Edge activators and a polycationic polymer enhance the formulation of porous voriconazole nanoagglomerate for the use as a dry powder inhaler

Purpose: Voriconazole has both low aqueous solubility and stability. We hypothesize that designing voriconazole in the form of a nano powder inhaler at a geometric diameter within 1–5?μm will enhance its stability and solubility. Therefore, we prepared nanoagglomerates of voriconazole which will collapse in the lungs to reform the nanoparticles.

Method: The nanoparticles were formulated using both stearic acid and sodium deoxycholate as edge activators. Osmogenic polycation polyethyleneimine (PEI) was used to form agglomerates of controllable size.

Results: Voriconazole nanoparticles and agglomerates showed a significant higher cumulative drug release than the pure powder (p?R^2?=^?0.95. Small-sized particles were formed (353?nm), while their zeta potential was ?30.7?mV. The agglomerates were 2.7?μm in size and their zeta potential was ?20.9?mV. The formation of porous agglomerates was confirmed using a transmission electron microscope. Cascade impactor was used to evaluate the aerodynamic properties of the nanoparticles and the agglomerates. The aerodynamic characterization of the nanoparticles and the agglomerates resulted in a significant smaller mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) (p?p?p?p?Conclusion: The results suggest that using the combination of edge activators and diluted polycationic polymer solution provides porous voriconazole nanoagglomerates in a respirable range, which is proved successful in enhancing both the deposition and the dissolution of water insoluble-drugs in the lung.     

Improvement of drought tolerance of soybean plants by using methyl jasmonate

Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) is a naturally occurring plant growth regulator and play vital roles in plant defense and many developmental processes such as root growth and seed germination. This study was undertaken to study the possible role of using methyl jasmonate to alleviate the adverse effect of water stress on soybean genotypes (Giza 22 and 35). The results showed that water stress reduced shoot length, fresh and dry weights of shoot and root, photosynthetic pigments, relative water content and oil content in the shoots of all soybean genotypes. On the other hand, there was a considerable increase in cell wall fractionation, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, flavonoids, phenolic acid and sugar fraction content in the shoots of the soybean genotypes in response to the water stress. Foliar spray with methyl jasmonate increased all the above parameters as compared to stressed plants. The results investigate the important role of MeJA in alleviation of water stress in soybean plants and suggest that MeJA could be used for improving plant growth under water stress as a potential growth regulator. The soybean genotypes Giza 22 was found to be more resistant to water stress than Giza 35.