The rationale behind present work was to formulate a novel cream containing microsponges of miconazole nitrate to provide prolonged release. By means of quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion method using Eudragit RS-100 with different drug-polymer ratios microsponges were prepared. In the direction of optimizing microsponge formulation, diverse factors that affect microparticles physical properties were also investigated. Microsponges were characterized by SEM, DSC, FT-IR and particle size analysis, and also evaluated for morphology, drug loading and in vitro drug release. The drug polymer ratio reflected notable effect on drug content, encapsulation efficiency and particle size. It has been found that there was no chemical interaction between drug and polymers used as revealed by FT-IR and DSC spectra. SEM micrographs exposed that microsponges were spherical, with porous surface and have had 26.23 μm mean particle size. The microsponges were then incorporated in cream; which showed viscous modulus along with pseudoplastic behavior. In vitro drug release results depicted that microsponge with drug-polymer ratio of 1:2 was more efficient to give extended drug release of 78.28% at the end of 8 h; while conventional formulations get exhausted incredibly earlier by releasing 83.09% drug at the end of 4 h only. Thus the formulated cream containing microsponges of miconazole nitrate would be a promising alternative as compared to conventional therapy for secure and efficient treatment of acne and other topical infections.

Liposomal hydrogel as a wound dressing provides a barrier that effectively prevents the contamination of the wound and further progression of infection to deeper tissues. The drug encapsulated within the liposomes increases the drug concentration locally and decreases systemic drug concentration and hydrogels combine the features of moist wound healing with good fluid absorbance. And act as a barrier against bacteria, oxygen permeability, it is easy to handle, hence it is useful as a moist wound dressing material. Besides hydrogels by nature of transparency promote monitoring of wound healing.

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Oral route of administration is widely accepted and desired because of its versatility, convenience, and most importantly patient compliance. Multiparticulate systems like granules and pellets are more advantageous when compared to single-unit dosage forms, as they are capable to distribute the drug more evenly in the gastrointestinal tract. The current paper focuses on pellets, the merits and demerits associated, various pelletization techniques, and its characterization. It also focuses on how pellets can be employed for drug delivery in controlled and sustained release formulations. It gives a com-plete emphasis on the drug and excipients that can be used in pellet formation, the marketed formulations, and the research pertaining to pellets.

Present work was aimed at designing of phosphated cross-linked microspheres of bael fruit gum (BFG) by emulsification method using sodium-tri-meta phosphate as a cross-linking agent for treatment of colon cancer using 5-fluorouracil as model drug. Stirring speed was found to be 1,000 rpm for about 5 h to be optimal to obtain reproducible microspheres. It was found that there is an increase in particle size as polymer concentration is increased whereas a reduction in particle size was observed as there is increase in stirring speed. Cross-linked BFG microspheres were successfully prepared by emulsification method. Optimum surfactant concentration was found to be 2 % w/w. Scanning electron microscopy studies showed that the drug-loaded microspheres were non-aggregated and in spherical shape. Differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier transform infrared-spectroscopy studies showed that drug and excipients are compatible. Release studies showed that drug release was more profound in cecal medium induced with enzymes causing degradation of the cross linked BFG than that of the release showed in simulated intestinal fluid. Stability studies showed that there were no significant changes in the drug content and physical appearance of microspheres.

Lipid Nanoparticles have gained increased attention during the last few decades. These carrier systems offer many advantages over conventional drug delivery system, including protection of the entrapped active ingredient from environmental (pH) or physiological (immune system, enzymes) degradations, improved bioavailability, prolonged circulation time, sustained release of drug and site specific drug delivery, reduced dose and side effects.  Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLN), has been reported as an alternative carrier system to liposomes.  However, SLN show some disadvantages such as drug expulsion during storage, low drug loading and aggregation of the particles. Nanostructured lipid carriers are evolved as second generation lipid nanoparticles to overcome the limitations of SLN, by modifying SLN by incorporating liquid lipid to the solid matrix for better drug accommodation to increase drug loading and prevent drug leakage while preserving the physical stability of the formulation. This article describes the features, various preparation techniques, characterization techniques and the therapeutic applications of NLCs in topical drug delivery, brain, oral and pulmonary delivery.

: Artificial intelligence is an emerging sector in almost all fields. It is not confined only to a particular category and can be used in various fields like research, technology, and health. AI mainly concentrates on how computers analyze data and mimic the human thought process. As drug development involves high R & D costs and uncertainty in time consumption, artificial intelligence can serve as one of the promising solutions to overcome all these demerits. Due to the availability of enormous data, there are chances of missing out on some crucial details. For solving these issues, algorithms like machine learning, deep learning, and other expert systems are being used. On successful implementation of AI in the pharmaceutical field, the delays in drug development, and failure at the clinical and marketing level can be reduced. This review comprises information regarding the development of AI, its subfields, its overall implementation, and its application in the pharmaceutical sector and provides insights on challenges and limitations concerning AI.

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