Applications of Microemulsions in Biomedical Research

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2018) | Viewed by 11170

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Be’er Sheva 84105, Israel
Interests: transdermal and topical drug delivery; intranasal administration of nano-metric systems; microemulsions; nanoparticles; biopharmaceutics
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Since the discovery of microemulsions (MEs or mEs) by Hoar and Schulman (Nature, 152:102, 1943), there has been a huge interest in these systems, as evidenced by their extensive worldwide use in diverse research areas, in many products, and in various industrial processes. Due to their unique properties as potential nanocarriers, the application of MEs in drug therapeutics is an important issue that should be specifically addressed. Thus, in an attempt to highlight the medical uses and applications related to MEs, Nanomaterials has decided to publish a Special Issue “Applications of Microemulsions in Biomedical Research” that will focus on recent studies and development of MEs as delivery systems for drugs and therapeutic agents.

The Special Issue of Nanomaterials will include:

·         Recent advances in theoretical modeling of drug solubilization and release from microemulsions.
·         Oral delivery and intestinal absorption of drug-loaded microemulsions.
·         Delivery of protein and peptide drugs via microemulsions.
·         Parenteral delivery and tumor targeting.
·         Topical and dermatological use.
·         Intranasal and brain targeting.
·         Other applications (e.g., ophthalmic, periodontal).
·         Use of microemulsions as a template to manufacture other drug nanocarriers

Prof. Dr. Amnon Sintov
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • Microemulsion
  • Self-assembling nanostructures
  • Enhanced drug delivery
  • Increased drug bioavailability
  • Protein and peptide drug delivery
  • Sustained and targeted drug delivery

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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12 pages, 2368 KiB  
Article
Enhancement of Antibacterial Activity of Orange Oil in Pectin Thin Film by Microemulsion
by Pensak Jantrawut, Kasidech Boonsermsukcharoen, Kanyanut Thipnan, Tanpong Chaiwarit, Kyu-Mok Hwang and Eun-Seok Park
Nanomaterials 2018, 8(7), 545; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano8070545 - 19 Jul 2018
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 4957
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to prepare orange oil microemulsion (ME) and to investigate the antimicrobial activity of film containing orange oil ME. First, surfactants and co-surfactants were screened on their efficiency to form ME using pseudo-ternary phase diagrams. The influences of [...] Read more.
The purpose of this study was to prepare orange oil microemulsion (ME) and to investigate the antimicrobial activity of film containing orange oil ME. First, surfactants and co-surfactants were screened on their efficiency to form ME using pseudo-ternary phase diagrams. The influences of surfactant and co-surfactant mass ratios were studied and optimized ME-loaded-films were prepared. Then, films containing orange oil ME were characterized by SEM and texture analyzer, and then evaluated for antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Propionibacterium acnes using an agar disc diffusion method. The results showed that Tween 80 as surfactant and propylene glycol as co-surfactant at a 1:1 ratio possessed the maximum ME area. Three ME formulations of ME 20, ME 25, and ME 30, which consisted of 20, 25, and 30% w/v of orange oil were prepared, respectively. All ME formulations showed particle sizes of about 60.26–80.00 nm, with broad a polydispersity index of 0.42. The orange oil ME films exhibited higher elastic values than the control. The diameters of inhibition zones for FME 20, FME 25, and FME 30 against P. acnes were 13.64, 15.18, and 16.10 mm, respectively. Only the FME 30 had an antimicrobial activity against S. aureus with 8.32 mm of inhibition zone. Contrarily, the control film had no antimicrobial activity against both bacteria. In conclusion, the present study found that the antibacterial activity of orange oil in pectin thin film could be enhanced by preparing orange oil as an ME before loading into pectin thin film. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Microemulsions in Biomedical Research)
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22 pages, 3698 KiB  
Article
Fatty Acid Based Microemulsions to Combat Ophthalmia Neonatorum Caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Staphylococcus aureus
by Ummara Butt, Amr ElShaer, Lori A. S. Snyder, Ali A. Al-Kinani, Adam Le Gresley and Raid G. Alany
Nanomaterials 2018, 8(1), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano8010051 - 19 Jan 2018
Cited by 29 | Viewed by 5595
Abstract
The bacterial species Neisseria gonorrhoeae (N. gonorrhoeae) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) are amongst the main microorganisms that cause ophthalmia neonatorum. The current treatment involves the use of various antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, cephalosporin, ceftriaxone and cefotaxime. However, this [...] Read more.
The bacterial species Neisseria gonorrhoeae (N. gonorrhoeae) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) are amongst the main microorganisms that cause ophthalmia neonatorum. The current treatment involves the use of various antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, cephalosporin, ceftriaxone and cefotaxime. However, this treatment strategy is becoming more ineffective due to the antibiotic resistance in N. gonorrhoeae. The current study explores the potential use of fatty acid based microemulsions (ME) to prevent N. gonorrhoeae and S. aureus infections in new-borns’ eyes without harmful side effects such as corneal or conjunctiva irritation. Pseudo-ternary phase diagrams were constructed to evaluate microemulsion regions and six different α-linolenic acid based microemulsions were prepared. The prepared formulations were characterized for α-linolenic acid content, size, transparency, zeta potential, Polarized light Microscopy, antimicrobial activity and ex vivo ocular toxicity. The mean droplet size of the ME formulations was in the range of 190.4 to 350.5 nm and polydispersity index (PDI) values were in the range of 0.102 to 0.561. All formulations were found stable upon storage for at least 8 weeks. In addition, self-diffusion coefficients determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) reflected that the diffusability of water increased at higher than 30% w/w water, while that of fatty acids and surfactants was in reverse. The antimicrobial efficacy of microemulsions was determined against N. gonorrhoeae and S. aureus. It was concluded that all microemulsions have strong antimicrobial effects against N. gonorrhoeae and S. aureus. Finally, bovine corneal opacity permeability (BCOP) and hen’s egg chorioallantoic (HET-CAM) tests results showed that all microemulsion formulations were not strong ocular irritants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Microemulsions in Biomedical Research)
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