Co-loaded curcumin and methotrexate nanocapsules enhance cytotoxicity against non-small-cell lung cancer cells

© 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Background: As part of the efforts to find natural alternatives for cancer treatment and to overcome the barriers of cellular resistance to chemotherapeutic agents, polymeric nanocapsules containing curcumin and/or methotrexate were prepared by an interfacial deposition of preformed polymer method. Methods: Physicochemical properties, drug release experiments and in vitro cytotoxicity of these nanocapsules were performed against the Calu-3 lung cancer cell line. Results: The colloidal suspensions of nanocapsules showed suitable size (287 to 325 nm), negative charge (−33 to −41 mV) and high encapsulation efficiency (82.4 to 99.4%). Spherical particles at nanoscale dimensions were observed by scanning electron microscopy. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that nanocapsules exhibited a non-crystalline pattern with a remarkable decrease of crystalline peaks of the raw materials. Fourier-transform infrared spectra demonstrated no chemical bond between the drug(s) and polymers. Drug release experiments evidenced a controlled release pattern with no burst effect for nanocapsules containing curcumin and/or methotrexate. The nanoformulation containing curcumin and methotrexate (NCUR/MTX-2) statistically decreased the cell viability of Calu-3. The fluorescence and morphological analyses presented a predominance of early apoptosis and late apoptosis as the main death mechanisms for Calu-3. Conclusions: Curcumin and methotrexate co-loaded nanocapsules can be further used as a novel therapeutic strategy for treating non-small-cell lung cancer

DEVELOPMENT, CHARACTERIZATION AND EVALUATION OF MANIDIPINE-LOADED POLYMERIC MICROPARTICLES

A manidipina é um bloqueador de canal de cálcio de terceira geração, eficaz no tratamento da hipertensão arterial. Seu uso está relacionado a efeitos metabólicos adicionais de potencial interesse clínico. Entretanto, sua extrema lipofilicidade resulta em propriedades físico-químicas e farmacocinéticas indesejáveis. Assim, torna-se necessário um aprimoramento farmacotécnico para alcançar um avanço expressivo na absorção e na biodisponibilidade desse fármaco. Com esse propósito, o objetivo deste trabalho foi microencapsular a manidipina a fim de evitar sua compartimentalização espontânea nos adipócitos e prolongar seu tempo de trânsito intestinal, com taxas de liberação e duração adequadas para gerar o efeito anti-hipertensivo desejado. Micropartículas de poli(&#949;-caprolactona) (PCL) e poli(3-hidroxibutirato-co-hidroxivalerato) (PHBV) contendo manidipina foram preparadas com êxito pelo método de emulsão simples/evaporação do solvente orgânico. Diante da ausência de métodos validados para quantificação do fármaco encapsulado nestas micropartículas, um método para o doseamento por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência com detecção espectrométrica na região do ultravioleta foi previamente desenvolvido e validado. Esse método mostrou-se seletivo, linear (r = 0,9992), preciso (DPR < 2,08 %) e exato (capacidade de recuperação entre 95,02 e 100,41%) no intervalo de 10 a 50 &#956;g.mL-1. Além disso, a cromatografia foi robusta quando submetida a pequenas variações na composição da fase móvel e temperatura da coluna. As quatro formulações apresentaram eficiências de encapsulação superiores a 80% e tamanhos médios de partícula inferiores a 8 &#956;m. Os sistemas microparticulados apresentaram uma forma esférica com superfície lisa e porosa para as formulações de PCL e PHBV, respectivamente. De acordo com as análises por espectroscopia na região do infravermelho com transformada de Fourier, os componentes iniciais não foram quimicamente alterados durante o processo de microencapsulação, ao passo que as análises de difratometria de raios-X e de calorimetria exploratória diferencial demonstraram que esse processo levou a amorfização do fármaco. Os perfis de dissolução in vitro confirmaram a capacidade que as micropartículas apresentam de prolongar a liberação da manidipina, especialmente àquelas preparadas a partir da PCL, que continham 5% de fármaco encapsulado (PCL-M5). Os estudos em animais mostraram que a formulação PCL-M5 foi capaz de minimizar a variação da pressão arterial média, frente à administração de fenilefrina, por até 24 horas. Este dado confirma o efeito anti-hipertensivo prolongado da micropartícula proposta. Os resultados forneceram um embasamento experimental que viabiliza o uso da formulação PCL-M5 como um carreador oral da manidipina.Manidipine is a third-generation calcium channel blocking effective in the treatment of hypertension, which its use has been related to further metabolic effects of potential clinical interest. However, its high lipophilicity results in undesirable physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties. Thus, a pharmaceutical improvement is necessary to achieve a remarkable advance in its absorption and bioavailability. In that sense, the aim of this paper was to microencapsulate the manidipine in order to avoid its spontaneous compartmentalization in adipocytes and make its intestinal transit longer, with appropriate release rates and duration to generate the desired antihypertensive effect. Poly(&#949;-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) microparticles containing manidipine were successfully prepared by simple emulsion/solvent evaporation method. Considering the lack of validated methods for drug quantification in these microparticles, an analytical method by high efficiency liquid chromatography with spectrometric detection in the ultraviolet region was previously developed and validated. This method proved to be selective, linear (r = 0.9992), precise (RSD < 2.08 %) and accurate (recovery capacity between 95.02 and 100.41%) in the range from 10 to 50 &#956;g.mL-1. The chromatography was robust when underwent slight variations in the mobile phase composition and column temperature. All four formulations showed loading efficiency rates greater than 80% and average particle sizes less than 8 &#956;m. Microparticulate systems showed a spherical shape with smooth and porous surface for PCL and PHBV formulations, respectively. According to Fourier-transformed infrared analysis, initial components were not chemically modified during microencapsulation process, whereas X-ray diffraction patterns and differential scanning calorimetry analysis demonstrated that this process led to drug amorphization. In vitro dissolution profile showed that all microparticles prepared were able to sustain manidipine release, especially which one prepared from PCL, that contained 5% of the drug loaded (PCL-M5). Animal studies demonstrated that PCL-M5 formulation was able to hold the mean arterial pressure variation after phenylephrine administration up to 24 hours. These data demonstrate the sustained antihypertensive effect of the proposed microparticles. Results provided an experimental basis for using PCL-M5 formulation as an oral manidipine carrier

