Budesonide is a mineral corticoid applied in the local therapy of pediatric atopic dermatitis. Unfortunately, its dermal administration is hindered by the concomitant adverse effects and its physicochemical properties. The characteristic pH change in the atopic lesions can be utilized for the preparation of a pH-sensitive nanocarrier. In this view, the formulation of Eudragit L 100 nanoparticles as a budesonide delivery platform could provide more efficient release to the desired site, improve its penetration, and subsequently lower the undesired effects. In this study, budesonide-loaded Eudragit L100 nanoparticles were prepared via the nanoprecipitation method (mean diameter 57 nm, −31.2 mV, and approx. 90% encapsulation efficiency). Their safety was proven by cytotoxicity assays on the HaCaT keratinocyte cell line. Further, the drug-loaded nanoparticles were incorporated into two types of hydrogels based on methylcellulose or Pluronic F127. The formulated hydrogels were characterized with respect to their pH, occlusion, rheology, penetration, spreadability, and drug release. In conclusion, the developed hydrogels containing budesonide-loaded nanoparticles showed promising potential for the pediatric treatment of atopic dermatitis.

In this study, doxorubicin was loaded in a chitosan–albumin nanogel with the aim of improving its stability and exploring the potential of the system in the treatment of skin cancer. Infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction confirmed the encapsulation of the drug. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the spherical shape of the nanogel particles. The drug-loaded nanogel was characterized with a small diameter of 29 nm, narrow polydispersity (0.223) and positive zeta potential (+34 mV). The exposure of encapsulated doxorubicin to light (including UV irradiation and daylight) did not provoke any degradation, whereas the nonencapsulated drug was significantly degraded. In vitro studies on keratinocytes (HaCaT) and epidermoid squamous skin carcinoma cells (A-431) disclosed that the encapsulated doxorubicin was more cytotoxic on both cell lines than the pure drug was. More importantly, the cytotoxic concentration of encapsulated doxorubicin in carcinoma cells was approximately two times lower than that in keratinocytes, indicating that it would not affect them. Thus, the loading of doxorubicin into the developed chitosan–albumin nanogel definitely stabilized the drug against photodegradation and increased its antineoplastic effect on the skin cancer cell line.

Resveratrol could be applied in wound healing therapies because of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. However, the main limitation of resveratrol is its low aqueous solubility. In this study, resveratrol was included in hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin complexes and further formulated in Pluronic F-127 hydrogels for wound treatment therapy. IR-spectroscopy and XRD analysis confirmed the successful incorporation of resveratrol into complexes. The wound-healing ability of these complexes was estimated by a scratch assay on fibroblasts, which showed a tendency for improvement of the effect of resveratrol after complexation. The antimicrobial activity of resveratrol in aqueous dispersion and in the complexes was evaluated on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans strains. The results revealed a twofold decrease in the MIC and stronger inhibition of the metabolic activity of MRSA after treatment with resveratrol in the complexes compared to the suspended drug. Furthermore, the complexes were included in Pluronic hydrogel, which provided efficient drug release and appropriate viscoelastic properties. The formulated hydrogel showed excellent biocompatibility which was confirmed via skin irritation test on rabbits. In conclusion, Pluronic hydrogel containing resveratrol included in hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin complexes is a promising topical formulation for further studies directed at wound therapy.

Hydrogels are superior wound dressings because they can provide protection and hydration of the wound, as well as the controlled release of therapeutic substances to aid tissue regeneration and the healing process. Hydrogels obtained from natural precursors are preferred because of their low cost, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. We describe the synthesis of novel functional hydrogels based on two natural products—citric acid (CA) and pentane-1,2,5-triol (PT, a product from lignocellulose processing) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-600)—via an environment friendly approach. The hydrogels were prepared via monomer crosslinking through a polycondensation reaction at an elevated temperature in the absence of any solvent. The reagents were blended at three different compositions with molar ratios of hydroxyl (from PT and PEG) to carboxyl (from CA) groups of 1:1, 1:1.4, and 1.4:1, respectively. The effect of the composition on the physicomechanical properties of materials was investigated. All hydrogels exhibited pH-sensitive behavior, while the swelling degree and elastic modulus were dependent on the composition of the polymer network. The proteolytic enzyme serratiopeptidase (SER) was loaded into a hydrogel via physical absorption as a model drug. The release profile of SER and the effects of the enzyme on healthy skin cells were assessed. The results showed that the hydrogel carrier could provide the complete release of the loaded enzyme.

Background One of the organisational strategies to ensure the use of relevant good practises for each stage in the life cycle of pharmaceutical products is the market surveillance program, which aims to demonstrate product specification adherence. It uses analytical pharmacopoeial and literature-based approaches primarily to carry out quality control on the chosen pharmaceutical items. Aim Development of a program for analytical control of different medicinal products containing 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide. Materials and Methods European Pharmacopoeia and USP HPLC methods for assay and related substances were applied in prescription medicines. Results The system suitability tests were evaluated for each method, and the results of each generated group of products were compared. The quantitative content values deviation and the quantitative limitations for each impurity were determined. The deviations are in the range 0.76%-4.01%. Calculated RSD values are below 2%. The results obtained by both methods are within the acceptable limits of 95%-105%. In the European Pharmacopoeia method, the limits of three impurities were determined and seven more were found and marked as unknown. The USP method allows identification of only one impurity. Conclusion For the market surveillance program for pharmaceuticals containing hydrochlorothiazide, an analytical control program has been developed. The program combines multiple pharmacopoeial HPLC methods and compares the outcomes with an initial assessment of each method’s applicability for all pharmaceuticals containing hydrochlorothiazide.