Preparation and Characterization of Oxybenzone-Loaded Gelatin Microspheres for Enhancement of Sunscreening Efficacy

The objective of our present study was to prepare and evaluate gelatin microspheres of oxybenzone to enhance its sunscreening efficacy. The gelatin microspheres of oxybenzone were prepared by emulsion method. Process parameters were analyzed to optimize the formulation. The in vitro drug release study was performed in pH 7.4 using cellulose acetate membrane. Microspheres prepared using oxybenzone:gelatin ratio of 1:6 showed slowest drug release and those prepared with oxybenzone:gelatin ratio of 1:2 showed fastest drug release. The gelatin microspheres of oxybenzone were incorporated in aloe vera gel. Sun exposure method using sodium nitroprusside solution was used for in vitro sunscreen efficacy testing. The formulation C₅ containing oxybenzone-bearing gelatin microspheres in aloe vera gel showed best sunscreen efficacy. The formulations were evaluated for skin irritation test in human volunteers, sun protection factor, and minimum erythema dose in albino rats. These studies revealed that the incorporation of sunscreening agent–loaded microspheres into aloe vera gel greatly increased the efficacy of sunscreen formulation more than four times.     

Preparation and characterization of oxybenzone-loaded gelatin microspheres for enhancement of sunscreening efficacy

The objective of our present study was to prepare and evaluate gelatin microspheres of oxybenzone to enhance its sunscreening efficacy. The gelatin microspheres of oxybenzone were prepared by emulsion method. Process parameters were analyzed to optimize the formulation. The in vitro drug release study was performed in pH 7.4 using cellulose acetate membrane. Microspheres prepared using oxybenzone:gelatin ratio of 1:6 showed slowest drug release and those prepared with oxybenzone:gelatin ratio of 1:2 showed fastest drug release. The gelatin microspheres of oxybenzone were incorporated in aloe vera gel. Sun exposure method using sodium nitroprusside solution was used for in vitro sunscreen efficacy testing. The formulation C₅ containing oxybenzone-bearing gelatin microspheres in aloe vera gel showed best sunscreen efficacy. The formulations were evaluated for skin irritation test in human volunteers, sun protection factor, and minimum erythema dose in albino rats. These studies revealed that the incorporation of sunscreening agent-loaded microspheres into aloe vera gel greatly increased the efficacy of sunscreen formulation more than four times.     

Solid lipid nanoparticles bearing oxybenzone: In-vitro and in-vivo evaluation

In the present project, Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs) bearing oxybenzone were prepared by ethanol injection method to improve its effectiveness as sunscreen. SLNs were characterized for particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential and surface morphology. The optimized SLNs bearing oxybenzone were incorporated into water-removable cream base and compared with SLNs unloaded water-removable cream base for in vitro and in vivo parameters. Cream base formulation containing SLNs (Csd) with 5% oxybenzone showed slow drug release and better sun protecting factor (more than 25) compared to cream base containing 5% oxybenzone. Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy was used to visualize the distribution of developed formulations in skin. CLSM indicated prolonged retention of SLNs in the stratum corneum as compared to plain cream base. These studies revealed that the cream base bearing SLNs exhibited good skin retention as well as enhanced sun protection effect compared to cream base.     

Solid lipid microparticles containing the sunscreen agent, octyl-dimethylaminobenzoate: effect of the vehicle.

