title: Microencapsulation as a novel delivery method for the potential antidiabetic drug, Probucol.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In previous studies, we successfully designed complex multicompartmental microcapsules as a platform for the oral targeted delivery of lipophilic drugs in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Probucol (PB) is an antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant drug with the potential to show benefits in T2D. We aimed to create a novel microencapsulated formulation of PB and to examine the shape, size, and chemical, thermal, and rheological properties of these microcapsules in vitro.
  
  
  METHODS
  Microencapsulation was carried out using the Büchi-based microencapsulating system developed in our laboratory. Using the polymer, sodium alginate (SA), empty (control, SA) and loaded (test, PB-SA) microcapsules were prepared at a constant ratio (1:30). Complete characterizations of microcapsules, in terms of morphology, thermal profiles, dispersity, and spectral studies, were carried out in triplicate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PB-SA microcapsules displayed uniform and homogeneous characteristics with an average diameter of 1 mm. The microcapsules exhibited pseudoplastic-thixotropic characteristics and showed no chemical interactions between the ingredients. These data were further supported by differential scanning calorimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectral studies, suggesting microcapsule stability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The new PB-SA microcapsules have good structural properties and may be suitable for the oral delivery of PB in T2D. Further studies are required to examine the clinical efficacy and safety of PB in T2D.
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology and Drug Development Research Laboratory School of Pharmacy, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Biosciences Research Precinct, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Armin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mooranian
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology and Drug Development Research Laboratory School of Pharmacy, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Biosciences Research Precinct, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Negrulj
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Nigel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chen-Tan
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Hesham S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Al-Sallami
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Zhongxiang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.affiliation: Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Biosciences Research Precinct, School of Biomedical Science, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Mukkur
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Serbia ; Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Serbia.
authors.forename: Momir
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mikov
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Serbia ; Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Serbia.
authors.forename: Svetlana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Golocorbin-Kon
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fakhoury
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Pharmacology, Royal Perth Hospital, University of Western Australia.
authors.forename: Gerald F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Watts
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Metabolic Dysfunction, UWA Centre for Medical Research, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Vance
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.affiliation: Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Biosciences Research Precinct, School of Biomedical Science, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Arfuso
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology and Drug Development Research Laboratory School of Pharmacy, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Biosciences Research Precinct, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Hani
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Al-Salami
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000464:Alginates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004339:Drug Compounding; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010316:Particle Size; D011341:Probucol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D011341:Probucol
keywords: Probucol; anti-inflammatory; antioxidant; artificial cell microencapsulation; diabetes