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Silybum marianum extract (SME) possesses neuroprotective potency through its high antioxidant content. We attempted to increase the effectiveness of SME by encapsulating them in chitosan. Neuroprotective potency of SME and SME-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (SME-CNPs) were shown in SH-SY5Y cell line against H2O2-induced oxidative stress. We produced CNPs and SME-CNPs by ionic gelation method and properly determined their physical characteristics. Encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity, and in vitro release tests were performed for SME-CNPs. The neurotoxicity and neuroprotective efficiency in SH-SY5Y cell line against H2O2 was also investigated. The size of SME-CNPs was 168.2 ± 11.12 nm with zeta potential 10.6 ± 1.0 mV. The encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity were successfully achieved at 96.6% and 1.89% respectively. SME and SME-CNPs improved cell viability higher than 80%, and SME-CNPs exhibited significant neuroprotective effects against H2O2 damage. It was concluded that SME and SME-CNPs highly prevent damage caused by H2O2 and reduce cell damage in vitro by their neuroprotective effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This paper aims to study in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation of chitosan (CHI) biocomposite of gentamicin nanoparticles (GNPs) for wound healing. Methods: In this study, CHI nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared using the ionic gelation technique. GNP biocomposites were examined on the excision wound model in Wistar rats to determine the in-vivo efficiency. Results: The diameter and zeta potential of NPs were between 151–212.9 nm and 37.2 − 51.1 mV, respectively. The entrapment efficiency was in an acceptable range of 36.6–42.7% w/w. The release test information was fitted to mathematical models (Zero, First order, Higuchi, and Korsmeyer–Peppas), and according to calculations, the kinetics of drug release followed the Korsmeyer–Peppas model. A comparison of thermograms revealed that the drug was present in the formulation in a non-crystalline form. Conclusion: Histological studies of the wound showed that the rate of skin tissue repair was higher in the GNP biocomposite treatment group than in the others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mucoadhesive polymeric films incorporated with ketorolac tromethamine-loaded nanodispersion aiming the sustained delivery of the drug to the cornea have been developed and characterised for the treatment of post-operative ocular inflammation. Nanodispersions were prepared by ionic gelation method with various concentrations of chitosan and sodium tripolyphosphate. The developed nanodispersions were analysed for morphology, particle size, dispersion homogeneity, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency and drug release. The nanodispersion that showed the smallest particle size and the highest entrapment efficiency was incorporated in optimised HPMC E15 and Eudragit RL100/HPMC K4m films. The formulation with optimum physicomechanical properties was selected to study itsex vivotranscorneal permeation through freshly excised bovine cornea in comparison with the nanodispersion and the marketed eye drops (Acular®). The polymeric ocular film showed greater permeation than aqueous eye drops. Moreover, the ocular film revealed a prolonged anti-inflammatory effect compared to eye drops when applied to inflamed rabbit’s eyes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple layers of whey protein and sodium alginate were assembled onto gelled alginate microparticles using electrostatic interaction. An experimental design was employed to evaluate the effect of the concentration of both hydrocolloids on the amount of protein that was adsorbed. In the first layer, a higher protein adsorption 32.5% w/w was obtained at pH 3.75. In the multilayered particle, the protein adsorbed reached 64.9% w/w. An analysis of protein solubilisation verified that 22% w/w was solubilised at an acidic pH (pH 2.0). The protein solubilisation increased with ionic strength, reaching 19.5% w/w in the highest NaCl concentration evaluated (200 mM). The particles were partially resistant to gastric conditions, with 30.5% w/w of total nitrogen protein solubilisation occurring after 2 h at pH 2.0; however, they did not resist the artificial intestine conditions, reaching 86.0% w/w of total nitrogen protein solubilisation after 5 h. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this study the preparation and stabilization of poly(acrylic acid)-cysteine nanoparticles and incorporation of a fluorescence marked model-compound was investigated. Nanoparticles were prepared by ionic gelation of a poly(acrylic acid)-cysteine conjugate with calcium chloride. Poly(acrylic acid)-cysteine nanoparticles display high cohesive properties due to a cross-linking process via calcium bridges in the core and the pervasive formation of disulphide bonds and were 139 ± 34 nm in size. Nanoparticles were loaded with FITC-dextrans (flourescein isothiocyanate-dextrans) of 4, 20 and 40 kDa molecular mass as model-compound via sonication method or via vibration method for 3 and 24 h. In vitro release studies showed an initial burst release followed by an extended release of model-compounds. The lower the molecular mass of the FITC-dextrans, the higher was the amount of incorporated and released model compounds. Vibration seems to be a proper method for the incorporation of hydrophilic and macromolecular drugs in poly(acrylic acid)-cysteine nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]