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Rana M Gebreel,1 Noha A Edris,2 Hala M Elmofty,2 Mina I Tadros,3,4 Mohamed A El-Nabarawi,3 Doaa H Hassan1 1Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Manufacturing, Misr University for Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt; 2Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; 3Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; 4Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy and Drug Technology, Egyptian Chinese University, Cairo, EgyptCorrespondence: Mina I Tadros Tel +20 1223620458Fax +20 223628246Email mina.tadros@pharma.cu.edu.egAim: Norfloxacin (NFX) has low ocular bioavailability. The current work aimed to develop NFX-loaded nanoparticle (NP)-laden hydrogels to improve the ocular potential of NFX, minimize the need for frequent instillations and lower undesirable side effects.Methods: NFX-loaded NPs were developed via the double-emulsion/solvent evaporation technique, according to 21 .41 full factorial design, using two types of polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) polymer and four (drug: polymer) ratios. NPs were evaluated for particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP), drug entrapment efficiency percentage (EE%), drug percentage released after 30 min (Q30min) and 12 hours (Q12h), drug percentage permeated through goat corneas after 30 min (P30min) and 12 hours (P12h) and morphology. Two formulae were statistically selected and incorporated into hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)-based hydrogels; G1 – G4. The latter systems were evaluated for appearance, clarity, pH, spreadability, rheology, drug percentages released, drug percentages permeated, antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and histopathological changes.Results: The selected NPs (NP2 and NP6) were spherical in shape and possessed suitable PS (392.02 nm and 190.51 nm) and PDI (0.17 and 0.18), high magnitude of ZP (− 30.43 mV and − 33.62 mV), high EE% (79.24% and 91.72%), low Q30min (10.96% and 16.65%) and P30min (17.39% and 21.05%) and promising Q12h (58.23% and 71.20%) and P12h (53.31% and 65.01%), respectively. Clear, spreadable, tolerable, pseudoplastic, and thixotropic HPMC-based hydrogels were developed. They showed more prolonged drug release and drug permeation profiles. NP2- and NP6-laden hydrogels (G3 and G4 systems, respectively) had promising antibacterial activity, and reasonable histopathological safety.Conclusion: G3 and G4 are potential ocular delivery systems for NFX.Keywords: norfloxacin, nanoparticles, PLGA, ocular delivery, Pseudomonas keratitis

Mai Ahmed Tawfik, Mina Ibrahim Tadros, Magdy Ibrahim Mohamed, Sara Nageeb El-Helaly Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, EgyptCorrespondence: Mina Ibrahim TadrosCairo University, Kasr El-Aini Street, Cairo 11562, EgyptTel +20 1223620458Fax +20 223628426Email mina.tadros@pharma.cu.edu.egAim: Agomelatine (AGM) is the first melatonergic antidepressant. It suffers from low oral bioavailability (< 5%) due to extensive hepatic metabolism. The current work aimed to develop an alternative AGM-loaded invasomes to enhance transdermal drug bioavailability.Methodology: AGM-loaded invasomes were developed using two drug: lipid ratios (1:10 or 1:7.5), four terpene types (limonene, cineole, fenchone or citral) and two terpene concentrations (0.75% or 1.5%, w/v). They were characterized for drug entrapment efficiency (EE%), particle size (PS), zeta potential (ZP) and drug released percentages after 0.5h (Q0.5h) and 8h (Q8h). The optimum invasomes (I1, I2 and I4) were evaluated for morphology, drug-crystallinity, and ex-vivo drug flux. The variables influencing sonophoresis of the best achieved invasomal gel system (I2) were optimized including, ultrasound frequency (low, LFU or high, HFU), mode (pulsed or continuous), application period (10 min or 15 min) and duty cycle (50% or 100%). AGM pharmacokinetics were evaluated in rabbits following transdermal application of I2-LFU-C4 system, relative to AGM oral dispersion.Results: The