Doxorubicin-loaded phosphatidylethanolamine-conjugated nanoliposomes: in vitro characterization and their accumulation in liver, kidneys, and lungs in rats

Anandamoy Rudra, R Manasa Deepa, Miltu Kumar Ghosh, Subhajit Ghosh, Biswajit MukherjeeDepartment of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata (Calcutta), IndiaIntroduction: Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE)-conjugated nanoliposomes were developed, characterized, and investigated for their accumulation in liver, kidneys, and lungs in rats.Methods: Drug-excipient interaction was studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), surface morphology by field emission scanning electron microscopy, elemental analysis by energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, zeta potential and size distribution using a Zetasizer and particle size analyzer, and in vitro drug release by dialysis membrane. In vivo accumulation of liposomes in tissues was also studied.Results: No chemical reaction was observed between drug and excipients. EDX study confirmed PE-conjugation in liposomes. Doxorubicin-loaded liposomes (DOX-L) and PE-conjugated doxorubicin-loaded liposomes (DOX-PEL) were of smooth surface and homogenously distributed in nanosize range (32–37 nm) with a negative surface charge. Loading efficiencies were 49.25% ± 1.05% and 52.98% ± 3.22% respectively, for DOX-L and DOX-PEL. In vitro drug release study showed 69.91% ± 1.05% and 77.07% ± 1.02% doxorubicin released, from DOX-L and DOX-PEL, respectively, in nine hours. Fluorescence microscopic study showed that liposomes were well distributed in liver, lungs, and kidneys.Conclusion: Data suggests that PE-conjugated nanoliposomes released the drug in a sustained manner and were capable of distributing them in various organs. This may be used for cell/ tissue targeting, attaching specific antibodies to PE.Keywords: doxorubicin, phosphatidylethanolamine-conjugated nanoliposomes, tissue accumulatio

DEVELOPMENT, FORMULATION, AND EVALUATION OF ALOE VERA TOOTH GEL: AN ANTIMICROBIAL STUDY

Objective: The purpose of the current study was to develop and formulate tooth gel using Aloe vera leaf extract and evaluate. The experiment was designed to provide scientific proof of the antimicrobial activity of Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Mill) in tooth gel formulation against bacteria Staphylococcus aureus which causes infections associated with dental caries. Methods: Transparent Aloe vera gel extract was consistently blended for five minutes at 1000 Rotations Per Minute (RPM). Carbopol 940 and Carboxy Methyl Cellulose (CMC) were used as excipients in the formulation of Aloe vera tooth gel. Results: The formulated Aloe vera tooth gel was evaluated by physical examination such as color (yellowish green), good homogeneity and smoothness. pH and viscosity of developed tooth gel preparation were found to be 7.9 and 4.9 Pa.S respectively. The developed Aloe vera tooth gel showed considerable effectiveness with a Zone of Inhibition (ZOI) of 0.022 m, according to an antimicrobial study against Staphylococcus aureus. A comparison between formulated gel and marketed products (Colgate Natural Extract Aloe vera, Himalaya Herbal Active Fresh, Dabur Red) was also carried out. Conclusion: The formulated herbal tooth gel exhibited antimicrobial activity against gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. The developed formulation (F4) with the ZOI of 0.022 m could be comparable with the marketed product