Formulation and Characterization of Nanoparticulate Drug Carrier System for Lacidipine.

Lacidipine, a calcium channel antagonist, is primarily used to treat hypertension. It is classified as a Biopharmaceutics Classification System Class II drug and exhibits an oral bioavailability of 10% due to its extensive hepatic first-pass metabolism. This research study focused on formulating lacidipine-loaded cubosomal nanovesicles developed into rapidly dissolving oral films as an alternative to overcome the downsides faced by conventional antihypertensive therapy. Lacidipine-loaded cubosomes were prepared utilizing a top-down technique using lipid and surfactant and were further developed into fast dissolving oral films. Box-Behnken design was used for the optimization of process variables to achieve minimum particle size and greater entrapment efficiency of the nanovesicles, and response data were statistically evaluated. The optimized cubosomal dispersions upon characterization reported particle size within nanorange (116.8-341 nm) and an entrapment efficiency of 88.15%-97.1%, with 91.72% of total drug content. Morphological studies revealed uniformly dispersed vesicles with cubic to spherical shape. Oral rapidly dissolving films, after evaluation, were reported to have transparent to opaque appearance with a highly porous nature, which was confirmed by scanning electron microscopic imaging and displayed uniformity in weight and thickness and reported optimum mechanical strength and considerable flexibility, with disintegration time of 37.67 ± 3.68 s and exhibited 91.44% ± 1.65% in vitro drug release after 6 min. Short-term stability studies conducted on films at 25°C ± 2°C and 60% ± 5% relative humidity for 3 months demonstrated no significant variation in morphological and mechanical properties. Therefore, lacidipine-loaded cubosomal rapid dissolving oral films may be a promising formulation approach for the management of hypertension.

Oral Gastroretentive Film of Lacidipine for the Treatment of Gastroparesis.

The research work was aimed to formulate and evaluate gastroretentive mucoadhesive film of calcium channel blocker, Lacidipine for treatment of gastroparesis. Box-Behnken design was used for preparation of optimized formulation using solvent casting method. In this design, different concentrations of mucoadhesive polymers HPMC E15, Eudragit RL100, and Eudragit RS100 were considered as independent variables and its effect on responses like percent drug release, swelling index at 12 h, and folding endurance of the film were examined. Drug and polymer compatibility studies were performed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Optimized formulation was evaluated for organoleptic properties, weight variation, thickness, swelling index, folding endurance, drug content, tensile strength, percent elongation, drug release, and percent moisture loss. The results revealed that the film possessed considerable flexibility and smoothness, and in vitro drug release was found to be 95.22% ± 0.93% at the end of 12 h. Scanning electron microscopy imaging of film displayed smooth, uniform, and porous surface texture. The dissolution followed Higuchi's model and Hixson Crowell model displayed non-Fickian drug release mechanism. Furthermore, the film was incorporated in capsule and the presence of capsule showed no effect on the drug release profile. In addition, no change was observed in the appearance, drug content, swelling index, folding endurance, and drug release upon storage at 25°C ± 2°C and 60% ± 5% relative humidity for 3 months. Collectively, the study revealed that gastroretentive mucoadhesive film of Lacidipine could serve as an effective and alternate site-specific targeted delivery in the management of gastroparesis.

Novel Luliconazole Spanlastic Nanocarriers: Development and Characterisation.

BACKGROUND: The formulation of spanlastic vesicles of luliconazole can be used to overcome its poor skin permeation and improve its antifungal efficacy. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to enhance the dermal delivery of luliconazole, an antifungal drug, through spanlastic vesicles. METHODS: A 23 regular factorial design was employed, using the Design Expert® software for optimization. The independent variables chosen were Span: Edge activator ratio, type of edge activator, and sonication intensity and their effect on the dependent variables, i.e., entrapment efficiency, particle size, and percentage of drug release after 8h were determined. Spanlastics were formulated by ethanol injection method using Tween 80 as an edge activator. RESULTS: Spanlastics were found to possess sizes in the nano range with entrapment efficiencies between 77 - 88% with optimum zeta potential and polydispersity index indicating a stable formulation. Differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared studies revealed complete encapsulation of the drug within the elastic carriers. The optimized spanlastic formulation was further incorporated into a gel base and was found to be sufficiently viscous, spreadable, homogenous, showed a prolonged release for up to 8h and was also found to be non-irritant. The in-vitro permeation study revealed that the flux value obtained for luliconazole entrapped in the vesicular spanlastics (0.2292 mg/cm2.h) was also found to be higher than that of the marketed (0.1302 mg/cm2.h) and conventional gel (0.1122 mg/cm2.h). The optimized gel formulation was also evaluated for its antimycotic activity. Moreover, the optimized gel formulation also possessed a greater antimycotic activity against Candida albicans. The spanlastics loaded hydrogel formulation was found to have a greater zone of inhibition in comparison to the marketed formulation, thus proving to have optimum antifungal activity against Candida albicans. CONCLUSION: Collectively, the results revealed that spanlastics could be a potential nanocarrier for wellcontrolled delivery and for targeting deeper skin layers, thus providing new opportunities for dermal treatment.

Solubility Enhancement of Ebastine by Formulating Microemulsion Using D-Optimal Mixture Design: Optimization and Characterization.

Ebastine, a histamine H1 antagonist, nonsedating, belonging to BCS class II is used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria. The current study was intended in augmenting the aqueous solubility and dissolution rate of ebastine, by formulating a microemulsion system using oleic acid, Transcutol® HP, and Tween®80 as oily phase, cosurfactant, and surfactant, respectively, by the phase titration method. A custom mixture design with optimality D was used to design the formulation by using the Design Expert® Software (Version 11; Stat-Ease, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA). Optimization of formulation was performed using the numerical optimization technique, where optimization is based upon the desirability. The optimized formulation was evaluated for transmittance, viscosity, globule size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, drug content, morphological studies, and in vitro studies. The optimized formulation displayed percent cumulative drug release, ranging from 82.9% to 90.6% obtained after dissolution studies and the percent cumulative drug release after diffusion studies ranged from 83.3% to 100%. The in vitro release data were subjected to kinetic treatment. The zero-order and first-order plots were linear and showed the highest values for R2, which indicated mixed-order release. The Higuchi plot was linear, indicating diffusion as the mechanism of release. From Peppas plot, it was further confirmed that the release for dissolution studies was anomalous and for diffusion studies it was zero order. Thus, the studies concluded that the microemulsion technique is a very good approach for enhancing the solubility and dissolution rate of the BCS class II drug ebastine.

Exosomes as cell-derivative carriers in the diagnosis and treatment of central nervous system diseases.

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles with the diameter ranging from 50 to 100 nm and are found in different body fluids such as blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), urine and saliva. Like in case of various diseases, based on the parent cells, the content of exosomes (protein, mRNA, miRNA, DNA, lipids and metabolites) varies and thus can be utilized as potential biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of the brain diseases. Furthermore, utilizing the natural potential exosomes to cross the blood-brain barrier and by specifically decorating it with the ligand as per the desired brain sites therapeutics can be delivered to brain parenchyma. This review article conveys the importance of exosomes and their use in the treatment and diagnosis of brain/central nervous system diseases.