Purpose: The purpose of this study was to formulate ketoprofen (KET)-loaded Eudragit L and Eudragit S nanofibers (NFs) by the electrospinning technique for buccal administration to treat oral mucositis as a safe alternative to orally administered KET, which causes gastrointestinal tract (GIT) side effects.
Materials and methods: NFs were prepared by electrospinning using Eudragit L and Eudragit S. Several variables were evaluated to optimize NF formulation, such as polymer types and concentrations, applied voltage, flow rate and drug concentrations. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and analyses of drug contents, hydration capacity, surface pH, drug release and ex vivo permeation were performed to evaluate the NFs. The selected formulation (F1) was evaluated in vivo on induced oral mucositis in rabbits. Results: SEM revealed that 20% polymer formed smooth and bead-free NFs. DSC results confirmed the amorphous nature of KET in the NFs. FTIR confirmed hydrogen bond formation between the drug and polymer, which stabilized the NFs. Both formulations (F1 and F2) had an acceptable surface pH. The drug loading was >90%. The amount of KET released from NF formulations was statistically significantly higher (P≤0.001) than that released from the corresponding solvent-casted films. The complete release of KET from F1 occurred within 2 hours. Ex vivo permeation study revealed that only a small fraction of drug permeated from F1, which was a better candidate than F2 for local buccal delivery. In vivo evaluation of F1 on oral mucositis induced in rabbits demonstrated that F1 reduced the clinical severity of mucositis in rabbits under the current experimental conditions. The attenuated clinical severity was accompanied by a marked reduction in inflammatory infiltrate and re-epithelization of the epithelial layer. Conclusion: Eudragit L100 nanofibers (EL-NF) loaded with KET (F1) suppressed the inflammatory response associated with mucositis, which confirmed the efficacy of local buccal delivery of KET-loaded EL-NF in treating oral mucositis.

MiRNAs play important roles in modulating gene expression in varying cellular processes and disease pathogenesis, including neurodegenerative diseases. Several miRNAs are expressed in the brain and control brain development and identified as important biomarkers in the pathogenesis of motor- and neuro-cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer, Huntington's and Parkinson's diseases and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. These remarkable miRNAs could be used as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targeting potential for many stressful and untreatable progressive neurodegenerative diseases. To modulate these miRNA activities, there are currently two strategies involved; first one is to therapeutically restore the suppressed miRNA level by miRNA mimics (agonist), and the other one is to inhibit miRNA function by using antimiR (antagonist) to repress overactive miRNA function. However, RNAi-based therapeutics often faces in vivo instability because naked nucleic acids are subject to enzyme degradation before reaching the target sites. Therefore, an effective, safe and stable bio-responsive delivery system is necessary to protect the nucleic acids from serum degradation and assist their entrance to the cells. Since neuronal cells are non-regenerating, to design engineered miRNAs to be delivered to the CNS for long term gene expression and knockdown is representing an enormous challenge for scientists. This article provides an insight summary on some of the innovative strategies employed to deliver miRNA into target cells. These viral and non-viral carrier systems hold promise in RNA therapy delivery for neurodegenerative diseases.

Mefenamic acid (MA) is a BCS II class NSAID drug. It is available only in the form of tablets, capsules, and pediatric suspensions. Oral administration of MA is associated with severe gastrointestinal side effects. The aim of this study was to develop a convenient and low-cost transdermal drug delivery system for MA using proniosome as a novel carrier without the addition of penetration enhancers. The formulation factors, such as the presence of cholesterol, types of lecithin, and surfactants were investigated for their influence on the entrapment efficiency, rate of hydration, vesicle size, and zeta potential, in vitro drug release and skin permeation in order to optimize the proniosomal formulations with the minimum dose of the drug. Furthermore, the in vivo anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated on a formalin-induced rat paw edema model. The results showed that the type of surfactants had higher impact on the entrapment efficiency than the type of lecithins, with the highest in Span 80 (82.84%). The release of MA from Span 80 proniosomal gel was significantly affected by the type of lecithin used. The addition of cholesterol significantly increased both the drug release and the skin permeation flux of MA. Zeta potential showed a stable A4 noisomal suspension. DSC revealed the molecular dispersion of MA into the loaded proniosomes. In vivo study of the treatment group with MA proniosome gel showed a significant inhibition of rat paw edema compared with the same gel without the drug (control). The results of this study suggest that proniosomes are promising nano vesicular carriers and safe alternatives to enhance the transdermal delivery of MA.

Studies have shown the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen could reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The drug-repurposing strategy offers a bright opportunity for these patients. Intranasal administration through the olfactory pathway provides noninvasive and direct drug delivery to the target brain. A novel ibuprofen microemulsion was prepared, characterized and assessed the brain uptake in rats. The solubility of ibuprofen in various oils, surfactants, co-surfactants, and different ratios of surfactant/co-surfactant mixtures was screened and the phase diagrams were constructed. The colloidal particle size was 166.3 ± 2.55 nm and the zeta potential was −22.7 mV. Conductivity and dilution test identified an O/W type microemulsion with pH 4.09 ± 0.08. The rheological study showed a Newtonian flow behavior with cP 10.633 ± 0.603 (mPa⋅s). A steady drug release and linear permeation profiles were observed and showed a 90% permeation rate from the released drug. Ibuprofen microemulsion showed excellent stability in 3-months accelerated storage conditions, heating-cooling and freeze-thaw cycles, accelerated centrifugation, and 6- and 12-months long-term storage conditions. In vivo studies in rats further demonstrated a 4-fold higher brain uptake of ibuprofen from the microemulsion compared to the reference solution and nearly 4-fold and 10-fold higher compared to the intravenous and oral administrations. This study provides an exciting repurposing strategy and new administration route for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

This review summarizes patent applications in the past 5 years for the management of brain tumors and metastases. Most of the recent patents discuss one of the following strategies: the development of new drug entities that specifically target the brain cells, the blood–brain barrier and the tumor cells, tailor-designing a novel carrier system that is able to perform multitasks and multifunction as a drug carrier, targeting vehicle and even as a diagnostic tool, direct conjugation of a US FDA approved drug with a targeting moiety, diagnostic moiety or PK modifying moiety, or the use of innovative nontraditional approaches such as genetic engineering, stem cells and vaccinations. Until now, there has been no optimal strategy to deliver therapeutic agents to the CNS for the treatment of brain tumors and metastases. Intensive research efforts are actively ongoing to take brain tumor targeting, and novel and targeted CNS delivery systems to potential clinical application.