Improving cellular uptake and synergetic anti-tumor effects of magnolol and Brucea javanica oil through self-microemulsion.

OBJECTIVE: Magnolol (MG) and Brucea javanica (L.) Merr. oil (BJO) possess synergetic anti-tumor effects, but have poor water solubility and stability, which results in low oral bioavailability. SIGNIFICANCE: The MG loaded self-microemulsion drug delivery system (MG-SMDDS) with BJO as oil phase component was utilized to improve the cellular uptake and synergetic anti-tumor effects. METHODS: Compatibility study and pseudoternary phase diagram (PTPD) were respectively employed to screen for the composition and proportion of oil phase in the formulation. Central composite design-effect surface method was applied to optimize proportion of each formulation condition. The droplet size, ζ-potential, colloid stability, encapsulation rate (ER) and in vitro dissolution rate of MG-SMDDS were evaluated. Furthermore, cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of the microemulsion on HepG2 cells were assessed. RESULTS: The optimal composition of MG-SMDDS was: MG (9.09%), castor oil (7.40%), BJO (2.47%), Cremophor EL 35 (54.04%) and 1, 2-propanediol (27.01%). The MG-SMDDS exhibited satisfactory droplet size, ζ-potential, colloid stability and ER, as well as faster dissolution rate than free MG. More importantly, SMEDDS containing BJO could enhance the cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of free BJO and free MG on tumor cells. CONCLUSIONS: The BJO self-microemulsion delivery technique can provide an idea for design of oral delivery vehicles based on BJO.

Self-micro Emulsifying Drug Delivery via Intestinal Lymphatics: A Lucrative Approach to Drug Targeting.

The intestinal lymphatics are considered one of the most specialized pathways, which promote the absorption of various agents such as vitamins, lipids, xenobiotics, and lipophilic substances. The intestinal lymphatics have provided various advantages like bypassing first-pass effects, and improved bioavailability. The oral delivery of poor hydrophilic drugs can be improved by employing a lipid-based formulation strategy. Self-micro emulsifying drug delivery systems (SMEDDS) are one of the vivacious strategies based on lipid-based drug delivery that have shown their effects by improving the solubility and bioavailability of the therapeutic agents. This review is an insight into the functions, targets, mechanisms, and carriers involved in intestinal lymphatics. Also, the review illustrates the types, formulation requirements, and mechanism of action of SMEDDS in detail. In addition, it describes the targeting, types, physicochemical properties, biological barriers, and benefits of lymphatic targeting in therapy. Finally, the marketed formulations and future aspects of SMEDDS formulations are addressed.

Enhanced oral bioavailability of Bisdemethoxycurcumin-loaded self-microemulsifying drug delivery system: Formulation design, in vitro and in vivo evaluation.

In this study, we sought to overcome the poor solubility and bioavailability of bismethoxycurcumin (BDMC) by fabricating a BDMC-loaded self micro-emulsifying system (BDMC-SMEDDS). Solubility and compatibility tests, pseudo-ternary phase diagrams (PTPDs) as well as d-optimal concept was applied to design the formulation. The assessment of the prepared BDMC-SMEDDS in-vitro mainly included droplet size (DS) and entrapment efficiency (EE) determination, morphology, drug release and stability testing. Besides, the in vivo behavior was also evaluated after oral administration of BDMC-SMEDDS to rats. The optimal formulation was found to compose of Kolliphor EL (K-EL, emulsifier, 645.3 mg), PEG 400 (co-emulsifier, 147.2 mg), ethyl oleate (EO, oil, 207.5 mg) and BDMC (50 mg). The BDMC-SMEDDS with satisfactory stability had a mean size of 21.25 ± 3.23 nm and EE of 98.31 ± 0.32%. Roughly 70% of BDMC was released from BDMC-SMEDDS within 84 h compared with <20% from the free BDMC. More importantly, the in-vivo behavior of BDMC-SMEDDS showed that the AUC(0-12h) and plasma concentration of BDMC increased substantially as compared to the free BDMC. Altogether, BDMC-SMEDDS has the potential to enhance the solubility and bioavailability of BDMC and could be applied in the clinics.

Diseño de una formulación de ciclosporina A solución oral con alto grado de dispersión / Design of a formulation of highly dispersed cyclosporine A oral solution

La ciclosporina A (CsA) por sus propiedades inmunosupresoras es empleada en el transplante de órganos sólidos, médula ósea, así como para determinados estadíos de ciertas enfermedades autoinmunes. En Cuba, se comercializa una solución oral que presenta problemas de absorción gastrointestinal. Objetivos: lograr una microemulsión preconcentrada conteniendo ciclosporina A con alto grado de dispersión, igual o mayor que la formulación comercial. Métodos: se realizó un estudio de porcentajes de los emulgentes y el balance hidrófilo lipófilo (HLB), en los intervalos que permitieran obtener sistemas automicroemulsionables a través de un diseño factorial multinivel. Se empleó el porciento de transmitancia como variable de respuesta en la determinación del grado de dispersión de la formulación. También se realizó la evaluación de las características organolépticas de la formulación seleccionada, el estudio reológico, el conteo microbiano y la efectividad antimicrobiana. Resultados: los factores estudiados tienen influencia significativa sobre el porcentaje de transmitancia, la formulación con mayor grado de dispersión se logró empleando un 60 por ciento de emulgentes junto a un HLB de 11,5 con valores de transmitancia de 95,03 por ciento, significativamente mayor que el del producto líder en formato de cápsulas blandas que fue de 84,6 por ciento. Organolépticamente el producto cumple con las características de líquido transparente, brillante y sin partículas en suspensión, con comportamiento Newtoniano desde el punto de vista reológico. El conteo de bacterias y hongos cumplió con los requisitos establecidos en la Farmacopea de los Estados Unidos para soluciones orales. Conclusiones: se logró una microemulsión preconcentrada de CsA en solución bebible con alto grado de dispersión, cumpliendo con los requisitos físicos y microbiológicos establecidos para este tipo de forma farmacéutica(AU)

