The main aim of this study was to formulate and evaluate the performances off loating In situ gel pantoprazole. Polymers such as sodium alginate and gellangum were used as gelling agents. Sodium citrate and calcium chloride were used for cross linking, whereas calcium carbonate was used as a floating agent. FTIR studies confirmed compatibility between drugs and polymers. The pH of the formulations ranged form of 6.9-7.3, the drug content was found to be between 75.36% to 87.69%, floating lag time was less than 1 min, and floating duration was more than 12h. It was observed that the concentration of polymers increased gelling ability, viscosity, gel strength, and water absorption by the gel. In vitro drug release showed results in the range of 77.80% to 87.12%, at 12 h for all the formulations. The release of the drug was found to decrease with a rise in the concentration of the polymer. All the formulations followed Zero Order kinetics. The drug release mechanism followed the Higuchi diffusion model based on the values of the regression coefficient. Thus an oral In situ floating gelling systems of pantoprazole reduce dosing frequency and enhance the residence time of the drug in the stomach.

Background: Apremilast (APR) is an orally administered selective phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor approved to treat plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and is available as an oral tablet formulation. However, its systemic side effects limit its application. The low solubility and permeability of apremilast make it difficult to administer it through the skin. Hence an attempt is made to incorporate apremilast into a suitable nanocarrier to facilitate its topical delivery. Aims: To formulate and characterize Apremilast loaded nanostructured lipid carriers for the management of psoriasis to reduce the systemic side effects. Methodology: Apremilast loaded Nanostructured Lipid carriers (NLC) were prepared by melt emulsification accompanied by probe sonication. The formulation was prepared using GMS, Sefsol 218, Tween 80 and Transcutol P as Solid Lipid, Liquid lipid, Surfactant and Penetration Enhancer. The NLC was incorporated into carbapol 934 dispersion to convert it into a gel. The NLC formulation was evaluated for size, Polydispersity Index, Zeta Potential, Entrapment efficiency,  Transmission Electron Microscopy. After that, the NLC gel was examined for Spreadability, Extrudabilty, Viscosity, In vitro drug release, Ex vivo permeation, Skin deposition and In vivo studies. Results: The formulated Apremilast loaded showed particle size of less than 200 nm (i.e.170.32nm) with a narrow PDI of 0.267. Entrapment efficiency revealed that 89.26±01.22% of the drug was entrapped. Transmission electron microscopy images confirmed the spherical nature of the nanocarrier. The extended-release pattern of the formulated NLC for 24h was observed in the in vitro release studies and followed the Higuchi model(R2=0.9966). Ex vivo permeability showed a 6.14 fold increase in permeability and 74.05±0.25% deposition of apremilast loaded NLC gel compared to apremilast gel. The formulation was stable for three months without significant changes. In vivo skin studies showed that the prepared NLC did not have any skin irritation potential. The antipsoriatic activity demonstrated by the Apremilast loaded NLC gel in the imiquimod induced psoriasis model in mice was comparable to the standard treatment. Conclusion: Apremilast loaded NLC demonstrated enhanced permeation, improved skin retention and extended-release compared to conventional gel. The developed formulation can be an alternative for psoriasis therapy after clinical trials in the future.

Background: Clarithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic used in acne treatment, but it has poor solubility, which decreases its permeability through lipid barriers such as skin. Nanostructured lipid carriers can enhance the permeability of clarithromycin through the skin, thus improving its potential for controlling acne. Aim: To formulate and evaluate Nanostructured lipid carriers of clarithromycin for topical delivery in acne treatment Methods: Nanostructured lipid carriers were prepared by emulsification and ultrasonication methods using lipids such as glycerol monostearate and oleic with poloxamer 188 as stabilizer. These nano-carriers were optimized with the help of the Quality by Design (QbD) approach employing Design-Expert® software. The nanoparticles were characterized for particle size analysis, zeta potential, drug-excipient compatibility, entrapment efficiency, and surface morphology by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The nano-carriers were also investigated for in vitro drug release and ex vivo permeation through excised goat skin. The optimized formulation was incorporated into topical carbopol gel base, formulated and examined for pH, viscosity, spreadability, in vitro drug release, ex vivo permeation, and stability under accelerated conditions. Results: The average particle size of the optimized nanoparticles was 164.8 nm, and zeta potential was -39.2 mV. FTIR studies showed that drug and lipids are compatible with each other. The morphology study by SEM and TEM showed spherical shaped particles. The entrapment efficiency of the optimized formulation was found to be 88.16%. In vitro drug release studies indicated sustained release from the formulation due to diffusion through the lipid matrix of the particles. The ex vivo permeation study using goat skin produced greater permeation from the NLC gel (89.5%) than marketed gel (65%) due to the lipid solubility of the nanoparticles in the skin. The formulation was stable under accelerated conditions. Conclusion: The optimized formulation can be considered as promising nano-carriers suitable for the sustained release of clarithromycin into the skin for effective control of acne.

