Basic considerations in the dermatokinetics of topical formulations

Assessing the bioavailability of drug molecules at the site of action provides better insight into the efficiency of a dosage form. However, determining drug concentration in the skin layers following topical application of dermatological formulations is a great challenge. The protocols followed in oral formulations could not be applied for topical dosage forms. The regulatory agencies are considering several possible approaches such as tape stripping, microdialysis etc. On the other hand, the skin bioavailability assessment of xenobiotics is equally important for topical formulations in order to evaluate the toxicity. It is always possible that drug molecules applied on the skin surface may transport thorough the skin and reaches systemic circulation. Thus the real time measurement of molecules in the skin layer has become obligatory. In the last two decades, quite a few investigations have been carried out to assess the skin bioavailability and toxicity of topical/dermatological products. This review provides current understanding on the basics of dermatokinetics, drug depot formation, skin metabolism and clearance of drug molecules from the skin layers following application of topical formulations.A avaliação da biodisponibilidade de moléculas de fármacos no sítio de ação oferece melhor compreensão sobre a eficiência da forma de dosagem. Entretanto, a determinação da concentração de fármaco nas camadas da pele em seguida à aplicação tópica de formulações dermatológicas é um grande desafio. Os protocolos seguidos para as formulações orais não podem ser aplicados para as formulações tópicas. As agências regulatórias consideram várias abordagens possíveis, tape stripping, microdiálise etc. Por outro lado, a avaliação da biodisponibilidade de xenobióticos na pele é igualmente importante para as formulações tópicas para se avaliar a toxicidade. É sempre possível que as moléculas de fármaco aplicadas na superfície da pele sejam transportadas através da pele e alcancem a circulação sistêmica. Assim, a medida em tempo real de moléculas na camada da pele tem se tornado obrigatória. Nas últimas duas décadas, realizaram-se poucas pesquisas para avaliar a biodisponibilidade da pele e a toxicidade de produtos tópicos/dermatológicos. Esta revisão fornece a compreensão atual com base na dermatocinética, formação de fármaco de depósito, metabolismo da pele e o clearance das moléculas de fármaco das camadas da pele em seguida à aplicação de formulações tópicas

The Beneficial Effect of Boswellic Acid on Bone Metabolism and Possible Mechanisms of Action in Experimental Osteoporosis

Estrogen is instrumental in the pathological process of osteoporosis because a deficiency of this hormone increases the release of bone-resorbing cytokines. Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA), a constituent from Boswellia serrata, has an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expression, which leads to a decline in receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) ligand, and consequently, a reduction in osteoclast activity. Hence, AKBA may be beneficial against bone loss during osteoporosis. Therefore, the current study intended to evaluate the beneficial effects of AKBA in ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis and to investigate its mechanism of action. Sham-operation or ovariectomy female Sprague Dawley rats were used for evaluating the antiosteoporotic effect of AKBA in this study. AKBA (35 mg/kg, p.o.) and estradiol (0.05 mg/kg, i.m.) were administered for 42 days. At the end of the experiment, body and uterus weights, serum and urine calcium and phosphorus, serum alkaline phosphatase, and urinary creatinine levels, besides serum levels of NF-κB and TNF-α were determined. Weight, length, thickness, hardness, calcium content, as well as the bone mineral density of femur bone and lumbar vertebra were measured. A histopathological examination was also carried out. AKBA ameliorated all tested parameters and restored a normal histological structure. Thus, AKBA showed good antiosteoporotic activity, which may be mediated through its suppression of the NF-κB-induced TNF-α signaling pathway

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of nano-based films for buccal delivery of zolpidem

