Inhalation of nebulized omega-3 fatty acids mitigate LPS-induced acute lung inflammation in rats: Implications for treatment of COPD and COVID-19.

Many current treatment options for lung inflammation and thrombosis come with unwanted side effects. The natural omega-3 fatty acids (O3FA) are generally anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic. O3FA are always administered orally and occasionally by intravenous (IV) infusion. The main goal of this study is to determine if O3FA administered by inhalation of a nebulized formulation mitigates LPS-induced acute lung inflammation in male Wistar rats. Inflammation was triggered by intraperitoneal injection of LPS once a day for 14 days. One hour post-injection, rats received nebulized treatments consisting of egg lecithin emulsified O3, Budesonide and Montelukast, and blends of O3 and Melatonin or Montelukast or Cannabidiol; O3 was in the form of free fatty acids for all groups except one group with ethyl esters. Lung histology and cytokines were determined in n = 3 rats per group at day 8 and day 15. All groups had alveolar histiocytosis severity scores half or less than that of the disease control (Cd) treated with LPS and saline only inhalation. IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-ß, and IL-10 were attenuated in all O3FA groups. IL-1ß was attenuated in most but not all O3 groups. O3 administered as ethyl ester was overall most effective in mitigating LPS effects. No evidence of lipid pneumonia or other chronic distress was observed. These preclinical data suggest that O3FA formulations should be further investigated as treatments in lung inflammation and thrombosis related lung disorders, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory distress such as COVID-19.

Design and Evaluation of Chronomodulated Drug Delivery of Tramadol Hydrochloride.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto immune disease which requires chronotherapy as it occurs during early morning. Tramadol hydrochloride (TH) is an analgesic drug, used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of the present investigation was to develop chronomodulated drug delivery system of tramadol hydrochloride such that it releases the drug early in the morning, during which the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis worsen. To develop chronomodulated drug delivery system of TH, initially core tablets of TH were prepared using three different supradisintegrants followed by coating with pH dependent polymer of Eudragit S100. The prepared core tablets are evaluated for physical parameters and an optimal system was identified. Further, coating composition of Eudragit S100 was optimized and coating tablets of TH was prepared. The prepared coated tablets were evaluated for weight variation, hardness, drug content and in vitro release studies in 0.1N HCl, pH 6.8 phosphate buffer and pH 7.4 phosphate buffer. Formulation with 7.5% of coating solution (ES2) had shown a significant drug release after a lag time of 3 h (in pH 6.8 medium), 6 h (in pH 6.8 medium) and 8 h (in pH 7.4 medium), respectively. DSC studies revealed that no interaction between core and coated materials with drug was observed. Thus, chronomodulated drug delivery system of TH was formulated and assuming that if a tablet is administered around 9 pm to 10 pm, the drug release starts after a lag time of 6 h i. e., around 3am to 4 am.