Announcements

This Academic Publishing Workshop will be led by MDPI Regional Journal Relations Specialist, Dr. Sally Wu, on “Author Training”. Participants will receive practical advice on essential aspects of writing academic articles. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of the academic publishing landscape and how to successfully contribute to it.

Date: 25 February 2026
Time: 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. EST

Schedule:

Speakers:

MDPI has surpassed the milestone of 1,000 partners within the Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP). The agreements span 59 countries, covering North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.

Last year alone, more than 150 new libraries and academic institutions joined MDPI’s IOAP. With the expansion of an existing consortium deal in Sweden we welcomed a further 75 partners to the program in January 2026, enabling us to surpass the 1,000-partners milestone.

The IOAP supports affiliated researchers by streamlining submission processes, reducing administrative burdens, and offering discounted Article Processing Charges (APCs). Through IOAP membership, more than 61,300 research articles received APC discounts in 2025, driving greater visibility and accessibility for partner institutions and global research communities alike.

"This milestone marks a significant step towards expanding MDPI’s global impact," said Stefan Tochev, MDPI's CEO. "Reaching 1,000 IOAP partnerships is a true testament to the growing trust and collaboration we’ve built with universities, libraries, and research organizations worldwide. We are proud to lead the way in Open Access publishing, ensuring researchers have the support they need to reach global audiences." "The success of our program is reflected in the growing global demand for Open Science and quality publishing services," said Becky Castellon, MDPI institutional partnerships manager. "Equally, institutions are increasingly seeking Open Access publishing options that support funder and national mandates. Joining the IOAP makes compliance simple."

To commemorate World Cancer Day 2026, MDPI is delighted to introduce the “World Cancer Day 2026 Webinar Series”. Reflecting the global theme “United by Unique,” this series reminds us that each story, discovery, and voice plays a vital role in strengthening the world’s collective fight against cancer.

Kicking off with our February session, this first installment welcomes leading voices in oncology to share impactful insights, raise awareness, and spotlight breakthrough research.

Through this series, we aim to empower the global community with knowledge, inspire collaboration, and support ongoing efforts in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Together, we will honor every patient’s journey, elevate the contributions of researchers, and reinforce the power of collective action in the fight against cancer.

Date: 12 February 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m. CET | 12:00 p.m. EST | 1:00 a.m. CST (Asia)
Webinar ID: 899 8080 6135
Webinar Secretariat: journal.webinar@mdpi.com

Register now for free!

Program:

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic institutional email addresses will be prioritized.

Unable to attend? Register anyway, and we will let you know when the recording is available for viewing.

Webinar Keynote Speakers:

• Dr. Xiang Xue, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, USA;
• Dr. Federico Pio Fabrizio, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kore University of Enna, Italy;
• Dr. Anis Ahmad, Department of Radiation Oncology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, USA;
• Dr. Hiroaki Kiyokawa, Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, USA.

Dr. Zizhao Xu is currently a post-doctoral researcher at Northeastern University, USA, where his research focuses on formulation development and predictive performance evaluation across multiple delivery technologies and modalities, with a particular emphasis on locally acting drug products and nanomedicines. We would like to congratulate Dr. Zizhao Xu on winning the Pharmaceutics 2026 Travel Award.

The following is an interview with Dr. Xu:

1. As the winner of this award, what would you most like to express?
I am deeply grateful to Pharmaceutics for this recognition. This award is both an honor and an encouragement, and it reinforces my commitment to advancing pharmaceutical sciences through impactful, translational research.

2. How did you first become aware of this award, and what inspired you to submit your application?
I learned about the travel award through Pharmaceutics announcements and my PI’s recommendation, and felt it aligned well with my research goals. The opportunity to present my work, engage with the scientific community, and gain feedback from experts motivated me to apply.

