Sustained Release of Minocycline From Minocycline-Calcium-Dextran Sulfate Complex Microparticles for Periodontitis Treatment

It is important to address the periodontitis-associated bacteria in the residual subgingival plaque after scaling and root planing to successfully treat periodontitis. In this study, we explored the possibility of exploiting the ion pairing/complexation of minocycline, Ca²⁺, and sulfate/sulfonate-bearing biopolymers to develop an intrapocket delivery system of minocycline as an adjunct to scaling and root planing. Minocycline-calcium-dextran sulfate complex microparticles were synthesized from minocycline, CaCl₂, and dextran sulfate. They were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. An in vitro release study was conducted to evaluate the release kinetics of minocycline from these microparticles. Agar disk diffusion assays and biofilm-grown bacteria assays were used to assess antibacterial capability. High loading efficiency (96.98% ± 0.12%) and high loading content (44.69% ± 0.03%) for minocycline were observed for these complex microparticles. Mino-Ca-DS microparticles achieved sustained release of minocycline for at least 9 days at pH 7.4 and 18 days at pH 6.4 in phosphate-buffered saline, respectively. They also demonstrated potent antimicrobial effects against Streptococcus mutans and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in agar disk diffusion and biofilm assays. These results suggested that the ion pairing/complexation of minocycline, Ca²⁺, and sulfonate/sulfate-bearing biopolymers can be exploited to develop complex microparticles as local delivery systems for periodontitis treatment.     

Dibucaine in Ionic-Gradient Liposomes: Biophysical,Toxicological, and Activity Characterization

Administration of local anesthetics is one of the most effective pain control techniques for postoperative analgesia. However, anesthetic agents easily diffuse into the injection site, limiting the time of anesthesia. One approach to prolong analgesia is to entrap local anesthetic agents in nanostructured carriers (e.g., liposomes). Here, we report that using an ammonium sulphate gradient was the best strategy to improve the encapsulation (62.6%) of dibucaine (DBC) into liposomes. Light scattering and nanotracking analyses were used to characterize vesicle properties, such as, size, polydispersity, zeta potentials, and number. In vitro kinetic experiments revealed the sustained release of DBC (50% in 7 h) from the liposomes. In addition, in vitro (3T3 cells in culture) and in vivo (zebrafish) toxicity assays revealed that ionic-gradient liposomes were able to reduce DBC cyto/cardiotoxicity and morphological changes in zebrafish larvae. Moreover, the anesthesia time attained after infiltrative administration in mice was longer with encapsulated DBC (27 h) than that with free DBC (11 h), at 320 μM (0.012%), confirming it as a promising long-acting liposome formulation for parenteral drug administration of DBC.     

Development and Characterization of Gastroretentive High-Density Pellets Lodged With Zero Valent Iron Nanoparticles

The objective of the present study is to improve iron bioavailability using high-density gastroretentive pellets of zero valent iron nanoparticles (ZVINPs). ZVINPs were prepared by the chemical reduction method and were characterized for surface morphology, surface charge, and thermal properties. High-density gastroretentive pellets of iron nanoparticles were prepared using spheronization technique. Pellets were characterized for its micromeritic properties, in vitro drug release, and ex vivo permeability. The pharmacokinetic parameters, organ distribution, and toxicity of the optimized pellets were investigated in Wistar rats. In vivo results revealed more than 2-fold increases in oral bioavailability of iron by pellets compared to plane ferrous sulfate. Toxicological studies of the carriers indicated no evidence of liver damage in acute treatment; however, few complications were observed in chronic treatment groups. These results indicated that ZVINPs pellets successfully improve the oral iron bioavailability but need to obtain more information on repeated dose toxicity to initiate the clinical evaluation of investigational products.     

D-Optimal Design in the Development of Rheologically Improved In Situ Forming Ophthalmic Gel

In situ forming ophthalmic gels need to be fine tuned considering all the biopharmaceutical challenges of the front of the eye in order to increase drug residence time at the application site resulting in its improved bioavailability and efficacy. The aim of this study was to develop in situ forming ophthalmic poloxamer P407/poloxamer P188/chitosan gel fine tuned in terms of polymer content, temperature of gelation, and viscosity. Minimizing the total polymer content while retaining the advantageous rheological properties has been achieved by means of D-optimal statistical design. The optimal in situ forming gel was selected based on minimal polymer content (P407, P188, and chitosan concentration of 14.2%, 1.7%, and 0.25% w/w, respectively), favorable rheological characteristics, and in vitro resistance to tear dilution. The optimal in situ forming gel was proved to be robust against entrapment of active pharmaceutical ingredients making it a suitable platform for ophthalmic delivery of active pharmaceutical ingredients with diverse physicochemical properties.     

