Liquid-Crystal Based Formulations for Topical Drug Delivery

Monoolein, being a biocompatible and bioadhesive penetration enhancer that can form liquid crystalline (LC) phases, possesses remarkable characteristics for addressing drug delivery systems across the biological membrane. A range of formulations based on LC phases were investigated in this study, which includes lamellar, reverse hexagonal, and bicontinuous cubic phases along with an emulsion stabilized by LC phases. Caffeine was chosen as hydophilic model drug to evaluate in vitro release performance. The different monoolein based caffeine formulations were characterized by techniques such as polarized light microscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS). The release experiments, performed through Franz diffusion cells, revealed that the presence of a liquid crystalline (LC) phase prevented burst release in all cases. In addition, taking into consideration that all ingredients are fully biocompatible, the creamy emulsion formulation stabilized by a hexagonal lipid LC phase can be proposed as a challenging preformulation for topical drug delivery.     

Synthesis and characterization of ionic liquids: viologen bis{tetrakis[3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate} salts

Several viologen bis{tetrakis[3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate} salts were prepared by metathesis reaction of the corresponding viologen dibromides (diiodide) with sodium bis{tetrakis[3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate} salt in a polar organic solvent. They were characterized for their physical and thermal properties by experimental techniques including variable temperature X‐ray diffraction. All exhibited low T _g and T _m, and their T _g/T _m (K) ratios were in the range 0.66–0.79. Several exhibited polymorphism and formed isotropic ionic melts at <150°C. They were soluble in many common organic solvents such as ethers, alcohols, acetonitrile and methylene chloride. They exhibited photoluminescence in both 1,2‐dimethoxyethane and methanol, as well as in the solid state. In the solid state, the emission spectra exhibited hypsochromic shift when compared with those in solutions of 1,2‐dimethoxyethane and methanol.     

Poly(Pyridinium Salt)s Containing 2,7-Diamino-9,9′-Dioctylfluorene Moieties with Various Organic Counterions Exhibiting Both Lyotropic Liquid-Crystalline and Light-Emitting Properties

A series of poly(pyridinium salt)s-fluorene main-chain ionic polymers with various organic counterions were synthesized by using ring-transmutation polymerization and metathesis reactions. Their chemical structures were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), proton (¹H), and fluorine 19 (¹⁹F) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometers. These polymers showed a number-average molecular weight (M_ns) between 96.5 and 107.8 kg/mol and polydispersity index (PDI) in the range of 1.12–1.88. They exhibited fully-grown lyotropic phases in polar protic and aprotic solvents at different critical concentrations. Small-angle X-ray scattering for one polymer example indicates lyotropic structure formation for 60–80% solvent fraction. A lyotropic smectic phase contains 10 nm polymer platelets connected by tie molecules. The structure also incorporates a square packing motif within platelets. Thermal properties of polymers were affected by the size of counterions as determined by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis measurements. Their ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectra in different organic solvents were essentially identical, indicating that the closely spaced π-π* transitions occurred in their conjugated polymer structures. In contrast, the emission spectra of polymers exhibited a positive solvatochromism on changing the polarity of solvents. They emitted green lights in both polar and nonpolar organic solvents and showed blue light in the film-states, but their λ_em peaks were dependent on the size of the counterions. They formed aggregates in polar aprotic and protic solvents with the addition of water (v/v, 0–90%), and their λ_em peaks were blue shifted.     

