Vidya Viswanad

The nanolipid carrier gel containing clobetasol propionate (CP) and pramoxine hydrochloride (PH) has shown promise for targeted drug delivery in the treatment of atopic dermatitis, as evidenced by in vitro studies and a DNCB-induced rat model.

Corrigendum: Modulation of immune response by nanoparticle-based immunotherapy against food allergens

Theranostics, a dual strategy, helps in better tumor imaging, the biodistribution of drugs (the ability to direct therapeutic agents to the tumor site), and understanding the progress and effectiveness of therapy. Theranostics is an emerging technology for the diagnosis and management of brain tumors which differ from peripheral tumors in several ways because of their complexity in the genesis of oncogenes. Several factors must be considered for successful brain tumor-targeted drug delivery. Nanotheranostics for brain cancer therapies have been identified now, and polymeric nanoparticles (PNP) are one of the most efficient and promising nanotechnological platforms. They can be utilized as a new imaging method to optimize chemotherapeutic drug delivery into brain tumors while reducing the drug's dissemination and toxicity in healthy people. Smart carriers and theranostic nanoparticles can diagnose, deliver, and track the therapeutic response synchronized. This chapter gives an insight into superparamagnetic, ultrasound-triggered radionuclide bearing, and fluorescent PNPs as potential theranostic approaches for brain tumor management.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic, chronic autoimmune disease that causes disability due to progressive inflammation and destruction of the tissues around the joints. Methotrexate is mainly used to prevent the progression of joint destruction and reduce the deformity. The major challenge in treating RA with methotrexate is the systemic side effects that limit dose escalation. Hence, a novel formulation of a methotrexate-loaded nanoemulsion for subcutaneous administration was developed that aims to deliver methotrexate into the system via the lymph. The methotrexate-loaded nanoemulsion was prepared by using the aqueous-titration method. The prepared nanoemulsion was investigated for particle size, surface charge, surface morphology, entrapment efficiency, DSC (differential scanning colorimetry), drug release, hemocompatibility assay, and cytotoxicity, as well as anti-arthritic and stability studies. The vesicle size, zeta potential, PDI (polydispersity index), and entrapment efficiency of the optimized nanoemulsion were 87.89 ± 2.86 nm, 35.9 ± 0.73 mV, 0.27, and 87 ± 0.25%, respectively. The DSC study showed that the crystalline methotrexate was converted to an amorphous form and the drug was fully incorporated into the vesicles. After 72 h, the optimized nanoemulsion showed a drug release of 96.77 ± 0.63%, indicating a sustained-release dosage form. Cytocompatibility testing by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide) assay on macrophage cell lines showed that the nanoemulsion was non-toxic. The formulation showed significant anti-arthritic activity compared to the marketed drug solution. In addition, the nanoemulsion containing methotrexate remained stable for three months when stored at a low temperature. Since the nanoemulsion containing methotrexate has excellent physicochemical properties and lowers systemic side effects by targeted delivery, it is a desirable technology for subcutaneous drug delivery.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (or eczema) can be defined as a chronic inflammatory condition accompanied by severe pruritus.Objective: The prepared gel was evaluated for in vitro drug release, in vitro occlusion studies, transepidermal water loss studies, skin permeation studies, in vitro skin irritation studies and antiinflammatory cell line studies.Methods: In vitro drug release studies were performed using Franz diffusion cells. The in vitro occlusion studies were carried out by the procedure reported by Wissing et al. TEWL determination was done by the method proposed by Reiger. The skin permeation studies were carried out using porcine skin using Franz diffusion cells. In vitro skin irritation study was carried out using HETCAM (Hen’s Egg Test on the Chorioallantoic Membrane) method. Anti-inflammatory cell line studies were carried out using RAW 264.7 cell lines.Results: In vitro drug release studies,drug release of nicotinamide from nanoemulsion gel was found to be more than marketed gel. Kinetic modelling showed a higuchi model with non-fickian diffusion. In vitro occlusion study showed the percentage of evaporated water from prepared nanoemulsion formulation after 72 h is very less compared with the other formulations. The TEWL measurement shows the reduction in TEWL has more in prepared nanoemulsion gel than other formulations. Anti-inflammatory cell line studies proved that the nanoemulsion gel has inhibition capacity on COX activity, LOX activity, Inducibe nitric oxide synthase and cellular nitrate levels.Conclusion: DHA oil based nicotinamidenanoemulsion gel were prepared successfully and the evaluation of prepared gel showed better drug release and skin permeation with better antiinflammatory activity.