superiority of I2 invasomes [comprising AGM and phosphatidylcholine (1:10) and limonene (1.5% w/v)] was statistically revealed with respect to EE% (78.6%), PS (313 nm), ZP (− 64 mV), Q0.5h (30.1%), Q8h (92%), flux (10.79 μg/cm2/h) and enhancement ratio (4.83). The optimum sonophoresis conditions involved application of LFU in the continuous mode for 15 min at a 100% duty cycle (I2-LFU-C4 system). The latter system showed significantly higher Cmax, and relative bioavailability (≈ 7.25 folds) and a similar Tmax (0.5 h).Conclusion: I2-LFU-C4 is a promising transdermal system for AGM.Keywords: agomelatine, invasomes, transdermal, sonophoresis, low frequency ultrasound

Hussein O Ammar,1 Mina Ibrahim Tadros,2 Nahla M Salama,1 Amira Mohsen Ghoneim1 1Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmaceutical Industries, Future University in Egypt (FUE), New Cairo, Egypt; 2Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, EgyptCorrespondence: Mina Ibrahim TadrosDepartment of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt, Tel +20 1223620458Fax +20 223628246Email mina.tadros@pharma.cu.edu.egAim: The aim of the current work was to develop vardenafil hydrochloride (VRD)-loaded ethosome-derived invasomes as a possible transdermal system which could be used for patients suffering from pulmonary arterial hypertension.Methods: VRD-loaded ethosomes were developed at three concentrations of phosphatidylcholine (5, 10 and 15 mg/mL) and three percentages of ethanol (20%, 30% and 40%, v/v). The best achieved VRD-loaded ethosomes (ETH9) were optimized to invasomes via incorporation of terpenes (limonene, cineole and a 1:1 mixture) at three concentrations (0.5%, 1% and 2%, v/v). All systems were evaluated for vesicle size, zeta potential, drug entrapment efficiency (EE%), cumulative drug permeated percentages after 0.5hrs (Q0.5h) and 12hrs (Q12h) and steady-state flux (Jss). The optimized system (ETH9-INV8) was further characterized for morphology, histopathology and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling was employed to estimate VRD pharmacokinetic parameters from the optimized transdermal system and an oral aqueous drug dispersion, in adults and geriatrics.Results: The optimized invasomal system (ETH9-INV8) was characterized with spherical vesicles (159.9 nm) possessing negative zeta potential (− 20.3 mV), promising EE% (81.3%), low Q0.5h (25.4%), high Q12h (85.3%) and the largest steady-state flux (6.4 μg.cm− 2h− 1). Following a leave-on period of 12hrs in rats, it showed minor histopathologic changes. CLSM studies proved its ability to deeply permeate rat skin. Lower Cmax values, delayed Tmax estimates and greater AUC0-24h folds in adults and geriatrics (≈ 2.18 and 1.69, respectively) were estimated following the transdermal application of ETH9-INV8 system.Conclusion: ETH9-INV8 is a promising transdermal system for VRD.Keywords: vardenafil hydrochloride, ethosomes, invasomes, transdermal, physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling

Enas El-Maghawry,1 Mina I Tadros,2 Seham A Elkheshen,2 Ahmed Abd-Elbary2,† 1Department of Pharmaceutics & Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmaceutical Industries, Future University in Egypt, Cairo, Egypt; 2Department of Pharmaceutics & Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt†Ahmed Abd-Elbary passed away on August 18, 2019Correspondence: Mina I TadrosDepartment of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, EgyptTel +2 1223620458Fax +2 223628246Email mina.tadros@pharma.cu.edu.egAim: Etoricoxib is a selective inhibitor of COX-2 enzyme. It is proposed as a potent anti-inflammatory drug intended for the control of irritable bowel syndrome. The current work aimed at developing etoricoxib-loaded nanoparticles for colon- targeting.Materials and Methods: PLGA nanoparticles were developed via nano-spray drying technique. The D-optimal design was adopted for the investigation of the influence of i) DL-lactide-coglycolide (PLGA) concentration, ii) polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 (PVP K30) concentration and