Journal of Applied Research in Chemical-Polymer Engineering

Abstract Research subject: This study focuses on the development and evaluation of mucoadhesive nanoparticles containing midazolam, formulated using a polymer blend of carbomer 934P (Cb) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) for pediatric epilepsy treatment. Epilepsy, being one of the most prevalent neurological disorders in children, necessitates advanced drug delivery systems to enhance therapeutic outcomes.
Research approach: This study employed the emulsion-solvent evaporation technique to develop mucoadhesive nanoparticles using a polymer blend of Cb and HPMC. The formulation parameters were systematically optimized to achieve the desired physicochemical properties. Comprehensive characterization was performed, including evaluation of particle morphology, size distribution, zeta potential, drug encapsulation efficiency, and loading capacity. Functional properties such as swelling behavior in physiological conditions, mucoadhesive strength, and in vitro drug release profile were thoroughly investigated to ensure optimal performance for pediatric epilepsy treatment.
Main results: Results of the evaluation of mucoadhesive nanoparticles containing midazolam demonstrated that the optimized formulation with a 2% Cb and 1% HPMC ratio exhibited an ideal nanostructure with an average size of 661 nm and uniform size distribution (PDI of 0.25). The drug delivery system showed excellent drug loading capacity with 60% encapsulation efficiency and 27% drug loading. Functional characterization revealed remarkable swelling capacity (up to 750%) under physiological conditions and significant mucoadhesive strength (8560 N/m²). Drug release studies demonstrated a controlled and sustained release pattern over 4 hours. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images confirmed the spherical and uniform morphology of the nanoparticles. These unique characteristics make the developed drug delivery system an outstanding candidate for pediatric epilepsy treatment, as it both prolongs drug effect through enhanced mucosal contact time and improves treatment compliance by reducing dosing frequency via controlled release properties.

Abstract Research subject: Microencapsulation technology is an effective approach to address the challenges of treating iron deficiency using oral supplements, as it not only prevents the adverse effects associated with the presence of iron in the gastrointestinal tract but also significantly improves the bioavailability of iron salts. The main aim of this study is to prepare the sucrosomial iron formulation by the heating method and then optimize the final formulation in terms of its composition (its components and their percentage, especially the percent loading of Iron in the sucrosomial iron formulation) and in terms of performance (increasing stability and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract).
Research approach: In order to achieve the highest percentage of iron loading, the concentrations of lecithin, sucrose monostearate and iron pyrophosphate were optimized, taking into account the rate of increase in stability and permeation of the intestinal mucosa under ex vivo conditions. The final sucrose formulation, consisting of soy lecithin, iron pyrophosphate, sucrose monostearate and pre-gelatinized starch, was prepared with initial concentrations of 0.5, 0.1, 1 and 2 (%w/v), respectively, and its characteristics were determined.
Main results: Iron loading efficiency was calculated 10.87% ± 0.34. Liposomal iron and sucrosomial iron had an average size of 1.3 m and 1.9 m, respectively, with a potential of -43 mV and -10 mV. TEM results confirmed the formation of two phospholipid layers in liposomal iron. In the acidic environment of the stomach under in vitro conditions, more than 80% of the pyrophosphate iron remained encapsulated in the prepared sucrosomial formulation. Also, the percent of iron permeation from the intestinal mucosa in ex vivo conditions was calculated to be 46.1± 2.21% in 4 hours. The results showed that the final formulation exhibited significant results in terms of iron loading, increasing the stability and diffusion of iron pyrophosphate from the intestinal mucosa.