Film-forming sprays offer many advantages compared to conventional topical preparations because they can provide uniform drug distribution and dose, increased bioavailability, lower incidence of irritation, continuous drug release, and accelerated wound healing through moisture control. Film-forming sprays consist of polymers and excipients that improve the characteristics of preparations and enhance the stability of active substances. Each type of polymer and excipient will produce films with different features. Therefore, the various types of polymers and excipients and their evaluation standards need to be examined for the development of a more optimal form of film-forming spray. The selected literature included research on polymers as film-forming matrices and the application of these sprays for medical purposes or for potential medical use. This article discusses the types and concentrations of polymers and excipients, sprayer types, evaluations, and critical parameters in determining the sprayability and film characteristics. The review concludes that both natural and synthetic polymers that have in situ film or viscoelastic properties can be used to optimise topical drug delivery.

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Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancer diseases with the increase of cases prevalence >5% every year. Multidrug resistance mechanisms and non-localized therapy become primary problems of chemotherapy drugs for curing colorectal cancer disease. Therefore, the enteric-coated nanoparticle system has been studied and proved to be able to resolve those problems with good performance for colorectal cancer. The highlight of our review aims to summarize and discuss the enteric-coated nanoparticle drug delivery system specific for colorectal cancer disease. The main and supporting literatures were collected from published research articles of journals indexed in Scopus and PubMed databases. In the oral route of administration, Eudragit pH-sensitive copolymer as a coating agent prevents the degradation of the nanoparticle system from the gastric fluid and releases drug to intestinal-colon track. Therefore, it provides a colon-specific targeting ability. Impressively, enteric-coated nanoparticles having a sustained release profile significantly increase the cytotoxic effect of chemotherapeutic drugs and achieve cell-specific target delivery. The enteric-coated nanoparticle drug delivery system represents an excellent modification to improve the effectiveness and performance of anticancer drugs for colorectal cancer disease in terms of the oral route of administration.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected billions and has killed millions to date. Studies are being carried out to find therapeutic molecules that can potentially inhibit the replication of SARS-CoV-2. 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CL pro) involved in the polyprotein cleavage process is believed to be the key target for viral replication, and hence is an attractive target for the discovery of antiviral molecules. In the present study, we aimed to identify natural phytocompounds from Bridelia retusa as potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 3CL pro (PDB ID: 6M2N) using in silico techniques. Molecular docking studies conducted with three different tools in triplicates revealed that ellagic acid (BR6) and (+)-sesamin (BR13) has better binding affinity than the co-crystal inhibitor “3WL” of 6M2N. BR6 and BR13 were found to have a high LD 50 value with good bioavailability. 3WL, BR6, and BR13 bind to the same active binding site and interacted with the HIS41-CYS145 catalytic dyad including other crucial amino acids. Molecular dynamics simulation studies revealed stability of protein–ligand complexes as evidenced from root-mean-square deviations, root-mean-square fluctuations (RMSF), protein secondary structure elements, ligand-RMSF, protein–ligand contacts, ligand torsions, and ligand properties. BR6 (−22.3064 kcal/mol) and BR13 (−19.1274 kcal/mol) showed a low binding free energy value. The Bayesian statistical model revealed BR6 and BR13 as better protease inhibitors than 3WL. Moreover, BR6 and BR13 had already been reported to elicit antiviral activities. Therefore, we conclude that ellagic acid and (+)-sesamin as natural antiviral phytocompounds with inhibitory potential against SARS-CoV-2 3CL pro. Supplementary information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11224-022-01959-3.

