Search

Soluble microneedles (MNs) of four different hydrophilic polymers namely sodium carboxymethyl cellulose ( CMC), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) K30, PVP K90 and sodium hyaluronate (HU) were fabricated by mold casting technique. When exposed to gamma radiation, a dose of 25 kilogray (kGy) was found to render the microneedle (MN) sterile. However, CMC was found to form MNs with poor mechanical properties, whereas PVP K30 MNs were drastically deformed upon exposure to applied dose as observed in bright field microscopy. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that morphology of PVP K90 and HU MNs were not significantly affected at the applied dose. The appearances of characteristic peaks of irradiated MNs of PVP K90 and HU in Fourier-transform infrared spectra suggested structural integrity of the polymers on irradiation. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) indicated gamma irradiation failed to alter the glass transition temperature and thus mechanical properties of PVP K90 MNs. However, DSC and Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD) conclusively indicated that the degree in crystallinity of HU was substantially reduced on irradiation. In vitro dissolution profiles of sterile PVP K90 and HU MNs were similar to un-irradiated MNs with a similarity factor ( f 2 ) of 64 and 54, respectively. In vivo dissolution studies in human subjects indicated that sterile MNs of PVP K90 and HU exhibited dissolution of 78.45 ± 1.09 and 78.57 ± 0.70%, respectively, after 20 min. The studies suggested that PVP K90 and HU could be suitable polymers to fabricate soluble MNs as the structural, morphological, microstructural and dissolution properties remained unaltered post γ sterilization.

Purpose: To summarize main findings from research on oral delivery of Nanostructured lipid carriers targeting ovarian cancer. Methods: A narrative review of all the relevant papers known to author was conducted. Results: Ovarian cancer is one of the most common gynaecologic cancer, the frontline treatments for which are surgical approach followed by radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Chemotherapy has its own limitations; consequently, there is a need to develop a targeted drug delivery system with high efficacy. Preclinical evidence suggests that combination therapies are likely to be effective in ovarian cancer. However, from clinical reports, it is evident that chemotherapeutic drugs have lower therapeutic value for the treatment of ovarian cancer. We propose that these limitations can be overcome by a novel formulation consisting of nanostructured lipid carriers. Recent pharmacological research has successfully potentiated the effects of combination therapy in acute animal preparations by inhibiting proteins that are involved in different physiological pathways of cancer cells. Conclusion: We have reviewed the scope of nanostructured lipid carriers concerning chemotherapy of ovarian cancer. The advantages of oral administration of these lipid carriers are discussed. Also, the various nano-lipid formulations and combination therapies reported along with their therapeutic outcomes have been reviewed. In light of this, nanostructured lipid carriers containing two different active ingredients for oral administration could be a potential approach for the effective treatment of ovarian cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]