Development and evaluation of methotrexate-loaded nanoemulsion formulation for topical treatment of psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that is becoming widespread and is associated with many kinds of additional severe diseases. The present study aimed to develop a methotrexate-loaded almond oil-based nanoemulsion formulation (MTX NE) for topical administration. The drug-loaded nanoemulsion formulation was prepared by high shear homogenization technique. The formulation's stability, as well as other physical and chemical characteristics, including entrapment effectiveness, drug release kinetics, skin permeability, skin irritation, and in vivo evaluation of the optimized formulation, was assessed. Additionally, imiquimod-induced psoriasis in rats was employed to investigate the efficacy of MTX NE against skin disorders. The MTX NE formulation was developed with a particle size of 18.74 ± 9.748 nm, a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.198 ± 0.01, and an average entrapment efficiency of 79.65 ± 3.84%. The release kinetics model estimates 81.08% drug release at pH 5.5 after 24 h. The major layers of the skin, the epidermis, and dermis were successfully fluidized by the optimized MTX NE formulation, as shown by FTIR results, most likely enhancing drug retention and permeability. However, since Tween 80 and PEG 400 are well-known penetration enhancers, their application greatly accelerates these effects. Permeation data indicate that after 24 h, methotrexate was released from the nano-emulsion at 76.83 ± 4.98 g/cm2 with a flux rate of 2.385 ± 0.61 µg/cm2/h. The in vivo study conducted on rabbit skin showed that the enhanced skin penetration of the prepared MTX-loaded nanoemulsion formulation does not cause any structural modifications in the inter-cellular lipid layers of the stratum corneum. Rabbits used in the in vivo anti-psoriatic investigation demonstrated that MTX NE produced a 95% reduction in PASI. The pharmacokinetic profile revealed that the Cmax, Tmax, and t1/2 values were 8.63 µg/mL, 12.5 h, and 17.77 ± 2.21 h, respectively. These findings suggest that the formulation MTX NE is effective in treating psoriasis and may reduce psoriasis symptoms.

Molecular Modeling Study of Novel Lancifolamide Bioactive Molecule as an Inhibitor of Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1), and Anti-proliferative Proteins.

Combretaceae, an immense family involving species (500) or genera (20), originates in tropical and subtropical regions. This family has evinced medicinal values such as anti-leishmanial, cytotoxic, antibacterial, antidiabetic, antiprotozoal, and antifungal properties. Conocarpus lancifolius (C. lancifolius) methanol extract (CLM) was prepared, then compound isolation performed by open column chromatography, and compound structure was determined by spectroscopic techniques (13C NMR, IR spectroscopy, 1H-NMR, mass spectrometry UV-visible, and 2D correlation techniques). Molecular docking studies of ligand were performed on transcriptional regulators 4EY7 and 2GV9 to observe possible interactions. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of secondary metabolites including steroids, cardiac glycosides, saponins, anthraquinones, and flavonoids. The isolated compound was distinguished as lancifolamide (LFD). It showed cytotoxic activity against human breast cancer, murine lymphocytic leukemia, and normal cells, human embryonic kidney cells, and rat glioma cells with IC50 values of 0.72 µg/mL, 2.01 µg/mL, 1.55 µg/mL, and 2.40 µg/mL, respectively. Although no cytotoxic activity was noticed against human colon cancer and human lung cancer, LFD showed 24.04% inhibition against BChE and 60.30% inhibition against AChE and is therefore beneficial for Alzheimer's disease (AD). AChE and LFD interact mechanistically in a way that is optimum for neurodegenerative disorders, according to molecular docking studies. Methanol and dichloromethane extract of C. lancifolius and LFD shows antibacterial and antifungal activity against antibiotic resistance Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus mutans, Brevibacillus laterosporus, Salmonella Typhi, Candida albicans, and Cryptococcus neoformans, respectively. LFD shows antiviral activity against HSV-1 with 26% inhibition IP. The outcomes of this study support the use of LFD for cognitive disorders and highlight its underlying mechanism, targeting AChE, DNA-POL, NF-KB, and TNF-α, etc., for the first time.

Lornoxicam-Loaded Chitosan-Decorated Nanoemulsion: Preparation and In Vitro Evaluation for Enhanced Transdermal Delivery.

