2 research outputs found
Design, optimization, and characterization of Zolmitriptan loaded liposomal gels for intranasal delivery for acute migraine therapy
No full textZolmitriptan is the primary drug for the treatment of Migraine. However, the bioavailability of the drug is low and requires repetitive administration leading to side effects. Zolmitriptan's bioavailability can be improved by incorporating it into liposomes as a topical intranasal gel. The formulation was developed using a Central composite design employing a response surface approach. The new formulations were tested for particle size, shape, drug entrapment efficiency, and in vitro drug release. Permeation experiments and histopathology in rats were also conducted to determine the formulation's safety. The vesicle size was found to be in the range of 103.82 ± 7.16 to 694.38 ± 1.02 nm, zeta potential --19.28 to −32.8 mV, Entrapment Efficiency from 55.49 ± 1.37 to 99.12 ± 0.36 %, and cumulative drug release from 59.71 ± 6.94 to 99.38 ± 0.13 % respectively. In-vitro drug release of G1 and G3 gel formulations showed a non-Fickian released pattern during the studies. A comparison of the permeation coefficient of G1 (0.539 μg/cm2) and G3 (5.3 μg/cm2) showed a slight variation in the drug release rate after 24 h. For the liposomal gel and its solution, we found a significant difference in drug penetration of p0.05 after 12 h compared to the control gel. There were substantial differences in bioavailability and pharmacokinetics between the optimal Liposomal Gel Formulation and other formulations, including the drug solution, liposomal suspension, and optimized formulation F12. The liposomal gel is non-irritating and safe for topical administration by histopathological investigations. Therefore, the study demonstrated that Zolmitriptan Liposomal gel has better efficacy, good tolerability, and enhanced bioavailability, making it an optimal treatment for acute Migraine
Exploring nutritional supplement use for countering respiratory tract infections through an X (formerly Twitter)-based survey
No full textBackground: Respiratory tract infections are a common health issue, driving interest in preventive strategies like nutritional supplements, while evidence on their usage and effectiveness remains limited. In this context, social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), provide a unique opportunity to gather large-scale public health-related data. Objectives: In this study, we aimed to survey participants’ uses and opinions on nutritional supplements in prevention or treatment of respiratory tract infections, by using X. Methods: A survey was conducted between 1st and 15th December 2022. A single open-ended question “Which are the best dietary supplements to counteract respiratory infections?“ was asked. One week after the start of the survey, a poll was posted to get more relevant information and boost the survey's reach. Total endorsements were calculated for each tweet posted as the total sum of replies, retweets, and likes. Results: The open-ended question received a total of 118 retweets, 39 quotes, and 371 likes, while the poll received 56 retweets, 13 quotes, and 67 likes. A total of 495 replies, 2,251 retweets, 5,118 likes, and 148 quotes were received for the question and its related tweets. Vitamin D (1,607 endorsements), zinc (1,347 endorsements), vitamin C (803 endorsements), magnesium (694 endorsements), and honey (661 endorsements) were the nutritional supplements that received most endorsements. Conclusion: Various foods, drinks, and natural ingredients have been suggested as potentially helpful for counteracting respiratory infections. Approximately half of respondents indicated using such supplements for themselves. The result of this study supports the idea that the X platform can be used as an effective survey tool to study global health-related behaviours and trends