The present study was aimed to develop silybin phytosome (SIBP) and evaluate its effectiveness against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (CIR) injury in rats. Initially, SIBP was prepared and characterized with Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. Drug loading and entrapment efficiency of SIBP were also calculated. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to carry out bioavailability studies of SIBP. Adult Wistar rats were divided randomly into five groups. The CIR injury was induced after 14 days of pretreatment by occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries for 30 min followed by 4 h of reperfusion. Biochemical estimation, histopathological studies, and in silico studies were carried out. Bioavailability studies revealed that SIB concentration was increased to twofolds in SIBP-treated rats. SIBP treatment significantly increases superoxide dismutase and glutathione levels while it decreases monoaldehyde, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels in both the hippocampus and cortex of the SIBP-treated CIR-injured rats.Histopathological studies reveal SIBP treatment alleviates cortex cell death and arrangement of CA1 neurons in CIR-injured rats. In silico studies against proteins (TNF-α and IL-6) involved in cerebral ischemia revealed that silybin (SIB) exhibits strong binding interaction with the target proteins when compared to thalidomide which was used as the positive control. Phytosome increase SIB bioavailability and SIBP treatment showed promising results when compared to treatment with SIB only. Based on our study, we conclude that phytosome is a suitable drug delivery agent to the brain for SIB as SIBP treatment was able to provide neuroprotective action against CIR injury.

Human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) has been known to have excellent wound-healing activity. However, direct application to the wound area can lead to low hEGF bioavailability due to protease enzymes or endocytosis. The use of liposomes as coatings and carriers can protect hEGF from degradation by enzymes, chemical reactions, and immune reactions. Sustained release using a matrix polymer can also keep the levels of hEGF in line with the treatment. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a film-forming spray of water-soluble chitosan (FFSWSC) containing hEGF-liposomes as a potential wound dressing. The hEGF-liposomes were prepared using the hydration film method, and the preparation of the FFSWSC was achieved by the ionic gelation method. The hydration film method produced hEGF-liposomes that were round and spread with a Z-average of 219.3 nm and encapsulation efficiency of 99.87%, whereas the film-forming solution, which provided good sprayability, had a formula containing 2% WSC and 3% propylene glycol with a viscosity, spray angle, droplet size, spray weight, and occlusion factor of 21.94 ± 0.05 mPa.s, 73.03 ± 1.28°, 54.25 ± 13.33 µm, 0.14 ± 0.00 g, and 14.57 ± 3.41%, respectively. The pH, viscosity, and particle size of the FFSWSC containing hEGF-liposomes were stable during storage for a month in a climatic chamber (40 ± 2 °C, RH 75 ± 5%). A wound healing activity test on mice revealed that hEGF-liposomes in FFSWSC accelerated wound closure significantly, with a complete wound closure on day 6. Based on the findings, we concluded that FFSWSC containing hEGF-liposomes has the potential to be used as a wound dressing.

Context: Human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) has biological activities and can be used in medicines and cosmetics. A high level of effectiveness of hEGF can be obtained when three disulfide bonds fold perfectly. Extracellular secretion from E. coli BL21 using the PelB signal peptide is a new way to obtain hEGF with a structure that folds appropriately. Object: This study aimed to determine the activity and effectiveness of recombinant hEGF excreted by E. coli BL21 on wound healing in induced diabetic mice. Methods: Cell proliferation and migration tests were performed on NIH3T3 cells, followed by wound healing tests in induced diabetic mice, along with histological and endotoxin test at various hEGF concentrations (25, 50, and 75 µg/mL). Results: Based on the results, hEGF at a level of 50 μg/mL showed optimal proliferation and migration activities. Wound healing in induced diabetic mice showed faster-wound closure within 12 days at hEGF 50 and 75 µg/mL with a percentage wound closure of 95% and 98.5%, respectively, which was significant versus control. In the histology test, the number of fibroblasts showed an increase and was significant at hEGF 75 µg/mL compared to the control group. The single test vial (STV) showed that hEGF solution was free of endotoxin. Conclusion: Recombinant hEGF produced by extracellular secretion using E. coli BL21 has optimal diabetic wound healing activity through increased fibroblast proliferation.

