• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.34 no.3 s.134
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• pp.250-255
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• 2003

To develop Allium victorialis var. platyphyllum (Liliaceae) for an available functional food, pharmacological experiments on the extracts of this plant were undertaken in the rat treated with streptozotocin, poloxamer-407 and $CCl_4$. The two MeOH extracts were obtained from the leaves and the bulbs, respectively. The three agents, streptozotocin, poloxamer-407 and $CCl_4$, were treated to induce diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia and hepatic injury, respectively. Treatment with the leaf extract lowered blood glucose by 24.9% at 200 mg/kg (p.o.) in the STZ-treated rat and prohibited the increase of body weight, water consumption and food intake. This exσact also significantly decreased not only thε plasma cholesterol and triglyceride in the poloxamer-407-treated rat by 35.3% but also serum ALT by 49.0%. The potency was found by overall estimation on the experimental results as followings: 200 mg/kg leaf extract> 200 mg/kg bulb extract> 100 mg/kg leaf exσact> 100 mg/kg bulb extract. These results suggested that this plant might have the availability for a functional food. It was also suggested that the leaves are more effective than the bulbs for the functional vegetable, especially in hyperlipidemia and hepatic injury.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.459-463
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• 2010

Amphotericin B (AmB) is anti-fungal agent for the treatment of systemic fungal infections, but its poor solubility has limited clinical applications. In this study, a new gel formulation made up of L-arginine as solubilizer, thermosensitive Poloxamer 407 (P 407), and adhesive carbopol was designed for effective solubilization and delivery of AmB. The aqueous solubility of AmB was enhanced up to 2.6 mg/mL by addition of L-arginine. Aqueous P 407 solutions of more than 20% w/v showed thermo-induced sol-gel-sol phase transition. The phase transition behavior was affected by the presence of AmB and L-arginine, and the phase transition range was broadened by addition of carbopol. In vitro drug release was improved by the solubilizing effect of L-arginine, and the presence of mucoadhesive carbopol prolonged the release rate as a function of concentration.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.109-114
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• 2006

Biodegradable poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles were developed for sustained delivery of water-soluble macromolecules. PLGA nanoparticles were fabricated by spontaneous emulsification solvent diffusion method generating negatively charged particles and heterogeneous size distribution. As a model drug, blue dextran was encapsulated in PLGA nanoparticles. In addition, nanoparticles were also prepared with varying ratio of poloxamer 188 (P188) and poloxamer 407 (P407), and coating with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). Then, the particle size, zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency of nanoparticles containing blue dextran were studied. In vitro release of blue dextran from nanoparticles was also investigated. The surface and morphology of nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In case of nanoparticles prepared with PLGA, P407, and different organic solvents, particle size was in the range of $230{\sim}320\;nm$ and zeta potentials of nanoparticles were negative. The SEM images showed that ethyl acetate is suitable for the formulation of PLGA nanoparticles with good appearance. Moreover, ethyl acetate showed higher encapsulation efficiency than other solvents. The addition of P188 to formulation did not affect the particle size of PLGA nanoparticles but altered the release patterns of blue dextran from nanoparticles. However, PVA, as a coating material, altered the particle size with increasing the PVA concentration. The nanoparticles were physically stable in the change of particle size during long-term storage. From the results, the PLGA nanoparticles prepared with various contents of poloxamers and PVA, could modulate the particles size of nanoparticles, in vitro release pattern, and encapsulation of water-soluble macromolecules.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.99-110
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the effect of a herbal preparation HJ01 consisting of Salicornia herbacea, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, Crataegi Fructus and Glycyrrhizae Radix on adipocyte differentiation in OP9 cells and on poloxamer 407(P-407)-induced hyperlipidemia in mice. Methods : 1. MTT assay was used to evaluate the potential cytotoxicity of Salicornia herbacea, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, Crataegi Fructus, Glycyrrhizae Radix and HJ01, respectively. 2. Bone-marrow derived OP9 cells were treated with HJ01, and the alterations in fat storage in the cells were determined by the Oil red O assay. 3. The protein level of CAAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha($C/EBP{\alpha}$), as a adipocyte differentiation marker, was examined using western blot analysis in differentiated OP6 cells. 4. Adult male C57BL6 mice received intraperitoneal injections of P407 to induce hyperlipidemia, simultaneously, were treated with HJ01 for 4 weeks. Then the cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) levels in sera and liver tissues were measured. Results : 1. The MTT assay exhibited that Salicornia herbacea, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, Crataegi Fructus, Glycyrrhizae Radix and HJ01 showed no significant cytotoxicity in tested dosages. 2. Ten days' treatment with HJ01 markedly inhibited the increases in fat storage in differentiated OP6 cells. 3. Four weeks' treatment with HJ01 down-regulated the protein level of CAAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha($C/EBP{\alpha}$) but up-regulated the levels of adiponectin in differentiated OP9 cells. 5. HJ01 inhibited the accumulation of TC and TG in liver tissues and increased serum levels of TC in hyperlipidemic mice. Conclusions : These results suggest that HJ01 can in vitro inhibit adipocyte differentiation and fat storage in OP6 cells, in vivo improve the hyperlipidemia induced by P-407 in mice, which may be mediated by promoting glucose uptake and improving a lipid metabolite profile.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.177-183
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• 1998