Solid lipid microparticles (SLMs) loaded with the sunscreen agent, octyl-dimethylaminobenzoate (ODAB), were prepared in order to achieve enhanced sunscreen photostability. The microparticles were produced by the melt dispersion technique using glyceryl behenate as lipidic material and poloxamer 188 as the emulsifier. The obtained SLMs showed proper features in terms of morphology, size distribution (1.67-15.81 microm) and ODAB loading (16.15+/-0.11%, w/w). The sunscreen release from the SLMs was slower than its dissolution rate and the photodecomposition of ODAB was markedly decreased (>51.3%) by encapsulation into the lipid microparticles. The efficacy of the SLM carrier system was also evaluated after their introduction in model topical formulations (i.e., hydrogel and oil-in-water emulsion). Further in vitro release measurements, performed using Franz diffusion cells with polycarbonate membranes, indicated that the retention capacity of the microparticles was lost after their incorporation into the emulsion, whereas it was retained in the hydrogel. Moreover, the SLMs achieved a reduction of the sunscreen photodegradation in the hydrogel vehicle (the ODAB loss decreased from 87.4% to 59.1%), whereas no significant photoprotective effect was observed in the emulsion. Therefore, the efficacy of the ODAB-loaded SLMs was markedly affected by the vehicle.     

Evaluation of the photostability of different UV filter combinations in a sunscreen

Development of photostable sunscreens is extremely important to preserve the UV protective capacity and to prevent the reactive intermediates of photounstable filter substances behaving as photo-oxidants when coming into direct contact with the skin. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the photostability of four different UV filter combinations in a sunscreen by using HPLC analysis and spectrophotometry. The formulations that were investigated included four different UV filter combinations often used in SPF 15 sunscreens. The UV filter combinations were: octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC), benzophenone-3 (BP-3) and octyl salicylate (OS) (formulation 1); OMC, avobenzone (AVB) and 4-methylbenzilidene camphor (MBC) (formulation 2); OMC, BP-3 and octocrylene (OC) (formulation 3); OMC, AVB and OC (formulation 4). In the photostability studies, 40 mg of each formulation were spread onto a glass plate and left to dry before exposure to different UVA/UVB irradiation. Exposed samples were then immersed in isopropanol and the dried film dissolved ultrasonically. The filter components in the resulting solution were quantified by HPLC analysis with detection at 325 nm and by spectrophotometry. In this study, the four UV filter combinations showed different photostability profiles and the best one was formulation 3 (OMC, BP-3 and OC), followed by formulations 4, 1 and 2. In addition, OC improved the photostability of OMC, AVB and BP-3.     

Encapsulation in lipospheres of the complex between butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane and hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin

The aim of this study was to investigate the incorporation into lipospheres of the complex between hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) and the sunscreen agent, butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (BMDBM) and to examine the influence of this system on the sunscreen photostability. The formation of the inclusion complex was confirmed by thermal analysis and powder X-ray diffraction. Lipid microparticles loaded with free BMDBM or its complex with HP-β-CD were prepared using tristearin as the lipid material and hydrogenated phosphatidylcholine as the emulsifier. The obtained lipospheres were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The microparticle size (15–40 μm) was not affected by the presence of the complex. Release of BMDBM from the lipospheres was lower when it was incorporated as inclusion complex rather than as free molecule. Unencapsulated BMDBM, its complex with HP-β-CD, the sunscreen-loaded lipospheres or the lipoparticles containing the BMDBM/HP-β-CD complex, were introduced into a model cream (oil-in-water emulsion) and irradiated with a solar simulator. The photodegradation studies showed that all the examined systems achieved a significant reduction of the light-induced decomposition of the free sunscreen agent (the BMDBM loss decreased from 28.9 to 17.3–15.2%). However, photolysis experiments performed during 3 months storage of the formulations, demonstrated that the photoprotective properties of the HP-β-CD complex and of BMDBM alone-loaded lipospheres decreased over time, whereas the microencapsulated HP-β-CD/BMDBM complex retained its photostabilization efficacy. Therefore, incorporation in lipid microparticles of BMDBM in the cyclodextrin complex form is more effective in enhancing the sunscreen photostability than the complex alone or the liposphere-entrapped free BMDBM.     

