Journal of Microencapsulation

AIMS: Myricetin (MYR) was incorporated into pH-sensitive liposomes in order to improve its bioavailability and anti-hyperuricemic activity. METHODS: The MYR pH-sensitive liposomes (MYR liposomes) were prepared using thin film dispersion method, and assessed by particle size (PS), polydispersed index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP), encapsulation efficiency, drug loading, and in vitro release rate. Pharmacokinetics and anti-hyperuricemic activities were also evaluated...

AIMS: To develop Antarctic krill oil emulsions with casein and whey protein concentrate (WPC) and study their physicochemical properties and storage stability. METHODS: Emulsions were prepared by homogenisation and ultrasonication. The properties of the emulsions were investigated via ultraviolet ray spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, confocal laser scanning microscope, sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Fourier transform infra-red spectrometer, and fluorescence spectrum...

Cancer is a complex heterogeneous disease that poses a significant public health challenge. In recent years, lipid-based nanoparticles (LBNPs) have expanded drug delivery and vaccine development options owing to their adaptable, non-toxic, tuneable physicochemical properties, versatile surface functionalisation, and biocompatibility. LBNPs are tiny artificial structures composed of lipid-like materials that can be engineered to encapsulate and deliver therapeutic agents with pinpoint accuracy. They have been widely explored in oncology; however, our understanding of their pharmacological mechanisms, effects of their composition, charge, and size on cellular uptake, tumour penetration, and how they can be utilised to develop cancer vaccines is still limited...

The study aimed to develop a solid biofertilizer using Bacillus pumilus , focusing on auxin production to enhance plant drought tolerance. Methods involved immobilising B. pumilus in alginate-starch beads, focusing on microbial concentration, biopolymer types, and environmental conditions. The optimal formulation showed a diameter of 3.58 mm ± 0.18, a uniform size distribution after 15 h of drying at 30 °C, a stable bacterial concentration (1.99 × 109 CFU g-1 ± 1...

Ethosomes, which are liposomes like structures, mainly composed primarily of ethanol, have attracted considerable attention due to their potential to enhance the drug permeation via skin. The article discusses the formulation and preparation methods of ethosomes, offering insights into the various factors that influence their size, shape, and stability. Moreover, it explores the techniques used to assess the physicochemical properties of ethosomes and their impact on drug delivery effectiveness. The article also elucidates the mechanism by which ethosomes enhance skin permeation, emphasising their ability to modify the lipid structure and fluidity of the stratum corneum...

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the transdermal mechanisms and compare the differences in transdermal delivery of Sinomenine hydrochloride (SN) between solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN), liposomes (LS), and nanoemulsions (NE). METHODS: SN-SLN, SN-LS and SN-NE were prepared by ultrasound, ethanol injection and spontaneous emulsification, respectively. FTIR, DSC, in vitro skin penetration, activation energy (Ea) analysis were used to explore the mechanism of drug penetration across the skin...

Oxidative stress (OS) plays a crucial role in disease development. Astaxanthin (ATX), a valuable natural compound, may reduce OS and serve as a treatment for diseases like neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. Nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) regulates antioxidant enzymes and OS management. We evaluated ATX's antioxidant activity via Alg-CS/ATX gel beads in vitro. ATX-encapsulated alginate-chitosan (Alg-CS/ATX) gel beads were synthesized and structurally/morphologically characterized by SEM, FT-IR, and XRD...

Aim of the current study is to develop a microemulsion gel for transdermal delivery of tapentadol hydrochloride. Microemulsion was developed using phase diagram and subjected to assay, globule size, PDI, zeta potential, TEM and in vitro drug release studies. The optimized microemulsion was converted into gel using carbopol 934 NF and evaluated for viscosity, spreadability, in vitro , ex vivo , FTIR, DSC, stability and skin irritation studies. The mean globule size, PDI, zeta potential and in vitro drug release of microemulsion were found 247...

AIM: To optimise, and characterise gelatine nanoparticles (GNPs) encapsulating plant extracts and evaluate the glucose-lowering potential. METHODS: GNPs encapsulating plant extracts were prepared by desolvation method followed by adsorption. The GNPs were characterised by loading efficiency, loading capacity, particle size, zeta potential, SEM and FTIR. The glucose-lowering activity of GNPs was determined using oral glucose tolerance test in high-fat diet fed streptozotocin-induced Wistar rats...

This study aimed to produce spray dried acerola juice microparticles with different protein carriers to be incorporated into edible starch films. The microparticles were evaluated for solids recovery, polyphenol retention, solubility, hygroscopicity, particle size distribution, X-ray diffraction, phytochemical compounds and antioxidant activity. Acerola microparticles produced with WPI/hydrolysed collagen carriers (AWC) with higher solids recovery (53.5 ± 0.34% w/w), polyphenol retention (74...

