The use of an appropriate oleogelator in the structuring of vegetable oil is a crucial point of consideration. Sunflower wax (SFW) is used as an oleogelator and displays an excellent potential to bind vegetable oils. The current study aimed to look for the effects of hydrophobic (SPAN-80) and hydrophilic (TWEEN-80) emulsifiers on the oleogels prepared using SFW and sunflower oil (SO). The biodegradability and all formulations showed globular crystals on their surface that varied in size and number. Wax ester, being the most abundant component of SFW, was found to produce fibrous and needle-like entanglements capable of binding more than 99% of SO. The formulations containing 3 mg of liquid emulsifiers in 20 g of oleogels showed better mechanical properties such as spreadability and lower firmness than the other tested concentrations. Although the FTIR spectra of all the formulations were similar, which indicated not much variation in the molecular interactions, XRD diffractograms confirmed the presence of β′ form of fat crystals. Further, the mentioned formulations also showed larger average crystallite sizes, which was supported by slow gelation kinetics. A characteristic melting point (Tm~60 °C) of triglyceride was visualized through DSC thermograms. However, a higher melting point in the case of few formulations suggests the possibility of even a stable β polymorph. The formed oleogels indicated the significant contribution of diffusion for curcumin release. Altogether, the use of SFW and SO oleogels with modified properties using biodegradable emulsifiers can be beneficial in replacing saturated fats and fat-derived products.
Oleogels (OGs) have gained a lot of interest as a delivery
system
for a variety of pharmaceuticals. The current study explains the development
of jasmine floral wax (JFW) and wheat germ oil (WGO)-based OGs for
oral drug (curcumin) delivery application. The OGs were made by dissolving
JFW in WGO at 70 °C and cooling it to room temperature (25 °C).
The critical gelation concentration of JFW that induces the gelation
of WGO was found to be 10% (w/w). The OGs were characterized using
various techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
(FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), microscopic analysis, and mechanical
test. XRD data indicated that JFW influences the crystallinity of
the OGs. Among the prepared OGs, OG 17.5 showed higher crystallization
in the series. Optical microscopic studies demonstrated the formation
of fiber structures due to the entanglement of crystals whereas, polarized
light micrographs suggested the formation of spherulites or clustered
crystallite structures. The mechanical properties of the OGs increased
linearly with the increase in the JFW concentration. Curcumin-loaded
OGs were examined for their controlled release applications. In summary,
the developed OGs were found to have the necessary features for modulating
the oral delivery of curcumin.
Onychomycosis is an infection caused by a fungus that causes discoloration and thickening of the nail layer, and it is the most common nail infection in the world. Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. interdigital is the most common anthropophilic dermatophytes that trigger it. Onychomycosis is caused by yeasts such as Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis, as well as moulds such as Aspergillus spp. Treatment is determined by the type of nail invasion, the fungus genus, and the number of nails affected. Approaches towards conventional methods showed certain drawbacks which emphasizes the need for alternate approaches to produce better therapeutic efficacy of a product. The present review focused on reporting an updated classification of Onchyomycosis, causative organisms, factors influencing drug permeation, novel treatment strategies for Onychomycosis, drug permeation enhancement methods.
In this investigation, a novel in-situ emulgel of acetazolamide was developed and evaluated. The gel was prepared using corn oil, pectin, and GellanGum at different concentrations of 10%-50% (w/w) and added to the homogenizer tube followed by the addition of the emulsifier (Tween 80 and span 80 in the ratio of 1:1) at 0.2% (w/w). The pH of all five formulations was between 5.58 and 5.75. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectrum of all the formulations showed broadband in between the wavenumber range of 3,700 cm −1 and 2,980 cm −1 . The FTIR spectrum of all the formulations showed broadband in between the wavenumber range of 3,700 cm −1 and 2,980 cm −1 . The drug content in the samples was determined by a spectrophotometer at 267 nm The drug release mechanism may be Fickian transport (0.45 ≤ n), anomalous (non-Fickian) transport (0.45 ≤ n < 0.89), and/or super case-II transport (n > 0.89).The n values of all formulations were greater than 0.45. The in-vivo corneal tolerance experimentation of the prepared formulation eyes was assessed for 72 hours and found to be biocompatible based on visual inspection.
RNA folding and functioning require the binding of metal ions in specific cavities of the folded structure. This property is critical to the functioning of riboswitches that especially regulate the metal ions concentration in bacteria. However, the fundamental principles governing the specific binding of metal ions in RNA are unclear. We probed the condensation mechanism of biologically relevant alkali (Na+ and K+), alkaline earth (Mg2+ and Ca2+), and transition metals (Mn2+, Co2+, Ni2+ and Zn2+) on a part of the Ni2+ and Co2+ (NiCo) sensing riboswitch aptamer domain using computer simulations. The selected structure has multiple secondary structural elements and a single site for the specific binding of a metal ion. We show that three factors primarily determine the binding of a metal ion to an RNA site - (1) The varying structural constraints from different RNA secondary structural elements strongly influence the metal ion binding. The mode of ion binding depends on the local structure around the RNA's ion-binding pocket. (2) The arrangement of water molecules in the ion hydration shell, and (3) the energy barrier for the ion to lose a water molecule from its hydration shell and transition from an outer to an inner shell interaction, which is primarily influenced by the metal ion charge density. These results have implications for designing biocompatible sensors using riboswitches to probe the concentration of intracellular metal ions.
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