Low toxicity, reverse thermal gelation and high drug loading capabilities suggest that poloxamer 407 gels have great potential as a topical drug delivery system. Kojic acid (KA) is an antimelanogenic agent which has been widely used in cosmetics to whiten the skin color. However, it has the drawbacks of skin irritancy due to its acidic pH. Poloxamer gels of different polymer contents were formulated to overcome the problem and compared to the cream type formulations of either w/o/w multiple emulsion cream or o/w type emulsion cream. Using Franz diffusion cells mounted with a synthetic cellulose membrane (MWCO 12,000), drug release characteristics of the formulations were evaluated by the HPLC assay of KA concentration in the receptor compartment of pH 7.4 phosphate buffered saline solutions. Drug release from w/o/w multiple emulsion cream was controlled by oil membrane, showing the apparent zero order release kinetics. The KA release from the poloxamer gels was also controlled by the gel matrix, showing that drug release increased linearly as KA contents increase, but decreased exponentially as the polymer contents increase. In the skin irritancy test, the primary irritancy index(PII) of poloxamer gel base was lower than those of multiple emulsion cream base and o/w cream. Depending on KA contents or polymer contents in the gel. PH values in poloxamer gels were ranged from 1.3 to 2.0, which are interpreted as low or negligible irritation on skin. There was a good correlation between the log value of flux in drug release and PII value in skin irritation. It was possible to conclude that the poloxamer gels containing KA might be a good candidate for an antimelanogenic topical delivery system by virtue of the controlled release of the drug and the reduced skin irritancy.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.219-227
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• 2016

Valsartan, a drug for the treatment of cardiovascular disease, exhibited low bioavailability which was caused by, at least in part, limited solubility at low pH. Present investigation deals with the preparation and characterization of gastro-retentive drug delivery system (GRDDS) using valsartan solid dispersion. We prepared solid dispersion using surfactants (Poloxamer 407) and alkalizer ($Na_2CO_3$) which may to be useful for improving solubility of valsartan at low pH and evaluated by saturated solubility of valsartan in distilled water. Valsartan gastro-retentive (GR) tablets containing solid dispersion prepared and evaluated by weight variation, floating time and dissolution rate. Compression at lower pressures resulted in the tablets floating over simulated gastric fluid (pH 1.2) for more than 17 h. In vitro release of valsartan from GR tablet was dependent on the amount of poloxamer 407 and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. On the basis of evaluation parameter, formulation E-3 was selected as a final formulation. Therefore, it can be concluded that the GR tablets containing solid dispersion may be exploited successfully for the delivery of poorly drug such as valsartan.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.290-295
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• 1998

To optimize the formulation of acetaminophen liquid suppository, the effect of additives on the physicochemical properties of liquid suppository base was investigated. The physi cochemical properties of P 407/P 188 (15/15%) (abbreviated in 15/15) and P 407/P l88 (15/20%) (abbreviated in 15/20) were measured after the addition of following additives; 2.5% acetaminophen as an active ingredient, vehicle components (5% ethanol, 5% propylene glycol, 5% glycerin), preservatives (0.1% sodium benzoate, 0,1% methylparahydroxybenzoate, 0.1% propylparahydroxybenzoate) and 1% of sodium chloride as an ionic strength controlling agent. Poloxamer gel was prepared with three different buffer solutions (pH 1.2, 4.0 and 6.8) and the physicochemical properties, gelation temperature, gel strength and bioadhesive force, were determined. In the results, the effect of additives on the physicochemical properties was dependent on their bonding capacities including hydrogen bonding and cross-linking bonding. Because the hydrogen-bonding capacities of acetaminophen, ethanol and propylene glycol were smaller than that of poloxamer, the binding force of poloxamer gel became weak by their putting in between poloxamer gel. Therefore, the gelation temperature (15/15, $35.7^{\circ}C$ vs 37.0, 39.4 $38.2^{\circ}C$; 15/20, $29.2^{\circ}C$ vs 31.2, 32.0, $30.3^{\circ}C$) increased, and gel strength (15/15, 4.03 see vs 2.72, 2.08, 3.12sec; 15/20, 300g vs 50, 50, 200g) and bioadhesive force (15/15, $6.8{\times}10^2\;dyne/cm^2$ vs 3.2, 6.0, $6.0{\times}10^2\;dyne/cm^2$; 15/20, $97.3{\times}10^2\;dyne/cm^2$ vs 11.1, 89.5, $92.0{\times}10^2\;dyne/cm^2$) decreased. Furthermore, the binding force of poloxamer gel became strong due to the hydrogen-bonding capacities of glycerin and the cross-liking bonding of sodium salt. Then, the gelation temperature (15/15, 35.0, $32.1^{\circ}C$; 15/20, 26.0, $21.0^{\circ}C$) decreased, and gel strength (15/15, 6.51 see, 300g; 15/20, 500, 650g) and bioadhesive force (15/15, 7.2, $81.6{\times}10^2\;dyne/cm^2$; 15/20, 112.3, $309.2{\times}10^2\;dyne/cm^2$) increased. The effect of pH on the physicochemical properties of poloxamer gel was dependent on the ingredients with which the buffer solutions were prepared. Poloxamer gels prepared with pH 1.2 and 4.0 buffer solutions had the increasing gelation temperature (15/15, 37.5, $38.1^{\circ}C$; 15/20, 33.1, $34.0^{\circ}C$) and the decreasing gel strength (15/15, 2.98, 3.81sec; 15/20, 200, 200g) and bioadhesive force (15/15, $7.0{\times}10^2dyne/cm^2$; 15/20, $74.0{\sim}88.1{\times}10^2dyne/cm^2$) owing to HCl. Poloxamer gel prepared with pH 6.8 buffer solutions had the decreasing gelation temperature (15/15, $27.2^{\circ}C$; 15/20, $22.3^{\circ}C$) and the increasing gel strength (15/15, 400g; 15/20, 550g) and bioadhesive force (15/15, $207.0{\times}10^2dyne/cm^2$; 15/20, $215.0{\times}10^2dyne/cm^2$) due to the cross-linking bonding of $NaH_2PO_4\;and\;K_2HPO_4$.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.165-171
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• 2005