Objective: The aim of the present work was to formulate and evaluate proniosomes of the poorly soluble drug, acyclovir incorporated in mucoadhesive polymeric films for improved buccal mucosal permeability of the drug while achieving prolonged release. Methods: Acyclovir was formulated as proniosomes using Span 60 and cholesterol. The prepared proniosomes were loaded into mucoadhesive polymeric films prepared with varying quantities of carbopol 934P and HPMC K15M. The proniosome incorporated films were evaluated for physicomechanical characters, mucoadhesion, swelling index, drug content, in vitro drug release and ex vivo permeation through porcine buccal mucosa. Results: Hydration of the proniosomes produced spherical vesicles or niosomes, which was confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscopy. The optimized formulation selected on the basis of vesicle size, entrapment efficiency PDI, Zetz potential and in vitro drug release was selected for incorporation into mucoadhesive polymeric films. All the films showed excellent physicomechanical characters. Formulations with higher proportions of carbopol produced slower in vitro drug release. The kinetics of release of drug from all the formulations appeared to be zero-order based on their regression coefficient values. Comparative evaluation of ex vivo permeation from niosomal and non-niosomal films indicated that the former demonstrated improved mucosal permeation and drug release was also sustained for the 8 h period. Conclusion: Mucoadhesive films impregnated with acyclovir loaded proniosomes could be a potential approach for buccal delivery of acyclovir for improving its absorption and bioavailability.

Background: Natamycin belongs to a large group of naturally occurring polyene antifungal antibiotics derived from Streptomyces natalensis. Natamycin has a restrictive pharmaceutical role because of its extremely low aqueous solubility, which severely reduces the bioavailability of the drug. To improve the absorption of the drug, nanocrystals of natamycin were prepared and incorporated into in situ gel. Aim: To improve the solubility and absorption of natamycin nanocrystals by preparing nanocrystal in situ gel of natamycin for ophthalmic delivery Methodology: Natamycin nanocrystal was prepared using Sono-Precipitation method. Box-Behnken approach was employed to assess the influence of independent variables, namely concentration of stabilizer, sonication time and amplitude on particle size and zeta potential of the prepared nanocrystal. Optimized natamycin nanocrystal in situ gel formulations was characterized for various parameters like pH, viscosity, drug content, in vitro drug release and ex vivo permeation studies. Results: The optimized formulation of natamycin nanocrystal with a particle size of  293.9nm and zeta potential -14.6mV was incorporated into in situ gels. The pH triggered in situ gel was prepared using Carbopol and Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)., which showed clear preparation, pH of the formulation was closed to the pH of tear fluid, i.e., 7.4, viscosity showed pseudoplastic behaviour with immediate gelation remained for an extended period, and the drug content was around 99.70%. From the characterizations given above, PF-4 was optimized and evaluated for In vitro drug release showing slow and sustained release when compared to the marketed formulation and followed first-order kinetics with the diffusion-controlled mechanism. Ex vivo permeation through goat's cornea of PF-4 showed better permeation than marketed formulation. The stability studies of PF-4 showed that formulation was stable at the appropriate condition. Conclusion: Nanocrystals formulations of natamycin was successfully formulated and incorporated into in situ gels. Further in vivo studies need to be carried out for confirmation of pharmacological activity