3. Could you briefly introduce your primary research focus and share an update on your current progress? Looking ahead, what do you anticipate will be the key emerging topics in your field over the next few years?
My research focuses on formulation development and predictive performance evaluation across multiple delivery technologies and modalities, with a particular emphasis on locally acting drug products and nanomedicines. My current research focuses on developing in vitro–based characterization strategies to support the evaluation and approval of generic drug products, thereby advancing regulatory science. Ultimately, this work aims to improve public access to high-quality, safe, and affordable topical rectal and vaginal medications.

4. What significance does this award hold for your research career and your participation in this conference?
This award provides invaluable support for attending the conference and presenting my work to a broader audience. It also serves as strong recognition of my research efforts and helps me build meaningful connections with researchers and industry professionals.

5. In your view, how can academic journals and publishers further support early career researchers and the broader academic community?
Academic journals and publishers can play a meaningful role in supporting early career researchers by lowering barriers to participation in the scholarly community. For example, travel awards and publication fee waivers can make it easier for trainees and junior investigators to share their work at conferences and in high-quality journals, which is critical for career development. In addition, guided peer-review opportunities would be valuable in helping junior scientists develop critical skills in scientific evaluation and scholarly communication. Expanding these initiatives would not only benefit individual researchers but also strengthen the rigor, diversity, and sustainability of the scientific community as a whole.

6. Based on your experience, do you have any specific suggestions for the continued development of Pharmaceutics?
Pharmaceutics could further strengthen its impact by expanding Special Issues focused on emerging technologies, encouraging more interdisciplinary research, and sustaining initiatives such as awards to scientists across different career stages, with particular support for early career investigators, as well as creating avenues for editorial engagement that broaden participation in the journal’s scholarly community.

Dr. Giuseppe Francesco Racaniello is currently a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy, where his research focuses on advanced drug delivery systems, with particular emphasis on 3D printing technologies for personalized medicines. We would like to congratulate Dr. Giuseppe Francesco Racaniello on winning the Pharmaceutics 2026 Travel Award.

The following is an interview with Dr. Racaniello:

1. As the winner of this award, what would you most like to express?
First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Pharmaceutics Editorial Board and the Award Committee for this recognition. Receiving this award is both an honor and a strong motivation to continue pursuing high-quality research in pharmaceutical technology. I see it as a recognition not only of my individual work but also of the collaborative efforts of my research group, PhartecoLab, whose support has been fundamental to my scientific development.

2. How did you first become aware of this award, and what inspired you to submit your application?
I became aware of the Pharmaceutics Travel Award through the email communications sent by the journal. What inspired me to apply was the opportunity to showcase my research in the field of pharmaceutical 3D printing and advanced manufacturing technologies. In particular, the fact that this award is specifically designed to support early-career researchers who wish to present and disseminate their work was a strong motivation. I considered it a valuable opportunity to increase the visibility of my research within a highly relevant scientific community.

3. Could you briefly introduce your primary research focus and share an update on your current progress? Looking ahead, what do you anticipate will be the key emerging topics in your field over the next few years?
My primary research focus is on advanced drug delivery systems, with particular emphasis on 3D printing technologies for personalized medicines, including direct powder extrusion and pressure-assisted manufacturing. I work on the development of patient-tailored dosage forms such as orodispersible films, solid oral dosage forms, and wound-healing platforms, often integrating polymer science, solid-state characterization, and biopharmaceutical evaluation.
Currently, my work is centered on optimizing formulation design and manufacturing parameters to improve drug release, stability, and patient compliance, especially for thermolabile or poorly soluble compounds. In parallel, I am increasingly focused on the development of personalized pharmaceutical dosage forms that are functionally engineered to be mucoadhesive or site-specific. A significant part of my research also addresses the production of dosage forms for orphan drugs, medicines with limited availability, and pediatric formulations that are currently not available on the pharmaceutical market, with the aim of filling unmet clinical needs through advanced manufacturing technologies.
Looking ahead, I believe that key emerging topics will include personalized and decentralized pharmaceutical manufacturing, the integration of digital health and 3D printing, the use of sustainable and bio-based excipients, and the translation of additive manufacturing technologies into regulated clinical and hospital settings.

