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Abstract: Herpes is a well-known contagious infection equally affecting both sexes. Among many antiviral drugs employed for its treatment, acyclovir (ACY) is the drug of choice. The currently available therapies of ACY suffer from limitations like poor oral bioavailability (10–15%) and high-dose requirement. The present scientific study aims to explore pluronic lecithin organogel (PLO) as a novel drug delivery platform for ACY to bring an improvement in its delivery through topical route. The properties of organogel like biocompatibility and amphiphilic nature which facilitates dissolution of various drugs of different solubility characteristics along with enhancing the permeation potential of active molecules make it a favorable drug delivery platform for the management of topical diseases. The developed PLO formulations were characterized for micromeritic characteristics, viz., zeta potential, percentage drug content, organogel morphology, skin permeation, retention, and stability studies. The selected topical formulation was further compared with the marketed one for its therapeutic efficacy by inducing cutaneous Herpes simplex virus type 1 infection followed by confirmation of viral load by immunofluorescence and PCR analyses. The developed formulation showed significant improvement over the marketed product as reflected in lesion scoring index and PCR analysis. Further, it proved better to the marketed formulation in t.i.d.treatment regimen in comparison to control. The improvement in overall performance leading to enhanced bioavailability and safety is attributed to the synergism between excipient properties and formulation characteristics. The drug ACY in this micro environment not only finds an improved delivery vehicle but it also offers enhanced drug-target interactions. Graphical abstract:

AbstractBackgroundThe combination therapy of Isotretinoin (ITR) and antibacterial formulations administered through topical route suffer from several limitations including reduced therapeutic efficacy and low patient-compliance.ExperimentThe present study aimed to develop biocompatible lipid-based mixed micelles of ITR in combination with Clindamycin phosphate (CLIN) employing self-assembly method to improve its skin delivery, photostability, biocompatibility and pharmacodynamic efficacy.ResultsThe MTT assay and cellular uptake studies showed non-cytotoxic effect to HaCat cell lines. The zone of inhibition studies conducted in Propionibacterium acnesprovides the first literature evidence to support the antimicrobial property of Isotretinoin and Tretinioin. The nano-sized carriers offered (19.3 ± 1.03 nm particle size with −3.12 mV zeta potential) enhanced permeation, skin retention, pre-clinical efficacy and significant skin biocompatibility. The testosterone-induced acne model proved superior pharmacodynamic efficacy of lab developed formulation vis-à-vismarketed products of both the drugs. The results were further confirmed by the histopathological studies of respective skin samples treated with different formulations.ConclusionThe lab developed lipid-based micellar formulation of ITR and CLIN offers a better strategy for the combined delivery of unstable molecules like ITR and CLIN in acne management.

Staphylococcus aureus(SA) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) have been a major cause of morbidity in thermally injured patients. The skin barrier gets disrupted and loss of immunity further makes burn sites an easy target for bacterial colonization. In the current study, combined potential of lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (LPHNs) with fusidic acid was explored as a promising strategy toward combating resistant bacteria in burn wound infection sites. The developed systems exhibited particle size (310.56 ± 5.22 nm), zeta potential (24.3 ± 4.18 mV) and entrapment efficiency (78.56 ± 3.56%) with a spherical shape. The hybrid nanoparticles were further gelled into carbopol and demonstrated better permeation (76.53 ± 1.55%) and retention characteristics (56.41 ± 4.67%) as compared to the conventional formulation. The topical delivery of FA into the skin layers by FA-LPHN gel was found to be significantly higher (p< 0.05) compared to FA-CC. The in vivo potential was further assessed in murine burn wound model inflicted with MRSA 33591 bacterium with the determination of parameters like bacterial burden, wound contraction, morphological and histopathological examination of wounds. The bacterial count decreased drastically in FA-LPHN gel group (5.22 log CFU/mL) on day 3 with significant difference in comparison to FA-CC. The wound size reduction in FA-LPHN gel (68.70 ± 3.65%) was higher as compared to FA-CC (73.30 ± 4.23%) and control groups (83.30 ± 4.40%) on day 5. The current study presents a safe and effective formulation strategy for the treatment of MRSA-infected burn wounds by providing moist environment and prevention from bacterial infection.

