Koteswari P

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune destructive joint disease that is caused by inflammation in the tissue that normally produces lubrication fluid for joints.  Till now there is no known cure for RA and the goal of treatment is to reduce joint inflammation and pain. The present investigation is to develop a novel formulation called structured emulsion using extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) enriched with oleocanthal and curcumin. Oleocanthal and curcumin are recently recognized for their anti-rheumatoid and anti-cancer properties. The primary objective of this investigation is preparation of EVOO extract containing oleocanthal as major fraction. The second objective is inducting this oleocanthal fraction into EVOO to enrich EVOO with oleocanthal and this is taken as oil phase. The structured emulsion was prepared and evaluated for various physicochemical properties such as viscosity, spreadability, extrudability, pH, Curcumin content. FTIR studies were carried out to identify any interactions between curcumin ,oleocanthal and other excipients used in the formulation. Ex-vivo studies were conducted for determining the curcumin release rate. The emulsion exhibited pseudoplastic behavior and thixotropic properties. The ex vivo studies showed first order drug release. FTIR studies revealed that there was no drug or drug excipient interactions. Curcumin loaded oleocanthal enriched structured emulsion was prepared successfully and evaluated. Keywords: oeocanthal, curcumin, structured emulsion

The present study involves the formulation and evaluation of o/w nanoemulsions with two simple edible oils in micro-liter quantities, avoiding large quantities of surfactants and co-surfactants. The nanoemulsions were prepared by high energy emulsification technique. The process optimization was based on the particle size, size distribution and entrapment efficiency in relation with the quantity of oil and concentration of surfactant. The percent drug content was determined by HPLC with UV detector. The particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential of nanoemulsions were determined by using particle sizer. Stability studies at 4°C for two months, centrifugation and freeze-thaw cycling were carried out.  Pharmacokinetic studies of nanoemulsion and marketed dosage form were performed in male SD rats and blood plasma samples were analyzed by LC-MS/MS. The particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential of nanoemulsions were found to be in the range of 26.8±0.72 to 154.6±11.4 nm, 0.09±0.01 to 0.28±0.06 and 0.07±0.01 to -28±0.65 mv respectively. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and stability studies revealed the physical stability of the nanoemulsions. The percent drug content was found to be in the range of 73.74±3.79 to 101.16±1.35. The oral bio-availability was significantly increased in nanoemulsion compared with the marketed dosage form. These results showed a successful incorporation of felodipine into nanoemulsion with high drug loading efficiency and good stability. Key words: Sesame oil, olive oil, felodipine, sonication, Oral bioavailability.