Self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems of gemfibrozil were developed under Quality by Design approach for improvement of dissolution and oral absorption. Preliminary screening was performed to select proper components combination. Box-Behnken experimental design was employed as statistical tool to optimize the formulation variables, X(1) (Cremophor(®) EL), X(2) (Capmul(®) MCM-C8), and X(3) (lemon essential oil). Systems were assessed for visual characteristics (emulsification efficacy), turbidity, droplet size, polydispersity index and drug release. Different pH media were also assayed for optimization. Following optimization, the values of formulation components (X(1), X(2), and X(3)) were 32.43%, 29.73% and 21.62%, respectively (16.22% of gemfibrozil). Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated spherical droplet morphology. SNEEDS release study was compared to commercial tablets. Optimized SNEDDS formulation of gemfibrozil showed a significant increase in dissolution rate compared to conventional tablets. Both formulations followed Weibull mathematical model release with a significant difference in t(d) parameter in favor of the SNEDDS. Equally amodelistic parameters were calculated being the dissolution efficiency significantly higher for SNEDDS, confirming that the developed SNEDDS formulation was superior to commercial formulation with respect to in vitro dissolution profile. This paper provides an overview of the SNEDDS of the gemfibrozil as a promising alternative to improve oral absorption.

Two optimized pranoprofen-loaded poly-l-lactic-co glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles (PF-F1NPs; PF-F2NPs) have been developed and further dispersed into hydrogels for the production of semi-solid formulations intended for ocular administration. The optimized PF-NP suspensions were dispersed in freshly prepared carbomer hydrogels (HG_PF-F1NPs and HG_PF-F2NPs) or in hydrogels containing 1% azone (HG_PF-F1NPs-Azone and HG_PF-F2NPs-Azone) in order to improve the ocular biopharmaceutical profile of the selected non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), by prolonging the contact of the pranoprofen with the eye, increasing the drug retention in the organ and enhancing its anti-inflammatory and analgesic efficiency. Carbomer 934 has been selected as gel-forming polymer. The hydrogel formulations with or without azone showed a non-Newtonian behavior and adequate physicochemical properties for ocular instillation. The release study of pranoprofen from the semi-solid formulations exhibited a sustained release behavior. The results obtained from ex vivo corneal permeation and in vivo anti-inflammatory efficacy studies suggest that the ocular application of the hydrogels containing azone was more effective over the azone-free formulations in the treatment of edema on the ocular surface. No signs of ocular irritancy have been detected for the produced hydrogels.

Donepezil (DPZ) is widely used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease in tablet form for oral administration. The pharmacological efficacy of this drug can be enhanced by the use of intranasal administration because this route makes bypassing the blood–brain barrier (BBB) possible. The aim of this study was to develop a nanoemulsion (NE) as well as a nanoemulsion with a combination of bioadhesion and penetration enhancing properties (PNE) in order to facilitate the transport of DPZ from nose-to-brain. Composition of NE was established using three pseudo-ternary diagrams and PNE was developed by incorporating Pluronic F-127 to the aqueous phase. Parameters such as physical properties, stability, in vitro release profile, and ex vivo permeation were determined for both formulations. The tolerability was evaluated by in vitro and in vivo models. DPZ-NE and DPZ-PNE were transparent, monophasic, homogeneous, and physically stable with droplets of nanometric size and spherical shape. DPZ-NE showed Newtonian behavior whereas a shear thinning (pseudoplastic) behavior was observed for DPZ-PNE. The release profile of both formulations followed a hyperbolic kinetic. The permeation and prediction parameters were significantly higher for DPZ-PNE, suggesting the use of polymers to be an effective strategy to improve the bioadhesion and penetration of the drug through nasal mucosa, which consequently increase its bioavailability.

Diets containing a high proportion of fat with respect to protein plus carbohydrates are capable of inducing ketone body production in the liver, which provides an energetic alternative to glucose. Some ketogenic diets have been tested as therapeutic strategies for treating metabolic disorders related to a deficiency in glucose-driven ATP generation. However, ketone bodies are not capable of providing extra tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates, limiting the anabolic capacity of the cell. Therefore, it is reasonable to hypothesize that supplementing a ketogenic diet with anaplerotic compounds such as triheptanoin may improve ketogenic diet effectiveness. The present study tests this hypothesis in APP/PS1 (APPswe/PS1dE9) transgenic mice, used as a model of familial Alzheimer’s disease because impaired energy supply to neurons has been linked to this neurodegenerative process. Triheptanoin supplementation to a ketogenic diet for three months and starting at the age of three months reduces the memory impairment of APP/PS1 mice at the age of 6 months. The Aβ production and deposition were not significantly altered by the ketogenic diet, supplemented or not by triheptanoin. However, mice fed with triheptanoin-rich ketogenic diet have shown decreased astroglial response in the vicinity of Aβ plaques and decreased expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interferon-γ in astrocytes. These findings correlate with transcriptional up-regulation of the ROS detoxifying mechanisms Sirt1 and Pparg, thus linking triheptanoin with improved mitochondrial status. Present findings support the concept that ketogenic diets supplemented with anaplerotic compounds can be considered potential therapeutic strategies at early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

Pioglitazone has been reported in the literature to have a substantial role in the improvement of overall cognition in a mouse model. With this in mind, the aim of this study was to determine the most efficacious route for the administration of Pioglitazone nanoparticles (PGZ-NPs) in order to promote drug delivery to the brain for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. PGZ-loaded NPs were developed by the solvent displacement method. Parameters such as mean size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, encapsulation efficacy, rheological behavior, and short-term stability were evaluated. Ex vivo permeation studies were then carried out using buccal, sublingual, nasal, and intestinal mucosa. PGZ-NPs with a size around of 160 nm showed high permeability in all mucosae. However, the permeation and prediction parameters revealed that lag-time and vehicle/tissue partition coefficient of nasal mucosa were significantly lower than other studied mucosae, while the diffusion coefficient and theoretical steady-state plasma concentration of the drug were higher, providing biopharmaceutical results that reveal more favorable PGZ permeation through the nasal mucosa. The results suggest that nasal mucosa represents an attractive and non-invasive pathway for PGZ-NPs administration to the brain since the drug permeation was demonstrated to be more favorable in this tissue.