Background: The therapeutic approaches for the management of topical infections have always been a difficult approach due to lack of efficacy of conventional topical formulations, high frequency of topical applications and non-patient compliance. The major challenge in the management of topical infections lies in antibiotic resistance which leads to severe complications and hospitalizations resulting in economic burden and high mortality rates. Methods: Topical delivery employing lipid-based carriers has been a promising strategy to overcome the challenges of poor skin permeation and retention along with large doses which need to be administered systemically. The use of lipid-based delivery systems is a promising strategy for the effective topical delivery of antibiotics and overcoming drug-resistant strains in the skin. The major systems include transfersomes, niosomes, ethosomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, microemulsion and nanoemulsion as the most promising drug delivery approaches to treat infectious disorders. The main advantages of these systems include lipid bilayer structure which mimics the cell membrane and can fuse with infectious microbes. The numerous advantages associated with nanocarriers like enhanced efficacy, improvement in bioavailability, controlled drug release and ability to target the desired infectious pathogen have made these carriers successful. Conclusion: Despite the number of strides taken in the field of topical drug delivery in infectious diseases, it still requires extensive research efforts to have a better perspective of the factors that influence drug permeation along with the mechanism of action with regard to skin penetration and deposition. The final objective of the therapy is to provide a safe and effective therapeutic approach for the management of infectious diseases affecting topical sites leading to enhanced therapeutic efficacy and patient-compliance.

AbstractCurrent work aims at Analytical Quality by Design (AQbD)-based development and validation of stability-indicating chromatographic method for quantification of silver sulphadiazine (SSD) in bulk and pharmaceutical dosage forms. The first stage of AQbD approach involved defining QTP (Quality Target Profile) usually referred to as ATP (Analytical Target Profile). Screening studies were performed employing a 78-Taguchi design. The composition of mobile phase, pH of water and injection volume were identified as critical method parameters (CMPs) and were systematically optimized using I-optimal design for evaluating CAAs, namely theoretical plates, tailing factor and % assay. Chromatographic separation was carried out using C-18 column with water containing glacial acetic acid (5 mL in 255 mL water, pH adjusted to 2.5) and mixture of acetonitrile:methanol (75: 25, v/v) in the ratio of 80: 20 (v/v) as mobile phase at flow rate of 0.7 mL/min at 254 nm. The method was validated as per ICH recommended guidelines. Further, forced degradation studies and application of the developed method for the estimation of SSD in marketed, liposomal and organogel systems indicated no significant change in retention time. In conclusion, the studies successfully ratify the utility of AQbD approach for developing highly sensitive liquid chromatographic method for SSD estimation.

Background: Topical infections, involving a number of diseases such as impetigo, eczema, pustular acne, psoriasis and infected seborrheic dermatitis are one among the many challenges to health which stand out for their profound impact on human species. The treatment of topical infections has always been a difficult proposition because of the lack of efficacy of existing anti-infectives, longer period of treatment and yet incomplete recovery. The increasing emergence of antibiotic resistant bacterial strains like Staphylococcus aureus, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa undermines the need for the development of new delivery systems to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of existing topical anti-infectives. Methods: The application of nanotechnology to medicine, or nanomedicine, is rapidly becoming a major driving force behind ongoing changes in the anti-infective field because of its interaction at the sub-atomic level with the skin tissue. The latter, in the current scenario, points towards vesicular carriers like liposomes, lipidic nanoparticles and silver nanoparticles. as the most promising drug delivery solutions for topical infection disorders. These have exhibited immense significance owing to their uniqueness to facilitate the interactions at interfaces with the barrier membranes. Results: The present review summarizes the emerging efforts in combating topical infections particularly using nanomedicine based delivery systems as new tools to tackle the current challenges in treating infectious diseases. Besides, compiling various research reports, this article also includes formulation considerations, mechanisms of penetration and patents reported. Conclusion: Despite the new emerging technologies and delivery systems, efforts are still needed in the right direction to combat this global challenge.

Background: Topical infections, involving a number of diseases such as impetigo, eczema, pustular acne, psoriasis and infected seborrheic dermatitis are one among the many challenges to health which stand out for their profound impact on human species. The treatment of topical infections has always been a difficult proposition because of the lack of efficacy of existing anti-infectives, longer period of treatment and yet incomplete recovery. The increasing emergence of antibiotic resistant bacterial strains like Staphylococcus aureus, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa undermines the need for the development of new delivery systems to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of existing topical anti-infectives. Methods: The application of nanotechnology to medicine, or nanomedicine, is rapidly becoming a major driving force behind ongoing changes in the anti-infective field because of its interaction at the sub-atomic level with the skin tissue. The latter, in the current scenario, points towards vesicular carriers like liposomes, lipidic nanoparticles and silver nanoparticles. as the most promising drug delivery solutions for topical infection disorders. These have exhibited immense significance owing to their uniqueness to facilitate the interactions at interfaces with the barrier membranes. Results: The present review summarizes the emerging efforts in combating topical infections particularly using nanomedicine based delivery systems as new tools to tackle the current challenges in treating infectious diseases. Besides, compiling various research reports, this article also includes formulation considerations, mechanisms of penetration and patents reported. Conclusion: Despite the new emerging technologies and delivery systems, efforts are still needed in the right direction to combat this global challenge.