4. What significance does this award hold for your research career and your participation in this conference?
This award represents an important milestone in my early research career. It provides tangible support for my participation in the next PBP 2026 conference, facilitating scientific exchange, networking, and discussion with leading experts in the field. Beyond the financial aspect, the award enhances the visibility of my work and reinforces my commitment to pursuing innovative research directions within pharmaceutical sciences.

5. In your view, how can academic journals and publishers further support early career researchers and the broader academic community?
Academic journals and publishers play a crucial role in supporting early career researchers by promoting transparent peer review, offering mentorship-oriented feedback, and providing opportunities for visibility, such as awards, Special Issues, and invited contributions. Initiatives that reduce publication barriers, encourage interdisciplinary research, and support open science practices are also essential to foster innovation and inclusivity within the academic community.

6. Based on your experience, do you have any specific suggestions for the continued development of Pharmaceutics?
Based on my experience, Pharmaceutics could further strengthen its impact by continuing to support cutting-edge topics such as personalized medicine, additive manufacturing, and sustainable pharmaceutical technologies. Expanding thematic Special Issues, enhancing engagement with early career researchers, and promoting high-quality methodological and translational studies would further consolidate the journal’s position as a leading platform in pharmaceutical sciences.

The editorial office of Pharmaceutics would like to extend its sincere gratitude to all reviewers who contributed to the improvement of the journal quality by providing their expert opinion and evaluation of the submitted research.

We appreciate that thorough peer review demands considerable time and intellectual investment from our reviewers. In 2025, Pharmaceutics received 8868 review reports from contributors across 89 countries and territories, demonstrating the breadth of international expertise and scholarly engagement that has strengthened our publication standards.

The reviewers who agreed to have their names published this year are listed below in alphabetical order by first name. The editorial team acknowledges with gratitude all reviewers, named and anonymous alike, for their vital role in maintaining the scholarly standards of Pharmaceutics.

World Cancer Day draws global attention to the ongoing fight against cancer—one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Observed annually on 4 February, World Cancer Day unites individuals, communities, researchers, clinicians, and policymakers in a shared commitment to reduce the global cancer burden and improve outcomes for patients everywhere.

Aligned with this year’s theme and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), the initiative calls for greater awareness, early detection, equitable access to care, and sustained investment in cancer research and innovation. From prevention and diagnosis to treatment and survivorship, addressing cancer requires coordinated, multidisciplinary efforts across healthcare systems and scientific communities worldwide.

In support of World Cancer Day, selected MDPI journals highlight cutting-edge research across the cancer continuum, including advances in oncology, diagnostics, therapeutics, public health, and patient-centred care. Through curated articles, Special Issues, and expert-led webinars, these journals aim to foster knowledge exchange and collaboration to accelerate progress toward a future where cancer prevention and treatment are accessible, effective, and equitable for all.

In 2026, MDPI is honored to support World Cancer Day through a monthly awareness ries beginning in February. Each session will focus on a key cancer awareness theme, showcasing cutting-edge research and expert insights through specially curated landing pages and a dedicated webinar series. Through this special activity, we aim to sustain engagement and cross-disciplinary collaboration throughout the year. Below is the list of events. You may click on the respective links (updated throughout the year, closer to each event month) to access the individual event pages.

Keynote Speakers
Dr. Xiang Xue, University of New Mexico, USA	Dr. Federico Pio Fabrizio, Kore University of Enna, Italy	Dr. Anis Ahmad, University of Miami, USA	Dr. Hiroaki Kiyokawa, Northwestern University, USA

Register for this webinar for free here!

