The study aims to prepare a smart copolymeric for controlled delivery of Galantamine hydrobromide. The synthesis of the hydrogel was executed through free radical polymerization using HPMC (Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) and pectin as polymers and acrylic acid as monomer. Cross-linking was performed by methylene bisacrylamide (MBA). HPMC-pectin-co-acrylic acid hydrogel was loaded with Galantamine hydrobromide (antidementia drug) as a model drug for treatment of Alzheimer based dementia. Formulated hydrogels (SN1–SN9) were characterized for Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, and energy dispersive X-ray. Drug loading efficiency, gel fraction, measurements of porosity, and tensile strength were reported. Swelling and release studies were performed at pH 1.2 and 7.4. Drug liberation mechanism was evaluated by applying different release kinetic models. Galantamine hydrobromide was released from prepared hydrogels by Fickian release mechanism. Swelling, gel fraction, porosity, and drug release percentages were found to be dependent on hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, pectin, acrylic acid, and methylene bisacrylamide concentrations. By increasing HPMC amount, swelling was increased from 76.7% to 95.9%. Toxicity studies were conducted on albino male rabbits for a period of 14 days. Hematological and histopathological studies were carried out to evaluate safety level of hydrogel. Successfully prepared HPMC-pectin-co-acrylic acid hydrogel showed good swelling and release kinetics, which may help greatly in providing controlled release drug effect leading to enhanced patient compliance for dementia patients.

In the current study, a pH sensitive intelligent hydroxypropyl–β–cyclodextrin-based polymeric network (HP-β-CD-g-MAA) was developed through a solution polymerization technique for site specific delivery of cytarabine in the colonic region. Prepared hydrogel formulations were characterized through cytarabine loading (%), ingredient’s compatibility, structural evaluation, thermal integrity, swelling pattern, release behavior and toxicological profiling in rabbits. Moreover, the pharmacokinetic profile of cytarabine was also determined in rabbits. New polymer formation was evident from FTIR findings. The percentage loaded into the hydrogels was in the range of 37.17–79.3%. Optimum swelling ratio of 44.56 was obtained at pH 7.4. Cytarabine release was persistent and in a controlled manner up to 24 h. In vitro degradation of hydrogels was more pronounced at intestinal pH as compared to acidic pH. Toxicity studies proved absence of any ocular, skin and oral toxicity, thus proving biocompatibility of the fabricated network. Hydrogels exhibited longer plasma half-life (8.75 h) and AUC (45.35 μg.h/mL) with respect to oral cytarabine solution. Thus, the developed hydrogel networks proved to be excellent and biocompatible cargo for prolonged and site-specific delivery of cytarabine in the management of colon cancer.

Microneedle patches (MNPs) are one of the emerging approaches for drug delivery involving minimal invasion and improved skin penetration of macro- and micro-entities. Herein, we report dissolvable microneedle patches (dMNPs) as a novel tool for better systemic delivery of Simvastatin in the management of hypocholesteremia. Thiolated chitosan (TC), polyvinyl pyrolidone (PVP) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were employed in the development of dMNPs. Developed patches were characterized through SEM, FTIR, DSC, TGA, PXRD, dissolution testing, tensile strength, elongation (%), skin irritation studies, moisture content and pharmacokinetic evaluation. dMNP F26 exhibited excellent tensile strength (9.85 MPa), penetration potential (~700 µm), moisture content (5.95%), elongation (35.54%) and Simvastatin release of 77.92%. Pharmacokinetic properties were also improved, i.e., C_max 1.97 µg/mL, t_max 9 h, MRT 19.9 h and AUC 46.24 µg·h/mL as compared to Simvastatin solution displaying C_max 2.55 µg/mL, t_max 3 h, MRT 5.91 h and AUC 14.20 µg·h/mL thus confirming higher and improved bioavailability. Kinetic modelling revealed zero order as the best fit model based on regression coefficient. Histopathological findings proved the biocompatibility of the developed dMNPs.

Oral delivery of insulin has always been a challenging task due to harsh gut environment involving variable pH and peptidase actions. Currently, no Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved oral insulin formulation is commercially available, only intravenous (IV) or subcutaneous (SC) routes. Therefore, it is really cumbersome for diabetic patients to go through invasive approaches for insulin delivery on daily basis. In the present study, a novel pH-responsive hydrogel nanocomposite (NC) system was developed and optimized for safe oral delivery of insulin. Black seed polysaccharide extract-based hydrogel (BA hydrogel) was formulated by free radical polymerization and loaded with insulin. Blank BA hydrogel was also incorporated with insulin-loaded montmorillonite nanoclay (Ins-Mmt) to form an Ins-Mmt-BA hydrogel NC and compared with the insulin-loaded hydrogel. Swelling, sol-gel analysis and in vitro release studies proved that Ins-Mmt-BA6 hydrogel NC has the best formulation, with 96.17% maximum insulin released in 24 h. Kinetic modeling applied on insulin release data showed the Korsemeyer-Peppas model (R² = 0.9637) as the best fit model with a super case II transport mechanism for insulin transport (n > 0.89). Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) Spectroscopy, Fourier Transformed Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Powdered X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis results also confirmed successful development of a hydrogel NC with no significant denaturation of insulin. Toxicity results confirmed the safety profile and biocompatibility of the developed NC. In vivo studies showed a maximum decrease in blood glucose levels of 52.61% and percentage relative bioavailability (% RBA) of 26.3% for an Ins-Mmt-BA hydrogel NC as compared to BA hydrogels and insulin administered through the SC route.