characterized by UV-Vis, tunneling electron microscopy (HR-TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with X-ray energy dispersive spectrophotometer (EDAX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In UV-Vis spectroscopy results, the λmax was observed at 441 nm. The AgNPs synthesized were spherical, hexagonal, and irregular in shapes. The EDAX and XRD spectrum confirmed the presence of silver ions and crystalline nature of synthesized AgNPs. FTIR showed the functional groups such as C = O, N-H and C-N groups involved in the reduction of Ag+ to Ag. 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay was performed and it showed the percentage inhibition in concentration-dependent manner. The synthesized AgNPs showed antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus to different extents and the higher activity was observed in Proteus vulgaris.

Chitosan-HPMC-blended microspheres as a vaccine carrier for the delivery of tetanus toxoid.

The purpose of this research was to develop a suitable and alternate adjuvant for the tetanus toxoid (TT) vaccine that induces long term immunity after a single-dose immunization. In our study, the preformulation studies were carried out by using different ratios (7/3, 8/2, and 9/1) of chitosan-hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)-blended empty microspheres. Moreover, TT was stabilized with heparin (at heparin concentrations of 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4% w/v) and encapsulated in ideal chitosan - HPMC (CHBMS) microspheres, by the water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) multiple emulsion method. The vaccine entrapment and the in vitro release efficiency of the CHBMS was evaluated for a period of 90 days. The release of antigens from the microspheres was determined by ELISA. Antigen integrity was investigated by SDS-PAGE. From the optimization studies, it was found that a chitosan/HPMC ratio of 8/2 produced a good yield, with microspheres that were spherical, regular and uniformly-sized. In the CHBMS, a heparin concentration of 3% w/v resulted in well-sustained antigen delivery for a period of 90 days. It was found that the characteristics of initial release could be observed in 2 days, followed by a constant release, and an almost 100% complete release in 90 days. From the in vitro release characteristics, the ideal batch of CHBMS (3% w/v heparin) was evaluated for in vivo studies by the antibody induction method. The antibody levels were measured for different combinations for the period of 9 months, and finally, with a second booster dose after 1 year. In conclusion, it was observed that CHBMS (combination-1) resulted in the antibody level of 4.5 IU/mL of guinea pig serum, and the level was 3.5 IU/mL for the Central Research Institute's alum-adsorbed tetanus toxoid (CRITT) (combination 2), after 1 year, with a second booster dose. This novel approach of using CHBMS may have potential advantages for single-step immunization with vaccines.

Preparation and characterization of gatifloxacin-loaded alginate/poly (vinyl alcohol) electrospun nanofibers.

The aim of this study was to develop novel biomedicated electrospun nanofibers for controlled release. Pre-formulation studies were carried out for nanofibers of sodium alginate (SA) (2 wt %)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (10 wt %) composites (2/8, 3/7 and 4/6), by an electrospinning technique. The morphology and average diameter of the nanofibers were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The optimum ratio (3/7) was used to load gatifloxacin hydrochloride (GH) (1wt %), found to form smooth fibers with uniform structures. The drug entrapment in the composite nanofibers was confirmed by SEM, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and swelling behavior. The drug release behavior was investigated using phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (pH 7.4) at 37°C for 24 h. The XRD and FTIR data demonstrate that there are good interactions between PVA and SA, possibly caused by hydrogen bonds. As much as 90% of the GH was released from the electrospun fibers within 6 h of incubation. Beyond this, the release was sustained for 24 h. The thickness of nanofibers greatly influenced the initial release and rate of drug release. Moreover, GH-loaded sodium alginate/PVA composite nanofibers exhibited a useful and convenient method for electrospinning in order to control the rate and period of drug release in wound-healing applications.

Chitosan cocrystals embedded alginate beads for enhancing the solubility and bioavailability of aceclofenac.

Enhanced oral bioavailability of aceclofenac has been achieved using chitosan cocrystals of aceclofenac and its entrapment into alginate matrix a super saturated drug delivery system (SDDS). Prepared SDDS were evaluated by various physiochemical and pharmacological methods. The result revealed that the primary cocrystals enhanced the solubility of the drug and the thick gelled polymer matrix that formed from swelling of calcium alginate beads makes it to release the drug in continuous and sustained manner by supersaturated drug diffusion. The Cmax, Tmax and relative bioavailability for aceclofenac cocrystal and aceclofenac SDDS were 2.06±0.42 µg/ml, 1 h, 159.72±10.84 and 2.01 µg/ml, 1 h, 352.76±12.91, respectively. Anti-inflammatory activity of aceclofenac was significantly improved with the SDDS. With respect to the results, it revealed that the SDDS described herein might be a promising tool for the oral sustained release of aceclofenac and likely for that of various other poorly soluble drugs.

Utilization of rice husk ash as silica source for the synthesis of mesoporous silicas and their application to CO2 adsorption through TREN/TEPA grafting.

Mesoporous MCM-41, MCM-48 and SBA-15 were synthesized using Rice husk ash (RHA) as the silica source and their defective Si-OH sites were functionalized by 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane (CPTMS) which was subsequently grafted with amine compounds, Tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (TREN) and Tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA). X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and BET results of the parent mesoporous silica suggested their closeness of structural properties to those obtained from conventional silica sources. CO(2) adsorption of branched amine TREN and straight chain amine TEPA at 25, 50 and 75 degrees C was obtained by Thermogravimetric Analyser (TGA) at atmospheric pressure. TREN grafted mesoporous silica showed 7% of CO(2) adsorption while TEPA grafted mesoporous silicas showed less CO(2) adsorption, which is due to the presence of isolated amine groups in TREN. TREN grafted mesoporous silicas were also observed to be selective towards CO(2), thermally stable and recyclable. The order of CO(2) adsorption with respect to amount of amine grafting was observed to be MCM-48/TREN>MCM-41/TREN>SBA-15/TREN.