Pulmonary diseases are one of the significant conditions and influence the lifestyle for a majority of the population in today’s world. From ancient times, inhalational drug delivery is being utilised to target the lungs for the management and treatment of pulmonary diseases with reduced side effects. Factors like the physiology of the respiratory system, selection of devices, particle characteristics, and formulation characteristics affect the efficiency of inhalational drug delivery. The precise usage of the inhaler device is indispensable for the efficient delivery of drugs. The characteristic particle impacts the region of drug deposition and in turn influences drug dissolution. Drug dissolution is also affected by the physiological aspect of the respiratory tract, which is concerned primarily in disease states. Formulation type and characteristics decide the release mechanism and influences the inhalational pattern. Liposomes, nanoparticles, microparticles, micelles, dendrimers, etc. can be utilised for passive and active targeting of drugs to the lungs. Inhalational drug delivery can be harnessed to deliver therapeutic agents to systemic circulation for diseases apart from pulmonary diseases. The inhalational drug delivery techniques and devices are being continuously researched upon and reworked to acquire better drug loading with minor loss during drug delivery. The review focuses on the significance and factors associated with pulmonary drug delivery.

The pervasiveness of food allergy and associated anaphylactic reactions are proliferating consecutively and the absence of a proper treatment adds to it. Food, both animal as well as plant derived, are presented as the major risk factors. There are several pathways deduced in favour of the food-induced anaphylaxis, ultimately leading to the activation of T-cells. One of the efficient way to solve this issue is allergen immunotherapy that involves the administration of small doses of modified allergen content and increasing the dose geometrically until tolerant level is achieved. The present treatment includes the symptomatic treatment just though a perpetual fix can be accomplished through the immunotherapy. It focus on the development of innate and adaptive immunity and further acts as a shield to prevent recurrent episodes of anaphylaxis. Specific allergen induced immunotherapy can induce a response that can benefit up to a period of 3 years even after discontinuation of the therapy. Persistent advancement of immunology and bioengineering improves understanding diagnostics. Oral and subcutaneous routes are mostly exploited for the allergen immunotherapy. There is also a need to shed more light on the availability of a standardized allergen extract for the specific treatment of food allergy. Additional research on possible pathogenesis/ pathways and newer route of administration can lead to more safe and efficient treatment methodology.

Purpose: The current study aims the lymphatic delivery of leflunomide loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (LNLC) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, mainly focussed to enhance the lymphatic delivery via chylomicron formation, improved bioavailability and reduced systemic toxicity. Methods: Melt emulsification ultra-sonication method was used to formulate the nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) containing leflunomide. Four batches were prepared by using various concentration of surfactants (tween 80 and poloxmer 188) and lipid mixtures (stearic acid and oleic acid). All the formulations were studied for various physiochemical properties Results: The formulation with increased concentration of lipid and surfactants showed highest entrapment efficiency (93.96 ± 0.47%) and better drug release (90.35%) at the end of 48 hrs. In vivo tests were carried out to determine the antiarthritic potential of the formulation in Sprague-dawley rats for a duration of 30d. The effect was evaluated by measuring the reduction in knee thickness. LNLC showed a marked reduction in inflammation compared to standard drug. Intestinal lymphatic uptake studies of LNLC were performed by intraduodenal administration and compared with leflunomide drug solution. The mesenteric lymph node was analysed by HPLC method and the concentration of drug was estimated. It showed that LNLC having highest uptake (40.34μg/ml) when compared with leflunomide drug solution (10.04μg/ml). Radiographic analysis and histopathological studies showed the formation of healthy cartilage after treatment period. Conclusion: The results suggested that LNLC has the potential to reduce the systemic toxicities associated with conventional therapy along with improved efficacy in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.