Nanoemulsions are promising drug delivery systems for the administration of poorly soluble drugs like lornoxicam (LRX) by oral or parenteral routes. Such formulations work perfectly for transdermal delivery of lornoxicam-type drugs. It has also been established that formulating such a delivery system is highly dependent on the presence, type, and concentration of excipients taking part in the formulation. The inherent characteristics of nanoemulsion (NE), i.e., smaller globule size and excipient nature, facilitate the drug's passage through skin. The current study was aimed at the development of an NE-based formulation of LRX to improve the drug solubility in vitro as well as to enhance drug skin permeation to promote therapeutic outcome in appropriate time. Spontaneous self-emulsification technique was utilized to develop optimized LRX-encapsulated NE-based formulations. ATR-FTIR spectra of the pure drug and various formulations did not show any interaction between the drug and various formulation excipients showing compatibility. Globule size for stable formulations ranged between 63-168 nm. These formulations were characterized for viscosity, surface tension, pH, drug encapsulation efficiency, in vitro drug release, and drug skin permeation studies. Chitosan-decorated optimized NE formulation of LRX showed about 58.82% cumulative drug release, showing an anomalous non-Fickian diffusion mechanism of drug release. Drug encapsulation efficiency, in vitro drug release, and skin permeation studies exhibited promising results. An appreciable drug entrapment efficiency was exhibited by optimized NE formulations LRX-6, 71.91 ± 3.17% and C-LRX, 65.25 ± 4.89%. Permeability parameters like enhancement ratio (Er), permeability constant (Kp), and steady state flux (Jss) showed higher values and exhibited good results based on formulation type. The selected promising formulation type "LRX-6" showed significantly different results as compared to other formulations (LRX-4, 5, and 7). The skin permeation property of the LRX-6 formulation was compared to similar chitosan-based formulations and was found to have better skin permeation results than chitosan-based formulations. This study clearly exhibited that an LRX-containing NE-based formulation can be formulated to form a stable drug delivery system. Such formulations are promising in terms of physicochemical characteristics, improved solubility, and high skin permeation potential.

A Novel Distachionate from Breynia distachia Treats Inflammations by Modulating COX-2 and Inflammatory Cytokines in Rat Liver Tissue.

Breynia distachia is a plant of genus Breynia belonging to family Phyllanthaceae. This study was conducted to isolate and examine the anti-inflammatory attributes of the roots of Breynia distachia. Methanol extract from roots were prepared by simple maceration. For phytochemical studies, isolation, purification, structure elucidation, metal analysis, total phenolic content, and solubility test were done by chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by cotton pallet edema model and carrageenan paw edema model, and antioxidant potential was evaluated by DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS antioxidants assays. Metal analysis of BD.Me revealed the presence of Na > Mg > K > Mn > Fe = Zn in respective order. Four phytochemicals such as gallic acid, quercetin, sinapic acid, and p-coumaric acid are found in Breynia distachia. Quercetin is present in relatively larger quantity, and shows antioxidant activity by reducing the ferric iron to ferrous iron. Novel distachionate shows high antioxidant activity in ABTS assay by reducing reactive oxygen species. Quantitative or qualitative analysis performed by HPLC indicates the ascending peaks or presence of secondary products (metabolites) respectively. Histopathology analysis of liver, spleen, heart, and kidney was done, revealing mild inflammations in spleen and liver, and no cytotoxicity in heart and kidney. Oral administration of BD.Me and ditachionate significantly inhibits the carrageenan and cotton pellet-induced paw edema in 1st and 2nd h with (ns = p > 0.05) than control. After 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th h, BD.Me and ditachionate showed inhibition of paw edema in a highly significant (*** = p < 0.001) manner as compared to control. In cotton-pellet edema model, distachionate shows a %inhibition of 57.3% at a dose level of 5 mg/kg. Docking values obtained from distachionate-COX-2 complex suggest a potent inhibitor evaluated for this protein. The distachionate shows effective anti-inflammatory activity. Methanol extracts of roots showed significant lipoxygenase inhibitory activity by IC50 values of 155.7 ± 0.55 and 132.9 ± 0.33 µg/mL. Data from various in vitro and in vivo models suggest that novel distachionate isolated from Breynia distachia shows strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities; it should be further studied for the exploration of its medicinal potential.

Metronidazole Based Floating Bioadhesive Drug Delivery System for Potential Eradication of H. pylori: Preparation and In Vitro Characterization.

