Pharmaceutical Research: Recent Advances and Trends Vol. 9

Nanoparticle-Mediated Active Targeted Drug Delivery

Okhil K. Nag — 2024-12-05

Targeted and temporal delivery of drugs to diseased tissues is a key objective in medicine. Nanoparticles (NPs), as delivery vehicles, demonstrated the potential to achieve this by targeted delivery and controlled release of drugs while reducing off-target toxicity and minimizing the need for frequent dosing. Significant progress in NP-mediated drug delivery (NMDD) has focused on developing NP-based drug (NP-drug) formulations for targeted delivery to diseased tissues, with particular attention to cellular and subcellular precision. Advancements in this area include the intricate design of targeted NP-drug constructs to navigate through biological barriers, control drug release, overcome multidrug resistance (MDR), decrease side effects, and improve overall drug efficacy. This chapter outlines the latest developments in NP-mediated targeted drug delivery, highlighting various NP-drug constructs engineered to achieve active targeted delivery and improve therapeutic outcomes for critical diseases such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and Alzheimer’s disease. The chapter concludes with an overview of current clinical trials in active targeted NP-drug delivery and discusses potential future directions for this rapidly evolving field.

Adiantum capillus-veneris Linn (Maidenhair fern) Reported by Ibn Rushd. Traditional Used and Modern Application: A Review Article

Arwa Al-Khatib — 2024-12-05

Adiantum capillus-veneris Linn (Maidenhair fern) is an herb belonging to the family Pteridaceae. Ancient physicians mainly administrated the fronds of Maidenhair fern as a single medicine or in combination with other plants in multi-herbal formulations for curing different diseases. Ancient practitioners generally used fronds of Maidenhair fern as the most useful part of the herb This is a specific review of Adiantum capillus-veneris L. (adianthum), known as Barshawshan, and Kuzburat-el bir in Arabic, focusing in the current ethnopharmacological research confirming the mention of the use by Ibn Rushd, such as alopecia and its relation with castor oil and pumpkin, in addition to its application for the treatment of skin disorders. Some of the confirmed pharmacological effects in modern medicine including anticonvulsant, antispasmodic, diuretic, antilithiatic, anti-hair loss, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects were declared by ancient physicians as well. Many fern species are used in traditional medicine by indigenous communities and described in folklore and some have been accepted as main sources of drug discovery.

Detection of Paraffin Oil Adulteration in Edible Oils Using FTIR Spectroscopy

Andrei A. Bunaciu — 2024-12-05

Edible oils are commonly used as salad, cooking or frying, or in fabricating food products. From the standpoint of nutrition, they are major, but there has been concern over their purity from ancient times. Adulterating high-priced oil with low-priced oil is a significant problem due to its increased demand in domestic and foreign markets. Customers' health may suffer as a result. Therefore, authentication and adulteration prevention are urgently needed for customers' benefit. The application of mid-infrared or near-infrared spectroscopy of molecular vibrations has become more prevalent in the characterization of various chemicals, such as edible oil, intending to track alterations and identify counterfeit modifications. A novel method to assess the alteration of rapeseed oil (RSO), sunflower oil (SFO), maize germ oil (CGO), and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) with mineral oil, paraffin oil (PO), was established. Using ATR spectra, a Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometric technique was created to evaluate edible oil adulteration quickly. The findings show that the suggested approach effectively detects paraffin oil in adulterated EVOO, SFO, RSO and CGO.

Preparation and Assessment of Oral Floating Beads of a NSAID Drug, Tramadol Hydrochloride

Archana Dinkarrao Kajale — 2024-12-05

Rapid GI transit can prevent complete drug release in the absorption zone and reduce the efficacy of the administered dose since most drugs are absorbed in the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine. Floating bead formulations are designed to stay buoyant in gastric fluids, allowing the drug to be released over an extended period in the stomach. Some common methods for preparing floating beads are- 1. Ionotropic Gelation Method 2. Emulsion Gelation Method 3. Spray-Drying Method 4. Freeze-Drying (Lyophilization) Method 5. Coacervation Method. 6. Emulsion Solvent Evaporation Method 7. Solvent Evaporation Method 8. Extrusion Method 9. Melt dispersion method. In this formulation, Floating beads were fabricated using a modified ionotropic gelation technique using various natural and synthetic polymers in different proportions. The drug used was Tramadol Hydrochloride. Here, the Bonferroni method was applied to the dissolution study to check if there was a significant difference or non-significant difference in the release of drugs in formulated formulations. In the formulated batches BT1 to BT11 did not give in vitro release for 12 hours. In the formulated batch, BT 12 (Sodium alginate 6%: Carbopol 940 1.2 %) shows In vitro release for 12 hours (100.26 ± 0.66%). It also gave floating lag time and floating time immediate, and a floating duration of more than 12 hours. In kinetic model fitting it follows Korsemeyers Peppas equation. Also, it was found stable in 6 months of accelerated stability study. From all the formulation and evaluation studies of oral floating beads of Tramadol Hydrochloride, it was concluded that: Among all different polymer ratios Sodium Alginate 6% and CaCl₂ 3% (2:1 ratio) give formulation of beads. The use of acetic acid in CaCl₂gives floating of beads for 12 hours. Among different polymers Carbopol 940 gives retarded release for 12 hours. The optimized batch was found to be stable for 6 Months in accelerated stability studies. It was concluded that the use of acetic acid in CaCl₂gives floating of beads for 12 hours. Moreover, among different polymers, Carbopol 940 gives retarded release for 12 hours and the optimized batch was found to be stable for 6 Months in accelerated stability studies.

