Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD), particularly the inhibition of mitochondrial complex-I. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of fisetin in the rotenone-induced rat model of PD. Rotenone was administered (2 mg/kg s.c.) for 35 days to induce PD in animals. Fisetin was administered at two doses (10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg p.o.) for 25 days to the animals that were given rotenone. Behavioral experiment, i.e. cylinder test, was performed to assess the motor asymmetry. Animals were euthanized, and mid brains were isolated for the estimation of tricarboxylic acid cycle enzymes, oxidative measures (lipid peroxidation (LPO), glutathione (GSH) and catalase) and complex-I activity. In addition, histopathological studies were conducted. Fisetin treatment improved motor function in the cylinder test and reversed the rotenone-induced changes in mitochondrial enzymes, striatal dopamine levels, antioxidant enzyme levels and histological changes. An important finding of this study was both the doses of fisetin significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced rotenone-induced behavioral and biochemical changes and the effects were found to be dose dependent. Based on the present results, we hypothesize that fisetin may improve the mitochondrial enzyme activity, thereby preventing the pathogenesis of PD.

In situ gels have become one of the most prominent and accessible systems. These systems have several advantages like simple manufacturing, easy to use, improved adherence, and patient comfort by minimizing drug administration frequency by its unique characteristic features of sol to gel transition. In the 'sol-gel' method, the precursor goes through hydrolysis and polymerization or condensation to produce a colloidal suspension or solution. As they can administer in solution form, these in situ gelling systems undergo gelation at the achievement site. Some researchers recently developed in situ gelling systems of liposomes, microspheres, nanoemulsions, nanospheres, etc. This review mainly focused on the introduction, advantages, disadvantages, types of polymers, and suitable characteristics for preparing in situ gels.

Aim: The primary goal of this study is to create a novel naproxen sodium-loaded ethosome drug delivery system for improving bioavailability, solubility and optimize using a statistical approach. Background: Naproxen sodium (i.e., a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) is chosen as the first line of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. However, naproxen has side effects, such as bronchospasm, an irregular heart rhythm, etc. Therefore, adopting new drug delivery strategies when developing the dosage form is necessary and the need of the hour to prevent its side effects. The available commercial products are administered through the oral and parenteral routes, which lack bioavailability and permeability respectively. Objective: Novel ethosomal carriers were designed using Box Behnken Design (BBD) and formulation was prepared for enhanced topical delivery of naproxen sodium ethosomal gel. Methods: In order to analyze the data statistically and graphically with response surface plots, the Box-Behnken design was used to optimize the formulation variables. The independent factors were phosphatidylcholine (X1), cholesterol (X2), and ethanol (X3), while the dependent variables were entrapment efficiency (Y2), vesicle size (Y1), and PDI (Y3). The Carbopol® 940 gel was then made using the improved ethosomes. Its rheological properties, in-vitro release, ex-vivo skin penetration, and deposition were studied. Results: The best ethosomes were made by mixing phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol in a phosphate buffer at pH 7.4 with 2–5% v/v ethanol. The optimized ethosomes showed a zeta potential of -32.06 ± 0.16 mV, EE of 84.59 ± 2.38%, and a vesicular size of 105 ± 6.97 nm. Compared to the commercial products and the ethanolic solution of naproxen, these ethosomes considerably increased the amount of naproxen permeated through the skin over 24 hours. The stability of the optimized formulation was assessed for three months at room temperature, and it was found that the efficiency of the prepared novel ethosomal formulation remained intact. Conclusion: In summary, it was discovered that the ethosomal vesicles were potential carriers, showing the improved topical distribution of naproxen sodium. These findings demonstrated that using ethosomes as a transdermal medication carrier for naproxen was feasible. Compared to drug solutions, the ex-vivo permeation and skin deposition experiments produced better results.

Pirfenidone is an antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory drug used for the management of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The current oral delivery of PD has multiple drawbacks, including first-pass metabolism and gastrointestinal discomfort. Efforts have been made to create nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) using solid lipids, liquid lipids, and surfactants through an emulsification process followed by ultrasonication to achieve sustained drug release. A central composite design (CCD) utilizing response surface methods (RSMs) was employed to develop and optimize the formulation. The assessed characteristics included particle size distribution, surface topography, drug entrapment efficiency, in vitro drug release, and kinetic profiles in animal models. Cytotoxicity experiments were performed on HepG2 and Caco-2 cell lines and compared with that of PD-NLCs. The optimized formulation yielded a particle size of 159.8 ± 3.46 nm and an encapsulation efficiency of 81.4 ± 7.1% after 10 freeze-thaw cycles of homogenized lipid carriers. In vitro tests assessing various tested flow rates revealed that over 95% of the released drug was retrieved. In vitro studies showed that the PD-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) was more cytotoxic to HepG2 and Caco-2 cells than a pure aqueous solution of the drug. Using 25% w/w sorbitol as a cryoprotectant, the findings showed no variation in the properties of NLC before and after freeze-drying. PD-NLCs carriers were shown to have better bioavailability, longer retention time in the lung, and a 15.94-targeting factor related to the PD aqueous solution. Hence, the outcomes confirmed the potential of the PD-NLCs formulation to improve the efficacy of the drug in inhalation therapy.