Background: Cyclosporine A (CsA) is an exceptional immunosuppressant used for the treatment of immune disorders. Niosomal vesicles are promising drug carriers that are formed by self-association of nonionic surfactants and cholesterol in an aqueous phase. The objective of the study was to formulate combined nonionic surfactant based vesicles and to evaluate their in vitro characterization, release studies and in vivo studies. Materials and Methods: Five niosomal formulations (F₇ to F₁₁) were prepared using the thin film hydration method. The molar ratio of cholesterol and non-ionic surfactant taken was 1:1. In formulation F₁₀, the combination of surfactants Span 20 and Brij 35 was used. The niosomes were characterized by zeta sizer and SEM for particle size analysis, in vitro drug release and stability studies. The pharmacokinetic studies were conducted on healthy albino rabbits. Results: The size of niosome was found in the range of 427.1 nm to 972.3 nm. SEM image of optimized formulations F₁₀ exhibit the spherical nature of niosomal vesicles. DSC thermograms of niosomal formulations exhibited a broadened endothermic peak. The stability study exhibited that all formulations are stable and negligible change of vesicle size and entrapment was observed with time. The percentage drug release was significantly higher as compared to CsA plain dispersion for all niosomal formulations at pH 1.2 and 7.4. The release kinetic behavior showed that all preparations were best described by zero order and can release active ingredient in a sustained manner. The pharmacokinetic data showed the test formulation (F10) possessed greater bioavailability as compared to the reference formulation (CsA aqueous dispersion). Conclusion: The formulation F₁₀ demonstrated a comparatively more delayed rate of release with enhanced dissolution as compared to a single surfactant scheme. The F₁₀ formulation can be a remarkable nanotechnology for prolonged delivery of CsA orally with improved dissolution profile and bioavailability.

The purpose of the study was to develop an SNEDDS to improve the solubility and bioavailability of pitavastatin. The solubility of pitavastatin in different oils, surfactants, and co-surfactants was determined and a pseudo-ternary phase diagram was constructed. The SNEDDS was characterized by zeta-sizer, zeta-potential, FTIR, DSC, and TGA. Release and permeation of pitavastatin from the SNEDDS was studied for 12 and 24 h, respectively. The lipolysis test, RBC lysis, effect on lipid profile, and pharmacokinetics were studied. The SPC3 formulation showed a 104 ± 1.50 nm particle size, a 0.198 polydispersity index (PDI), and a –29 zeta potential. FTIR, DSC, and TGA showed the chemical compatibility and thermal stability. The release and permeation of pitavastatin from SPC3 was 88.5 ± 2.5% and 96%, respectively. In the lipolysis test, the digestion of SPC3 yielded a high amount of pitavastatin and showed little RBC lysis. The lipid profile suggested that after 35 days of administration of the SNEDDS, there was a marked decrease in TC, LDL, and triglyceride levels. The SNEDDS of SPC3 showed an 86% viability of Caco-2 cells. Pharmacokinetics of SPC3 showed improved values of C_max, T_max, half-life, MRT, AUC, and AUMC compared to the reference formulation. Our study demonstrated that the SNEDDS effectively enhanced the solubility and bioavailability of a BCS class II drug.

The occurrence of fungal infections has increased over the past two decades. It is observed that superficial fungal infections are treated by conventional dosage forms, which are incapable of treating deep infections due to the barrier activity possessed by the stratum corneum of the skin. This is why the need for a topical preparation with advanced penetration techniques has arisen. This research aimed to encapsulate fluconazole (FLZ) in a novasome in order to improve the topical delivery. The novasomes were prepared using the ethanol injection technique and characterized for percent entrapment efficiency (EE), particle size (PS), zeta potential (ZP), drug release, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and antifungal activity. The FN7 formulation with 94.45% EE, 110 nm PS and −24 ZP proved to be the best formulation. The FN7 formulation showed a 96% release of FLZ in 8 h. FTIR showed the compatibility of FLZ with excipients and DSC studies confirmed the thermal stability of FLZ in the developed formulation. The FN7 formulation showed superior inhibition of the growth of Candida albicans compared to the FLZ suspension using a resazurin reduction assay, suggesting high efficacy in inhibiting fungal growth.