Analysis of Caffeine by HPLC Methods and Recent Advances

Patil Pandurang N. — 2024-12-05

Coffee, tea, and soft drinks are very commonly used beverages all over the world. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and promotes relaxation, myocardial stimulation, and recreational activities. It can provide energy, decrease fatigue, and enhance performance. Caffeine has medicinal properties so it can be used along with other drugs for headaches, stimulation, and muscle relaxants. Caffeine is useful with certain limits but an overdose of caffeine starts side effects on the human body. Various instrumental methods can be used to analyze caffeine in plants, coffee, tea, soft drinks, and pharmaceutical formulations in the presence of other drugs. Different techniques are available to determine caffeine like UV spectrophotometry, HPTLC-UV, capillary electrophoresis-UV, flow injection analysis, electrospray ionization (ESI), Gas chromatography, NIRS and Mass spectrometry in various samples along with pharmaceutical preparations. HPLC methods are the most common, reliable methods used for the analysis of caffeine used in industries. HPLC can accurately and precisely detect caffeine in extremely low concentrations and highly complex materials. This review summarizes various HPLC methods used for caffeine analysis in samples and complex mixtures. Various chromatographic conditions are summarized in tabular form such as different columns, mobile phases, detectors, flow rates, and a variety of samples. Recent advances in technologies with the use of green chemicals for sustainable methods for caffeine analysis in different complex matrix materials have been studied.

Advancements in Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Integrating Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Bayesian Approaches for Personalised Medicine

V. Himabindu — 2024-12-05

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is a critical process in clinical pharmacology that involves measuring drug concentrations in biological fluids to optimize drug dosage and ensure efficacy while avoiding toxicity. By incorporating pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) principles, TDM allows for individualized therapy, particularly for drugs with narrow therapeutic indices. Recent advancements, including population pharmacokinetic approaches and Bayesian estimation, have enhanced the precision of TDM. This review highlights the evolution of TDM, its role in optimizing patient outcomes, and emerging techniques such as pharmacodynamic monitoring to further individualize and refine therapeutic regimens.

Exploring Aegle marmelos Polysaccharide: A Natural Matrix Former for Advanced Drug Delivery Systems

Aishwarya S.Patil — 2024-12-05

Background: The objective of this study was to formulate sustained-release metoprolol succinate tablets using Aegle marmelose (Bael), a plant from the Rutaceae family, as a natural matrix-forming polymer. Excipients play a crucial role in enhancing tablet quality, and Aegle marmelose polymers, like synthetic polymers, offer promising potential as matrix formers in advanced drug delivery systems. These polysaccharide gums are abundant, biocompatible, biodegradable, and non-immunogenic. Additionally, they promote economic growth by enabling the production of cost-effective formulations with locally available components. These polymers can be modified to achieve desired properties, making them comparable to synthetic additives in drug delivery applications.

Results: The fruits of Aegle marmelose were used as a binder in the formulation of metoprolol succinate matrix tablets. A 3² factorial design (F1 to F9) was employed to develop the tablets, and batch F6 was evaluated for weight variation, hardness, friability, drug content, drug release, stability, solubility, swelling properties, and excipient compatibility.

Conclusion: Aegle marmelose polysaccharide proved to be a more suitable natural binder for the sustained-release metoprolol succinate tablets compared to synthetic alternatives, with no significant changes observed in the formulated and stabilized tablets. This study also aimed to explore the potential of natural polysaccharides as viable excipients in drug delivery systems.

A Detailed Review on LC-MS Methods for Assessing Febuxostat in Blood Plasma: Implications for Bioavailability and Bioequivalence Studies

Atchaya Chakravarthy — 2024-12-05

Febuxostat (FBS) has emerged as a revolutionary treatment for hyperuricemia and gout. This comprehensive review provides a pioneering analysis of the instrumental role of Liquid Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) in unravelling the bioavailability and bioequivalence of Febuxostat (FBS) in human plasma. Utilizing Febuxostat d9 and d7, along with other drugs as internal standards (IS), the review steers through the intricate view of pharmaceutical research, focusing on validation methods and the challenges presented by the complex pharmacokinetics of FBS. Unprecedented in its depth, the review aims to contribute valuable insights to the field by addressing the evolving paradigms in pharmaceutical analysis. FBS, a revolutionary advancement in the treatment of hyperuricemia and gout, takes centre stage, highlighting its pivotal role in contemporary therapeutic approaches. LC-MS develops as a cornerstone analytical method for studying FBS, offering unparalleled sensitivity and selectivity. The review delves into the sample preparation techniques, emphasizing the significance of protein precipitation and liquid-liquid extraction in extracting FBS from human blood plasma. LC-MS/MS, chosen for its exceptional sensitivity and specificity, becomes a focal point in FBS analysis, with IS employed to enhance accuracy. The optimization of chromatographic conditions, encompassing the careful selection of stationary and mobile phases, is highlighted as crucial for establishing a robust and reliable LC method, ensuring accuracy in pharmacokinetic studies of FBS. This review positions LC-MS as a cornerstone analytical technique, highlighting its critical role in the precise determination of Febuxostat in blood plasma, with significant implications for future bioavailability and bioequivalence studies. The study concluded that LC-MS's superiority in Febuxostat analysis set the stage for a future where pharmacokinetic studies become insightful, efficient, and transformative, shaping the future of pharmaceutical research.