Natural gum modified emulsion gel as single carrier for the oral delivery of probiotic-drug combination.

Single formulation based delivery of probiotic-drug combination is envisioned as a superior therapeutic delivery modality for the diseases like Crohn's diseases, ulceritive colitis and Recurrent Clostridium difficile-Associated Diarrhoea (RCDAD). Keeping this perspective in mind, here we have developed natural gum [using a combination of aqueous solution of xantham gum (X) and guar gum (G)] modified sunflower oil based emulsion gels for the delivery of probiotics-drugs combination. FT-IR analysis and fluorescence microscopy together confirmed the formation of oil-in-water type emulsion gel by physical gelation in presence of the physical gelator sorbitan monopalmitate (SM). Other studies (XRD, DSC, mechanical properties and disintegration study) revealed that the variation in relative proportion of the two gums has a sporadic but significant effect on the physico-chemical properties of the gel. Post storage viability of commercially used probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (Lp 299v) at different storage conditions (4°C, -20°C, -196°C) was found higher in the emulsion gels with respect to the control. Moreover, the gels were found suitable for sustained delivery of metronidazole (the lipophilic drug often used with Lp 299v). In conclusion, the natural gum modified emulsion gel may be used as a delivery system for the probiotic-drug combination.

Effect of Span 60 on the Microstructure, Crystallization Kinetics, and Mechanical Properties of Stearic Acid Oleogels: An In-Depth Analysis.

Modulation of crystallization of stearic acid and its derivatives is important for tuning the properties of stearate oleogels. The present study delineates the crystallization of stearic acid in stearate oleogels in the presence of Span 60. Microarchitecture analysis revealed that stearic acid crystals in the oleogels changed its shape from plate-like structure to a branched architecture in the presence of Span 60. Consequently, a significant variation in the mobility of the solute molecules inside the oleogel (Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching studies, FRAP analysis) was observed. Thermal analysis (gelation kinetics and DSC) revealed shortening of nucleation induction time and secondary crystallization with an increase in the Span 60 concentration. Furthermore, isosolid diagram suggested better physical stability of the formulations at higher proportions of Span 60. XRD analysis indicated that there was a decrease in the crystal size and the crystallinity of the stearic acid crystals with an increase in Span 60 concentration in the Span 60 containing oleogels. However, crystal growth orientation was unidirectional and found unaltered with Span 60 concentration (Avarmi analysis using DSC data). The mechanical study indicated a composition-dependent variation in the viscoelastic properties (instantaneous [τ1 ], intermediate [τ2 ], and delayed [τ3 ] relaxation times) of the formulations. In conclusion, Span 60 can be used to alter the kinetics of the crystallization, crystal habit and crystal structure of stearic acid. This study provides a number of clues that could be used further for developing oleogel based formulation.

Evaluation extracellular matrix-chitosan composite films for wound healing application.

The present study describes the preparation of extracellular matrix (ECM; from porcine omentum) based chitosan composite films for wound dressing applications. The films were prepared by varying the ECM content, whereas, the amount of chitosan was kept constant. The interactions amongst the components of the films were analyzed by FTIR and XRD studies. The films were thoroughly characterized for surface hydrophilicity, moisture retention capability, water vapor permeability, mechanical and biocompatibility. FTIR study indicated that both chitosan and ECM were present in their native form and did not lose their activity. XRD analysis suggested composition dependent change in the crystallinity of the films. The mechanical properties suggested that the composite films had sufficient properties to be used for wound dressing applications. An increase in the ECM content resulted in better hydrophilicity of the films and hence better the moisture retention capacity and retardant water vapor transmission rate property of the composite films. The films were found to be biocompatible to both blood and adipose tissue derived stem cells. In gist, the prepared films may be explored as wound dressing materials.

Stearic acid based oleogels: a study on the molecular, thermal and mechanical properties.

Stearic acid and its derivatives have been used as gelators in food and pharmaceutical gel formulations. However, the mechanism pertaining to the stearic acid based gelation has not been deciphered yet. Keeping that in mind, we investigated the role of stearic acid on physic-chemical properties of oleogel. For this purpose, two different oil (sesame oil and soy bean oil) formulations/oleogels were prepared. In depth analysis of gel kinetics, gel microstructure, molecular interactions, thermal and mechanical behaviors of the oleogels were done. The properties of the oleogels were dependent on the type of the vegetable oil used and the concentration of the stearic acid. Avrami analysis of DSC thermograms indicated that heterogeneous nucleation was coupled with the one-dimensional growth of gelator fibers as the key phenomenon in the formation of oleogels. Viscoelastic and pseudoplastic nature of the oleogels was analyzed in-depth by fitting the stress relaxation data in modified Peleg's model and rheological studies, respectively. Textural studies have revealed that the coexistence of hydrogen bond dissipation and formation of new bonds is possible under stress conditions in the physical oleogels.