The present study reports novel cocrystals of telmisartan (TEL) with saccharin and glutaric acid. Crystal engineering approaches such as solution crystallization, solid-state grinding and slurry method have been utilized with the ultimate objective of improving the solubility of this BCS class II drug. The physical characterization revealed that the cocrystals are unique vis-à-vis thermal, spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction properties. Structural characterization showed that the cocrystals with saccharin and glutaric acid exist in monoclinic P2₁/c and triclinic P space groups, respectively. The improved solubility of telmisartan–saccharin (TEL–SAC) (nine-fold) and telmisartan–glutaric acid (two-fold) cocrystals in comparison with the free drug has been demonstrated in solubility experiments in phosphate buffer, pH 7.5. The TEL–SAC cocrystal remained stable in the aqueous medium for 6 hours as confirmed by PXRD. The AUC_0–24 of TEL–SAC and TEL–GA was found to be 2-fold and 1.4-fold increased in terms of bioavailability than pure TEL, respectively. The in vivo antihypertensive activity of TEL–SAC in DOCA salt-induced hypertensive rats showed two-fold improved efficacy, while acute toxicity studies revealed no signs of toxicity in rats even at doses of 2000 mg kg⁻¹ of body weight (BW). The new solid phase of telmisartan with saccharin represents a promising and viable opportunity for the manufacture of a drug product with improved therapeutic outcomes.

Liquid chromatography tandem mass chromatography (LC-MS/MS) is an important hyphenated technique for quantitative analysis of drugs in biological fluids. Because of high sensitivity and selectivity, LC-MS/MS has been used for pharmacokinetic studies, metabolites identification in the plasma and urine. This manuscript gives comprehensive analytical review, focusing on chromatographic separation approaches (column packing materials, column length and mobile phase) as well as different acquisition modes (SIM, MRM) for quantitative analysis of glucocorticoids and stimulants. This review is not meant to be exhaustive but rather to provide a general overview for detection and confirmation of target drugs using LC-MS/MS and thus useful in the doping analysis, toxicological studies as well as in pharmaceutical analysis.

In the present investigation, a nanoemulgel of minocycline was formulated and optimized for an improved drug delivery and longer retention time in the targeted area. Combining eucalyptus oil, Tween 20, and Transcutol HP, different o/w nanoemulsions were formulated by the oil phase titration method and optimized by pseudo-ternary phase diagrams. The morphology, droplet size, viscosity, and refractive index of the thermodynamically stable nanoemulsion were determined. Furthermore, optimized nanoemulsion was suspended in 1.0% w/v of Carbopol 940 gel to formulate the nanoemulgel, and for this, pH, viscosity, and spreadability were determined and texture analysis was performed. To compare the extent of drug penetration between nanoemulsion and nanoemulgel, ex vivo skin permeation studies were conducted with Franz diffusion cell using rat skin as the permeation membrane, and the nanoemulgel exhibited sustained-release behavior. It can be concluded that the suggested minocycline-containing naoemulgel is expected to treat acne rosacea more effectively.

Objectives: This study aimed to improve biopharmaceutical parameters of the poorly soluble antihypertensive drug, felodipine, by preparing multicomponent solid forms using three coformers, viz. imidazole, nicotinamide and malonic acid. Methods: The multicomponent solid forms were prepared by mechanochemical synthesis and characterised by various analytical techniques. These solid forms were further assessed for their physicochemical parameters. Pharmacokinetic and in-vivo antihypertensive activity was performed in rats. Key findings: Felodipine (FEL) was found to be cocrystallised with imidazole (FEL-IM) while it formed eutectic with nicotinamide (FEL-NCT) and malonic acid (FEL-MA). Cocrystal was sustained by NH…N and NH….O hydrogen-bonded network. Solubility and intrinsic dissolution studies in 0.1 N HCl (pH 1.2) revealed that eutectics exhibited higher solubility and release rate than cocrystal vis-a-vis pure drug and were found to be stable under accelerated storage condition. Significant enhancement of bioavailability was observed in eutectics (3.5- to twofold) and cocrystal (1.3-fold) compared with the pure drug. Antihypertensive activity of new solid forms in an animal model showed a marked decrease in systolic blood pressure. Conclusions: Mechanochemical approach was successful to prepare multicomponent solid forms that have the potential to improve biopharmaceutical parameters of the poorly soluble drug, FEL.