Introduction/Objective: Optimization of a microfluidic sensor inside the microchannel for fluid pressure and cantilever deflection at different dimensions. Methods: Fluid-structure interaction with included multiphysics (Laminar and Solid mechanics) methodology was used to optimize the fluid pressure with FEM tools such as COMSOL Multiphysics Results: The research paper focuses on the healthcare applications of the study, selecting different fluids: water, PBS, and plasma. As plasma fluid is relevant to biomedical research, the pressure in the microchannel is measured with a sensor. Discussion: Optimization of microfluidic pressure at different widths, lengths, and heights of the microcantilever sensor at applied velocities of 1000- 8000 μm/s.The cantilever acts as a pressure sensor, and its deflection is determined by the fluid pressure and velocity inside the microchannel. Conclusion: The simulation results obtained the parameter cantilever deflection (maximum deflection) of 37.05 μm for the fluid Plasma, and pressure at the surface of the cantilever of 8.54 Pa. It is concluded that the pressure for the higher-viscosity fluids will be high, as plasma viscosity is 1.3 centipoise. The proposed MEMS cantilever-based sensor characterization of the viscosity of biological fluids will be helpful in the pathology lab for diagnosis of diseases. The Pi-shaped geometry provides a wide range of measurable pressures within the fluid pressure of different fluids.
Introduction: The rapid advancement of flexible electronics has driven the demand for multifunctional electronic skins capable of simultaneously sensing pressure and temperature for wearable sensing and human-machine interaction. This study presents a bimodal electronic skin integrating capacitive pressure sensing and resistive temperature sensing through a submicronstructured dielectric layer and thin-film electrodes, with reduced interference between the two sensing channels. Methods: The sensor employs a submicron-structured PDMS dielectric layer fabricated by replica molding using a reusable commercially pre-patterned sapphire master, without in-house photolithography or etching. Serpentine gold electrodes were deposited by vacuum evaporation to enable resistive temperature sensing based on the temperature coefficient of resistance effect. Results: The device exhibits a bilinear pressure response over 0.09-18.5 kPa, with sensitivities of 0.274 kPa⁻¹ at 0.09-1.33 kPa and 0.0065 kPa⁻¹ at 1.33-18.5 kPa. It achieves a pressure detection limit of 90 Pa, a response time of approximately 230 ms, and stable operation over 5,000 cycles. The temperature channel shows good linearity (R! = 0.95) with a TCR of 3.4 × 10⁻³ °C⁻¹ over 25- 85 °C. Pressure-to-temperature and temperature-to-pressure crosstalk coefficients are 0.27% and 4.54%, respectively. Discussion: The proposed architecture provides a practical balance among sensing performance, interference suppression, and fabrication accessibility. However, validation using multiple participants, commercial reference devices, and longer-term reliability testing remains necessary. Conclusion: The proposed bimodal electronic skin demonstrates proof of concept for wearable pressure and thermal monitoring.
Introduction: Urtica dioica (UD) has demonstrated promising antidiabetic activity by modulating glucose metabolism and lipid homeostasis. However, its clinical translation is limited by poor aqueous solubility, rapid degradation, and low gastrointestinal absorption, which significantly reduce oral bioavailability. Lipid-based nanocarriers, particularly third-generation SmartLipids (SL) systems, have emerged as promising platforms for improving the stability, solubility, and intestinal uptake of poorly soluble phytoconstituents. Methods: UD-loaded SmartLipids were prepared using a heat homogenization technique employing a mixture of solid lipid (Cetyl alcohol, Beeswax, Cocoa Butter, Stearic acid, and Glyceryl Monostearate) and liquid lipid (Oleic acid), and stabilized with Tween-80 as a surfactant. Homogenization was performed, followed by ultrasonication to obtain nanosized particles. The formulations were optimized based on the particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index (PDI), and entrapment efficiency. The structural compatibility and morphology were evaluated using FTIR and transmission electron microscopy. In vitro drug release studies and stability analysis were conducted, followed by in vivo antidiabetic evaluation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. results: The optimized UD smart lipid formulation exhibited a mean particle size of ~56.47 nm, PDI < 0>89.28%). The release profile demonstrated a biphasic pattern with an initial burst followed by sustained release over 24 hours. In vivo studies showed significant reductions in fasting blood glucose, improved insulin sensitivity, and restoration of lipid profiles compared. Results: The optimized UD-SL formulation exhibited a mean particle size of 56.47 ± 4.42 nm, PDI < 0.3, zeta potential of approximately −25.4 ± 6.32 mV, and entrapment efficiency of 89.28 ± 0.38%. The formulation exhibited a biphasic drug-release pattern, with an initial burst followed by sustained release for up to 18 hours. In vivo studies demonstrated a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose levels compared to the diabetic control (p < 0.05), along with improved insulin sensitivity and significant normalization of lipid profile parameters when compared with conventional UD extract. Discussion: The potential of SL to serve as a technologically advanced system for oral delivery of UD was confirmed in this study, which demonstrated improved overall capability of UD owing to its nanoscale size and negatively charged surface. Conclusion: The developed UD-SL significantly improved the delivery and antidiabetic efficacy of UD, likely due to enhanced solubility, nanoscale particle size, and improved gastrointestinal absorption. These findings highlight the potential of SL-based nanocarriers as an effective oral delivery platform for plant-derived antidiabetic compounds, although further pharmacokinetic and long-term safety studies are required to confirm their clinical applicability.
