nanoparticles

Unrefined shea butter is a vegetable fat that can be used for its anti-inflammatory properties related to its unsaponifiable fraction but also as excipient for various forms. In this study, the aim was to see how to take advantage of this dual status in order to improve the anti-inflammatory activity of shea butter through nanotechnology. In other words, it was to test the hypothesis of an improvement of the anti-inflammatory activity of unrefined shea butter when used in the form of nanoparticles  and gel / nanoparticle system. The nanoparticles were prepared by a phase inversion method and had an average size of 400 nm with a poly dispersion index of 0.416, a zeta potential between -5 and -7mV and a pH around 5.3-5.4. The gel / nanoparticle complex was obtained by mixing the nanoparticles with a gel based on polyethylene glycol, water and HydroxyPropyl Methylcellulose. The mouse ear edema test was implemented for the evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity and the results showed a clear improvement of the latter. Indeed, the ratios (R) between the percentage inhibition of the anti-inflammatory activity (I) and the real percentage of shea butter used in the various preparations are respectively: crude shea butter (I = 62.52%; R = 0.62), nanoparticles (I = 60.80%, R = 1.05) and gel / nanoparticle complex system (I = 52.41, R = 6.38) (for the latter, the proportion of nanoparticles in the complex system was 4/24). Keywords: Shea butter, phase inversion, lipid, nanoparticles, nanoparticle/gel complex, anti-inflammatory activity

Delivering a therapeutic agent to the desired site is the major problem in the treatment of many diseases such as cancer. Conventional utilization of drug is characterized by its limited bio-distribution, its side effect, and lack of its selectivity. The poor solubility and large volume of distribution of anticancer drugs are the major problems in cancer therapy. Reducing size of drug and designing it into a suitable formulation and selecting a pathway for drug uptake is fundamental basis of nanotechnology. Great interest of nanoparticles is due their nanometer scale range. Their reduced particle size entails high surface area and hence a strategy for faster release. These particles are capable of deep penetration into the tissue without disrupting its functions. Thus, it has been suggested that nanoparticles should improve the therapeutic efficacy while decreasing the toxic side effects of anticancer drugs. The need for polymers with specific physical and biological properties has generated continued interest in novel polymer screening from natural resources.

Nanoparticles  act  as  a  promising  system  for  targeted  delivery  of  drugs  and  as  an  effective  route  of  drug  administration.  In  this  study,  polysorbate  80  coated  nanoparticles  of  serratiopeptidase  were  formulated  and  aimed for  the  treatment  of  blood  clots  in  brain.  Serratiopeptidase exerts effective activity against blood clotting and has ability to dissolve non-living tissues,   blood clots, cysts, atherosclerotic clots. Different  nanoparticle  formulations  of  serratiopeptidase  were  prepared  with  different  concentrations  of  chitosan  and  tripolyphosphate  using  ionic  gelation  method.  The  nanoparticles were coated using polysorbate 80 and were characterized  and  evaluated  for  different  parameters  such  as  particle  size,  entrapment  efficiency,  zeta  potential and  transmission  electron  microscopy.  The  in  vitro  drug  release  of  prepared  nanoparticles  was  studied  in  phosphate  buffer  (pH 7.4).  The  results  indicated  that  the  developed  nanoparticle  formulation  could  be  established  as  a  promising carrier  for  active  targeting  into  brain  to  dissolve  blood  clots.

Nanotoxicology is an emerging new multidisciplinary field of science. This new technology deals with measures, manipulates, and manufactures at the atomic, molecular, and supramolecular levels, aimed at creating materials, devices, and systems with fundamentally new molecular organizations, properties, and functions associated with greater strength, stability, chemical and biological activity. They are used in rapidly increasing nanoproducts, nanodevices, electronics, diagnostics and drug delivery systems. They are present in a variety of consumer products such as foods, drugs, cosmetics, food colour additives, food containers, paints and surface coatings. Because of their extremely small size they are capable of entering the human body by inhalation, ingestion, skin penetration, intravenous injections and medical devices, and have the potential to interact with intracellular macromolecules. Because of their greater stability they are anticipated to remain in the body and in the environment for long periods of time. However, information on their potential adverse health effects is very limited at the present time. It is not known at what concentration or size they can exhibit toxicity. Therefore, there are obvious public safety concerns. This has led to the initiation of a new research discipline commonly known as Nanotoxicology. The current review article reveals the concept of Nanotoxicology from nanomedicine and non-medical nanoparticles.

Drug delivery via nanoparticle-based carriers has shown promising results for different types of diseases. Delivery of anti-gout agents into body is a mature line of investigation that has yet to realize its full potential. In this study we report on the development of a delivery platform for febuxostat. The work presented here describes the development of nanoparticles based on compritol. The method employed for the preparation of SLN is micro emulsification technique followed by high pressure homogenization. Phase diagram was developed to know the region of stable micro emulsion formation. Eight different formulas were developed with different concentrations of lipid, surfactant and aqueous concentrations. The developed formulations were evaluated for particle size distribution, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, DSC thermal analysis and in vitro drug release studies. Among all the formulations developed, F3 formulation is showing better drug entrapment efficiency and controlled release of drug up to 24h. There was 12 fold increase in the solubility of drug in the developed formulation. The solid lipid nanoparticles of febuxostat can be prepared by using simple micro emulsification technique. The formulations had shown better release profile and solubility characteristics.

