Priyanka Rathore

The current study presents a comprehensive pharmaceutical engineering approach to developing an advanced transdermal drug delivery system for addressing skin hyperpigmentation through innovative nanocomposite gel formulation. Utilizing a systematic Quality-by-Design (QbD) methodology with Box-Behnken design, we developed a novel fluocinolone-loaded chitosan-graphene oxide nanocomposite (FCGN1) aimed at optimizing pharmaceutical performance and therapeutic efficacy. The nanocomposite formulation demonstrated critical pharmaceutical quality attributes: a precisely controlled nanoscale particle size of 144.78 ± 0.15 nm, stable zeta potential of -17.93 ± 3.75 mV, and high drug entrapment efficiency of 81.3 ± 3.64%. The optimized gel formulation (FNTG3) exhibited superior transdermal delivery characteristics, achieving approximately 70% permeation within 15 h and a significant flux rate of 190 µg/cm², which substantially outperforms current market alternatives. The comprehensive pharmaceutical evaluation included rigorous stability studies over 45 days, confirming consistent physical stability and sustained drug permeation. In vivo assessments using a UVB-induced hyperpigmentation rat model validated the formulation's dermal tolerability and depigmentation potential, demonstrating comparable or superior performance to commercial hydroquinone treatments. Histopathological analyses revealed pronounced depigmentation effects, attributable to the synergistic design of the nanocomposite system. The strategic integration of fluocinolone, chitosan, and graphene oxide facilitated enhanced drug release kinetics and improved skin penetration, highlighting the potential of rational pharmaceutical design in developing advanced topical delivery systems. This research provides a robust framework for developing sophisticated pharmaceutical dosage forms with enhanced therapeutic performance, offering significant insights into nanoscale drug delivery technologies for dermatological applications. The findings underscore the importance of systematic optimization and multifunctional component design in creating innovative pharmaceutical formulations.

Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative ocular disease characterized by an elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) resulting from impaired aqueous humor outflow, leading to optic nerve damage and potential vision loss. Acetazolamide (ACZ), a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, is a clinically established diuretic in glaucoma management. The Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) categorizes drugs by their aqueous solubility and intestinal permeability. ACZ, a BCS Class IV drug, exhibits both poor solubility and poor permeability, typically resulting in low oral bioavailability. This investigation focused on developing an ACZ‐loaded nanoemulsion (ACZ‐NE) utilizing biodegradable oily polymer poly(δ‐decalactone) (PDL) to enhance the drug’s solubility, permeability, and therapeutic efficacy. The formulation was optimized via Box–Behnken design and prepared using the nanoprecipitation method. The resultant nanoemulsions (NEs) exhibited favorable ophthalmic characteristics, including a mean droplet size of 238.5 nm, with a narrow polydispersity index, i.e., 0.107, and negative zeta potential (‐−11.9 mV). In vitro release studies demonstrated sustained drug release for up to 14 h, prolonging the therapeutic impact and reducing the need for frequent administration. Ex vivo corneal permeation was significantly enhanced in ACZ‐NE compared to an aqueous drug suspension, indicating enhanced transcorneal permeation ability of NE. In addition, the NE demonstrated ocular safety in the Draize test and effectively reduced IOP for up to 12 h in experimental rabbits. In vivo pharmacokinetic evaluation from the ocular route revealed a prolonged half‐life (1.92 h), increased C _max (0.083 μg/mL), and AUC ₀ −∞ (1360.32 μg·h/mL) relative to the marketed formulation. Histopathological examination confirmed improved ocular tissue integrity following treatment with the developed NE. These findings collectively suggest that the PDL‐based ACZ‐NE not only offers a promising strategy for sustained ocular drug delivery but also has the potential to mitigate the systemic adverse effects associated with conventional oral therapy of ACZ tablets, thereby instilling confidence in its potential to improve patient outcomes.

Glaucoma is a serious eye disease characterized by elevated intraocular pressure, which can ultimately lead to blindness, making it the second leading cause of blindness worldwide, following cataracts. The condition is associated with various risk factors and primarily affects the optic nerve. To treat glaucoma, a range of approaches, both traditional and innovative, have been employed. Recently, there has been a significant focus on nanoemulsions as a promising avenue for treatment. This review underscores the advantages of using oil-in-water nanoemulsions for ocular drug delivery, showcasing their superiority in terms of enhanced bioavailability and stability compared with other dispersion systems. This review also delves into the limitations inherent in traditional drug formulations, elucidates the mechanisms governing drug release, explores the pivotal role of surfactants, and examines the landscape of granted patents in this domain. By addressing these critical aspects, the review offers invaluable insights into the treatment of glaucoma, shedding light on innovative approaches that hold great promise in the fight against this debilitating eye condition. During our search, it was noticed that despite the existence of commendable research in the field of ocular nanoemulsions, particularly in the context of glaucoma along with granted patents, the commercialized nanoemulsion formulations for glaucoma is not yet exist.

Biosciences, Biotechnology Research Asia is an international, open access, peer reviewed research journal covering all aspects of Biosciences and Biotechnology field.

Drug delivery via the oral route has always been challenging for poorly soluble drugs. Acid-induced hydrolysis, enzymatic degradation, and poor mucosal absorbency remain the primary hiccups for effective oral delivery of medications. With the advent of nanotechnology, nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) have emerged as a promising delivery carrier that can circumvent gastrointestinal tract (GIT) barriers hindering the solubility and bioavailability of such drugs. These NLCs can efficiently transport drug moieties across intestinal membranes shielding medications from intestinal pH and enzymatic degradation. Because they are composed of lipidic materials, they can be easily absorbed or taken up by various pathways such as transcellular absorption, paracellular transport, and M-cell uptake. Such mechanisms not only improve the absorption and solubility of drugs but also augment bioavailability and residence time and may bypass first-pass metabolism. This review explores the diverse applications of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) in oral drug delivery for various medical conditions, shedding light on their current regulatory status, including FDA-approved options and those in pre/clinical stages. The review also features patented NLC formulations. It provides valuable insights into how NLCs can be harnessed for effective oral drug delivery and outlines recent advancements in optimizing their performance to tackle gastrointestinal barriers, thus opening new possibilities for NLCs in future pharmaceutical applications.