Betamethasone Dipropionate Loaded in Nanoliposomes vs Conventional Betamethasone Dipropionate: Comparative Study of Permeability and Penetrability in Vitro and ex Vivo

A betamethasone dipropionate (BD) liposomal cream was developed to treat rheumatological, inflammatory, allergic diseases and psoriasis. BD is a corticosteroid, anti-inflammatory, and immunosuppressant. However, adverse effects are associated with prolonged topical use. For this reason, liposomes were loaded with BD because they offer excellent biocompatibility, bio adhesiveness, and penetrability that improve the effects caused by the conventional drug. Liposomal dispersions were prepared by emulsification using phospholipid 90 (lipid) and Tween 80 (surfactant). The particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential were measured using a particle analyzer. The betamethasone (BM) percentage of encapsulated active (EA) ingredient was also determined through High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The Franz cell and tape stripping characterized these in vitro and ex vivo. Then the final formulation reached a particle size of 70.80 ± 3.31 nm, a PDI of 0.242 ± 0.038, a zeta potential of −11.68 ± 0.77 mv and encapsulate active of 83.1% ± 2.4, complying with the parameters of a nanotechnological formulation. In vitro and ex vivo studies confirmed significantly efficacy of the cream over the commercial product, through the greater penetration into the pig ear skin, resulting in an improved drug. Finally, the liposomal cream demonstrated significant potential for enhanced percutaneous absorption, attributed to its nanometric size. This innovative nanotechnology approach aims to reduce the frequency of topical applications, thereby minimizing the side effects associated with psoriasis treatment.

Anastomotic stoma coated with chitosan film as a betamethasone dipropionate carrier for peripheral nerve regeneration

Scar hyperplasia at the suture site is an important reason for hindering the repair effect of peripheral nerve injury anastomosis. To address this issue, two repair methods are often used. Biological agents are used to block nerve sutures and the surrounding tissue to achieve phys- ical anti-adhesion effects. Another agent is glucocorticosteroid, which can prevent scar growth by inhibiting inflammation. However, the overall effect of promoting regeneration of the injured nerve is not satisfactory. In this regard, we envision that these two methods can be combined and lead to shared understanding for achieving improved nerve repair. In this study, the right tibial nerve was transected 1 cm above the knee to establish a rat tibial nerve injury model. The incision was directly sutured after nerve transection. The anastomotic stoma was coated with 0.5 × 0.5 cm^2 chitosan sheets with betamethasone dipropionate. At 12 weeks after injury, compared with the con- trol and poly （D, L-lactic acid） groups, chitosan-betamethasone dipropionate film slowly degraded with the shape of the membrane still intact. Further, scar hyperplasia and the degree of adhesion at anastomotic stoma were obviously reduced, while the regenerated nerve fiber structure was complete and arranged in a good order in model rats. Electrophysiological study showed enhanced compound muscle action potential. Our results confirm that chitosan-betamethasone dipropionate film can effectively prevent local scar hyperplasia after tibial nerve repair and promote nerve regeneration.

Development of a topical ointment of betamethasone dipropionate loaded nanostructured lipid carrier

The purpose of this study was to design an innovative topical ointment containing betamethasone dipropionate loaded nanostructured lipid carrier (BD-NLC) for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD). BD-loaded NLC was produced with precirol ATO 5 and oleic oil (OA) by melt emulsification method. Effects of surfactant concentration, amount of solid lipid and liquid lipid on skin retention and skin penetration were investigated by in vitro percutaneous permeation experiment. The optimized BD-NLC showed a homogeneous particle size of 169.1 nm (with PI = 0.195), negatively charged surface (-23.4 mV) and high encapsulation efficiency (85%). Particle morphology assessed by TEM revealed a spherical shape. In vitro skin permeation study was carried out to investigate the percutaneous behaviors of W/O ointment with BD-NLC and Carbopol emulgel ointment with BD-NLC. W/O ointment with BDNLC showed high skin retention (35.43 μg/g) and low penetration (0.87 μg/ml). In vitro drug release studies were carried out to demonstrate the drug releasing properties of the two ointments. W/O ointment with BD-NLC showed an advantage for skin retention as it was better for drug release. The tissue distribution test suggested that BD distribution was skin > muscle > blood. Self-made topical ointment in mice showed no skin irritation. The animal experiments indicated that BD-loaded NLC ointment was effective and safe for topical use.

Changes in blood sugar levels of rats experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei and treated with imidocarb dipropionate and diminazene aceturate

Objective:To determine the effect of Trypanosoma brucei(T.brucei)on blood sugar level of infected rats.Methods:The experiment was done with 42 albino rats grouped into 3 groups of 14 members each.Group A was uninfected(control group),Group B was infected with T.brucei and treated with diminazene aceturate,and Group C was infected with T.brucei and treated with imidocarb dipropionate.Blood samples were collected from the media canthus of the experimental rats on Days 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 for the assessment of change in blood sugar levels.The blood sugar levels were determined with a glucometer(Accu-chek active serial No.GN:10023338).Results:By 4 to 5 days post infection,there was a significant increase(P<0.05)in the blood sugar of Group B and Group C.By Day 6 post infection(Day 2 post treatment),no significant difference(P>0.05)was observed in the groups when compared with the control group till Day 12 of the experiment.Conclusions:T.brucei caused a significant increase in blood sugar of infected rats.

Prevention of pelvic radiation disease

Pelvic cancers are among the most frequently diagnosed cancers worldwide. Treatment of patients requires a multidisciplinary approach that frequently includes radiotherapy. Gastrointestinal(GI) radiation-induced toxicity is a major complication and the transient or long-term problems, ranging from mild to very severe, arising in non-cancerous tissues resulting from radiation treatment to a tumor of pelvic origin, are actually called as pelvic radiation disease. The incidence of pelvic radiation disease changes according to the radiation technique, the length of follow up, the assessmentmethod, the type and stage of cancer and several other variables. Notably, even with the most recent radiation techniques, i.e., intensity-modulated radiotherapy, the incidence of radiation-induced GI side effects is overall reduced but still not negligible. In addition, radiation-induced GI side effects can develop even after several decades; therefore, the improvement of patient life expectancy will unavoidably increase the risk of developing radiation-induced complications. Once developed, the management of pelvic radiation disease may be challenging. Therefore, the prevention of radiation-induced toxicity represents a reasonable way to avoid a dramatic drop of the quality of life of these patients. In the current manuscript we provide an updated and practical review on the best available evidences in the field of the prevention of pelvic radiation disease.