绿原酸生物黏附微球的制备及其体外释放特性的研究

目的制备绿原酸生物黏附微球,并考察其体外释放规律和黏附性。方法采用液中干燥法制备绿原酸生物黏附微球,结合微球的释放行为,单因素筛选最佳处方和工艺;用HPLC法考察其体外释放性质,采用滞留率作为考察其黏附性的指标。结果绿原酸生物黏附微球在最佳处方条件下的平均载药量为17.25%,平均包封率为57.25%;微球在体外12 h可释放92.07%,体外释药符合Weibull模型:ln[ln[1/(1-Q)]]=0.6376lnt-0.4373(r=0.9819);体外黏膜平均滞留率为78.54%,体内黏膜平均滞留率为30.23%。结论所用制备工艺稳定可行,所制微球具有明显的缓释效果。     

Anticancer nucleobase analogues 6-mercaptopurine and 6-thioguanine are novel substrates for equilibrative nucleoside transporter 2

In this investigation, the photodegradation of some tretinoin cream formulations was evaluated. Several oils were selected to prepare the cream formulations: olive oil, maize oil, castor oil, isopropyl myristate and Miglyol 812. A solubility study showed that tretinoin is best soluble in castor oil (0.60g/100ml), followed by isopropyl myristate, maize oil, Miglyol 812 and olive oil, respectively, 0.35, 0.30, 0.29 and 0.22g/100ml. The photostability of tretinoin in oils is comparable with the photostability of a tretinoin lotion (ethanol/propylene glycol 50/50), castor oil and olive oil giving slightly better results than the other oils. Investigation of the photodegradation of tretinoin in o/w creams, prepared with the same oils as mentioned above, revealed that tretinoin is far more stable in the cream formulations than in the respective oils, however it is not clear whether this is due to the formulation or due to a different irradiation technique. Tretinoin seemed to be most stable in the olive oil cream, followed by the castor oil cream. However microscopic investigation revealed the presence of tretinoin crystals in the olive oil cream, while the other creams were free of it. As a conclusion, one can say that the cream prepared with castor oil seems to be the most suitable one, in terms of solubility of tretinoin and in terms of photostability.     

Enhancement of melatonin photostability by encapsulation in lipospheres

The effect of lipid microparticle carrier systems on the light-induced degradation of melatonin was investigated. Microspheres loaded with melatonin were prepared using tristearin or tripalmitin as the lipid material and hydrogenated phosphatidylcholine or polysorbate 60 as the emulsifier. The obtained lipid microspheres were characterized by scanning-electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Free or microencapsulated melatonin was incorporated in a model cream formulation (oil-in-water emulsion) and irradiated with a solar simulator. The extent of photodegradation was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. The photolysis experiments demonstrated that the light-induced decomposition of melatonin was markedly decreased by encapsulation into lipid microspheres based on tristearin and phosphatidylcholine (the extent of degradation was 19.6% for unencapsulated melatonin compared to 5.6% for the melatonin-loaded microparticles). Therefore, incorporation in lipid microparticles can be considered an effective system to enhance the photostability of melatonin.     

Anionic clays for sunscreen agent safe use: photoprotection, photostability and prevention of their skin penetration.

The use of sunscreen preparations is recently growing and their efficacy and safety must be taken into account since they are applied on the skin frequently and for many hours. Exposition to sunlight, in fact, can cause sunscreen photodegradation and determine their decrease in UV protection often with the occurrence of allergic and/or toxic degradation products. A high photostability is hence very important for their effectiveness and safety. The aim of this work is to obtain new sunscreen formulations stabilized by intercalating PABA, within the lamellar structures of two kinds of hydrotalcite. PABA was chosen as model sunscreen because of its high photoinstability and photosensitizing properties that nowadays bar its utilization. Both intercalated products showed an increased protection range and, in one case, an improved sunscreen photostability. Sunscreen release from creams containing intercalated or free PABA was evaluated as well. The very low or negligible sunscreen release, obtained from the intercalated product loaded formulations, resulted in a lack of a close contact between skin and filter with the consequence that cutaneous reactions and allergy problems are eliminated. The use of these materials resulted in a good strategic technological approach in order to increase efficacy and safety of solar products.     

