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AbstractThe transungual drug delivery system refers to the administration of drugs through the nail plate to treat various nail disorders such as fungal infections, psoriasis, and nail dystrophies. The nail plate is a challenging barrier for drug penetration due to its highly keratinized and tightly packed structure, which limits the permeation of topically applied drugs. Owing to several problems associated with oral therapy, topical therapy remains a preferred treatment option for nail infections due to less side effects, and cost-effectiveness. On the other hand, the drugs that have low permeability across the nail plate highlight the need for further research in this area. Researchers working on various aspects to increase drug penetration across the nail plate, which include the use of chemical penetration enhancers, mechanical methods, and physical methods. Recent advances in transungual drug delivery systems have led to the development of antifungal nail lacquers that can penetrate the nail plate and effectively treat nail infections. Other transungual drug delivery systems under investigation include microneedles, ultrasound, and laser-assisted treatment, which can create micropores in the nail plate allowing higher drug delivery. This indicates the potential of research on transungual drug delivery systems. By understanding the anatomy of the nail, utilizing appropriate penetration-enhancing methods, and selecting appropriate drug formulations, the effectiveness of the system can be developed and utilized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractNanoemulsions are nano-sized particles, typically ranging from tens to hundreds of nanometers. These nanoemulsions possess various appealing properties, making them highly promising for various applications in pharmaceutics, foods, and cosmetics. These properties include their small size, which allows for a high surface area per unit volume, and their ability to disperse hydrophobic components and enhance absorption effectively. In the pharmaceutical industry, nanoemulsions have been developed to enhance the delivery of hydrophobic active ingredients. Macromolecular surfactants offer enhanced emulsion stability compared to conventional low-molecular surfactants. Enhanced stability is due to their slower desorption kinetics at the droplet interface, which reduces the risk of toxicity and skin irritation associated with the latter. This article presents a comprehensive investigation into the role of nanoemulsions in drug delivery. It commences by delineating various emulsion types and subsequently explores techniques for nanoemulsion preparation. Surfactants serve as pivotal components in both the production and stabilization of nanoemulsions. The review provides an encompassing overview of diverse surfactant types, encompassing small molecule variants, particle surfactants, phospholipids, peptides, and protein-based surfactants tailored for nanoemulsions. Additionally, it addresses nanoemulsion instability, elucidating strategies to mitigate instability challenges, and highlights the utilization of nanoemulsions in nanomedicine for effective drug delivery. This comprehensive overview aims to offer insights for researchers engaged in nanoemulsion-related studies and associated interdisciplinary fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Franz diffusion cell was primarily used to evaluate the permeability and stability of formulations such as topical (gels and creams) and transdermal (lipid nanoparticle formulations). Diffusion cell is a straightforward assay that can reliably measure the in-vitro and ex-vivo drug release from topical preparations such as creams, ointments, liposomes formulations, and gels. It offered crucial critical perspectives on skin, drug, and formulation relationships. In addition, it is also employed for toxicity testing and quality control. Currently, many medications are available in the market, administered through transdermal routes. To treat various skin conditions, medical professionals use a wide range of methods aimed at increasing the skin's permeability and drug absorption. The biggest challenge with transdermal drug delivery system is determining the amount of medication penetrating the skin. Today, there is a lot of research into creating new dermal dosage forms for pharmaceuticals. In this review, the authors discuss various evaluation methods to determine the amount of drug penetrating the skin. With their strengths and weaknesses, these models and assessment methods provide a valuable framework for investigating the dermato-pharmacokinetics of different transdermal formulations. The assessment techniques aid in assessing molecules that cause skin irritation by shedding light on the molecular mechanisms by which they penetrate the skin. These assessment tools and models provide a novel strategy for creating topical medicinal formulations for various skin infection disorders. The present review explores Franz diffusion cell application, its implication in pharmaceutical research, and the regulation related to pharmacopeia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oral administration of donepezil hydrochloride has low brain targeting efficiency especially due to the presence of the blood–brain barrier leading to poor quality of treatment. Hence, this study aimed to systematically design chitosan nanoparticles for direct nose-to-brain delivery of donepezil hydrochloride using the Quality by Design approach for better transport to the brain avoiding the blood–brain barrier. The optimized formulation showed 180.2 nm average particle size and 0.282 polydispersity index, + 16.6 mV zeta potential, more than 90% drug release, and more than 70% drug permeation in 24 h. The studies on in-vitro drug release and ex-vivo permeation showed a sustained release pattern fulfilling Korsemeyer Peppa's model. The confocal laser scanning micrographs showed the spherical nature of nanoparticles. The intranasal administration of donepezil hydrochloride nanoparticles in Wistar rats showed approximately 2.6 times more drug than donepezil hydrochloride solution given intranasally and approximately 10 times more drug than donepezil hydrochloride solution given orally in the brain respectively after 6 h. Further, confocal micrographs using Rhodamine B (fluorescent dye) loaded nanoparticles confirmed the localization of nanoparticles in the brain post-intranasal administration. The obtained results suggested that the chitosan nanoparticles are promising drug carriers for the nose-to-brain delivery of donepezil hydrochloride for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticles (NPs) have been extensively investigated for their potential in nanomedicine. There is a significant level of enthusiasm about the potential of NPs to bring out a transformative impact on modern healthcare. NPs can serve as effective wound dressings or delivery vehicles due to their antibacterial and pro-wound-healing properties. Biopolymer-based NPs can be manufactured using various food-grade biopolymers, such as proteins, polysaccharides, and synthetic polymers, each offering distinct properties suitable for different applications which include collagen, polycaprolactone, chitosan, alginate, and polylactic acid, etc. Their biodegradable and biocompatible nature renders them ideal nanomaterials for applications in wound healing. Additionally, the nanofibers containing biopolymer-based NPs have shown excellent anti-bacterial and wound healing activity like silver NPs. These NPs represent a paradigm shift in wound healing therapies, offering targeted and personalized solutions for enhanced tissue regeneration and accelerated wound closure. The current review focuses on biopolymer NPs with their applications in wound healing. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]