Abstract Insomnia is becoming increasingly prevalent in the world general population. Therapies used by patients include over-the-counter therapies, herbal and dietary supplements, and pharmacological or nonpharmacological treatments. Among these, zolpidem is a pharmacological treatment popularly used for insomnia. Zolpidem is well tolerated and especially efficacious for initiation of sleep, and therefore is effective for the treatment of sleep-onset insomnia. The purpose of the present study was to design and evaluate zolpidem nanoparticle-impregnated buccal films to prolong the duration of its action. Zolpidem nanospheres were prepared by double emulsion solvent evaporation and then loaded into buccoadhesive films (Z1-Z4) comprised of different concentrations of HPMC K100, Eudragit® RL 100, and carbopol 974P. The prepared films were characterized for physicomechanical properties, mucoadhesion, percent hydration, in vitro drug release, ex vivo permeation, and in vivo studies. In vitro drug release was found to depend upon film composition. Ex vivo studies showed that film Z4 had the highest flux. In vivo studies revealed that administration of zolpidem nanosphere-impregnated film enhanced absorption of the drug (p < 0.0001), with a higher peak plasma concentration (52.54 ± 8.22 ng/mL) and area under the curve from time 0 to α (236.00 ± 39.51 ng.h/mL) than oral administration. The increase in time taken to reach the maximum drug concentration (1.5 h) further signifies the potential of these films to provide prolonged drug release. Given these promising results, we concluded that these buccal films could be an alternative route for effective zolpidem delivery

An Effective Delivery System of Sitagliptin Using Optimized Mucoadhesive Nanoparticles

Sitagliptin (MK-0431), is a potent oral hypoglycemic drug that is used for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, the short half-life of sitagliptin requires patients to take a high dose of 50 mg twice per day, and the fraction of sitagliptin reversibly bound to plasma proteins is as low as 38%. In addition, it was reported that approximately 79% of sitagliptin is excreted unchanged in the urine for elimination without metabolism. Thus, a better delivery system is needed to improve the benefits of sitagliptin in patients. The drug content and percentage yield were found to be 73 ± 2% and 92 ± 2%, respectively. The optimized sitagliptin nanoparticle sizes were between 350–950 nm, and the surfaces were smooth and nearly spherical in shape. In addition, the optimized sitagliptin nanoparticles have an indicated excellent bioadhesion property of (6.1 ± 0.5 h). The swelling of the nanoparticles is 168 ± 15%. The pattern of sitagliptin release from the mucoadhesive nanoparticles follows the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. More importantly, the extended sitagliptin retention time, of up to 12 h in the gastrointestinal tract, suggests that the optimized mucoadhesive nanoparticle formulation is more efficient, and has a greater potential to be used for oral delivery compared to the conventional sitagliptin administration in the drug solution. This is the first developed delivery system using the optimized mucoadhesive nanoparticles to enhance the effectiveness of sitagliptin

Mechanisms of Antidiabetic Activity of Methanolic Extract of Punica granatum Leaves in Nicotinamide/Streptozotocin-Induced Type 2 Diabetes in Rats

The current study aimed to establish the mechanisms of antidiabetic activity of methanolic extract of Punica granatum leaves (MEPGL) in nicotinamide/streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetes in rats. Phytochemical screening, HPLC analysis, and acute toxicity study of MEPGL were carried out. Various concentrations of MEPGL (100, 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg) were administered orally to diabetic rats for 45 days on a daily basis. The antidiabetic effect of MEPGL was examined by measuring blood glucose, plasma insulin, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, as well as with an oral glucose tolerance test. The antioxidant effect of MEPGL was determined by analyzing hepatic and renal antioxidant markers, namely superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH), and lipid peroxidation. The other biochemical markers alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea, and creatinine, as well as total cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were also studied. Type 2 diabetes significantly altered these parameters, while oral administration of the MEPGL significantly ameliorated them. Moreover, the pancreatic histopathological changes were attenuated with MEPGL treatment. In a nutshell, oral MEPGL administration in diabetic rats showed antidiabetic activity due to its antioxidant activity, most probably due to the gallic acid, ellagic acid, and apigenin found in MEPGL