<p>Kipas laut (<em>Gorgonia mariae</em>) telah digunakan masyarakat Maluku secara turun temurun sebagai obat asma. Kandungan metabolit sekunder yang paling dominan dalam kipas laut adalah sterol, dimana memiliki aktivitas terapi melalui efek sinergisme antara senyawa metabolit dengan polivalent activity. Pengujian kipas laut sebagai anti-asma belum pernah dilaporkan sebelumnya. Oleh karena itu, perlu dilakukan virtual screening menggunakan metode in silico pada komponen sterol kipas laut sebagai tahap awal dalam menentukan efektivitas terapi anti-asma dengan memprediksi nilai ikatan energi bebas (ΔG), konstanta inhibisi (Ki), dan interaksi residu asam amino menggunakan Autodock Tools 4.2 dan Discovery Studio 2016 Client®. Keamanan dan efektivitas kandidat obat dievaluasi menggunakan parameter dari Lipinski Rule of Five dan pre-ADMET. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa konstanta inhibisi dan ikatan energi bebas (Ki; ΔG) dari komponen senyawa kipas laut dapat diurutkan secara potensial yaitu 4,24-dimetil kolestanol  (0,809; -12,40) &gt; 24-metil-22-dehidrokolesterol (0,864; -12,36) &gt; 23-demetil gorgosterol (1,74; -11,95) &gt; 4,24-dimetil-22-dehidrokolestanol (1,89; -11,90). Residu asam amino yang berperan penting dalam aktivitas inhibisi hCHIT1 adalah 213-ASP. Semua komponen senyawa uji memiliki nilai log P lebih dari 5 yang menunjukkan bahwa kelarutan dan toksisitas perlu diperhatikan. Evaluasi distribusi pre-ADMET berdasarkan nilai dari pengikatan protein plasma menunjukan bahwa senyawa uji dapat berdifusi menembus membran plasma dan berinteraksi sesuai target farmakologi. Selain itu, hasil parameter uji toksisitas menunjukkan bahwa senyawa 23-demetil gorgosterol dan 4,24-dimetil-22-dehidrokolestanol memiliki potensi sebagai anti-asma.</p><p><strong>Virtual Screening of the Compounds in Gorgonians </strong><strong>(<em>Gorgonia mariae</em>) as anti-asthma. </strong>The people of Maluku have used Kipas laut (G. mariae) for generations as an asthma medicine. The secondary metabolite that is most dominant in kipas laut is sterols, which have therapeutic activity through the synergistic effect between metabolite compounds and polyvalent activity. Anti-asthma activity of kipas laut has never been reported. Therefore, it is necessary to do virtual screening using the in silico method on the sterol component of kipas laut as a first step in determining the effectiveness of anti-asthma therapy by predicting the value of free energy bonds (ΔG), constant inhibition (K_i), and interactions of amino acid residues using Autodock Tools 4.2 and Discovery Studio 2016 Client®. The effectiveness and safety of prospective drugs are evaluated using the Lipinski Rule of Five and pre-ADMET. The results showed that the value of inhibition constants and free energy bonds (Ki; ΔG) on the compound of kipas laut that was potentially sorted was 4.24-dimethyl cholestanol (0.809; -12.40) &gt; 24-methyl-22-dehydrocholesterol (0.864; -12.36) &gt; 23-demethyl gorgosterol (1.74; -11.95) &gt; 4.24-dimethyl-22-dehidrokolestanol (1.89; -11.90). The crucial residues of amino acids is 213-ASP, which play a significant role in hCHIT1 inhibitory activity. All components of the test compound have a log P value of more than five, which indicates that solubility and toxicity need to be considered. Evaluation of the pre-ADMET based on the value of plasma protein binding shows that the test compound can diffuse through the plasma membrane and interact according to pharmacological targets. In addition, the results of the toxicity test showed that 23-demethyl gorgosterol and 4.24-dimethyl-22-dehidrokolestanol compounds have potential as anti-asthma.</p>