Cyclosporine A (CsA), due to its immunosuppressive properties, is used in the transplantation of solid organs, bone marrow, and in some stages of certain autoimmune diseases. In Cuba, the Cyclosporine A oral solution causes gastrointestinal absorption problems. Objectives: to achieve a pre-concentrated micro-emulsion containing highly dispersed cyclosporine A that may be equal to or higher than the one in the commercial formulation. Methods: study of percentages of emulsifiers and of hydrophilic lipophilic balance (HLB), at some intervals that allow obtaining self-emulsifying systems through a multilevel factorial design. The percent transmittance was used as the response variable in determining the formulation dispersion degree. The evaluation of the organoleptic characteristics of the selected formulation, the rheological study, the microbial count and the antimicrobial effectiveness estimation were all performed. Results: the studied factors have a significant influence on the transmittance percentage, the formulation with the highest degree of dispersion was achieved when using 60 percent of emulsifiers and an HLB of 11.5, being transmittance values of 95.03 percent, which were significantly higher than those of the leading product in the form of soft capsules, equal to 84.6 percent. Organoleptically speaking, the product meets the characteristics of a clear brilliant fluid without suspended particles and Newtonian behavior from the rheological point of view. The bacteria and fungi count met requirements of U.S. Pharmacopoeia for oral solutions. Conclusions: a pre-concentrate highly dispersed CsA microemulsion was achieved in a drinkable solution meeting the physical requirements and microbiological criteria established for this type of dosage form(AU)

Diseño de una formulación de ciclosporina A solución oral con alto grado de dispersión / Design of a formulation of highly dispersed cyclosporine A oral solution

La ciclosporina A (CsA) por sus propiedades inmunosupresoras es empleada en el transplante de órganos sólidos, médula ósea, así como para determinados estadíos de ciertas enfermedades autoinmunes. En Cuba, se comercializa una solución oral que presenta problemas de absorción gastrointestinal. Objetivos: lograr una microemulsión preconcentrada conteniendo ciclosporina A con alto grado de dispersión, igual o mayor que la formulación comercial. Métodos: se realizó un estudio de porcentajes de los emulgentes y el balance hidrófilo lipófilo (HLB), en los intervalos que permitieran obtener sistemas automicroemulsionables a través de un diseño factorial multinivel. Se empleó el porciento de transmitancia como variable de respuesta en la determinación del grado de dispersión de la formulación. También se realizó la evaluación de las características organolépticas de la formulación seleccionada, el estudio reológico, el conteo microbiano y la efectividad antimicrobiana. Resultados: los factores estudiados tienen influencia significativa sobre el porcentaje de transmitancia, la formulación con mayor grado de dispersión se logró empleando un 60 por ciento de emulgentes junto a un HLB de 11,5 con valores de transmitancia de 95,03 por ciento, significativamente mayor que el del producto líder en formato de cápsulas blandas que fue de 84,6 por ciento. Organolépticamente el producto cumple con las características de líquido transparente, brillante y sin partículas en suspensión, con comportamiento Newtoniano desde el punto de vista reológico. El conteo de bacterias y hongos cumplió con los requisitos establecidos en la Farmacopea de los Estados Unidos para soluciones orales. Conclusiones: se logró una microemulsión preconcentrada de CsA en solución bebible con alto grado de dispersión, cumpliendo con los requisitos físicos y microbiológicos establecidos para este tipo de forma farmacéutica

Cyclosporine A (CsA), due to its immunosuppressive properties, is used in the transplantation of solid organs, bone marrow, and in some stages of certain autoimmune diseases. In Cuba, the Cyclosporine A oral solution causes gastrointestinal absorption problems. Objectives: to achieve a pre-concentrated micro-emulsion containing highly dispersed cyclosporine A that may be equal to or higher than the one in the commercial formulation. Methods: study of percentages of emulsifiers and of hydrophilic lipophilic balance (HLB), at some intervals that allow obtaining self-emulsifying systems through a multilevel factorial design. The percent transmittance was used as the response variable in determining the formulation dispersion degree. The evaluation of the organoleptic characteristics of the selected formulation, the rheological study, the microbial count and the antimicrobial effectiveness estimation were all performed. Results: the studied factors have a significant influence on the transmittance percentage, the formulation with the highest degree of dispersion was achieved when using 60 percent of emulsifiers and an HLB of 11.5, being transmittance values of 95.03 percent, which were significantly higher than those of the leading product in the form of soft capsules, equal to 84.6 percent. Organoleptically speaking, the product meets the characteristics of a clear brilliant fluid without suspended particles and Newtonian behavior from the rheological point of view. The bacteria and fungi count met requirements of U.S. Pharmacopoeia for oral solutions. Conclusions: a pre-concentrate highly dispersed CsA microemulsion was achieved in a drinkable solution meeting the physical requirements and microbiological criteria established for this type of dosage form