Insulin Nanoparticles: A Novel Formulation Approach for Poorly Water Soluble Zn-Insulin

PURPOSE: To determine the feasibility of using wet milling technology to formulate poorly water soluble zinc-insulin as a stable, biologically active, nanoparticulate dispersion. METHODS: The feasibility of formulating zinc-insulin as a nanoparticulate dispersion using wet milling technology was studied. An insulin nanoparticulate formulation was reproducibly obtained after milling zinc-insulin in the presence of F68, sodium deoxycholate and water at neutral pH. The physical and chemical properties of these peptide particles were studied using electron microscopy, laser light scattering, HPLC and SDS-PAGE. To verify efficacy, hyperglycemic rats were dosed subcutaneously and intraduodenally with nanoparticles or solubilized insulin. Glucose and insulin levels were monitored on blood samples collected throughout the study. RESULTS: Zn-insulin (mean size = 16.162 microm) was processed using milling technology to form an aqueous-based nanoparticle dispersion with a mean particle size of less than 0.150 microm. The formulation was homogeneous and exhibited a unimodal particle size distribution profile using laser light diffraction techniques. Insulin, processed as a peptide-particle dispersion, was shown to be comparable to unprocessed powder using HPLC and SDS-PAGE. In addition, HPLC analyses performed on samples, heat-treated at 70 degrees C for 100 minutes, demonstrate that under conditions which effect the solubilized peptide, formulated as a peptide-particle dispersion, insulin was chemically stable. Also, when stored refrigerated, the insulin dispersion was chemically and physically stable. Finally, peptide particles of insulin, dosed subcutaneously and intraduodenally, were effective at lowering blood glucose levels of hyperglycemic rats. CONCLUSION: Water insoluble Zn-insulin can be formulated as a stable, biologically active nanometer-sized peptide particle dispersion using wet media milling technology.     

埃洛石：缓释药物的新型载体

埃洛石为一种由硅酸铝盐形成的双层纳米管,其比表面积和内部空腔体积较大,热稳定性好,可有效延缓所载药物的释放速率,且具有较高安全性,故而近年来备受药学研究人员的关注。对埃洛石的结构、性质及其用作缓释制剂载体的研究进展进行综述。     

A Novel Assay to Determine the Hemolytic Activity of Drugs Incorporated in Colloidal Carrier Systems

Pharmaceutical Research -     

Physicochemical Investigations on Solid Lipid Nanoparticles and on Oil-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles: A Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Electron Spin Resonance Study

Purpose. Recently, colloidal dispersions made of mixtures from solid and liquid lipids have been described to combine controlled-release characteristics with higher drug-loading capacities than solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs). It has been proposed that these nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) are composed of oily droplets that are embedded in a solid lipid matrix. The present work investigates the structure and performance of NLCs. Methods. Colloidal lipid dispersions were produced by high-pressure homogenization and characterized by laser diffraction, photon correlation spectroscopy, wide-angle x-ray scattering, and differential scanning calorimetry. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and electron spin resonance experiments were performed to investigate the mobility of the components and the molecular environment of model drugs. Furthermore, a nitroxide reduction assay with ascorbic acid was conducted to explore the accessibility of the lipid model drug from the outer aqueous phase. Results. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra clearly demonstrate that NLC nanoparticles differ from nanoemulsions and from SLNs by forming a liquid compartment that is in strong interaction to the solid lipid. The electron spin resonance model drug was found to be accommodated either on the particle surface with close water contact (SLN) or additionally in the oil (NLC). The oil compartment must be localized on the particle surface, because it can be easily reached by ascorbic acid. Conclusion. Neither SLN nor NLC lipid nanoparticles showed any advantage with respect to incorporation rate or retarded accessibility to the drug compared with conventional nanoemulsions. The experimental data let us conclude that NLCs are not spherical solid lipid particles with embedded liquid droplets, but they are rather solid platelets with oil present between the solid platelet and the surfactant layer.     