The goal of the present investigation was to formulate and evaluate chitosan and Eudragit Nanoparticles of Stavudine for antiviral therapy. Nanoparticles of Stavudine were prepared using chitosan, Eudragit S 100, liquid paraffin and Tween-20 using Emulsion droplet coalescence method. The concentration of the polymers Chitosan and Eudragit S 100 were selected based on the results on preliminary screening. The nanoparticles prepared were evaluated for morphology, loading efficiency and in-vitro release. The particle shape and morphology of the prepared Stavudine nanoparticles were determined by SEM analysis. The amount of Stavudine entrapment in the nanoparticles was calculated by the difference between the total amount of drug added to the nanoparticle and the amount of non-entrapped drug remaining in the aqueous supernatant. A Franz diffusion cell was used to monitor Stavudine release from the nanoparticles. The formulations CF1, CF2, EF2 and EF3 showed good drug release from the polymer. The percentage cumulative drug release after 12 hours was 75.54, 75.89, 78.86 and 76.42% respectively. However about 15% initial burst release was found at 1 hour in all formulations. EF2 released 78.86% of Stavudine 12 hours with a burst drug release nearly 14.86% of drug within the initial 1 hour. Formulations 4 out of 8showed good drug release from the polymer, the percentage cumulative drug release after 12 hours were in the range of 72-78 %. Among the four formulations EF 2 (1% Chitosan & 1.5 % EudragitS 100) showed maximum drug release in 12 hours diffusion study and good entrapment efficiency. In-vitro antiviral study revealed thatthe formulated nanoparticles were found to have good viral activity on viral cells in sustained manner.

The present study discusses scale up of asymmetric doxycycline hydrochloride (DH) LIPOMER (lipid polymer nanostructures) by nanoprecipitation. A solution of Doxycycline hydrochloride , Glyceryl monostearate and Gantrez AN119 in tetrahydrofuran was added to a non solvent phase comprising Isopropyl alcohol and water, under stirring to obtain doxycycline hydrochloride LIPOMER. At the 1X (400mg solids) scale the process was optimized to increase solute concentration and solvent to non solvent ratio while decreasing total solvent volume. At 10X scale varying the agitator speed, agitator type and number of baffles, at a maximum addition rate of 4mL/min, particles with an average size of ~455 nm were obtained with a 45° pitched six blade turbine agitator and baffles. Using the principle of geometric similarity the 10X batch, gradually scaled up to 240X (96 gm solids), revealed average particle size in the range 454 to 510 nm with >80% entrapment efficiency (EE).Using air atomization introducing small globules of the solvent phase (100 mL/min), in to the non solvent phase enabled  a size of ~340 nm with 84%  EE at  120X and 240X. DH LIPOMER exhibited good stability and asymmetric shape. More importantly LIPOMER in the desired size range (~300-600nm) for RES uptake was optimized.  Air atomization presents a simple and practical approach for scaleup of nanoparticles by nanoprecipitation.

Herbal medicines have been used all over the world from last many years. Especially in India, there is wide market for herbals. The new approach in herbals as nanotechnology  have a sound future which has a scientific approach to deliver the component in sustained manner which increase the patient compliance and avoid repeated administration. By developing new formulation as nano herbal medicines like nanofiber, nanoparticles, dendrimers, herbal market get good feedback. So many chronic diseases like cancer, wound healing can be cured by nano herbals more effectively as compared to allopathic medicines. The next most important step for herbal formulations is their standardization which establish consistent biological activity, consistent chemical profile or simply a quality assurance program. The article focused on the various techniques employed in preparation, identification and characterization of herbal drugs.

Curcumin has been identified as a major constituent in turmeric. It has been used in traditional medicine for liver disease (jaundice), indigestion, urinary tract diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and insect bites. Numerous studies have demonstrated the in-vitro anticancer effect of curcumin. Curcumin inhibits several different cellular targets like nuclear factor- kappa B (NF-ĸB); this in turn induces apoptosis and blocks the function of protein kinase C. The major problem associated with curcumin is its poor aqueous solubility resulting in its poor bioavailability at the tumor site. Therefore, improvement in stability, solubility and bioactivity is needed. The current review discusses the activity of curcumin on various types of cancer along with the advances in the drug delivery systems designed to improve curcumin delivery. These newly developed formulations improve the drug bioavailability and effectiveness. Numerous formulations of curcumin have been developed like microcapsules, β-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes, nanoparticles and others such drug delivery systems.

In the recent years considerable research efforts have been directed towards developing safe and efficient chitosan-based particulate drug delivery systems. Chitosan nanoparticles are good drug carriers because of their good biocompatibility and biodegradability, and can be readily modified. The primary hydroxyl and amine groups located on the backbone of chitosan allow for chemical modification to control its physical properties. When the hydrophobic moiety is conjugated to a chitosan molecule, the resulting amphiphile may form self-assembled nanoparticles that can encapsulate a quantity of drugs and deliver them to a specific site of action. Chemical attachment of the drug to the chitosan throughout the functional linker may produce useful prodrugs, exhibiting the appropriate biological activity at the target site. Mucoadhesion and absorption enhancement properties of chitosan increase the in vivo residence time in the gastrointestinal tract and improve the bioavailability of various insoluble drugs. The present review outlines the major new findings on the pharmaceutical applications of chitosan-based nanoparticulate drug delivery systems. The first part of the review is concerned with the organ-specific delivery system using chitosan and its derivatives. The subsequent section covers methods of their preparation, drug loading, release characteristics, and applications. Chemically modified chitosan have increased attention for their wide applications and their research discussed critically to evaluate usefulness of these systems in delivering the bioactive molecules. From literature survey, it is realized that research activities on chitosan nanoparticulate systems containing various drugs for different therapeutic applications have increased at the rapid rate. Hence, the present review is timely. Key Words: Chitosan, nanoparticles