Namra Rasheed

Nanogels have become significant in biomedical science research due to various unique characteristics. Hydrogels are three-dimensional crosslinked polymer networks that swell by absorbing aqueous solvents. These polymeric networks with sizes from nanometers to micrometres incorporate features of both hydrogels and nanoparticles, exhibiting high efficiency in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and biosensing. The synthesis process involves the chemical and physical crosslinking process, and the nanoparticles can be incorporated either during gelation or in situ. The resulting hydrogel nanoparticle composites exhibit high drug encapsulation capacity, adjustable swelling behaviour, biocompatibility, and responsiveness to stimuli like pH, temperature, and enzymes. They are of uniform size and less toxic, ideal for controlled and targeted drug delivery, and improved therapeutic effectiveness. Newer developments have highlighted its applications in cancer therapy, cardiovascular treatment, wound healing, and neurodegenerative disease management. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the types of nanogel, the development process and wide-ranging applications, along with insights into future developments in this promising field. Peer Review History: Received 6 July 2024; Reviewed 11 September 2024; Accepted 19 October; Available online 15 November 2024 Academic Editor: Dr. Tamer Elhabibi, Suez Canal University, Egypt, tamer_hassan@pharm.suez.edu.eg Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 6.0/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.5/10 Reviewers: Dr. Mohsen Ali Al-Hamzi, Thamar University, Factuality of Dentistry, Yemen. mohsenalhamzi@gmail.com Md. Monirul Islam, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Northern University Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh. monirul.islam@nub.ac.bd

Objective: Conventional dosage forms may not be suitable for all patients, especially those facing difficulty with swallowing, which results in reduced adherence to medication, impacting treatment outcomes. This study aimed to formulate and characterize metoclopramide lozenges using the quality-by-design approach to provide a patient-friendly alternative. Materials and Method: Formulations were optimized using response surface methodology and a Design Expert, focusing on Metoclopramide, Citric Acid, and Carboxymethyl Cellulose, with hardness and dissolution as primary response variables. The experimental design involved 20 runs, six replications of the central point, and a quadratic model for improved model fitting, with adjustments made through transformation and numerical hill-climbing algorithms. Results and Discussion: Formulations of metoclopramide lozenges were obtained through a systematic quality-by-design approach. Using numerical optimization, the formulation with the highest desirability score of 1.00 was selected, yielding a hardness of 14.55 kg and a dissolution time of 1.25 minutes. The optimal coded values were 1.53223 grams for Metoclopramide (A), 4.84302 grams for Citric acid (B), and 18.5048 grams for Carboxymethyl cellulose (C). The optimized formulation was subjected to in vitro testing to validate its performance, yielding a hardness ranging from 13.98 to 15.00 kg/cm2 and a dissolution time ranging from 1.11 to 2.23 minutes. The effectiveness of the QbD approach was confirmed as outcomes closely aligned with the targeted responses. Conclusions: The Quality by Design approach was found effective in optimizing the formulation of metoclopramide lozenges. Using the Design of Expert and Response Surface Methodology, an optimized formulation was obtained with the desired hardness and dissolution rate. Peer Review History: Received 26 April 2024; Revised 4 May 2024; Accepted 28 June; Available online 15 July 2024 Academic Editor: Dr. DANIYAN Oluwatoyin Michael, Obafemi Awolowo University, ILE-IFE, Nigeria, toyinpharm@gmail.com Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 5.5/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.0/10 Reviewers: Dr. A.A. Mgbahurike, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, amaka_mgbahurike@yahoo.com Dr. Hatem Sameir Abbas, Al-Azhar University, Egypt, hsam8406@yahoo.com