There are many different infections and factors that can lead to skin illnesses, but bacteria and fungi are the most frequent. The goal of this study was to develop a hexatriacontane-loaded transethosome (HTC-TES) for treating skin conditions caused by microbes. The HTC-TES was developed utilizing the rotary evaporator technique, and Box–Behnken design (BBD) was utilized to improve it. The responses chosen were particle size (nm) (Y1), polydispersity index (PDI) (Y2), and entrapment efficiency (Y3), while the independent variables chosen were lipoid (mg) (A), ethanol (%) (B), and sodium cholate (mg) (C). The optimized TES formulation with code F1, which contains lipoid (mg) (A) 90, ethanol (%) (B) 25, and sodium cholate (mg) (C) 10, was chosen. Furthermore, the generated HTC-TES was used for research on confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), dermatokinetics, and in vitro HTC release. The results of the study reveal that the ideal formulation of the HTC-loaded TES had the following characteristics: 183.9 nm, 0.262 mV, −26.61 mV, and 87.79% particle size, PDI, and entrapment efficiency, respectively. An in vitro study on HTC release found that the rates of HTC release for HTC-TES and conventional HTC suspension were 74.67 ± 0.22 and 38.75 ± 0.23, respectively. The release of hexatriacontane from TES fit the Higuchi model the best, and the Korsmeyer–Peppas model indicates the release of HTC followed a non-Fickian diffusion. By having a higher negative value for cohesiveness, the produced gel formulation demonstrated its stiffness, whereas good spreadability indicated better gel application to the surface. In a dermatokinetics study, it was discovered that TES gel considerably increased HTC transport in the epidermal layers (p < 0.05) when compared to HTC conventional formulation gel (HTC-CFG). The CLSM of rat skin treated with the rhodamine B-loaded TES formulation demonstrated a deeper penetration of 30.0 µm in comparison to the hydroalcoholic rhodamine B solution (0.15 µm). The HTC-loaded transethosome was determined to be an effective inhibitor of pathogenic bacterial growth (S. aureus and E. coli) at a concentration of 10 mg/mL. It was discovered that both pathogenic strains were susceptible to free HTC. According to the findings, HTC-TES gel can be employed to enhance therapeutic outcomes through antimicrobial activity.

Simvastatin (SIM) is a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor employed in the management of hyperlipidemia. However, its low bioavailability limits its clinical efficacy. The objective of this study was to overcome the poor bioavailability of SIM via the transdermal application of a SIM-loaded niosomal gel. Niosomes loaded with SIM were fabricated by means of the thin-film hydration method and optimized through a 3³-factorial design utilizing Design Expert^® software. The prepared niosomes were evaluated for entrapment efficiency (EE%), zeta potential, vesicle size, and cumulative percentage of drug release. The optimum niosomal formulation was loaded on the gel and evaluated for physical properties such as color, clarity, and homogeneity. It was also evaluated for spreadability, and the cumulative % drug release. The best niosomal gel formula was appraised for ex vivo permeation as well as pharmacokinetic study. The SIM-loaded niosomes showed EE% between 66.7–91.4%, vesicle size between 191.1–521.6 nm, and zeta potential ranged between −0.81–+35.6 mv. The cumulative percentage of drug released was ranged from 55% to 94% over 12 h. SIM-loaded niosomal gels were clear, homogenous, spreadable, and the pH values were within the range of physiological skin pH. Furthermore, about 73.5% of SIM was released within 24 h, whereas 409.5 µg/cm² of SIM passed through the skin over 24 h in the ex vivo permeation study. The pharmacokinetic study revealed higher AUC_0–∞ and Cmax with topical application of SIM-loaded niosomal gel compared to topical SIM gel or oral SIM suspension. The topical application of SIM-loaded niosomal gel ascertained the potential percutaneous delivery of SIM.