Desenvolvimento e validação de um método analítico simples e rápido por espectroscopia UV para quantificação de aciclovir em matrizes hidrofílicas de liberação prolongada Development and validation of a simple and rapid analytical method by UV spectroscopy for acyclovir quantification in hydrophilic matrices for sustained release

<abstract language="eng">This work reports the validation of an analytical UV spectrophotometric method to assay acyclovir in hydrophilic matrices (assay and dissolution studies). The method was linear in the range between 2.5-20 µg mL-1, presenting a good correlation coefficient ( r = 0,9999). Precision and accuracy analysis showed low relative standart deviation (< 2.0 %) and a good recoveries percentual (98.9-100 %). The procedure was linear, accurate, and robust. The method is simple and cheap. It does not use polluting reagents and can be applied in dissolution studies, being an adequate alternative to assay acyclovir in hydrophilic matrices tablets

PCL/PHBV Microparticles as Innovative Carriers for Oral Controlled Release of Manidipine Dihydrochloride

Microparticles of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) containing manidipine dihydrochloride (MAN) were successfully prepared by the simple emulsion/solvent evaporation method. All formulations showed loading efficiency rates greater than 80% and average particle size less than 8 μm. Formulations had spherical shape with smooth and porous surface for PCL and PHBV, respectively. According to Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, initial components were not chemically modified during microencapsulation. X-ray diffraction patterns and differential scanning calorimetry demonstrated that this process led to drug amorphization. In vitro dissolution studies showed that all microparticles prolonged MAN release, mainly which one obtained using PCL that contained 5% of drug loaded (PCL-M5). Animal studies demonstrated that formulation PCL-M5 was able to keep the variation of mean arterial pressure after phenylephrine administration up to 24 hours. These data confirmed the sustained antihypertensive effect of the investigated microparticles. Results provided an experimental basis for using formulation PCL-M5 as a feasible carrier for oral controlled release of MAN intended for treating high blood pressure

Adapalene-loaded poly(ε-caprolactone) microparticles: Physicochemical characterization and in vitro penetration by photoacoustic spectroscopy.

Adapalene (ADAP) is an important drug widely used in the topical treatment of acne. It is a third-generation retinoid and provides keratolytic, anti-inflammatory, and antiseborrhoic action. However, some topical adverse effects such as erythema, dryness, and scaling have been reported with its commercial formula. In this sense, the microencapsulation of this drug using polyesters can circumvent its topical side effects and can lead to the enhancement of drug delivery into sebaceous glands. The goal of this work was to obtain ADAP-loaded poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) microparticles prepared by a simple emulsion/solvent evaporation method. Formulations containing 10 and 20% of ADAP were successfully obtained and characterized by morphological, spectroscopic, and thermal studies. Microparticles presented encapsulation efficiency of ADAP above 98% and showed a smooth surface and spherical shape. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results presented no drug-polymer chemical bond, and a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique showed a partial amorphization of the drug. ADAP permeation in the Strat-M membrane for transdermal diffusion testing was evaluated by photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) in the spectral region between 225 and 400 nm after 15 min and 3 h from the application of ADAP-loaded PCL formulations. PAS was successfully used for investigating the penetration of polymeric microparticles. In addition, microencapsulation decreased the in vitro transmembrane diffusion of ADAP

Characterization and In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of Tacrolimus-Loaded Poly(ε-Caprolactone) Nanocapsules for the Management of Atopic Dermatitis

Background: Tacrolimus (TAC) is a drug of natural origin used in conventional topical dosage forms to control atopic dermatitis. However, direct application of the drug often causes adverse side effects in some patients. Hence, drug nanoencapsulation could be used as an improved novel therapy to mitigate the adverse effects and enhance bioavailability of the drug. Methods: Physicochemical properties, in vitro drug release experiments, and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity studies were performed. Results: TAC-loaded nanocapsules were successfully prepared by the interfacial deposition of preformed polymer using poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL). The nanoparticulate systems presented a spherical shape with a smooth and regular surface, adequate diameter (226 to 250 nm), polydispersity index below 0.3, and suitable electrical stability (−38 to −42 mV). X-ray diffraction confirmed that the encapsulation method provided mainly the drug molecular dispersion in the nanocapsule oily core. Fourier-transform infrared spectra suggested that nanoencapsulation did not result in chemical bonds between drug and polymer. In vitro drug dissolution experiments showed a controlled release with a slight initial burst. The release kinetics showed zero-order kinetics. As per the Korsmeyer–Peppas model, anomalous transport features were observed. TAC-loaded PCL nanocapsules exhibited excellent anti-inflammatory activity when compared to the free drug. Conclusions: TAC-loaded PCL nanocapsules can be suitably used as a novel nano-based dosage form to control atopic dermatitis