Factors affecting the morphology of benzoyl peroxide microsponges

Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) is primarily used in the treatment of mild to moderate acne. However, its application is associated with skin irritation. It has been shown that encapsulation and controlled release of BPO could reduce the side effect while also reducing percutaneous absorption when administered to the skin. The aim of the present investigation was to design and formulate an appropriate encapsulated form of BPO, using microsponge technology, and explore the parameters affecting the morphology and other characteristics of the resultant products employing scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Benzoyl peroxide particles were prepared using an emulsion solvent diffusion method by adding an organic internal phase containing benzoyl peroxide, ethyl cellulose and dichloromethane into a stirred aqueous phase containing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Different concentrations of BPO microsponges were incorporated in lotion formulations and the drug release from these formulations were studied. The SEM micrographs of the BPO microsponges enabled measurement of their size and showed that they were spherical and porous. Results showed that the morphology and particle size of microsponges were affected by drug:polymer ratio, stirring rate and the amount of emulsifier used. The results obtained also showed that an increase in the ratio of drug:polymer resulted in a reduction in the release rate of BPO from the microsponges. The release data showed that the highest and the lowest release rates were obtained from lotions containing plain BPO particles and BPO microsponges with the drug:polymer ratio of 13:1, respectively. The kinetics of release study showed that the release data followed Peppas model and the main mechanism of drug release from BPO microsponges was diffusion.     

Operational risk: Emerging markets,sectors and measurement

The role of decision support systems in mitigating operational risks in firms is well established. However, there is a lack of investment in decision support systems in emerging markets, even though inadequate operational risk management is a key cause of discouraging external investment. This has also been exacerbated by insufficient understanding of operational risk in emerging markets, which can be attributed to past operational risk measurement techniques, limited studies on emerging markets and inadequate data.     

Ultrasonic accelerated efficient synthesis of aminobenzochromenes using Ag2Cr2O7 nanoparticles as a reusable heterogeneous catalyst

Ag₂Cr₂O₇ nanoparticles were found to be an exceedingly effective catalyst for the mild and green synthesis of aminobenzochromenes. The reaction was performed under ultrasonic irradiation as an innocuous tool and in water as a green solvent at room temperature. This method encompasses several sustainable and economic benefits.     

Solid State S-Methylation of Thiols and O-Methylation of Phenols and Naphthols with Dimethyl Sulfate Under Microwave Irradiation

Abstract

Mild and efficient S-methylation of thiols and o-methylation of phenols and naphthols occurs with dimethyl sulfate (DMS) supported on basic alumina under microwave irradiation in solventless system.     

The Multifunctional Role of Herbal Products in the Management of Diabetes and Obesity: A Comprehensive Review

Obesity and diabetes are the most demanding health problems today, and their prevalence, as well as comorbidities, is on the rise all over the world. As time goes on, both are becoming big issues that have a big impact on people’s lives. Diabetes is a metabolic and endocrine illness set apart by hyperglycemia and glucose narrow-mindedness because of insulin opposition. Heftiness is a typical, complex, and developing overall wellbeing worry that has for quite some time been connected to significant medical issues in individuals, all things considered. Because of the wide variety and low adverse effects, herbal products are an important hotspot for drug development. Synthetic compounds are not structurally diverse and lack drug-likeness properties. Thus, it is basic to keep on exploring herbal products as possible wellsprings of novel drugs. We conducted this review of the literature by searching Scopus, Science Direct, Elsevier, PubMed, and Web of Science databases. From 1990 until October 2021, research reports, review articles, and original research articles in English are presented. It provides top to bottom data and an examination of plant-inferred compounds that might be utilized against heftiness or potentially hostile to diabetes treatments. Our expanded comprehension of the systems of activity of phytogenic compounds, as an extra examination, could prompt the advancement of remedial methodologies for metabolic diseases. In clinical trials, a huge number of these food kinds or restorative plants, as well as their bioactive compounds, have been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of obesity.     

Acetone Dimethyl Hydrazone: Useful Synthon+ for the Synthesis of Pheromones with Keto and Spiro Ketal Functions

The use of α-lithiated dimethyl hydrazones as an efficient enolate equivalent for the alkylation of ketones has been reported^1,2,3. Due to the ragioselectivity exhibited by acetone dimethyl hydrazone (1) towards the formation of bis alkylated products, we have used the easily avaiLable (1) as a convenient synthon for achieving a short and simple synthesis of pheromones, 1,7-dioxaspiro (5,5) undecane4 (2) and Z-6-Heneicosen-11-one (2). The key step in both the syntheses is the regioselective bis alkylation of (1) using butyl lithium as a base, as shown in Scheme I.