Formulation Development, In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of Topical Hydrogel Formulation of Econazole Nitrate-Loaded ß-Cyclodextrin Nanosponges.

Econazole nitrate, an antifungal drug used in the handling of skin ailments, is commercially not efficient as these ailments typically require a more elevated concentration of the drug to offer an effective pharmacological retort. Like so, it is proposed to assess the effectiveness of the topical hydrogel of econazole-loaded nanosponge in the management of skin ailment(s). Econazole nitrate-laden ß-cyclodextrin nanosponges were developed by employing the melt method using ß-cyclodextrin as the organic polymer and N,N-carbonyldiimidazole as the crosslinker. The critical factors disturbing the quality of the formulation were uniquely identified by the Ishikawa diagram, and they were optimized by the statistical experiment design concept. ß-cyclodextrin loaded nanosponges were uniquely designed using the Placket-Burman approach and optimized utilizing the Box-Behnken method. The optimized nanosponges (EN-CDN) were  421.37 ± 6.19 nm in size with an entrapment efficiency of 70.13% ± 5.73%. The topical hydrogel of nanosponges (EN-TG) was prepared using carbopol 934 and pyrrolidone as permeation enhancers. In vitro skin permeation studies affirmed the improved transport crosswise the goatskin for topical hydrogel in comparison to the marketed product. EN-TG was able to control the fungal infection in the selected animal model in comparison to the marketed preparation. Stability studies reported favorably that nanogel remained stable under normal and accelerated settings.

The role of photo-electric properties of silk cocoon membrane in pupal metamorphosis: A natural solar cell.

Silkworm metamorphosis is governed by the intrinsic and extrinsic factors. One key intrinsic factor is the temporal electrical firing of the neuro-secretory cells of the dormant pupae residing inside the silk cocoon membrane (SCM). Extrinsic factors are environmental like temperature, humidity and light. The firing pattern of the cells is a function of the environmental factors that eventually controls the pupal development. How does the nervous organization of the dormant pupae sense the environment even while enclosed inside the cocoon shell? We propose that the SCM does this by capturing the incident light and converting it to electricity in addition to translating the variation in temperature and humidity as an electrical signal. The light to electricity conversion is more pronounced with ultraviolet (UV) frequency. We discovered that a UV sensitive fluorescent quercetin derivative that is present on the SCM and pupal body surface is responsible for generating the observed photo current. Based on these results, we propose an equivalent circuit model of the SCM where an overall electrical output transfers the weather information to pupae, directing its growth. We further discuss the implication of this electrical energy conversion and its utility for consumable electricity.