Multiunit floating drug delivery system of acyclovir: development,characterization and in vitro-in vivo evaluation of spray-dried hollow microspheres

Acyclovir, anti-herpes virus drug, was loaded in hollow microspheres to improve bioavailability and patient compliance by prolonging the residence time in the gastrointestinal tract. The hollow microspheres of acyclovir were prepared by spray-drying method using ethyl cellulose as a drug-controlled release polymer. We found that the selected process parameters of spray-drying method like inlet temperature, outlet temperature, spray flow rate and vacuum pressure can give rise to hollow microspheres with good yields of production, high drug content and buoyancy, narrow size distribution and good encapsulation efficiency. The size of the microspheres prepared from different ratios of acyclovir and ethyl cellulose was 1.1-2.7 μm. When the drug:polymer ratio was increased, the size and percent drug content increased. The hollow microspheres having higher polymer concentrations were less buoyant than those with lower polymer concentrations. The formulation HSF1 showed the highest buoyancy of 94.18 ± 4.4 %. Dissolution profiles indicate that when drug:polymer ratio increased from 1:2 to 1:6, a decrease in release rate was observed. The highest correlation coefficient was obtained in first-order release model as compared to zero-order followed by Higuchi model. From the Higuchi plot it was found that drug release from the microspheres was diffusion type. The ‘n’ values from Korsmeyer-peppas model indicated that all three formulations follow Fickian diffusion controlled release. The AUC values for oral administration of selected formulation and conventional tablet (Zovirax) clearly indicated two- to three-fold improvement in the bioavailability of acyclovir from prepared formulation when compared to conventional commercial tablet.     

Paper 2. Epigallocatechin Gallate and Tannic Acid Based Formulations of Finasteride for Dermal Administration and Chemoembolization

Finasteride is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia or APA). The local administration of formulations with increased solubility and controlled release of finasteride are proposed using gallate-containing compositions within embolic microparticles or paste. Finasteride solubility in either epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) or tannic acid (TA) solutions was assessed using HPLC. Poly(dl-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) or poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) microspheres (100–400 μm) containing finasteride and EGCG or TA were effectively manufactured. Embolic particles were loaded with finasteride/EGCG/TA. Dermal uptake of TA/EGCG/finasteride topical compositions was measured in pig skin. The solubility of finasteride was dramatically increased using EGCG- or TA-based compositions. Finasteride loaded microspheres released over two months which was increased by EGCG or TA inclusion. Embolic particles soaked up finasteride and EGCG or TA and released the encapsulated drug over two weeks. Dermal uptake of finasteride from EGCG- or TA-based formulations was enhanced between 10 and 50 fold in layers as deep as 500 μm when compared to a generic control formulation. Gallate-based formulations of finasteride increase drug solubility and allow for effective release of the drug from embolic formulations. Paste or powder EGCG- or TA-based formulations of finasteride greatly increase dermal penetration of the drug.     

Preparation and characterization of ibuprofen microspheres

Ibuprofen was microencapsulated with Eudragit RS using an o/w emulsion solvent evaporation technique. The effects of three formulation variables including the drug:polymer ratio, emulsifier (polyvinyl alcohol) concentration and organic solvent (chloroform) volume on the entrapment efficiency and microspheres size distribution were examined. The drug release rate from prepared microspheres and the release kinetics were also studied. The results demonstrated that microspheres with good range of particle size can be prepared, depending on the formulation components. The drug:polymer ratio had a considerable effect on the entrapment efficiency. However, particle size distribution of microspheres was more dependent on the volume of chloroform and polyvinyl alcohol concentration rather than the drug:polymer ratio. The drug release pattern showed a burst effect for all prepared microspheres due to the presence of uncovered drug crystals on the surface. It was shown that the release profiles of all formulations showed good correlation with the Higuchi model of release.     