Quality assurance in drug demand reduction in European countries: an overview

Background: The EMCDDA, through its network of National Focal Points, collects information on the quality assurance systems for drugs-related interventions across European countries. European National Drug Strategies include recommendations for systems and approaches for the assurance of the quality of interventions.

Methods: We searched National Drug Strategies for elements related to quality assurance in drug demand reduction and summarised information through questionnaires administered to the EMCDDA Network of National Focal Points.

Results: In total, 15 National Drug Strategies and 60 questionnaires were analysed. Almost all the strategies include quality-related topics. Frequently, the Ministry of Health leads quality assurance although sometimes jointly with the Ministries of Education, Labour, Family and Social Welfare. Accreditation systems are common, but implemented in different ways. Training and education are widely provided, for the vast majority of countries, consisting of short-term training to keep professionals updated. Guidelines and Standards are gathering momentum as the major tools for the implementation of evidence-based recommendations and are usually available across countries.

Conclusions: Although the evidence base for interventions in drug demand reduction is becoming available and accepted, attention needs to be given to implementation issues. The European countries are rapidly moving towards paying greater attention to the quality of interventions.     

靶向下调上皮细胞黏附分子对结直肠癌干细胞功能及药物敏感性的影响

目的研究靶向下调上皮细胞黏附分子(ECAM)对结直肠癌干细胞增殖、侵袭及药物敏感性的影响。方法用肿瘤微球法从人结直肠癌细胞系LoVo中获取结直肠癌干细胞,用结直肠癌干细胞表面特殊标志物[ECAM和人类细胞分化抗原44(CD44)]对其进行鉴定并进行后续研究。用lipofectamine 2000脂质体介导完成转染,根据处理方法不同将细胞分为3组:实验组(ECAM抑制组),对照组(转染公共抑制剂lipofectamine 2000-抑制剂),空白组(不作任何处理),并进行培养,取3组对数期的细胞分别给予几个浓度(1,5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40,45,50 mg·L^-1)伊立替康和几个浓度(50,100,150,200,250,300,350,400,450,500,550,600 mg·L^-1)卡培他滨,继续培养。用实时荧光定量检测用药前后3组细胞中ECAM mRNA的表达水平,用噻唑蓝(MTT)法检测用药前后3组细胞的增殖能力和药物敏感性,用Transwell小室检测3组细胞的侵袭能力。结果在富集前后的LoVo细胞系中,EpCAM^+CD44^+双阳结直肠癌干细胞的百分率分别是0.95%,85.78%,与富集前比较差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05)。空白组、对照组和实验组中EpCAM mRNA的表达水平分别为8.17±0.64,7.94±0.83,2.16±0.12,对照组和实验组与空白组比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05,P<0.01);实验组与对照组比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),说明3组细胞构建成功。空白组、对照组和实验组中侵袭细胞分别为79.22±5.25,80.12±4.89,31.23±2.36。对照组和实验组与空白组比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05,P<0.01);实验组与对照组比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。空白组、对照组与实验组的伊立替康对结直肠癌干细胞的IC₅₀分别为(20.25±4.35),(19.22±3.99),(10.24±2.04)mg·L^-1;这3组的卡培他滨对结直肠癌干细胞的IC₅₀分别为(320.13±23.65),(315.79±21.03),(250.22±15.45)mg·L^-1,实验组与对照组比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论靶向下调ECAM可以有效地抑制结肠癌干细胞增殖及侵袭能力,同时增强其对药物的敏感性。     

QbD理念在新型抗菌药磷酸特地唑胺工艺研究中的应用

目的 抗菌药磷酸特地唑胺的工艺研究。方法 QbD理念指导工艺研究,以中间体A和焦磷酸四苄酯为原料合成磷酸特地唑胺。结果 以58%的总收率实现了磷酸特地唑胺的制备,HPLC纯度为99.2%。 结论 新开发的工艺反应条件温和,有效地避免了水解杂质、二聚体杂质的产生,保证了磷酸特地唑胺的产品质量。