The primary aim of the present study was to develop lanolin-based organogel with enhanced delivery potential and reduced skin irritation for the treatment of hyperkeratotic lesions and scaling. The drug was encapsulated in the lipidic bilayers of organogel. The values of particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential of the developed carrier system was found to be 257.5 nm, 0.272, and −24.9 mV, respectively. The system was pseudoplastic in nature with the yield value of 2.3078 Pa. The skin permeation studies exhibited superiority of the prepared lanolin-based organogel formulation over the conventional gel formulation (CGF). Further, the dermatokinetic studies also confirmed better permeation and enhanced skin bioavailability of SA to epidermis as well as dermis vis-à-vis the CGF. In conclusion, the developed organogel system not only improved the delivery profile of SA but also reduced the skin irritant potential. The current findings can provide a suitable alternative for the development of an effective topical formulation of SA for the treatment of hyperkeratotic lesions.

The present investigation focuses on the development and evaluation of acyclovir-loaded flexible membrane vesicles (ACY-FMVs) and evaluates their targeting potential to localize the drug into skin layers. The drug-loaded FMVs were prepared by thin-film hydration method and characterized for various attributes including micromeritics, entrapment efficiency, vesicle shape, size, and degree of deformability. The values of particle size and zeta potential of the developed carrier system were found to be 453.7 nm and − 11.62 mV, respectively. The system was further incorporated into a hydrogel and evaluated for skin permeability and retention characteristics in comparison to marketed formulation. The developed formulation demonstrated enhanced retention of drug deep inside the skin layers which can probably decrease the frequency of application of the drug, thereby reducing its adverse effects. Skin irritancy studies performed on Lacamice skin proved the safety and non-irritant nature of ACY-FMVs. The pharmacodynamic studies on murine model for HSV-1 infection demonstrated immense potential and safety of topically applied ACY-FMVs. However, more intensive studies need to be pursued to explore and exploit the potential of lipid-based systems in anti-viral therapeutics. These preclinical findings provide a hope for corroborating the efficacy in clinical situations.

There are several significant setbacks including limited bioavailability, high clearance, and further current therapies require higher and frequent dosing to gain desired therapeutic effects. Nanomedicines have been widely investigated for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Though, higher doses also increase the incidence of dreadful adverse effects. Further, nanocarrier properties are tuned by the use of different approaches like varied methods of loading, hydrophilic polymers and targeting ligands, to change the physicochemical properties including higher encapsulation, better penetrating ability to biological barriers, thus preventing the uptake of various nanocarriers by liver and spleen. Along with these they provide longer circulation which enhances drug localization at the inflamed site and selective targeting to enhance the therapeutic index of anti-rheumatic drugs. However, the optimal properties also depend on the route of administration and nanocarrier size, thus larger size show more retention upon local injection and smaller sized ones are more optimal for passive targeting. The present review discusses the emergence of nano-carriers for anti-rheumatic drugs, which delivers drug molecule to the inflamed site by topical, intra-articular (i.a) and intra-venous (i.v) administration to achieve therapeutic efficacy by passive and active drug targeting. Advancements have been made extensively but still better investigations are needed to optimize the risk-benefit ratio for the development of safe and stable targeting nanocarriers for the effective treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Onchomycosis is the most common nail fungal disease afflicting toes and fingers with a high recurrence rate. The disease is caused by various types of fungi ranging from dermatophyte to non-dermatophyte, making it difficult to eradicate.Areas covered: The present article focuses on the emergence of nail lacquers as prospective transungual delivery systems for the treatment of mild-to-moderate onchomycosis. Updates regarding emerging nail lacquers, research progress in terms of clinical studies and patents for better understanding of the disease are provided. Finally, the characterization techniques for the assessment of drug concentration in different layers of nail are reviewed.Expert opinion: The conventional topical delivery systems have failed to improve nail adhesion and drug absorption due to the highly keratinized hydrophilic structure of nail which obstructs the passage of drugs. The surgical therapy systems are painful and invasive while systemic therapy produces serious side effects and a high degree of relapse. These issues have led to the advent of nail lacquers. Nail lacquers have an immense potential to improve nail adhesion as well as bioavailability. However, the nail barrier is still a challenge in imparting complete cure. Several novel approaches are being developed in order to offer better therapeutic action.