Preparation and characterization of ibuprofen microspheres

Ibuprofen was microencapsulated with Eudragit RS using an o/w emulsion solvent evaporation technique. The effects of three formulation variables including the drug:polymer ratio, emulsifier (polyvinyl alcohol) concentration and organic solvent (chloroform) volume on the entrapment efficiency and microspheres size distribution were examined. The drug release rate from prepared microspheres and the release kinetics were also studied. The results demonstrated that microspheres with good range of particle size can be prepared, depending on the formulation components. The drug:polymer ratio had a considerable effect on the entrapment efficiency. However, particle size distribution of microspheres was more dependent on the volume of chloroform and polyvinyl alcohol concentration rather than the drug:polymer ratio. The drug release pattern showed a burst effect for all prepared microspheres due to the presence of uncovered drug crystals on the surface. It was shown that the release profiles of all formulations showed good correlation with the Higuchi model of release.     

Microencapsulation of a cyclodextrin complex of the UV filter, butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane: in vivo skin penetration studies

Lipid microparticles loaded with the complex between hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) and the sunscreen agent, butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (BMDBM) were evaluated for their effect on the UV filter percutaneous penetration. The microparticles were prepared by the melt emulsification technique using tristearin as lipidic material and hydrogenate phosphatidylcholine as the surfactant. Human skin penetration was investigated in vivo by the tape stripping technique, a minimal invasive procedure based on the progressive removal of the upper cutaneous layers (stratum corneum) with adhesive tape strips. The amount of sunscreen fixed to each strip was determined by HPLC after solvent extraction. The recovery of the UV filter from spiked adhesive tapes was >94.4% and the precision of the method was better than 7.6% relative standard deviation. Non-encapsulated BMDBM, its complex with HP-β-CD, the lipid microparticles loaded with the sunscreen alone or the BMDBM/HP-β-CD complex were introduced into oil-in-water emulsions and applied to human volunteers. Compared to the cream with the non-encapsulated sunscreen agent (percentage of the applied dose penetrated, 9.7%±2.5), the amount of BMDBM diffusing into the stratum corneum was increased by the formulations containing the BMDBM/HP-β-CD complex (17.1%±3.2 of the applied dose) or the microparticles loaded with BMDBM only (15.1%±2.7 of the applied dose). On the contrary, a significant decrease in the level of UV filter penetrated into the stratum corneum was achieved by the cream containing the microencapsulated BMDBM/HP-β-CD complex (percentage of the applied dose penetrated, 6.0%±1.5). The reduced BMDBM percutaneous penetration attained by the latter system should enhance the UV filter efficacy and limit potential toxicological risks.     

Novel tamarind seed polysaccharide-alginate mucoadhesive microspheres for oral gliclazide delivery: in vitro-in vivo evaluation

Novel tamarind seed polysaccharide (TSP)-alginate mucoadhesive microspheres were prepared using TSP and alginate as blend in different ratios with different calcium chloride (CaCl(2)) concentration as a cross linker by ionotropic gelation. The prepared microspheres were of spherical shape having rough surfaces, and average particle sizes within the range of 752.12 ± 6.42 to 948.49 ± 20.92 μm. The drug entrapment efficiency of these microspheres were within the range between 58.12 ± 2.42 to 82.78 ± 3.43% w/w. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) studies indicated that there were no reactions between gliclazide, and polymers (TSP, and sodium alginate) used. Different formulations of gliclazide loaded TSP-alginate microspheres showed prolonged in vitro release profiles of gliclazide over 12 hours in both stomach pH (pH 1.2), and intestinal pH (pH 7.4). It was found that the gliclazide release in gastric pH was comparatively slow and sustained than intestinal pH. These TSP-alginate microspheres also exhibited good mucoadhesivity. The in vivo studies on alloxan-induced diabetic rats (Animal Ethical Committee registration number: IFTM/837ac/0160) demonstrated the significant hypoglycemic effect of selected formulation of TSP-alginate mucoadhesive microspheres containing gliclazide on oral administration. This developed gliclazide loaded new TSP-alginate mucoadhesive microspheres may be very much useful for prolonged systemic absorption of gliclazide for proper maintaining blood glucose level and advanced patient compliance.     