Metronidazole has the potential to produce local stomach specific action in order to treat Helicobacter pylori induced peptic ulcer disease. The current project executes the development of osmotically controlled bioadhesive metronidazole loaded effervescent floating tablets with optimized floating and swelling behavior. Direct compression technique was used to prepare the tablets. The designed formulations exhibited physico-chemical properties within acceptable optimum limits as per pharmacopeial requirements. The results of tablet floating studies revealed that all formulations, except F1 and F5, had good buoyancy characteristics (TFT > 12 h except F2 and F8 with TFT of 6 h). Formulation F2 containing guar gum in higher concentration with carbopol and formulation F8 containing guar gum in 50% decreased concentration in combination with HPMC and carbopol had enhanced FLT appreciably, with least TFT as compared to formulations F3, F4, and F6 (ANOVA; p ≤ 0.05). Formulation batches of F3, F4, and F6 exhibited appreciable FLT as well as TFT and were optimized formulations. Out of the above mentioned optimized batches, F4 and F6 formulations showed low FLT (4 and 5 s respectively). The results of the swelling study indicated a proportionate increase in the swelling index with increase in time. A significantly higher swelling ratio was found with formulation F6 and F4 compared with that of F7 and F8 (ANOVA; p ≤ 0.05). Additionally, the impact of pH change, agitational intensity, as well as increasing concentration of NaCl was investigated on drug release. It was observed that agitational intensity had no effect on drug release rate while increasing concentration of NaCl produced an increased drug release from the dosage form as compared to the drug release exhibited by the formulations in the absence of NaCl. Overall, this project could have valuable contribution in the fabrication of metronidazole loaded effervescent floating tablets. Gastro-retentive systems are expected to enhance local stomach specific action of anti H. pylori agents based on their buoyancy and swelling behavior.

Olive Oil Based Methotrexate Loaded Topical Nanoemulsion Gel for the Treatment of Imiquimod Induced Psoriasis-like Skin Inflammation in an Animal Model.

Psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory illness, is on the rise and is linked to several other life-threatening diseases. The primary goal of this study was to create a nanoemulsion gel loaded with methotrexate and olive oil (MTX NEG). The formulation was evaluated for physicochemical characterization, entrapment efficiency, drug release kinetics, skin permeation studies and stability tests. In addition, the efficacy of MTX NEG against psoriasis was tested using imiquimod-induced psoriasis in a rat model. The final optimized MTX NEG was developed with a particle size of 202.6 ± 11.59 nm and a PDI of 0.233 ± 0.01, with a 76.57 ± 2.48% average entrapment efficiency. After 20 h, the release kinetics predicted a 72.47% drug release at pH 5.5. FTIR findings demonstrated that the optimized MTX NEG formulation effectively fluidized both the epidermis and dermis of the skin, potentially increasing drug permeability and retention. The application of Tween 80 and PEG 400, on the other hand, significantly enhanced these effects, as these are well known penetration enhancers. After 24 h, an average of 70.78 ± 5.8 µg/cm2 of methotrexate was permeated from the nanoemulsion gel with a flux value of 2.078 ± 0.42 µg/cm2/h, according to permeation measurements. Finally, in vivo experiments on rabbit skin revealed that the increased skin penetration of methotrexate-loaded nanoemulsion gel was not due to structural alterations in intercellular lipid layers in the stratum corneum. In vivo antipsoriatic studies on rats revealed that MTX NEG produced a PASI decrease that was extremely similar and even better than the 91% reduction seen in the MTX tablet group. According to the pharmacokinetic profile, Cmax was 8.5 µg/mL, Tmax was 12 h, and t1/2 was 15.5 ± 2.37 h. These findings reinforce that MTX-NEG based on olive oil could be a possible treatment for psoriasis and could decrease the remission of psoriasis-like symptoms.

Comparison between transcerebellar diameter with biparietal diameter of ultrasound for gestational age measurement in third trimester of pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of correct assessment by transcerebeller diameter (TCD) versus biparietal diameter (BPD) for gestational age measurement at 36 weeks of pregnancy using first day of last menstrual period (LMP) for actual period of gestation. STUDY DESIGN: Quasi experimental. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur from May to November 2010. METHODOLOGY: This study was performed on 228 patients at 36 weeks of pregnancy fulfilling the inclusion criteria. Ultrasound measurements of TCD and BPD was made and compared with LMP. Collected data was analyzed by SPSS version 10. Proportoin of correct diagnosis by each measurement was determined and compared using chi-square test with significance at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Out of 228 patients, TCD was found to give correct assessment in 209 patients (91.7%; p = 0.001) corresponding to the gestational age by LMP i.e 36 weeks. BPD was found to give correct assessment corresponding to the gestational age by LMP in 176 patients (77.2%). CONCLUSION: Although both BPD and TCD are accurate biometric parameters at 36 weeks of gestation, transcerebellar diameter is more reliable method of gestational age determination in third trimester of pregnancy than biparietal diameter. TCD can be used as a tool to assist in the assessment of gestational age in third trimester.