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The current work is focused on the development of docetaxel loaded pomegranate seed oil based lipid nanosystem. Docetaxel loaded pomegranate seed oil nanostructured lipid carriers (DTX-PSO-NLCs) were formulated by the melt emulsification method for parenteral delivery. The developed formulation was characterized in terms of their physicochemical parameters, solid-state characterization, in vitro drug release, in vitro cytotoxicity studies, and in vivo pharmacokinetics and biodistribution studies. Stability studies were carried out as per ICH guidelines Q1A. Melt emulsification method resulted in the formulation of stable DTX-PSO-NLCs with a particle size in the range of 150-180 nm and an entrapment efficiency of 63-65%. The in vitro release showed a slow and sustained release of the drug from the formulation compared to the marketed formulation (i.e., Daxotel®). The formulation was found to be stable for a period of 12 months at conditions of 4°C ± 2°C, 25°C ± 2°C/60% RH ± 5%RH, and 40°C ± 2°C/75% RH ± 5%RH. The developed nanosystem exhibited promising antitumor activity against various types of cancerous cell lines (i.e., MCF7, DU145, U87MG, and NCI-H460) relative to the marketed formulation. The pharmacokinetic evaluation revealed that DTX-PSO-NLCs had a better kinetic profile compared to the marketed formulation. Graphical abstract.

Nanoformulations in the past few decades have gained tremendous attention owing to their affirmative applications in increasing the bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs. Micelles in particular are favored due to their varied advantages which include thermodynamic stability, simple formulating steps, Newtonian flow, and enhanced biological barrier penetration. Owing to these advantages micellar nanosystems find extensive applications in oral, transdermal, and parenteral administration, and are now being explored for ocular and other noninvasive novel pathways of drug delivery such as nose to brain. In this chapter, we have discussed the protocol for the preparation of sumatriptan loaded micelles for the therapy of migraine. The inner core of these micelles comprises hydrophobic region of diblock polymer which holds the drug, while the hydrophilic region of the same provides conformational stability in the aqueous environment.

Currently, artemisinin-based combination therapy is considered the best option in the treatment of malaria. However, toxicity of artemisinins limits their use in pregnancy. In the absence of sufficient toxicity data, the World Health Organization recommends that artemisinins are not to be used in the first trimester of pregnancy and can be used only in second and third trimesters, when other treatments are not available. We have recently observed that drugs loaded in nanolipid carriers are selectively taken up in Plasmodium-infected erythrocytes with a concomitant reduction in the dose required to cure animals. Thus, 20% of the therapeutic dose of artemether-clindamycin (ARM-CP) loaded in nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs; mean particle size 55 ± 10 nm) resulted in complete parasite clearance and 100% survival of infected mice. Here, we investigate the teratogenicity of this formulation in rodents (dosing on alternate days from 6th day to 18th day of gestation; 12-15 animals/group). The teratogenicity of drug-free NLCs and artesunate-clindamycin (ARS-CP) solution was also evaluated. We found that the therapeutic dose of ARS-CP caused fetal resorptions (87.5% resorptions in 8 litters), suggesting its unsuitability for use in pregnancy. Artesunate-clindamycin NLCs at therapeutic doses also resulted in ∼90% fetal resorptions in 10 litters examined. However, postimplantation losses or fetal malformations were not observed at the dose of ARM-CP NLCs that was required for complete parasite clearance in preclinical trials (ie, 20% of the therapeutic dose). Our data suggest that the NLCs loaded with 20% of the therapeutic dose of ARM-CP may have potential in treating malaria during pregnancy., (© The Author(s) 2016.)