“Molecular Insight and Antioxidative Therapeutic Potentials of Plant-Derived Compounds in Breast Cancer Treatment”
by Sandhya Shukla, Arvind Kumar Shukla, Adarsha Mahendra Upadhyay, Navin Ray, Fowzul Islam Fahad, Arulkumar Nagappan, Sayan Deb Dutta and Raj Kumar Mongre
Onco 2025, 5(2), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/onco5020027

“Comprehensive Analysis of Advancement in Optical Biosensing Techniques for Early Detection of Cancerous Cells”
by Ayushman Ramola, Amit Kumar Shakya and Arik Bergman
Biosensors 2025, 15(5), 292; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15050292

“Advancing Cancer Treatment: A Review of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors and Combination Strategies”
by Valencia Mc Neil and Seung Won Lee
Cancers 2025, 17(9), 1408; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17091408

“Prunin: An Emerging Anticancer Flavonoid”
by Juie Nahushkumar Rana and Sohail Mumtaz
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(6), 2678; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26062678

“Advancing Cancer Therapy with Quantum Dots and Other Nanostructures: A Review of Drug Delivery Innovations, Applications, and Challenges”
by Ashutosh Pareek, Deepanjali Kumar, Aaushi Pareek and Madan Mohan Gupta
Cancers 2025, 17(5), 878; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17050878

“From Bench to Bedside: Transforming Cancer Therapy with Protease Inhibitors”
by Alireza Shoari
Targets 2025, 3(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/targets3010008

“Breast Cancer and Tumor Microenvironment: The Crucial Role of Immune Cells”
by Tânia Moura, Paula Laranjeira, Olga Caramelo, Ana M. Gil and Artur Paiva
Curr. Oncol. 2025, 32(3), 143; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol32030143

“Mechanisms and Strategies to Overcome Drug Resistance in Colorectal Cancer”
by Jennifer Haynes and Prasath Manogaran
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(5), 1988; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26051988

“Polyphenol-Based Prevention and Treatment of Cancer Through Epigenetic and Combinatorial Mechanisms”
by Neha Singaravelan and Trygve O. Tollefsbol
Nutrients 2025, 17(4), 616; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17040616

“Advances in Drug Targeting, Drug Delivery, and Nanotechnology Applications: Therapeutic Significance in Cancer Treatment”
by Fatih Ciftci, Ali Can Özarslan, İmran Cagri Kantarci, Aslihan Yelkenci, Ozlem Tavukcuoglu and Mansour Ghorbanpour
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(1), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17010121

“Genetic and Epigenetic Analyses in Cancer” Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. Jing Gong Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 April 2026	“Improving the Quality of Life in Patients with Gynecological Cancer” Guest Editor: Dr. Vasilios Pergialiotis Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2026
“Antibody-Mediated Therapy and Other Emerging Therapies in Cancer Treatment” Topic Editors: Dr. Won Sup Lee, Prof. Dr. Yaewon Yang and Prof. Dr. Seil Go Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026	“Advances in Implementation Science and Knowledge Mobilization for Cancer Control” Guest Editor: Dr. Sarah Neil-Sztramko Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026

Pharmaceutics (ISSN: 1999-4923) is proud to announce its role as an Award Sponsor and Media Partner for the Modelbio conference. This sponsorship highlights the journal’s commitment to supporting the scholarly community and engaging in critical industry discussions with the public.

The XVIII edition of the Conference on Modeling and Simulation in Biomedicine, organized by University of Valencia, will be held in ADEIT – FUNDACIÓ UNIVERSITAT-EMPRESA de la Universidad de Valencia from 11 to 13 February 2026. The conference will bring together leading researchers, students and professionals in the field of pharmacometrics, with the aim of promoting the exchange of knowledge, academic updating and interdisciplinary collaboration of scientific results of professionals linked to modelling and simulation in biomedicine in order to optimize therapeutic treatments.

What to expect?
The conference is focused on a multidisciplinary public (pharmaceutical, medical, bioinformatics, etc.) with diverse profiles (university, industry, healthcare) who are interested in improving the use of the current or future therapeutic tools.

