Formulation and Evaluation of Guggul Lipid Nanovesicles for Transdermal Delivery of Aceclofenac

Context. Most new drugs have low water solubility and liposome is an important formulation to administer such drugs; however, it is quite unstable and has negligible systemic absorption. Objective. Aceclofenac nanovesicles were made using guggul lipid for formulating stable transdermal formulation. Materials and Methods. Guggul lipid was formulated into vesicles along with cholesterol and dicetyl phosphate using film hydration method. The formulations were analyzed for physicochemical properties and stability. Then its skin permeation and anti-inflammatory activity were determined. Results. Both categories of vesicles (PC and GL) showed optimum physicochemical properties; however, accelerated stability study showed considerable differences. GL-1 was appreciably stable for over 6 months at 4°C. Corresponding gels (PCG-1 and GLG-1) showed Cmax values at 4.98 and 7.32 μg/mL along with the Tmax values at 4 and 8 hours, respectively. GLG-1 inhibited edema production by 90.81% in 6 hours. Discussion. PC liposomes are unstable at higher temperature and upon longer storage. The formulation with higher lipid content (GL-1) showed good drug retention after 24 hours and appreciable stability both at higher temperature and for longer duration. Guggul lipid being a planar molecule might be stacked in vesicle wall with cholesterol. Conclusion. The composition of the nanovesicle played an important role in stability and drug permeation. Guggul lipid is suitable for producing stable vesicles

Influence of Altitude on Pulmonary Function

Variation in lung function at high altitude (HA) impacts the working capacity of individuals and may predispose body towards hypoxia induced illness. So, we investigated the changes in pulmonary function of healthy human male volunteers belonging to two different ethnicities i.e. Indian and Kyrgyz. Twenty, age and BMI matched, volunteers (Indian=10 and Kyrgyz=10) were recruited for the study. Measurement for pulmonary functions (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio, PEF, FEF 25-75%, MEF 25%, MEF 50%, MEF 75%, MVV) were performed on each individual at basal (800 m) and high altitude (4,111 m) on day 3,7,14 and 21. Results indicate that Kyrgyz has comparatively higher FVC, FEV1, PEF and MVV values and lower FEV1/FVC ratio upon altitude induction than those of Indian counterparts. Mid expiratory flow FEF25-75% was significantly increased in Kyrgyz upon altitude induction indicate more proficient lung emptying while only moderate increase at day 7 in Indian. MEF25% was significantly increased in Kyrgyz, while no change is observed in Indians at high altitude which indicates that 75% of lung emptying through small airways is better in Kyrgyz. MEF 50% and MEF 75% increased with altitude in both groups. For MVV, the maximum increase was ~17% in Indian at HA14 (p<0.01) and in Kyrgyz ~33% (p<0.001) at HA14 as compared to basal. Difference in lung function response observed, indicates that Kyrgyz has better pulmonary dynamics during altitude exposure as compared to Indian counterparts. The varied result observed may be due to different ethnic origin of the groups

Phytochemical Molecules Binding with the Proteins of Mycolic Acid Synthesis Pathway of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Resistance against anti-tubercular drugs is a significant problem. This elucidates the need for novel drug targets. Altering and targeting the enzymes involved in cell wall synthesis led to fatal damage to the bacterial cell. Mycolic acids are critically responsible for the virulence of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. This pathway represents an essential reservoir of novel targets for developing new TB drugs. The study aims to identify phytochemicals with the capacity to bind with enzymes of mycolic acid synthesis pathways. This study shows the interaction between phytochemicals and proteins responsible for mycolic acid synthesis is shown through bioinformatics & molecular docking tools. Docking showed binding affinity between protein molecules of the mycolic acid synthesis pathway and ligand molecules in the study. PKS13 (polyketide synthase) interacts with the ligand beta-amyrin acetate with a vina score of -7.1 Kcal/mol. At the same time, its binding energy with Piperine is -6.8 Kcal/mol. DprE1 (Decaprenylphosphoryl-bet-D-ribose-2-epimerase), the other protein docked with beta-amyrin acetate, showed a vina score of -9.7 Kcal/mol binding energy. Piperine with DprE1 exhibits interaction with a score of -8.3 Kcal/mol. Beta-amyrin acetate is docked with a score of -6.9 Kcal/mol against KasA (Beta-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase). On the other hand, Piperine with KasA gave a result of -7.0 Kcal/mol. Piperine and Beta-amyrin acetate binds to PKS13, DprE1 & KasA protein/enzymes responsible for mycolic acid biosynthesis

Formulation and evaluation of controlled-release of telmisartan microspheres: In vitro/in vivo study

