In the modern world, a number of therapeutic proteins such as vaccines, antigens, and hormones are being developed utilizing different sophisticated biotechnological techniques like recombinant DNA technology and protein purification. However, the major glitches in the optimal utilization of therapeutic proteins and peptides by the oral route are their extensive hepatic first-pass metabolism, degradation in the gastrointestinal tract (presence of enzymes and pH-dependent factors), large molecular size and poor permeation. These problems can be overcome by adopting techniques such as chemical transformation of protein structures, enzyme inhibitors, mucoadhesive polymers and permeation enhancers. Being invasive, parenteral route is inconvenient for the administration of protein and peptides, several research endeavors have been undertaken to formulate a better delivery system for proteins and peptides with major emphasis on non-invasive routes such as oral, transdermal, vaginal, rectal, pulmonary and intrauterine. This review article emphasizes on the recent advancements made in the delivery of protein and peptides by a non-invasive (peroral) route into the body.

The goal of current research was to develop a new form of effective drug, curcumin-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (Cur-SLNs) and test its efficacy in the treatment of lung cancer. Different batches of SLNs were prepared by the emulsification–ultrasonication method. For the optimization of formulation, each batch was evaluated for particle size, polydispersity index (PI), zeta potential (ZP), entrapment efficiency (EE) and drug loading (DL). The formulation components and process parameters largely affected the quality of SLNs. The SLNs obtained with particle size, 114.9 ± 1.36 nm; PI, 0.112 ± 0.005; ZP, −32.3 ± 0.30 mV; EE, 69.74 ± 2.03%, and DL, 0.81 ± 0.04% was designated as an optimized formulation. The formulation was freeze-dried to remove excess water to improve the physical stability. Freeze-dried Cur-SLNs showed 99.32% of drug release and demonstrated a burst effect trailed by sustained release up to 120 h periods. The erythrocyte toxicity study of Cur-SLNs and its components demonstrated moderate hemolytic potential towards red blood cells (RBCs). The cytotoxic potential of the formulation and plain curcumin was estimated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay against A549 cell line. After 48 h of incubation, Cur-SLNs demonstrated more cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ = 26.12 ± 1.24 µM) than plain curcumin (IC₅₀ = 35.12 ± 2.33 µM). Moreover, the cellular uptake of curcumin was found to be significantly higher from Cur-SLNs (682.08 ± 6.33 ng/µg) compared to plain curcumin (162.4 ± 4.2 ng/µg). Additionally, the optimized formulation was found to be stable over the period of 90 days of storage. Hence, curcumin-loaded SLNs can be prepared using the proposed cost effective method, and can be utilized as an effective drug delivery system for the treatment of lung cancer, provided in vivo studies warrant a similar outcome.

Aim: The current study aimed to explore the feasibility of the nanoemulgel for the topical delivery of aceclofenac. Materials & methods: Solubility of drugs in the formulation systems was determine...

To overcome problems associated with topical delivery of tacrolimus (TCS), a thermoresponsive in situ gel system containing pluronic F127 (PL), and chitosan (CS) was developed, to enhance the precorneal retention, and to sustain the release of the drug. The PL-CS in situ gel was optimized using a 2-factor-3-level central composite experimental design by selecting the concentration of PL and CS as independent variables while gelation time, gelation temperature, and spreadability as dependent variables. The optimized formulation was developed using 22.5 g PL and 0.3 g CS, gels at 33.6 °C, in 22.93 s, and showed the spreadability of 6.2 cm. In vitro studies conducted for the optimized gel revealed the sustained release of TCS (81.73% in 4 h) and improved corneal permeation (74.13% in 4 h), compared with TCS solution. The mechanism of release of TCS followed the Higuchi model with Fickian diffusion transport. Further, histopathology and HET-CAM studies revealed that the developed gel was non-irritating and safe for ocular administration.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in females and ranked second after skin cancer. The use of natural compounds is a good alternative for the treatment of breast cancer with less toxicity than synthetic drugs. The aim of the present study is to develop and characterize hybrid Apigenin (AN) Nanoparticles (NPs) for oral delivery (AN-NPs). The hybrid AN-NPs were prepared by the self-assembly method using lecithin, chitosan and TPGS. Further, the NPs were optimized by Box-Behnken design (3-factor, 3-level). The hybrid NPs were evaluated for particle size (PS), entrapment efficiency (EE), zeta potential (ZP), and drug release. The optimized hybrid NPs (ON2), were further evaluated for solid state characterization, permeation, antioxidant, cytotoxicity and antimicrobial study. The formulation (ON2) exhibited small PS of 192.6 ± 4.2 nm, high EE 69.35 ± 1.1%, zeta potential of +36.54 mV, and sustained drug release (61.5 ± 2.5% in 24 h), as well as significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced drug permeation and antioxidant activity. The IC₅₀ of pure AN was found to be significantly (p < 0.05) lower than the formulation (ON2). It also showed significantly greater (p < 0.05) antibacterial activity than pure AN against Bacillus subtilis and Salmonella typhimurium. From these findings, it revealed that a hybrid AN polymeric nanoparticle is a good carrier for the treatment of breast cancer.