Nasal Gel Formulation Research Articles

Bioavailability of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol following intranasal administration of a mucoadhesive gel spray delivery system in conscious rabbits

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of the intranasal route for systemic delivery of solubilized Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). A further aim was to investigate the effect of nasally administered chitosan-based nasal bioadhesive gel on THC bioavailability as a formulation strategy to decrease normal mucociliary drug clearance. Method: The THC formulations were administered intranasally and compared to intravenous administration utilizing conscious rabbits. Results: After nasal administration, the THC nasal solution afforded a Cmax value of 20 ± 3 ng/mL at 20 minutes. Interestingly, the THC loaded in chitosan gel formulation followed almost the same profile at early time points and subsequently afforded a higher Cmax value of 31 ± 4 ng/mL (Tmax = 45 minutes). The absolute bioavailability of THC after nasal delivery was studied to compare plasma THC concentrations after nasal administration with those after intravenous injection. Absolute bioavailability values were 13.3 ± 7.8% and 15.4 ± 6.5% for the THC nasal solution and gel formulations, respectively. Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that intranasal administration of THC in solution or in a chitosan-based nasal gel formulation could be an attractive modality for delivery of THC systemically.

Formulation and stability study of chlorpheniramine maleate nasal gel

Nasal administration has been of special interest in the last decade due to its feasibility and relative high bioavailability compared to the oral rout of administration. Our study aimed to develop a nasal gel formulation for an antihistaminic drug, Chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM), which suffers from poor oral bioavailability (25–45%) due to its first-pass metabolism in the liver. Different formulations of CPM nasal gels were prepared using different polymers in different concentrations, these gels were evaluated for their in vitro (physico-chemical properties, release, permeability and stability) to select the best formulation which subject to in vivo tests including mucociliary clearance and bioavailability, both in comparison to the solution and commercial tablet Allergyl®.

Evaluation of Blatta orientalis (Q) nasal gel formulation in milk aspiration induced eosinophilia

Background: The purpose of the present study was to develop intranasal delivery systems of the homeopathic anti-asthmatic remedy Blatta orientalis mother tincture (Q) using thermoreversible polymer Pluronic F127 (PF127) and mucoadhesive polymer Carbopol 934P (C934P).Methods: Formulations were modulated so as to have a gelation temperature below 34°C to ensure gelation at physiological temperature after intranasal administration. Its gelation temperature, mucoadhesive strength, viscosity and gel strength were studied. B. orientalis (Q) nasal gel was tested with recurrent milk aspiration to determine whether it produces changes in eosinophilia in a murine model of asthma.Result: The gelation temperatures of the formulations and mucoadhesive strength, determined using sheep nasal mucosal membrane, increased by the addition of increasing concentrations of Carbopol. The results of milk aspiration induced eosinophilia, B. orientalis (Q) nasal gel significantly (P < 0.001), decreased eosinophil cell count as compared with toxicant by using in absolute eosinophilia count method. Finally, histopathological examination did not detect any damage during in vivo studies.Conclusion: The PF127 gel formulation of B. orientalis (Q) with in situ gelling and mucoadhesive properties with increased permeation rate is promising for prolonging nasal residence time and thereby nasal absorption.

Intranasal Bioavailability of Insulin from Carbopol-Based Gel Spray in Rabbits

The purpose of this study was to investigate the nasal absorption of insulin from a carbopol-based nasal gel spray in rabbits. An insulin nasal gel was prepared by dispersing carbopol in distilled water, followed by the addition of insulin solution, then neutralization and viscosity adjustment. The nasal absorption of insulin from the gel, in conscious rabbits, was evaluated in comparison with absorption from an insulin solution. The absolute bioavailability of insulin from the nasal gel was studied using blood glucose level in comparison to intravenous injection. The insulin gel formulation produced a significant hypoglycemic response in rabbits, whereas no response was seen following administration of the insulin solution formulation. The bioavailability of insulin from the nasal gel formulation was 20.6% compared with the intravenous injection. The results of the present study suggest that the carbopol gel promotes the nasal absorption of insulin in rabbit model and due to its sprayability with commercially available spray pumps, could be considered as a preferred platform in nasal drug administration.

Zinc Nasal gel for the Treatment of Common Cold Symptoms: A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial

Effective treatment for the common cold have been difficult to develop because so many different types of virus are responsible for this condition. Oral zinc has been studied as a possible means of preventing or alleviating symptoms, with mixed results. We studied a new approach to zinc therapy--an over-the-counter nasal gel formulation (Zicam)--to independently evaluate its efficacy as a treatment for the common cold. Our study was conducted at four sites over a 5-month period. The study group consisted of 213 patients with recent-onset(< or = 24) cold symptoms; 108 patients received zinc therapy, and 105 reviewed placebo. Symptom charts were used to track the duration and severity of each patient's symptoms. At study's end, the duration of symptoms was 2.3 days (+/-0.9)in the zinc group and 9.0 days (+/-2.5)in the control group--a statistically significant difference (p <0.05). These results provide evidence that zinc nasal gel is effective in shortening the duration of common cold symptoms off when taken within 24 hours of their onset.