The present work aimed to develop nanoparticles of tobramycin (TRM) using thiolated chitosan (TCS) in order to improve the mucoadhesion, antibacterial effect and pharmacokinetics. The nanoparticles were evaluated for their compatibility, thermal stability, particle size, zeta potential, mucoadhesion, drug release, kinetics of TRM release, corneal permeation, toxicity and ocular irritation. The thiolation of chitosan was confirmed by ¹H NMR and FTIR, which showed peaks at 6.6 ppm and 1230 cm⁻¹, respectively. The nanoparticles had a diameter of 73 nm, a negative zeta potential (−21 mV) and a polydispersity index of 0.15. The optimized formulation, NT8, exhibited the highest values of mucoadhesion (7.8 ± 0.541h), drug loading (87.45 ± 1.309%), entrapment efficiency (92.34 ± 2.671%), TRM release (>90%) and corneal permeation (85.56%). The release pattern of TRM from the developed formulations was fickian diffusion. TRM-loaded nanoparticles showed good antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The optimized formulation NT8 (0.1% TRM) greatly increased the AUC_(0-∞) (1.5-fold) while significantly reducing the clearance (5-fold) compared to 0.3% TRM. Pharmacokinetic parameters indicated improved ocular retention and bioavailability of TRM loaded nanoparticles. Our study demonstrated that the TRM-loaded nanoparticles had improved mucoadhesion and pharmacokinetics and a suitable candidate for effective treatment of ocular bacterial infections.

Depression is the major mental illness which causes along with loss of interest in daily life, a feeling of hopelessness, appetite or weight changes, anger and irritability. Due to the hepatic first-pass metabolism, the absolute bioavailability of fluvoxamine (FVM) after oral administration is about 50%. By avoiding the pre-systemic metabolism, nasal delivery would boost bioavailability of FVM. Additionally, the absorption is anticipated to occur more quickly than it would via the oral route because of the existence of microvilli and high vasculature. A nonionic surfactant, cholesterol and an arachidonic acid-carboxymethyl chitosan (AA-CMCS) conjugate were used to develop FVM-loaded novasomes. To investigate the effects of surfactant concentration, AA-CMCS conjugate concentration and stirring speed on the novasomes’ characteristics, a Box–Behnken design was used. The dependent variables chosen were zeta potential, polydispersity index and particle size. The AA-CMCS conjugate was confirmed by ¹H-NMR and FTIR. Using Design Expert software (version 7; Stat-Ease Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA), novasomes were further optimized. The chosen optimal formulation (NAC8) was made up of AA-CMCS conjugate, Span 60 and cholesterol. Particle size, zeta potential and PDI values for NAC8 formulation were 101 nm, −35 mV and 0.263, respectively. The NAC8 formulation’s DSC and TGA analysis demonstrated that the medication had been uniformly and amorphously distributed throughout the novasomes. The NAC8 formulation showed 99% and 90% FVM release and permeation, respectively, and the novasome adherence time was 24 h. An improved antidepressant effect along with five-fold increase in bioavailability of FVM was observed after trans-nasal administration of NAC8 formulation compared to the reference commercially available Flumin^® tablets. FVM-loaded novasomes administered via the nasal route may therefore constitute an advancement in the management of depression.

Purpose: Patient satisfaction can be used to assess the quality of services provided at pharmacies. Our aim was to determine the level of patient satisfaction with pharmacy services and related factors at community pharmacies located in Punjab, Pakistan. Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2021 to July 2021 by administering the questionnaire to the patients using stratified random sampling method. Survey instrument comprised 4 sections including demographics, satisfaction towards provision of facilities, the provision of information, their accessibility to patients, the relationship between pharmacists and patients and the continuity of care provided. Categorical data were represented by percentages. Descriptive statistics were calculated for satisfaction scores. Simple and multiple logistic regression models were used to find the odds ratios. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Response rate of the survey was 92%. Only 30% of patients agreed that the pharmacist was available for counseling on their visit. About 52% agreed that the counseling time provided by pharmacist was enough. Most of the pharmacy patients (61%) trusted the pharmacist regarding any query about medicine and were satisfied with the way the pharmacist resolved issues. Mean satisfaction score of the pharmacy patients was 45.75 with a range of 25 (highly satisfied) to 66 (highly dissatisfied). Conclusion: The provision of community pharmacy services to patients was not satisfactory. Furthermore, the absence of pharmacist in the pharmacy and the lack of provision for counseling time raised concerns.