Key highlights include the following:

• Drug Monitoring (TDM);
• Biopharmacy (IVIVC, PBPK, PBBM, etc.);
• Systems Pharmacology (QSP);
• Clinical Pharmacology (PopPK, PKPD, ER, etc.).

What is Modelbio?
From its gestation in the city of Bruges (Belgium) in 2006 during the celebration of the PAGE congress until its birth in 2007, a group of professionals working in the area of modeling and simulation of biomedicine proposed to organize events in this area of knowledge with the following objectives:

• Bringing together teachers, professionals, and students dedicated to modeling;
• Allowing researchers to share their work and experiences;
• Disseminating knowledge on current tools and methodologies in the field of modeling in biomedicine.

Since their beginnings, in the city of Valencia and with the same objectives that motivated its creation, these conferences have been held annually in different cities of Spain. These events have taken place in universities, hospital centers, and biopharmaceutical companies, constituting the first forum in Spain that brings together professionals and students to share their experiences in the field of modeling in biomedicine.

We look forward to seeing you at Modelbio 2026.

Editor’s Choice Articles are selected based on suggestions from the academic editors of Pharmaceutics (ISSN: 1999-4923). The editors select a small number of published articles that they consider particularly interesting to our readers or important in their respective fields of research. You are therefore invited to read the Editor’s Choice Articles, a curated list of high-quality articles published in Pharmaceutics in April 2025. The full list of Editor’s Choice Articles can be viewed via the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/pharmaceutics/editors_choice.

1. “PLA-Based Electrospun Nanofibrous Mats Towards Application as Antibiotic Carriers: Processing Parameters, Fabrication and Characterization”
by Evi Christodoulou, Anastasia Chondromatidou, Nikolaos D. Bikiaris, Evangelia Balla, Marilena Vlachou, Panagiotis Barmpalexis and Dimitrios N. Bikiaris
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(5), 589; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17050589
Editor’s highlight: “This interesting study demonstrates that star-shaped PLA-pentaerythritol (PLA-PE) copolymer nanofibers significantly outperform conventional linear PLA for transdermal antibiotic delivery systems. The star-shaped architecture enhances porosity, drug loading capacity, and drug release rates, while enabling faster biodegradation for controlled drug delivery. This innovation opens new possibilities for advanced wound dressing and anti-infective therapeutic applications.”

2. “Advances in Drug Delivery Integrated with Regenerative Medicine: Innovations, Challenges, and Future Frontiers”
by Manoochehr Rasekh, Muhammad Sohail Arshad and Zeeshan Ahmad
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(4), 456; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17040456
Editor’s highlight: “This comprehensive review examines the convergence of advanced drug delivery systems with regenerative medicine technologies, highlighting groundbreaking approaches for tissue repair and disease treatment. Key topics include biomaterial integration enabling controlled release systems with enhanced therapeutic precision, cell-based therapies, emerging technologies such as 3D bioprinting and electrospinning, and clinical applications. This interdisciplinary approach accelerates personalized medicine and addresses major challenges in regenerative therapy.”

3. “Use of Computational Intelligence in Customizing Drug Release from 3D-Printed Products: A Comprehensive Review”
by Fantahun Molla Kassa, Souha H. Youssef, Yunmei Song and Sanjay Garg
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(5), 551; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17050551
Editor’s highlight: “This review explores how computational intelligence and machine learning are transforming personalized medicine through advanced 3D printing technology. Key advances include predictive modeling, customized formulations, quality optimization with real-time quality control and manufacturing process enhancement, and clinical translation. This convergence of AI and 3D printing is contributing to the development of on-demand, personalized pharmaceutical manufacturing.”