The aim of this work was to design a controlled-release drug-delivery system for the angiotensin-II receptor antagonist drug telmisartan. Telmisartan was encapsulated with different EUDRAGIT polymers by an emulsion solvent evaporation technique and the physicochemical properties of the formulations were characterized. Using a solvent evaporation method, white spherical microspheres with particle sizes of 629.9–792.1 μm were produced. The in vitro drug release was studied in three different pH media (pH 1.2 for 2 hours, pH 6.8 for 4 hours, and pH 7.4 for 18 hours). The formulations were then evaluated for their pharmacokinetic parameters. The entrapment efficiency of these microspheres was between 58.6% and 90.56%. The obtained microspheres showed good flow properties, which were evaluated in terms of angle of repose (15.29–26.32), bulk and tapped densities (0.37–0.53 and 0.43–0.64, respectively), Carr indices and Hausner ratio (12.94–19.14% and 1.14–1.23, respectively). No drug release was observed in the simulated gastric medium up to 2 hours; however, a change in pH from 1.2 to 6.8 increased the drug release. At pH 7.4, formulations with EUDRAGIT RS 100 showed a steady drug release. The microsphere formulation TMRS-3 (i.e., microspheres containing 2-mg telmisartan) gave the highest Cmax value (6.8641 μg/mL) at 6 hours, which was three times higher than Cmax for telmisartan oral suspension (TOS). Correspondingly, the area under the curve for TMRS-3 was 8.5 times higher than TOS. Particle size and drug release depended on the nature and content of polymer used. The drug release mechanism of the TMRS-3 formulation can be explained using the Higuchi model. The controlled release of drug from TMRS-3 also provides for higher plasma drug content and improved bioavailability

Solid Lipid Nanoparticles of Guggul Lipid as Drug Carrier for Transdermal Drug Delivery

Diclofenac sodium loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) were formulated using guggul lipid as major lipid component and analyzed for physical parameters, permeation profile, and anti-inflammatory activity. The SLNs were prepared using melt-emulsion sonication/low temperature-solidification method and characterized for physical parameters, in vitro drug release, and accelerated stability studies, and formulated into gel. Respective gels were compared with a commercial emulgel (CEG) and plain carbopol gel containing drug (CG) for ex vivo and in vivo drug permeation and anti-inflammatory activity. The SLNs were stable with optimum physical parameters. GMS nanoparticle 1 (GMN-1) and stearic acid nanoparticle 1 (SAN-1) gave the highest in vitro drug release. Guggul lipid nanoparticle gel 3 (GLNG-3) showed 104.68 times higher drug content than CEG in receptor fluid. The enhancement ratio of GLNG-3 was 39.43 with respect to CG. GLNG-3 showed almost 8.12 times higher Cmax than CEG at 4 hours. The AUC value of GLNG-3 was 15.28 times higher than the AUC of CEG. GLNG-3 showed edema inhibition up to 69.47% in the first hour. Physicochemical properties of major lipid component govern the properties of SLN. SLN made up of guggul lipid showed good physical properties with acceptable stability. Furthermore, it showed a controlled drug release profile along with a promising permeation profile

Enhanced Oral Bioavailability of Efavirenz by Solid Lipid Nanoparticles: In Vitro Drug Release and Pharmacokinetics Studies

Solid lipid nanoparticle is an efficient lipid based drug delivery system which can enhance the bioavailability of poorly water soluble drugs. Efavirenz is a highly lipophilic drug from nonnucleoside inhibitor category for treatment of HIV. Present work illustrates development of an SLN formulation for Efavirenz with increased bioavailability. At first, suitable lipid component and surfactant were chosen. SLNs were prepared and analyzed for physical parameters, stability, and pharmacokinetic profile. Efavirenz loaded SLNs were formulated using Glyceryl monostearate as main lipid and Tween 80 as surfactant. ESLN-3 has shown mean particle size of 124.5±3.2 nm with a PDI value of 0.234, negative zeta potential, and 86% drug entrapment. In vitro drug release study has shown 60.6–98.22% drug release in 24 h by various SLN formulations. Optimized SLNs have shown good stability at 40°C ± 2°C and 75±5% relative humidity (RH) for 180 days. ESLN-3 exhibited 5.32-fold increase in peak plasma concentration (Cmax⁡) and 10.98-fold increase in AUC in comparison to Efavirenz suspension (ES)

Phytochemical, Therapeutic, and Ethnopharmacological Overview for a Traditionally Important Herb: Boerhavia diffusa Linn.

Boerhavia diffusa (BD) is a plant of rasayana category as per ayurvedic claims. It is reported to possess antiaging, disease prevention, and life strengthening activities which hold enormous influence in disease burden and affordability/availability of healthcare in the world. Objective. This paper has been compiled to comment on the studies reported for BD to highlight its chemical and therapeutic potential along with its ethnopharmacological considerations. Methods. In the present paper, a detailed account of chemical constituents and pharmacological activities has been presented. All the findings were correlated with modern pharmacological activities to appraise the value of BD. Results. Chemical analysis of BD gives a wide variety of chemical constituents, namely, rotenoids, flavonoids, xanthones, purine nucleoside, lignans, and steroids. Various ethnopharmacological reports emphasize its role in disorders of reproductive system, gastrointestinal system, respiratory system, urinary system, hepatic system/jaundice, cardiovascular system, and cancer. Conclusions. The studies on the therapeutic activities of BD range from studies on crude extracts to isolated compounds; however some of the studies require sophistication and validated results. BD is a plant of enormous importance in the purview of its chemical and therapeutic properties