AIM: To evaluate the effect of different wall material (WM) matrices followed by homogenization to encapsulate chia seed oil (CSO) using freeze-drying technology. METHODS: CSO was encapsulated using three ratios (100/0, 50/50, and 100/0) of two WM matrices: MTS/WPC (modified tapioca starch - whey protein concentrate) and MD/WPC (maltodextrin- whey protein concentrate). The evaluation included encapsulation efficiency (EE), oxidative stability, and α-linolenic acid (ALA) retention...

AIM: In this study, salicylic acid dopped into poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and prepared nanoparticles (NPs) to increase encapsulation efficiency, anti-cancer activity of caffeic acid (Caff) and folic acid (FA) for breast cancer treatment. METHOD: NPs were prepared by solvent evaporation method and characterized by FTIR, DSC, SEM, entrapment-loading efficiencies. The mean diameter, polydispersity index and zeta potential (ZP) were evaluated by DLS. In vitro release and stability studies were done via eppendorf method...

Tizanidine HCl (TH) is used as first-line therapy for the treatment of muscular spasm. The intranasal cubosomal delivery system of TH for site-specific delivery, i.e. CNS was developed. Cubosomes of TH were prepared using glyceryl monooleate (GMO) as a lipid, poloxamer 407 as stabiliser, and ethanol and polyethylene glycol 200 as co-solvent. Optimised cubosomes of TH were characterised for vesicle size, zeta potential, % drug entrapment, and mucin binding efficiency, which were found to be 50.22 nm, -6...

Aim - Our aim was to repurpose atorvastatin for melanoma by encapsulating in nanostructured lipid carrier matrix to promote tumor cell internalization and skin permeation. pH-responsive chitosan gel was employed to restrict At-NLCs in upper dermal layers.Methods - We utilized a quality by design approach for encapsulating At within NLC matrix. Further, cellular uptake and cytotoxicity was evaluated along with pH-responsive release and ex vivo skin permeation.Results - Cytotoxicity assay showed 3.13-fold enhanced cytotoxicity on melanoma cells compared to plain drug with nuclear staining showing apoptotic markers...

AIMS: Recently, there has been growing research interests in designing Pickering emulsions. In this work, Alyssum homolocarpum seed gum (AHSG) and casein protein (CP) nanoparticles (NPs) fabricated as Pickering stabilizers. METHODS: AHSG (0.0, 0.05, 0.10, and 0.15% (w/w))-CP (2% (w/w)) nanoparticles were fabricated and their properties were investigated (mean diameter, morphology, zeta potential, Fourier transform infra-red, and contact angle). Formation and stability of Pickering emulsion (Pes) stabilized by AHSG-CP NPs were monitored by mean diameter, rheological properties, and in vitro digestion...

AIM: The potential use of insulin supplementation for Alzheimer's Disease(AD) was aimed to investigate and explore CQDs as an alternative delivery system. METHODS: CQDs were produced by microwave and characterized. Insulin-loaded Ins-CQDs and in-situ Gel-Ins-CQDs were developed. The in vitro release kinetics, penetrations of insulin through excised sheep nasal mucosa were determined. Toxicity of CQDs were calculated on SH-SY5Y cells. The stability and usability of the prepared formulations were assessed...

Aim: To prepare, characterize, and evaluate antidiabetic activity of Coccinia grandis (L.) extracts encapsulated alginate nanoparticles. Methods: Alginate nanoparticles were prepared using ionic gelation method and characterized by encapsulation efficiency %w/w, loading capacity %w/w, particle size analysis, zeta potential, FTIR, and SEM. In vitro antidiabetic activity was also evaluated. Results: Encapsulation efficiency %w/w, loading capacity %w/w, mean diameter, zeta potential of C. grandis encapsulated alginate nanoparticles ranged from 10...

Propolis has beneficial health properties attributed to of phenolic compounds. However, its application is limited. Thus, encapsulation protects the bioactive compounds of propolis from degradation, allowing their release under controlled and specific conditions and increasing their solubility. In addition to protecting flavonoids, encapsulation also minimizes the undesirable characteristics of propolis, such as strong odor. We brought attention to the high antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of encapsulated propolis, and its maintained biological activity enables more uses in different areas...

To improve the stability of fucoxanthin, fucoxanthin liposomes (L) were prepared by the thin-film ultrasound method, and fucoxanthin liposomes were modified with sodium alginate and chitosan by an electrostatic deposition method. The release characteristics of fucoxanthin in different types of liposomes with in vitro gastrointestinal simulation were studied. Under the optimum conditions, the results showed that the encapsulation efficiency of prepared liposomes could reach 88.56 ± 1.40% (m/m), with an average particle size of 295...

The present study was aimed to prepare and examine in vitro novel dual-drug loaded delivery systems. Biodegradable nanoparticles based on poly(L-glutamic acid- co -D-phenylalanine) were used as nanocarriers for encapsulation of two drugs from the paclitaxel, irinotecan and doxorubicin series. The developed delivery systems were characterised with hydrodynamic diameters less than 300 nm (PDI < 0.3). High encapsulation efficiencies (≥75%) were achieved for all single- and dual-drug formulations...