Applications of electrospinning/electrospraying in drug delivery

During recent years, nanoscaled materials have gained much attention because of their applications in the field of pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences. Electrospinning/electrospraying, as simple, effective and single-step methods, are used in the preparation of nanostructured materials (nanofibers and nanobeads). They offer an opportunity for direct encapsulation of the different types of drug molecules. The generated nanomaterials possess high surface area with porous characteristics, and the liberation of the loaded drugs follows a controlled-release pattern. Because of their wide applications in medical/pharmaceutical researches, the aim of this editorial is to highlight the importance of electrospinning/electrospraying technologies in drug delivery

Stability-Enhanced Ternary Solid Dispersions of Glyburide: Effect of Preparation Method on Physicochemical Properties

Introduction. Limited aqueous solubility and subsequent poor absorption and low bioavailability are the main challenges in oral drug delivery. Solid dispersion is a widely used formulation strategy to overcome this problem. Despite their efficiency, drug crystallization tendency and poor physical stability limited their commercial use. To overcome this defect, ternary solid dispersions of glyburide: sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG), were developed using the fusion (F) and solvent evaporation (SE) techniques and subsequently evaluated and compared. Materials and Methods. Physicochemical and dissolution properties of the prepared ternary solid dispersions were evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and dissolution test. Flow properties were also assessed using Carr’s index and Hausner’s ratio. The physical stability of the formulations was evaluated initially and after 12 months by comparing dissolution properties. Results. Formulations prepared by both methods similarly showed significant improvements in dissolution efficiency and mean dissolution time compared to the pure drug. However, formulations that were prepared by SE showed a greater dissolution rate during the initial phase of dissolution. Also, after a 12-month follow-up, no significant change was observed in the mentioned parameters. The results of the infrared spectroscopy indicated that there was no chemical interaction between the drug and the polymer. The absence of endotherms related to the pure drug from thermograms of the prepared formulations could be indicative of reduced crystallinity or the gradual dissolving of the drug in the molten polymer. Moreover, formulations prepared by the SE technique revealed superior flowability and compressibility in comparison with the pure drug and physical mixture (ANOVA, P < 0.05). Conclusion. Efficient ternary solid dispersions of glyburide were successfully prepared by F and SE methods. Solid dispersions prepared by SE, in addition to increasing the dissolution properties and the possibility of improving the bioavailability of the drug, showed acceptable long-term physical stability with remarkably improved flowability and compressibility features

Evaluation of Celecoxib-Lactose Incompatibility Reactions at Solid State using Physicochemical Methods

Background & Aims:  Drug excipient incompatibility evaluation is an important part of pre-formulation studies. Drug-excipient interaction may affect drug stability, bioavailability, therapeutic effects, efficacy, and safety. Therefore, development of a successful drug delivery systems or dosage forms depends on correct selection of excipients. The aim of this study is to evaluate of celecoxib-lactose incompatibility reactions at solid state using physicochemical methods. Materials & Methods: Celecoxib and lactose were blended in 1:1 mass ratios and added to 20% (v/w) water and stored in closed vials at 60°C (inside the oven). Also, pure drug and pure excipient were prepared. Celecoxib, celecoxib-lactose and lactose tablets prepared using direct compression method. Produced tablets were stored at 60 °C (inside the oven). Finally, celecoxib -lactose incompatibility in the solid state was investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) methods over four consecutive weeks. Results: the incompatibility of celecoxib with lactose was not observed using physicochemical methods including DSC, FTIR spectroscopy and also visual observation. Conclusion: It can be concluded that using lactose in celecoxib solid pharmaceutical preparations will not cause incompatibilities

Solid-state characterization of ibuprofen-isonicotinamide cocrystals prepared by electrospraying and solvent evaporation. Supplementary material.

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Application of Multivariate Calibration Methods, in Dissolution Testing and Simultaneous Determination of Atorvastatin and Ezetimibe in Their Combined Solid Dosage Form

Background: Two simple, precise and accurate multivariate calibration methods, partial least square (PLS) and principal component regression (PCR) have been applied for the simultaneous determination and dissolution profile evaluation of atorvastatin (ATV) and ezetimibe (EZT) in their binary mixtures and commercial tablets. Due to the closely overlapping spectral bands of the mentioned drugs, simultaneous determination without previous separation is not possible by conventional spectrophotometric methods. In the proposed methods (PLS and PCR) determination of chemicals was performed by the use of a full-spectrum multivariate calibration method. Methods: The experimental calibration matrix was designed orthogonally with 16 samples composed of different mixtures of both compounds in related mediums. The simultaneous determination of ATV and EZT was accomplished in mixtures through recording the absorption spectra within a range of 210 to 300 nm. Results: The concentration of ATV and EZT were considered in the linear range, between 8 to 14 µg.ml-1. The specificity of the methods was evaluated by analyzing laboratory prepared mixtures of the mentioned drugs in specific proportions. Conclusion: The applied methods were successfully employed in simultaneous spectrophotometric determination and dissolution profile evaluation of ATV and EZT in their prepared mixtures and pharmaceutical formulation

Safety and immunogenicity of an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (FAKHRAVAC®) in healthy adults aged 18–55 years: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase I clinical trial

Background: The FAKHRAVAC®, an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, was assessed for safety and immunogenicity. Methods and findings: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase I trial, we randomly assigned 135 healthy adults between 18 and 55 to receive vaccine strengths of 5 or 10 μg/dose or placebo (adjuvant only) in 0–14 or 0–21 schedules. This trial was conducted in a single center in a community setting. The safety outcomes in this study were reactogenicity, local and systemic adverse reactions, abnormal laboratory findings, and Medically Attended Adverse Events (MAAE). Immunogenicity outcomes include serum neutralizing antibody activity and specific IgG antibody levels.The most frequent local adverse reaction was tenderness (28.9%), and the most frequent systemic adverse reaction was headache (9.6%). All adverse reactions were mild, occurred at a similar incidence in all six groups, and were resolved within a few days. In the 10-µg/dose vaccine group, the geometric mean ratio for neutralizing antibody titers at two weeks after the second injection compared to the placebo group was 9.03 (95% CI: 3.89–20.95) in the 0–14 schedule and 11.77 (95% CI: 2.77–49.94) in the 0–21 schedule. The corresponding figures for the 5-µg/dose group were 2.74 (1.2–6.28) and 5.2 (1.63–16.55). The highest seroconversion rate (four-fold increase) was related to the 10-µg/dose group (71% and 67% in the 0–14 and 0–21 schedules, respectively). Conclusions: FAKHRAVAC® is safe and induces a strong humoral immune response to the SARS-CoV-2 virus at 10-µg/dose vaccine strength in adults aged 18–55. This vaccine strength was used for further assessment in the phase II trial.Trial registrationThis study is registered with https://www.irct.ir; IRCT20210206050259N1