Fabrication, physicochemical characterization and preliminary efficacy evaluation of a W/O/W multiple emulsion loaded with 5% green tea extract

Emulsões múltiplas complexas possuem excelente habilidade de agregar grandes quantidades de agentes cosméticos funcionais. Este estudo teve por objetivo encapsular grandes volumes de chá verde em uma emulsão múltipla clássica e comparar sua estabilidade com a emulsão múltipla sem o extrato do chá verde. Emulsões múltiplas são desenvolvidas usando cetil dimeticona copoliol como emulsificante lipofílico e o clássico polissorbato-80 como emulsificante hidrofílico. As emulsões múltiplas foram avaliadas por meio de vários aspectos fisico-químicos como condutividade, pH, análise microscópica e reologia. Estas características foram observadas por um período de 30 dias sob diferentes condições de armazenamento. Testes de proteção da pele in vivo e in vitro foram realizados para ambos os tipos de emulsões testadas, i.e. com o ativo em estudo (MeA) e sem ativo (MeB). Ambas as formulações apresentaram características comparáveis no que diz respeito aos diferentes fatores físico-químicos avaliados sob diferentes condições de armazenamento. A análise reológica mostrou que as formulações apresentaram comportamento pseudo-plástico sob contínuo estresse de cisalhamento. Os resultados dos testes in vivo e in vitro sobre a proteção da pele revelaram que a formulação ativa promoveu efeitos comparáveis à formulação controle. Nossos dados mostraram que emulsões múltiplas estáveis poderiam ser escolhas promissoras para a aplicação tópica do chá verde. Entretanto, a fórmula das emulsões múltiplas apresentadas neste estudo precisam ser melhoradas no que diz respeito ao pH, condutividade e viscosidade aparente.Complex multiple emulsions have an excellent ability to fill large volumes of functional cosmetic agents. This study was aimed to encapsulate large volume of green tea in classical multiple emulsion and to compare its stability with a multiple emulsion without green tea extract. Multiple emulsions were developed using Cetyl dimethicone copolyol as lipophilic emulsifier and classic polysorbate-80 as hydrophilic emulsifier. Multiple emulsions were evaluated for various physicochemical aspects like conductivity, pH, microscopic analysis, rheology and these characteristics were followed for a period of 30 days in different storage conditions. In vitro and in vivo skin protection tests were also performed for both kinds of multiple emulsions i.e. with active (MeA) and without active (MeB). Both formulations showed comparable characteristics regarding various physicochemical characteristics in different storage conditions. Rheological analysis showed that formulations showed pseudo plastic behavior upon continuous shear stress. Results of in vitro and in vivo skin protection data have revealed that the active formulation has comparable skin protection effects to that of control formulation. It was presumed that stable multiple emulsions could be a promising choice for topical application of green tea but multiple emulsions presented in this study need improvement in the formula, concluded on the basis of pH, conductivity and apparent viscosity data

Natural and synthetic smart polymers in drug targeting: A smart approach

Among various polymers, smart polymers have taken much importance in drug delivery systems due to their targeting ability. This review mainly describes the expansion of biodegradable polymers in pharmaceuticals drug delivery that provides mechanism of targeting from both physiological and pathological point of view. Thus, smart polymers due to various actions and responsive drug delivery get more importance in era of novel techniques especially in nanotechnology by formulation of nanoparticles. This progress descends into two categories: i) open loop system that is also known as externally regulated or pulsatile systems, ii) closed loop system that is actually self-regulated systems. External triggers like ultrasonic, magnetic, electric, light and chemical or biochemical agents involved in release of open loop or pulstile drug delivery system whereas self-regulated systems are the systems where controlled variable is detected due to which the system output is adjusted consequently. Several approaches like thermal response, pH-sensitive drug or polymers action, enzyme-substrate reactions are applied for achieving targeted drug delivery systems. The release rate can also be controlled by selection of natural and synthetic nature of smart polymers on the basis of their feedback mechanism. Keywords: Biodegradable, Closed Loop, Open Loop, Novel, Natural, Synthetic and Smart Polymers

Basics of Self Micro Emulsifying Drug Delivery System

About 70-75% of drugs is taken orally and is found not to be as useful as desired. A self-micro emulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) is a drug delivery system that uses a micro-emulsion achieved by chemical rather than mechanical means. Micro-emulsions have significant potential for use in drug delivery, and SMEDDS are the best of these systems. SMEDDS are of particular value in increasing the absorption of lipophilic drugs taken orally. SMEDDS are mixtures  of natural or  synthetic oils,  solid  or  liquid  surfactants, or alternatively, one or more  hydrophilic solvents and  co-solvents/surfactants  that have a unique ability  of  forming fine  oil-in-water (o/w) micro  emulsions  upon mild agitation followed  by  dilution in  aqueous media, such as  GI fluids. SMEDDS spread readily in the GI tract, and the digestive motility of the stomach and the intestine provide the agitation necessary for self-emulsification. SMEDDS can be encapsulated in hard or soft gelatin capsules or can be converted to solid state (Solid SEDDS/SMEDDS). This review article provides an overview of SMEDDS and its advantages over conventional dosage forms. Keywords: SMEDDS, Micro-emulsions, Co-solvent

Effects of Emblica Officinalis Extract Cream on Human Skin Trans-epidermal Water Loss Measured with Non Invasive Probe