Antimalarial therapy is a major contributor to declining malaria morbidity and mortality. However, the high toxicity and low bioavailability of current antimalarials and emerging drug resistance necessitates drug-delivery research. We have previously developed glyceryl-dilaurate nanolipid carriers (GDL-NLCs) for antimalarial drug delivery. Here, we show evidence that GDL-NLCs themselves selectively target Plasmodium-infected red blood cells (iRBCs), and cause severe parasite impairment. The glyceryl-dilaurate lipid-moiety was important in the targeting. GDL-NLCs localized to the parasite mitochondrion and uptake led to mitochondrial-membrane polarization and Ca(2+) ion accumulation, ROS release, and stage-specific iRBC lysis. GDL-NLC treatment also resulted in externalization of iRBC-membrane phosphatidylserine and enhanced iRBC clearance by macrophages. GDL-NLC uptake disrupted the parasite-induced tubulovesicular network, which is vital for nutrient import by the parasite. Laser optical trap studies revealed that GDL-NLCs also restored iRBC flexibility. Such restoration of iRBC flexibility may help mitigate the vasculature clogging that can lead to cerebral malaria. We demonstrate the suitability of GDL-NLCs for intravenous delivery of antimalarial combinations artemether-clindamycin and artemether-lumefantrine in the murine model. Complete parasite clearance was achieved at 5-20% of the therapeutic dose of these combinations. Thus, this nanostructured lipid formulation can solubilize lipophilic drugs, selectively target and impair the parasite-infected red cell, and therefore constitutes a potent delivery vehicle for antimalarials., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A novel approach of enhancing the Tamoxifen uptake via Intestinal Lymphatic System is executed by developing long chain lipid and oil based nanostructured lipid carrier system (Tmx-NLC). The aim was to achieve improved systemic bioavailability of Tamoxifen, prevent systemic and hepatotoxicity and enhance antitumor efficacy. Following the proof of concept achieved in cell culture experiments and in vivo pharmacokinetic and biodistribution study, the current work focuses on investigation of antitumor efficacy and treatment associated toxicity in murine mammary tumor mice model. The efficacy study demonstrated greater tumor suppression and 100% survival with 1.5 and 3 mg/kg Tmx-NLC compared to 3 mg/kg Tamoxifen suspension and Mamofen(®) (Khandelwal Pharmaceuticals, Mumbai, India). Tmx-NLC treatment for a month demonstrated improved systemic toxicity profile and no evidences of hepatotoxicity. Thus, developed Tmx-NLC could prove to be a promising delivery strategy to confer superior therapeutic efficacy and ability to address the biopharmaceutical and toxicity associated issues of drug., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Polymyxin B is a decapeptide, mainly used for the treatment of gram-negative bacteremia. It was anticipated that a prolongation of release may lead to a more efficacious therapy. Lipid nanoparticles and nanoemulsion were formulated and comparatively evaluated for their properties. Lipid nanoparticles of Polymyxin B Sulphate with a mean particle size of 186.9 nm (Polydispersity Index 0.235) were prepared by nano-precipitation technique and nanoemulsion was prepared under the conditions of spontaneous formation with a mean globule size 125.0 nm (Polydispersity Index 0.291). The lipid nanoparticles were screened for lipid load from 0.1-1% along with 1-10% surfactant while in the optimization of nanoemulsion different ratios of oil, surfactant, and co-surfactant were evaluated. The developed systems were taken up for comparative anti-microbial study against a sensitive strain of E. coil using Turbidimetry as the method for monitoring the growth of microorganisms in a time dependent manner. Results of the study using ANOVA revealed an initial comparable activity with no statistical difference between the free drug, lipid nanoparticles, and the nanoemulsion. The anti-microbial effect was significantly sustained by lipid nanoparticles over a period of 18 hr but could not be sustained in case of nanoemulsion after 12 hr. Further, in order to assess anti-microbial activity of the developed delivery templates, a similar study was carried out using the lipid nanoparticles and nanoemulsion without the incorporation of drug. The results showed only a mild anti-microbial action for drug-free lipid nanoparticles but significant activity was exerted by drug-free nanoemulsion against plain drug throughout the study. It was concluded that the developed lipid nanoparticles and nanoemulsion are promising delivery vectors for the anti-microbial drugs. Further, lipid nanoparticles could give an initial as well as sustained effect while the nanoemulsion was capable of exerting potent effect for a shorter period of time.