title: Leflunomide biodegradable microspheres intended for intra-articular administration: Development, anti-inflammatory activity and histopathological studies.
abstract: Leflunomide, the disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug was formulated as microspheres for prolonged drug release in the form of intraarticular injection. Eight formulations were developed using three biodegradable PDLG polymers (lactide/glycolide copolymer) and polycaprolactone (PLC) at two drug:polymer ratios (1:2 and 1:4). Solvent evaporation method was employed using polyvinyl alcohol or hydropxypropyl methylcellulose as stabilizers. Formulations were assessed for encapsulation efficiency, yield, particle size, release pattern and SEM. F6 (PDLG 5010), with appropriate particle size and prolonged drug release, was chosen for in-vivo studies using arthritis induced rats, which were intrarticularly injected with F6 or took oral Avara(®). Nuclear factor-kappa B measurements and histopathologic studies were conducted. There was significant reduction of inflammation caused by both F6 and oral Avara(®). Histopathologic studies showed minimal infiltration by chronic inflammatory cells and no angiogenesis in F6 compared to Avara(®). Results also revealed biocompatibility of the polymer used.
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy Deptartment, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Doaa Ahmed
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: El-Setouhy
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy Deptartment, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Nevine Shawky
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Abdelmalak
authors.affiliation: Pathology Deptartment, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Shady E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Anis
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy Deptartment, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. Electronic address: dina.nassif@pharma.cu.edu.eg.
authors.forename: Dina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Louis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry; D005079:Excipients / Q000737:chemistry; D065347:Hypromellose Derivatives / Q000737:chemistry; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D000077339:Leflunomide; D008297:Male; D008863:Microspheres; D010316:Particle Size; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D005079:Excipients; D007555:Isoxazoles; D011091:Polyesters; D012997:Solvents; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; C016240:polycaprolactone; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; D065347:Hypromellose Derivatives; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol; D000077339:Leflunomide
keywords: Dinalouis@hotmail.com; Histopathology; Intraarticular injection; Leflunomide; Microspheres; Nuclear kappa factor; Polycaprolactone