Analysis of a Diffusion Dryer for the Respiratory Delivery of Poorly Water Soluble Drugs

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to analyze a diffusion dryer as a means to remove organic solvents from aerosol particles of poorly water soluble drugs. Methods. Aerosols of methanol, ethanol, and ethyl acetate were generated with an ultrasonic nebulizer, and inflow to outflow concentration ratio of vapor in a annular charcoal column was determined as a function of time by gas chromotography at two to four different airflow rates. In addition, the particle transmission efficiency was determined with an ethanol solution of the test compound, budesonide. The results were analyzed with equations originally developed for assessing the loss of drug from intravenous tubing along with independent measures of the adsorption isotherm of the vapors onto charcoal. Results. Aerosol production was relatively constant with time, and the transmission of solid particles through the column occurred with efficiency nearing 100%. The inlet to outlet vapor concentration ratio was adequately described by a model of three resistances in series composed of the inner tube, the screen mesh, and the charcoal bed. Conclusions. The diffusion dryer was found to be satisfactory for the removal of methanol, ethanol, and ethyl acetate and the efficiency may be assessed from the adsorption isotherms on charcoal and the geometry of the dryer.     

A Novel Oral Vehicle for Poorly Soluble HSV-Helicase Inhibitors: PK/PD Validations

PURPOSE: The current study describes the design and validation of a novel oral vehicle for delivering poorly water-soluble herpes simplex virus (HSV)-helicase inhibitors in preclinical pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) evaluations. METHODS: Poorly water-soluble compounds were used in solubility and drinking compliance tests in mice. A preferred vehicle containing 0.1% bovine serum albumin (BSA), 3% dextrose, 5% polyethylene glycol (PEG) 400, and 2% peanut oil, pH 2.8 with HCL (BDPP) was selected. This vehicle was further validated with oral PK and in vivo antiviral PD studies using BILS 45 BS. RESULTS: Solubility screen and drinking compliance tests revealed that the BDPP vehicle could solubilize BILS compounds at 0.5-3 mg/ml concentration range and could be administered to mice without reducing water consumption. Comparative oral PK of BILS 45 BS in HCL or BDPP by gavage at 40 mg/kg showed overlapping PK profiles. In vivo antiviral efficacy and potency of BILS 45 BS in BDPP by oral gavages or in drinking water were confirmed to be comparable as that achieved by gavage in HCL solution. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide a protein-enriched novel oral vehicle for delivering poorly water-soluble antiviral compounds in a continuous administration mode. Similar approaches may be applicable to other poorly soluble compounds by gavage or in drinking solution.     

A New Ternary Polymeric Matrix System for Controlled Drug Delivery of Highly Soluble Drugs: I. Diltiazem Hydrochloride

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to develop a new ternary polymeric matrix system that is easy to manufacture and that delivers a highly soluble drug over long periods of time. Methods. Pectin, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), and diltiazem HC1 granulated with gelatin at optimized ratios were blended at different loading doses and directly compressed. Swelling behavior, dissolution profiles and the effect of hydrodynamic stress on release kinetics were evaluated. Results. Diltiazem release kinetics from the ternary polymeric system was dependent on the different swelling behavior of the polymers and varied with the drug loading dose and hydrodynamic conditions. Drug release followed either non-Fickian or Case II transport kinetics. The relative influence of diffusion and relaxational/dissolution effects on release profiles for different drug loadings was calculated by a nonlinear regression approach. Photographs taken during swelling show that the anisotropic nature of the gel structure, drug loading dose, swelling capacity of polymers used, and the design of delivery system all play important roles in controlling the drug release and dissolution/ erosion processes. Conclusions. Zero-order delivery of diltiazem HC1 from a simple tablet matrix was achieved. The ternary polymeric system developed in this study is suitable for controlled release of highly soluble drugs. It offers a number of advantages over existing systems, including ease of manufacturing and of release modulation, as well as reproducibility of release profiles under well defined hydrodynamic conditions. Our delivery system has the potential to fully release its drug content in a controlled manner over a long time period and to dissolve completely.     

Surfactant-polymer Nanoparticles: A Novel Platform for Sustained and Enhanced Cellular Delivery of Water-soluble Molecules