The purpose of this study was to assess hydroalcoholic Emblica officinalis fruit extract cream on human skin trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL). Ten male volunteers were examined in this study. Measurements were made on cheeks. Creams with different concentrations of ABIL® EM 90 and liquid paraffin containing 3% hydroalcoholic Emblica officinalis fruit extract were developed and tested for stability studies for a period of 28 days. Selected cream and its base were further assessed in different conditions at 8 °C (in refrigerator), 25 °C (in incubator), 40 °C (in incubator) and 40 °C (in incubator) with 75% relative humidity (RH) for color, odor, thickness, grittiness liquefaction, phase separation, and pH at different time intervals. Trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) was monitored every week by non-invasive bio-instrument Tewameter MPA 5. All measurements were made statistically by ANOVA and t-paired test. Significant decrease on skin TEWL was produced. Keywords: Hydroalcoholic Emblica officinalis fruit extract, Facial cream, Biophysical paramete

In vivo Evaluation of a Cosmetic Emulsion Containing Soybean Extract for Anti-Aging

Purpose: To develop and assess the anti-aging potential of a cosmetic W/O emulsion containing an extract of soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr. Fabaceae.Methods: This single-blind placebo-controlled study was performed in 11 healthy male human volunteers. A formulation comprising of 4 % of concentrated extract of soybean was prepared by loading the extract in the internal aqueous phase of the emulsion. A control (base), consisting of theemulsion without the extract, was also prepared. Both formulations were applied to the cheeks of all volunteers for 12 weeks and their effect on different skin parameters, i.e., moisture contents, elasticity and surface evaluation of living skin (SELS) were assessed.Results: The formulation containing 4 % soybean extract showed significant (p ≤ 0.05) effects on skin elasticity and moisture contents but the base showed insignificant effect (p ≤ 0.05). There was significant (p . 0.05) decline in SELS, i.e., SEsc (skin scaliness, from 1.73 } 0.05 to 1.66 } 0.06), SEw (skin wrinkles, from 71.74 ± 1.52 to 68.51 ± 1.64), SEsm (skin smoothness, from 109.01 ± 4.77 to 102.03 ± 4.23), and SEr (skin roughness, from 4.04 ±0.09 to 3.82± 0.08) parameters after applicationof the extract formulation for 12 weeks.Conclusion: Topical application of the cosmetic emulsion containing soybean extract exerts potential skin anti-aging effects.Keywords: Glycine max, Soybean, Anti-aging, Skin elasticity, Cosmetic emulsion, Surface evaluation of living skin (SELS), Skin moisture conten

Maternal Mortality in Rural Areas of Pakistan: Challenges and Prospects

Pakistan is one of the countries in South Asia ranking high in maternal mortality rate. Though, a signatory of Agenda 2030, the country still lags behind considerably in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The ratio of maternal mortality is, even higher in rural areas of the country. Lack of health care facilities, education, malnutrition, poverty, high prevalence of violence against women in rural areas, and socioeconomic factors are some of the major contributing elements for elevated levels of maternal mortality and morbidity rate in Pakistan. By making inclusive policies at the national level to improve the reach of the rural population to healthcare facilities, educating women and eliminating gender-based disparities, introducing family planning interventions, accountability, and continuity of democracy are essentially needed to improve maternal health in Pakistan’s rural areas. This chapter focuses on challenges to maternal health in rural areas and possible options to resolve these issues

The Role of Lead Toxicity on Eruption Rate of Hypofunctional Incisors in Albino Wistar Rats

OBJECTIVES This objective of this study was to evaluate the role of a heavy metal- lead acetate in the eruption rate of hypo functional incisors in albino Wistar rats. METHODOLOGY An experimental study was done in animal house of Post Graduate Medical Institute, Lahore since March 2019 to March 2020. 34 adult albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups (n=17 for each group) i.e., control and lead acetate group. Right mandibular incisors were selected for this study. Selected incisors were marked 1mm above the level of gingival papillae. The incisors were cut above this mark to make it hypo-functional. The readings were measured by digital Vernier caliper. This was considered as day 0. Incisors length was measured at day 0, 3, 6, 12 and 15 and eruption was calculated. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 22. RESULTS Eruption rate was similar throughout the study except last follow up. At the end of this study eruption of incisors in albino Wistar rats in control was 03.30±0.72mm, in lead 02.43±1.19mm. At day 15, the difference between control and lead group was statistically significant (p-value 0.033). CONCLUSION These results reveal that besides other causes of delayed tooth eruption excessive lead intoxication are also acausative factor of delayed tooth eruption

Development and Evaluation of Sustained Release Microspheres of Repaglinide for Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Sustained release dosage form is essential for diabetic patients which is marked by continuous therapy along with high margin of safety, patient compliance and fulfill economical features. Repaglinide is a class of meglitinide, a drug of choice to formulate microspheres by utilizing sodium alginate, olibanum gum and pectin in different ratios by using ionic-gelation method. Excellent results were found in rheological behavior and release studies. Microspheres size and percentage yield was found in the range of 694 ?m to 727 ?m and 73% to 75% respectively. SEM revealed that microspheres were discrete, spherical and free flowing. Entrapment efficiency was variable, ranges from 55% to 75%. Uniform drug release was observed in drug release kinetics, followed Higuchi model with non-fickian release. These microspheres proved to be suitable for oral sustained release of repaglinide. Keywords: Repaglinide, Microsphere, Ionic-gelation method, Olibanum gum, Pecti