Formulation of LDL Targeted Nanostructured Lipid Carriers Loaded with Paclitaxel: A Detailed Study of Preparation, Freeze Drying Condition, and In Vitro

In the present study, cholesterol nanostructured lipid carriers with various oleic acid content loaded with paclitaxel (PTX) were prepared by solvent emulsification-diffusion method using a Taguchi design. Size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, drug loading, and release percent of NLCs were measured. The results indicated that the most effective factors on the size were oleic acid content and surfactant percent. Zeta potential was more affected by the drug content. Drug to- lipid weight ratio was the most effective factor on entrapment efficiency and drug release from NLC. In the present work, the effect of lyophilization on the particle size and release properties of NLCs was also evaluated. The results revealed no differences between the characteristics of NLCs before and after freeze drying by using 25% w/w sorbitol as cryoprotectant. Cytotoxicity studies indicate that PTX associated with the NLC is also effective in HT-29 cell lines and enters the cancer cells selectively through the LDL receptor endocytic pathway. The IC50 values of free PTX solubilized in Cremophor EL and NLC-born PTX after 72 h exposure were  ng/mL and  ng/mL, respectively

Development and Evaluation of Orally Disintegrating Tablets of Pramipexole Using Full Factorial Design: Orally disintegrating tablets of Pramipexole

Pramipexole is the mostly prescribed drug in patients with Parkinson disease. The incidence of Parkinson disease is related to aging and mostly developed in elderly people with difficulty in swallowing or dysphagia. In the current study we aimed to develop an orally fast disintegrating tablet (ODT) of pramipexole as a preferable alternative in geriatric patients. Hence, the fast disintegration is a critical for ODTs, the effects of four different superdisintegrants including, crospovidone, croscarmellose, sodium starch glycolate, and agar were evaluated on physical characteristics of the tablets. All of the formulations were prepared through direct compression method using aspartame and mannitol as taste masking agents. The flow properties of all of the mixtures were in the acceptable limits. Croscarmellose and Avicel® were chosen as the best superdisintegrants which resulted in the lowest disintegration time and the least friability. In subsequent studies, a 32 full factorial design was adopted to assess the impact of different amounts of croscarmellose and Avicel®. The overall results suggest that the tablet containing 2.5 mg croscarmellose and 70 mg Avicel® as superdisintegrants is the best formulation. Mean hardness, disintegration time, friability, and the drug release percent during 5 min for the optimized formulation were confirmed 42.05 ± 4.6 Kg/cm2, 24.98 ± 6.8 Sec, 0.13 %, and 95.52 ± 2.23% , respectively

The Herpetofauna of Iran: Checklist of Taxonomy, Distribution and Conservation Status

WOS: 000368218100002We present an annotated checklist for a total 241 reptiles and 22 amphibians including 5 frogs, 9 toads, 7 newts and salamanders, 1 crocodile, 1 worm lizard, 148 lizards, 79 snakes and 12 turtles and tortoises, includes the most scientific literature up to August 2014 and also based on several field surveys conducted in different Provinces of Iran from 2009 to 2014. We present an up-to-dated checklist of reptiles and amphibians in Iran. We provide a comprehensive listing of taxonomy, names, distribution and conservation status of all amphibians and reptiles of Iran. This checklist includes all recognized named taxa, English names for classes, orders, families, species, subspecies along with Persian names for species, including indication of native and introduced species. For the first time we report two non-native introduced reptiles from natural habitats of Iran. Of the total 22 species of amphibians in Iran, 6 (27.2%) are endemic and of the total 241 species of reptiles, 55 (22.8%) are endemic. Of the 22 amphibians species in Iran, 3 (13%) are Critically Endangered, 2 (9%) are Vulnerable and of the 241 reptile species 3 (1.2%) are Critically Endangered, 4 (1.6%) are Endangered and 10 (4.1%) are Vulnerable. Accordingly, this paper combines significant aspects of taxonomy, common names, conservation status and distribution of the Iranian herpetofauna