Purpose Nanoparticles, drug carriers in the sub-micron size range, can enhance the therapeutic efficacy of encapsulated drug by increasing and sustaining the delivery of the drug inside the cell. However, the use of nanoparticles for small molecular weight, water-soluble drugs has been limited by poor drug encapsulation efficiency and rapid release of the encapsulated drug. Here we report enhanced cellular delivery of water-soluble molecules using novel Aerosol OT™ (AOT)-alginate nanoparticles recently developed in our laboratory. Materials and Methods AOT-alginate nanoparticles were formulated using emulsion-crosslinking technology. Rhodamine and doxorubicin were used as model water-soluble molecules. Kinetics and mechanism of nanoparticle-mediated cellular drug delivery and therapeutic efficacy of nanoparticle-encapsulated doxorubicin were evaluated in two model breast cancer cell lines. Results AOT-alginate nanoparticles demonstrated sustained release of doxorubicin over a 15-day period in vitro. Cell culture studies indicated that nanoparticles enhanced the cellular delivery of rhodamine by about two–tenfold compared to drug in solution. Nanoparticle uptake into cells was dose-, time- and energy-dependent. Treatment with nanoparticles resulted in significantly higher cellular retention of drug than treatment with drug in solution. Cytotoxicity studies demonstrated that doxorubicin in nanoparticles resulted in significantly higher and more sustained cytotoxicity than drug in solution. Conclusions AOT-alginate nanoparticles significantly enhance the cellular delivery of basic, water-soluble drugs. This translates into enhanced therapeutic efficacy for drugs like doxorubicin that have intracellular site of action. Based on these results, AOT-alginate nanoparticles appear to be suitable carriers for enhanced and sustained cellular delivery of basic, water-soluble drugs.     

A potential new therapeutic system for glaucoma: solid lipid nanoparticles containing methazolamide

Methazolamide (MTA) is an antiglaucoma drug; however, there are many side effects of its systemic administration with insufficient ocular therapeutic concentrations. The aim of this study was to formulate MTA-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and evaluate the potential of SLNs as a new therapeutic system for glaucoma. SLNs were prepared by a modified emulsion–solvent evaporation method and their physicochemical characteristics were evaluated. The pharmacodynamics was investigated by determining the percentage decrease in intraocular pressure. The ocular irritation was studied by Draize test. Despite a burst release of SLNs, the pharmacodynamic experiment indicated that MTA–SLNs had higher therapeutic efficacy, later occurrence of maximum action, and more prolonged effect than drug solution and commercial product. Formulation of MTA–SLNs would be a potential delivery carrier for ocular delivery, with the advantages of a more intensive treatment for glaucoma, lower in doses and better patient compliance compared to the conventional eye drops.     

Phagocytosis of Nanoparticles by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HlV)-Infected Macrophages: A Possibility for Antiviral Drug Targeting

Human monocytes/macrophages (MO/MAC) were isolated from peripheral blood and cultivated on hydrophobic Teflon membranes. This culture system is suitable for HIV infection of MO/MAC in vitro. After transfer into 24-well plates the mature macrophages (infected or uninfected) were used for measurements of phagocytosis. The uptake of different, radioactively labeled nanoparticles (NP) made of polyalkylcyanoacrylate, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), and human serum albumin (HSA) by the macrophages was determined. In addition, the influence on phagocytosis of size and composition, concentration, and surface of the NP was studied. Further, macrophages of different state of activation were tested. NP made of polyhexylcyanoacrylate (PHCA) or human serum albumin with a diameter of about 200 nm were found most useful for targeting antiviral substances such as azidotymidine to macrophages. Cells infected in vitro with HIV-1_D117/III, a monocytotropic HIV isolate from a perinatally infected child, possessed an even higher phago-cytotic activity than noninfected cells. Macrophages isolated from HIV-infected patients also showed good incorporation of NP. Thus, the concept of a specific targeting of antiviral substances to macrophages in HIV-infected individuals appears quite promising.     

Design of Estradiol Loaded PLGA Nanoparticulate Formulations: A Potential Oral Delivery System for Hormone Therapy

Abstract Estradiol (E2), a highly lipophilic molecule with good oral absorption but poor oral bioavailability, was incorporated into poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles to improve its oral bioavailability. Nanoparticles were prepared by using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DMAB) as stabilizer, leading to negatively (size 410.9 ± 39.4 nm) and positively (size 148.3 ± 10.7 nm) charged particles, respectively. Both preparations showed near zero order release in vitro with about 95% drug being released within 45 and 31 days for PVA and DMAB, respectively. In situ intestinal uptake studies in male Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats showed higher uptake of DMAB stabilized nanoparticles. Following oral administration to male SD rats, E2 could be detected in blood for 7 and 2 days from DMAB and PVA stabilized nanoparticles, respectively. Histopathological examination and blood counts indicated the absence of inflammatory response. These data suggest that DMAB stabilized PLGA nanoparticles have great potential as carriers for oral delivery of estradiol.     