There are several challenges associated with the increasing use of lipophilic medications, including limited oral bioavailability, irregular absorption, and unpredictable pharmacokinetics. Nanoemulgels, an innovative transdermal drug delivery technology, have shown significant potential in improving the permeability and bioavailability of such medications. By combining the advantages of nanoemulsions and gels, nanoemulgels provide an effective method for topical drug application, helping to overcome issues related to targeting and absorption. This review examines the use of nanoemulgels in the management of inflammatory conditions, particularly gout. Colchicine, a BCS Class III medication with restricted permeability, is used as a case study to explore formulation techniques, procedures, and excipients aimed at optimizing nanoemulgel systems. The review highlights permeability enhancement mechanisms and the potential of nanoemulgels for targeted antiinflammatory drug delivery, emphasizing their promise as a novel therapeutic strategy for inflammatory diseases.
Introduction: Dapagliflozin, a selective Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, is widely used in the treatment of diabetes by promoting glucose excretion through urine. However, its poor aqueous solubility and rapid elimination limit its therapeutic efficacy, highlighting the need for an improved drug delivery system. This study aimed to formulate and evaluate β- cyclodextrin (β-CD)-based microparticles containing dapagliflozin to provide its sustained release. Methods: Microparticles were prepared in a 1:3 molar ratio of drug to β-CD using the ionic gelation method, with chitosan used as a coating polymer at varying concentrations. The microparticles were characterized for percentage yield, drug content, flow properties, swelling index, particle size (using optical microscopy), surface morphology (using scanning electron microscopy), and in vitro drug release. Results: The particle size of the microparticles ranged from 912.8 μm to 1019.2 μm. β-CD-containing microparticles (D1 and D3) exhibited higher drug content and swelling indices compared to non-β-CD microparticles (D2 and D4). In vitro release studies showed that β-CD microparticles exhibited a slower, sustained drug-release profile. Kinetic modeling revealed that microparticle formulation D1 followed the Korsmeyer-Peppas model, indicating a combination of diffusion and polymer relaxation as the release mechanism, while D2 and D3 followed zero-order kinetics, and D4 followed first-order kinetics. Discussion: The study showed that β-cyclodextrin (β-CD)-containing microparticles (D1 and D3) had higher yields, better swelling indices, and larger particle sizes due to enhanced cross-linking, hydrophilicity, and stronger polymeric interactions compared to non-β-CD formulations (D2 and D4). The presence of β-CD improved drug encapsulation efficiency and hydration, supporting sustained drug release, while higher chitosan concentration led to more compact matrices with controlled swelling. SEM analysis confirmed that β-CD formulations had smoother and denser surfaces, whereas non-β-CD microparticles were rougher and more porous. Drug release studies showed that β-CD significantly slowed the diffusion of dapagliflozin by forming stable inclusion complexes, resulting in sustained release. In contrast, non-β-CD formulations released the drug more rapidly due to their greater porosity. Drug release kinetics indicated non-Fickian, zero-order, and first-order release patterns across formulations, confirming the potential of β-CD-based microparticles for controlled drug delivery applications. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that β-CD/dapagliflozin microparticles coated with 1% (w/v) chitosan solution provided a sustained drug release profile. The sustained release potential of β-CD microparticles makes it an appropriate approach for the controlled delivery of dapagliflozin.