iii) lactide:glycolide ratio in the copolymer chain on the yield%, the encapsulation efficiency (EE%), particle size (PS) and percentage of drug release after 2h (P2h), 4h (P4h) and 12h (P12h). To promote colon targeting of the systems, the best achieved system (M14) was either directly coated with poly(methacrylic acid-co-methyl methacrylate) [Eudragit®-S100] or loaded into hard gelatin capsules and the capsules were coated with poly(methacrylic acid-co-methyl methacrylate) (E-M14C). The pharmacokinetic parameters of etoricoxib following oral administration of E-M14C in healthy volunteers were assessed relative to commercial etoricoxib tablets.Results: M14 system was prepared using PLGA (0.5% w/v) at a lactide:glycolide ratio of 100:0, in the presence of PVP K30 (2% w/v). M14 system was nano-spherical particles of 488 nm size possessing promising yield% (63.5%) and EE% (91.2%). The percentage drug released after 2, 4 and 12 hours were 43.41%, 47.34 and 64.96%, respectively. Following M14-loading into hard gelatin capsules and coating with poly(methacrylic acid-co-methyl methacrylate) [Eudragit-S100], the respective P2h, P4h and P12h were 10.1%, 28.60% and 65.45%. Significant (p < 0.05) differences between the pharmacokinetic parameter of E-M14C in comparison with the commercial product were revealed with a delay in Tmax (from 2.5h to 6h), a prolongation in MRT0-∞ (from 24.4h to 34.7h) and an increase in the relative oral bioavailability (4.23 folds).Conclusion: E-M14C is a potential system for possible colon targeting of etoricoxib.Keywords: colon targeting, etoricoxib, nano spray drying, PLGA, Eudragit-S100

Amira Mohsen Ghoneim,1 Mina Ibrahim Tadros,2 Ahmed Adel Alaa-Eldin3 1Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmaceutical Industries, Future University in Egypt (FUE), New Cairo, Egypt; 2Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; 3Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Manufacturing, Misr University for Science & Technology (MUST), 6th of October City, EgyptCorrespondence: Mina Ibrahim TadrosDepartment of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr El-Aini St, Cairo 11562, EgyptTel +002-01223620458Email mina.tadros@pharma.cu.edu.eg; mina_ebrahim@yahoo.comPurpose: The current work aimed to develop spray-dried silica xerogel nanoparticles (SXNs) as a gastroretentive carrier for the dual delivery of chlorambucil (CHL) and granisetron hydrochloride (GR). As a low-density system, it was proposed to float over gastric fluids; allowing for the retention of CHL in the acidic medium where it is more stable while ensuring the solubility of GR.Methods: Silica xerogels were developed by sol-gel process, using Tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) water and acetic acid, followed by spray drying. SXNs were evaluated for particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency (EE%), CHL and GR release after 1 hr (P1h) and after 8 hrs (P8h). The best achieved system (SXN4) was evaluated for morphology, pore diameter, total porosity, bulk density, wetting time, floating characteristics. Furthermore, the pharmacokinetics of the loaded drugs were evaluated in rats; relative to an aqueous CHL suspension containing GR.Results: SXN4 system had the highest desirability (0.69); showing spherical nanoparticles (181.63 nm), negative zeta potential (−5.18 mV), promising EE% of 59.39% and 73.94% (for CHL and GR, respectively) and sustained CHL and GR release profiles characterized by low P1h (22.75% and 30.74%) and high P8h (60.36% and 99.33%), respectively. It had a mean pore diameter of 8.622 nm, a total porosity of 62.27%, a bulk density of 0.605 g/mL, a wetting time of 292 sec, zero lag time and a floating duration of at least 8 h.Conclusion: The prolongation in the mean residence time (MRT(0-∞)) and the promotion of the relative oral bioavailabilities of both drugs could unravel the potential of this system for the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.Keywords: chlorambucil, granisetron hydrochloride, silica xerogel nanoparticles, low density, gastroretentive