Use of a Dynamic in Vitro Lipolysis Model to Rationalize Oral Formulation Development for Poor Water Soluble Drugs: Correlation with in Vivo Data and the Relationship to Intra-Enterocyte Processes in Rats

Purpose To examine the correlation between the in vitro solubilization process of lipophilic compounds from different lipid solutions and the corresponding in vivo oral bioavailability data. In particular, to assess the influence of intra-enterocyte processes (metabolism and lymphatic absorption) on this correlation.Materials and Methods The dissolution of progesterone and vitamin D₃ in long (LCT), medium (MCT) and short (SCT) chain triglyceride solutions were tested in a dynamic in vitro lipolysis model. The absolute oral bioavailability of the drugs from the tested formulations was investigated in rats. Vitamin D₃ bioavailability was also examined following lymphatic transport blockage induced by cycloheximide (3 mg/kg).Results The dynamic in vitro lipolysis experiments indicated a rank order of MCT > LCT > SCT for both progesterone and vitamin D₃. The bioavailability of progesterone correlated with the in vitro data, despite its significant pre-systemic metabolism. For vitamin D₃, an in vivo performance rank order of LCT > MCT > SCT was obtained. However, when the lymphatic transport was blocked the bioavailability of vitamin D₃ correlated with in vitro data.Conclusions The in vitro lipolysis model is useful for optimization of oral lipid formulations even in the case of pre-systemic metabolism in the gut. However, when lymphatic transport is a significant route of absorption, the in vitro lipolysis data may not be predictive for actual in vivo absorption.     

CD44‐Targeted Docetaxel Conjugate for Cancer Cells and Cancer Stem‐Like Cells: A Novel Hyaluronic Acid‐Based Drug Delivery System

A CD44‐targeted macromolecular conjugate of docetaxel was prepared via a pH‐sensitive linkage to hyaluronic acid and was characterized using NMR, gel permeation chromatography, and differential scanning calorimetry. The conjugated species were further evaluated in terms of drug release, cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, cell cycle inhibition, and subacute toxicity in mice. Cellular microscopic studies revealed that CD44‐expressing cells including MCF‐7 cancer stem cells and MDA‐MB‐231 metastatic breast cancer cells had internalized the conjugates via a selective receptor‐mediated mechanism, leading to cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase. Hyaluronic acid–docetaxel conjugates showed specific toxicity only in CD44‐expressing cells in vitro, along with a decreased risk of neutropenia and dose‐dependent mortality in vivo. Hyaluronic acid–drug conjugates represent a promising and efficient platform for solubilization of sparingly soluble molecules as well as active and selective targeted delivery to cancer cells and cancer stem cells.     

A review of existing strategies for designing long-acting parenteral formulations: Focus on underlying mechanisms,and future perspectives

The need for long-term treatments of chronic diseases has motivated the widespread development of long-acting parenteral formulations (LAPFs) with the aim of improving drug pharmacokinetics and therapeutic efficacy. LAPFs have been proven to extend the half-life of therapeutics, as well as to improve patient adherence; consequently, this enhances the outcome of therapy positively. Over past decades, considerable progress has been made in designing effective LAPFs in both preclinical and clinical settings. Here we review the latest advances of LAPFs in preclinical and clinical stages, focusing on the strategies and underlying mechanisms for achieving long acting. Existing strategies are classified into manipulation of in vivo clearance and manipulation of drug release from delivery systems, respectively. And the current challenges and prospects of each strategy are discussed. In addition, we also briefly discuss the design principles of LAPFs and provide future perspectives of the rational design of more effective LAPFs for their further clinical translation.     

Small interfering RNA for cancer treatment: overcoming hurdles in delivery

In many ways, cancer cells are different from healthy cells. A lot of tactical nano-based drug delivery systems are based on the difference between cancer and healthy cells. Currently, nanotechnology-based delivery systems are the most promising tool to deliver DNA-based products to cancer cells. This review aims to highlight the latest development in the lipids and polymeric nanocarrier for siRNA delivery to the cancer cells. It also provides the necessary information about siRNA development and its mechanism of action. Overall, this review gives us a clear picture of lipid and polymer-based drug delivery systems, which in the future could form the base to translate the basic siRNA biology into siRNA-based cancer therapies.