This study aimed to make a formulation and statistical optimization of transethosomal formulations of rosuvastatin (ROS) to enhance its topical wound healing efficiency. Design-Expert^® software was used to employ I optimal design. The formulation variables in the study were surfactant concentration (%w/v), ethanol concentration (%w/v) and surfactant type (span 60 or tween 80), while the dependent responses were entrapment efficiency percent (EE%), vesicle size (VS) and zeta potential (ZP). The numerical optimization process employed by the design expert software resulted in an optimum formula composed of 0.819439 (%w/v) span 60, 40 (%w/v) ethanol and 100 mg lecithin with a desirability of 0.745. It showed a predicted EE% value of 66.5517 vs. 277.703 nm and a ZP of −33. When it was prepared and validated, it showed less than a 5% deviation from the predicted values. The optimum formula was subjected to further characterizations, such as DSC, XRD, TEM, in vitro release, the effect of aging and wound healing efficiency. The DSC thermogram made a confirmation of the compatibility of ROS with the ingredients used in the formulation. XRD showed the encapsulation of ROS in the transethosomal vesicles. The TEM image pointed out the spherical nature of the nanovesicles with the absence of aggregation. Additionally, the optimum formula revealed an enhancement of drug release in comparison with the drug suspension. It also showed good stability for one month. Furthermore, it revealed good wound healing efficiency when compared with the standard silver sulphadiazine (1% w/w) ointment or the drug-loaded gel, which could be related to the enhanced penetration of the nanosized vesicles of TESMs into the skin, which enhances the wound healing process. So, it could be regarded as a promising carrier of ROS for the treatment of chronic wounds.

The demand for developing novel antimicrobial drugs has increased due to the rapid appearance and global spread of antibiotic resistance. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) offer distinct advantages over traditional antibiotics, such as broad-range efficacy, a delayed evolution of resistance, and the capacity to enhance human immunity. AMPs are being developed as potential medicines, and current computational and experimental tools aim to facilitate their preclinical and clinical development. Structural and functional constraints as well as a more stringent regulatory framework have impeded clinical translation of AMPs as possible therapeutic agents. Although around four thousand AMPs have been identified so far, there are some limitations of using these AMPs in clinical trials due to their safety in the host and sometimes limitations in the biosynthesis or chemical synthesis of some AMPs. Overcoming these obstacles may help to open a new era of AMPs to combat superbugs without using synthetic antibiotics. This review describes the classification, mechanisms of action and immune modulation, advantages, difficulties, and opportunities of using AMPs against multidrug-resistant pathogens and highlights the need and priorities for creating targeted development strategies that take into account the most cutting-edge tools currently available. It also describes the barriers to using these AMPs in clinical trials.

This study aimed to formulate and statistically optimize glycerosomal formulations of Quetiapine fumarate (QTF) to increase its oral bioavailability and enhance its brain delivery. The study was designed using a Central composite rotatable design using Design-Expert^® software. The independent variables in the study were glycerol % w/v and cholesterol % w/v, while the dependent variables were vesicle size (VS), zeta potential (ZP), and entrapment efficiency percent (EE%). The numerical optimization process resulted in an optimum formula composed of 29.645 (w/v%) glycerol, 0.8 (w/v%) cholesterol, and 5 (w/v%) lecithin. It showed a vesicle size of 290.4 nm, zeta potential of −34.58, and entrapment efficiency of 80.85%. The optimum formula was further characterized for DSC, XRD, TEM, in-vitro release, the effect of aging, and pharmacokinetic study. DSC thermogram confirmed the compatibility of the drug with the ingredients. XRD revealed the encapsulation of the drug in the glycerosomal nanovesicles. TEM image revealed spherical vesicles with no aggregates. Additionally, it showed enhanced drug release when compared to a drug suspension and also exhibited good stability for one month. Moreover, it showed higher brain C_max, AUC_0–24, and AUC_0–∞ and plasma AUC_0–24 and AUC_0–∞ in comparison to drug suspension. It showed brain and plasma bioavailability enhancement of 153.15 and 179.85%, respectively, compared to the drug suspension. So, the optimum glycerosomal formula may be regarded as a promising carrier to enhance the oral bioavailability and brain delivery of Quetiapine fumarate.