• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.178-186
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• 2008

In this study, ionotropic gelation method was used for the preparation of ibuprofen-loaded calcium alginate (CALG) and ethylenediamine (EDA) treated calcium alginate (EDA-CALG) microspheres. The effect of EDA-treatment on drug entrapment efficiency, particle size, morphology, swelling behavior and in vitro release characteristics of the microspheres was investigated by varying its concentration from 0.5 to 2% (v/v). The reduction in drug entrapment efficiency by a maximum of 44.60% was noted for EDA-CALG microspheres compared to untreated CALG microspheres. The particle size and swelling index of EDA-CALG microspheres were reduced with increasing EDA concentration. All the microspheres were observed to retain their spherical shapes with rough surfaces. EDA-CALG microspheres prepared using 1% and 2% v/v EDA, released almost all of its content within 7 h in pH 6.8 phosphate buffer, however, CALG microspheres were found to release the same within 3 h. The intensity of melting endothermic peak of ibuprofen reduced significantly at lower drug load as experienced from DSC thermograms. The FT-IR spectrum of pure ibuprofen, ibuprofen-loaded CALG and EDA-CALG microspheres showed the characteristic band of C = O stretching vibration of ibuprofen. Hence, this study revealed that EDA can be employed for the preparation of ibuprofen-loaded CALG microspheres to retard the drug release to some extent.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.212-230
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• 2001

Recent advances in recombinant DNA technology have resulted in development of many new protein drugs. Due to the unique properties of protein druges, they have to be delivered by parenteral injection Although delivery of protein drugs by other routes, such as pulmonary and nasal routes, has shown some promises, to date most protein drugs are administered by par-enteral routs. For long-term delivery of protein drugs by parenteral administration, they have been formulated into biodegradable microspheres. A number of microencapsulation methods have been developed, and the currently used microencapsulation methods are reviewed here, The microen-capsulation methods have been divided based on the method used. They are: solvent evapora-tion/extraction; phase separation (coacervation);spray drying; ionotropic gelation/polyelectrolyte complexation; interfacial polyumerization and supercritical fluid precipitation. Each method is de-scribed fro its applications, advantages, and limitations.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.795-799
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• 2006

Peptides, although high efficacy and specificity in their physiological function, usually have low therapeutical activities due to their poor bioavailability when administrated orally. Nanoparticles have been regarded as a useful vector for targeted drug delivery system because they can protect drug from being degraded quickly and pass the gastrointestinal barriers. Here we described a novel oral N-trimethyl chitosan nanoparticles formulation containing thymopentin (Tp5-TMC-NP). N-trimethyl chitosan (TMC) was synthesized and then used to prepare Tp5-TMC-NP by ionotropic gelation. A three-factor, five-level CCD (Central Composite Design) design was used in the optimization procedure, with HPLC as the analyzing method. The resulting Tp5-TMC-NP had a regular spherical surface and a narrow particle size range with a mean diameter of 110.6 nm. The average entrapment efficiency was 78.8%. The lyophilized Tp5-TMC-NP formulation was stable in $4^{\circ}C\;or\;-20^{\circ}C$ after storage of 3 months without obvious changes in morphology, particle size, pH and entrapment ratio. The results of the flow cytometer determination showed that the ratio of $CD4^+/CD8^+$ of Wistar female rat given Tp5-TMC-NP (ig) was 2.59 time that of the group given Tp5 (ig).

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.59-64
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• 2015

Retinyl palmitate (RP)-loaded pectinate micro- and nano-particles (PMP and PNP) were designed for stabilization of RP that is widely used as an anti-wrinkle agent in anti-aging cosmeceuticals. PMP/PNP were prepared with an ionotropic gelation method, and anti-oxidative activity of the particles was measured with a DPPH assay. The stability of RP in the particles along with pectin gel and ethanolic solution was then evaluated. In vitro release and skin permeation studies were performed using Franz diffusion cells. Distribution of RP in each skin tissue (stratum corneum, epidermis, and dermis) was also determined. PMP and PNP could be prepared with mean particle size diameters of $593{\sim}843{\mu}m$ (PMP) and 530 nm (i.e., $0.53{\mu}m$, PNP). Anti-oxidative activity of PNP was greater than PMP due largely to larger surface area available for PNP. The stability of RP in PMP and PNP was similar but much greater than RP in pectin bulk gels and ethanolic solution. PMP and PNP showed the abilities to constantly release RP and it could be permeated across the model artificial membrane and rat whole skin. RP was serially deposited throughout the skin layers. This study implies RP loaded PMP and PNP are expected to be advantageous for improved anti-wrinkle effects.