Chitosan microspheres prepared by an aqueous process: release of indomethacin.

Chitosan microspheres loaded with indomethacin were prepared using only aqueous solvents. The influence of formulation variables on indomethacin content in the microspheres and time for release of 66.6% of indomethacin from the microspheres was investigated. Amongst various variables, the indoemthacin:chitosan ratio and amount of crosslinking agent were important. Response surfaces were generated to optimise the aqueous process with respect to these critical variables, in order to obtain maximum indomethacin loading and optimum t66.6.     

Chitosan microspheres prepared by an aqueous process: Release of indomethacin

Chitosan microspheres loaded with indomethacin were prepared using only aqueous solvents. The influence of formulation variables on indomethacin content in the microspheres and time for release of 66.6% of indomethacin from the microspheres was investigated. Amongst various variables, the indoemthacin:chitosan ratio and amount of crosslinking agent were important. Response surfaces were generated to optimise the aqueous process with respect to these critical variables, in order to obtain maximum indomethacin loading and optimum t 66.6 .     

Development and evaluation of stavudine loaded injectable polymeric particulate systems

Present research investigates the formulation of stavudine loaded biodegradable microspheres from different grades of Poly (D, L Lactide-co-glycolide) as a depot system for parenteral delivery. Prolonged release of stavudine facilitates reduction in symptoms of HIV infection and delay AIDS progression by reducing viral load to undetectable levels. Microspheres were prepared from PLGA 85:15 and PLGA 50:50 (RESOMER(?) 505H) by solvent evaporation technique with different drug/polymer ratios (1:4, 1:10, 1:20, 1:50, 1:100) and a polymer solution/vehicle ratio of 1:2. The effects of various formulation variables like polymer type and concentration, surfactant concentration and drug to polymer ratio on the characteristics of microspheres were evaluated. All thirteen formulations of microspheres were evaluated for yield, entrapment efficiency, particle size and In vitro release studies. Microspheres were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), residual solvent analysis and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Microspheres showed excellent surface topography with uniform distribution and structural integrity of the drug. Resulting microspheres showed the maximum entrapment efficiency of 68.0 ± 1.62% and mean particle diameter below 100μ. Drug release kinetics data were obtained from various kinetic models and best explained by "Higuchi Kinetic" i.e. drug release was largely governed by diffusion through water-filled pores in the matrix. Korsmeyer-Peppas equation depicted that drug release mechanism is anomalous transport, i.e. diffusion as well as polymer relaxation. Drug release from microspheres exhibited the characteristic release pattern of a monolithic matrix system with a maximum of 80-90% drug release in 6-8 weeks demonstrating the feasibility of prolonged delivery of stavudine using biodegradable microspheres for parenteral depot system.     

盐酸倍他洛尔/蒙脱石微球滴眼剂的制备及初步刺激性考察

目的制备新型盐酸倍他洛尔/蒙脱石微球滴眼剂并研究其初步刺激性。方法以蒙脱石为离子交换载体材料,用2种处方以O_1/O_2溶剂挥发法制备盐酸倍他洛尔缓释微球;对比微球的载药量和包封率等物化性能以得到最优处方,并将最优处方制备的微球制成滴眼剂以研究其初步刺激性。结果最优处方为丙烯酸树脂300mg(RS∶RL=1∶3),柠檬酸三乙酯60mg,甘油30mg,乳化剂400mg(吐温-80∶司盘-80=1∶2),盐酸倍他洛尔30mg,蒙脱石50mg,内外相体积比为1∶6。最优处方制得的微球载药量和包封率分别为14.31%和94.35%,初步刺激性实验显示微球滴眼剂对眼部组织无明显刺激性。结论微球制备方法简便易行,重复性好;制备的微球滴眼剂无明显刺激性,具有广阔的应用前景。