Itraconazole is a triazole antifungal agent to inhibit most fungal pathogens. However, it is difficult for itraconazloe to be delivered by topical system due to its poor aqueous solubility. First, niosomes containing drug were prepared with span 60, cholesterol. tocopherol and poloxamer 407 as vesicle forming agents in an effort to increase solubility of itraconazole. And then prepared niosomes were dispersed in O/W creams (containing xanthan gum, glycerin, vaseline, glyceryl monostearate and $Cerix^{\circledR}-5$) or gels (containing xanthan gum and poloxamer 407). Both creams and gels were evaluated with respect to their rheological properties, in vitro permeation through excised skin of hairless mouse. Creams or gels containing niosome showed pseudoplastic flow and hysteresis loop. For both creams and gels, viscosity was increased with increasing the content of glycerine or vaseline and the content of gel forming polymer, respectively. In creams, the permeability of drug to skin was decreased with increasing the viscosity of cream. The permeability of drug was affected by pH as well as viscosity of gel. In vitro permeation test results demonstrated that cream formulations showed better permeability than gels. In conclusion, these results suggest that creams formulation containing niosome can be useful for the topical delivery of intraconazole.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2003

Ketorolac tromethamine(KT) is a nonsteroidal agent with potent analgesic and moderate anti-inflammatory activity. The lipid-water partition coefficient of KT was evaluated and KT gel was formulated as a gel containing different pH, different concentrations of polymer (poloxamer 407, carbopol 941), propylene glycol, ethanol and various enhancers. The resulting KT gels were evaluated with respect to their viscosity, in vitro drug permeation rate through hairless mouse skin and stability. In n-octanol and chloroform, the lipid-water partition coefficient of KT was the highest at pH 4 phosphate buffer. The apparent viscosity of KT gel increased with an increase in gel pH, polymer and enhancer concentration. But the apparent viscosity of KT gel decreased with an increase in ethanol concentration. The permeation rate of KT through hairless mouse skin from gels different pH was maximum at pH 4 which is close to KT $pK_{a}$ 3.54. The permeation rate decreased with an increase in polymer, propylene glycol concentration. But the permeation rate increased with an increase in ethanol. The increase of drug concentration from 1 to 3% induced linear increase in permeation rate. The best enhancer was the combination of $Labrasol^{\circledR},\;Transcutol^{\circledR}$, oleic acid and l-menthol. In the accelerated stability test(25, 40 and $50{\circ}C$), pH 5 gel was most stable and pH 4 gel was most unstable for 90 days.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.409-415
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• 2013

We attempted to determine the action target of Shiitake mushroom extract with a known anti-hyperlipidemic effect in poloxamer(P) 407-induced hyperlipidemia model. We investigated the anti-hyperlipidemic effects of the water extract from Shiitake mushroom on the progress of high fat diet for 4 weeks. Experimental rats were divided into 5 different experimental groups including an normal group (normal diet; n=10), control group (hyperlipidemia; n=10), Experimental group I (hyperlipidemic rats treated with Shiitake mushroom extract (100 mg/kg, PO), n=10), Experimental group II (hyperlipidemic rats treated with Shiitake mushroom extract (300 mg/kg, PO), n=10), and Experimental group III (hyperlipidemic rats treated with Shiitake mushroom extract (500 mg/kg, PO), n=10). It is to analysis changes in body weight, visceral fat weight, blood lipid profiles, HMG-CoA reductase and histological findings. Body weight and epididymal fat weight was not significantly change in experimental groups (p>0.05). The level of total cholesterol, TG, arthrogenic index, and HMG-CoA reductase were significantly lower in experimental groups than control group (p<0.05). These results suggested that the Shiitake mushroom extract administration may act by inhibitory the release of cholesterol related factors and HMG-CoA from the hepatocyte without liver and kidney cell damage in hyperlipidemia rats.