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Abstract. The aim of the present study was to develop and evaluate a thermoresponsive depot system comprising of docetaxel-loaded cubosomes. The cubosomes were dispersed within a thermoreversible gelling system for controlled drug delivery. The cubosome dispersion was prepared by dilution method, followed by homogenization using glyceryl monooleate, ethanol and Pluronic ® F127 in distilled water. The cubosome dispersion was then incorporated into a gelling system prepared with Pluronic ® F127 and Pluronic ® F68 in various ratios to formulate a thermoresponsive depot system. The thermoresponsive depot formulations undergo a thermoreversible gelation process i.e., they exists as free flowing liquids at room temperature, and transforms into gels at higher temperatures e.g., body temperature, to form a stable depot in aqueous environment. The mean particle size of the cubosomes in the dispersion prepared with Pluronic ® F127, with and without the drug was found to be 170 and 280 nm, respectively. The prepared thermoresponsive depot system was evaluated by assessing various parameters like time for gelation, injectability, gel erosion, and in-vitro drug release. The drug-release studies of the cubosome dispersion before incorporation into the gelling system revealed that a majority (∼97%) of the drug was released within 12 h. This formulation also showed a short lag time (∼3 min). However, when incorporated into a thermoresponsive depot system, the formulation exhibited an initial burst release of ∼21%, and released only ∼39% drug over a period of 12 h, thus indicating its potential as a controlled drug delivery system.

Abstract. In the present study, a phospholipid-based complex of standardized Centella extract (SCE) was developed with a goal of improving the bioavailability of its phytoconstituents. The SCE-phospholipid complex was prepared by solvent evaporation method and characterized for its physicochemical and functional properties. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), photomicroscopy, and powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD) were used to confirm the formation of Centella naturosome (CN). The prepared complex was functionally evaluated by apparent solubility, in vitro drug release, ex vivo permeation, and in vivo efficacy studies. The prepared CN exhibited a significantly higher (12-fold) aqueous solubility (98.0±1.4 μg/mL), compared to the pure SCE (8.12±0.44 μg/mL), or the physical mixture of SCE and the phospholipid (13.6±0.4 μg/mL). The in vitro dissolution studies revealed a significantly higher efficiency of CN in releasing the SCE (99.2±4.7, % w/w) in comparison to the pure SCE (39.2±2.3, % w/w), or the physical mixture (42.8±2.09, % w/w). The ex vivo permeation studies with the everted intestine method showed that the prepared CN significantly improved the permeation of SCE (82.8±3.7, % w/w), compared to the pure SCE (26.8±2.4, % w/w), or the physical mixture (33.0±2.7, % w/w). The in vivo efficacy studies using the Morris Water Maze test indicated a significant improvement of the spatial learning and memory in aged mice treated with CN. Thus, drug-phospholipid complexation appears to be a promising strategy to improve the aqueous solubility and bioavailability of bioactive phytoconstituents.

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