4. “Anti-Candida Activity of Cysteine-Modified Amidated Decoralin in the Presence of Engineered Nanomaterials”
by Vânia Rocha, Helena Almeida, Bruno Sarmento and José das Neves
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(4), 460; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17040460
Editor’s highlight: “The study highlights the potential and challenges of peptide-based antifungal treatments by offering precise, methodologically sound insights into the interactions between antimicrobial peptides and nanomaterials. It is a significant addition to the field considering its methodical evaluation and clinical applicability.”

5. “Salicylic Acid-Mediated Silver Nanoparticle Green Synthesis: Characterization, Enhanced Antimicrobial, and Antibiofilm Efficacy”
by Jingqing Zhang, Yuxu Chen, Yuanyu Xu, Zhimin Zhao and Xinjun Xu
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(4), 532; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17040532
Editor’s highlight: “The submitted manuscript presents a compelling and timely contribution to the field of nanobiotechnology by introducing a rapid, sustainable, and highly effective biogenic synthesis method for salicylic acid-mediated silver nanoparticles (SA-AgNPs). To confirm the Editor's Choice designation, this is supported by several key strengths:

• Innovative and Environmentally Friendly Synthesis Approach: The study employs salicylic acid as both a reducing and capping agent, offering a simplified, green, and reproducible synthetic route. This dual functionality significantly advances current methodologies by eliminating the need for toxic chemicals and complex procedures, aligning with global priorities in sustainable nanomaterial production.
• Comprehensive Multimodal Characterization: The nanoparticles were rigorously analyzed using a broad suite of characterization techniques (UV Vis, DLS, SEM-EDS, TEM, XRD, FTIR, TGA/DSC). This thorough methodological framework reinforces the scientific robustness of the findings and ensures high reproducibility, which is essential for translational research.
• Exceptional Antibacterial Efficacy and Mechanistic Insight: SA-AgNPs demonstrated strong inhibitory effects against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens, including clinically relevant drug-resistant strains such as MRSA and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis. The study not only reports impressive MIC values and killing efficiencies but also elucidates the underlying antibacterial mechanism, showing membrane permeability disruption and induction of bacterial apoptosis. This mechanistic clarity enhances the manuscript's scientific impact.
• High Relevance to Global Health and Biomedical Applications: The demonstrated ability of SA-AgNPs to inhibit 95.61% of MRSA biofilm formation highlights their strong potential for integration into antibacterial coatings, implantable medical devices, and advanced wound dressings. Given the urgent need for alternatives to conventional antibiotics in the face of rising antimicrobial resistance, the findings have substantial translational and societal value.
• Alignment with Editorial Priorities: The manuscript combines methodological novelty, environmental sustainability, mechanistic depth, and direct application potential qualities that strongly align with the standards typically recognized by the Editor's Choice designation. Its broad relevance across materials science, microbiology, and biomedical engineering makes it particularly impactful for the journal's readership.

In summary, the work offers significant scientific advancement and a promising platform for next-generation nano-antibiotic technologies. The rigor, innovation, and application-oriented relevance of the study make it an excellent candidate for selection as an Editor's Choice feature.”

6. “Carbon Dots as a Fluorescent Nanosystem for Crossing the Blood–Brain Barrier with Plausible Application in Neurological Diseases”
by Catarina Araújo, Raquel O. Rodrigues, Manuel Bañobre-López, Adrián M. T. Silva and Rui S. Ribeiro
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(4), 477; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17040477
Editor’s highlight: “This manuscript presents a well-designed and carefully executed study on fluoride-doped carbon dots for brain-targeted theranostic applications. The authors provide a thorough characterization, demonstrating that the NF-CDs possess well-defined nanoscale dimensions, high quantum yield, excitation-dependent fluorescence, and excellent colloidal and photostability.
The biological evaluation, particularly the demonstration of low cytotoxicity and BBB model permeability, is promising. However, it should be noted that carbon dots can potentially interfere with resazurin-based assays, and the study does not include a positive control to validate the cytotoxicity measurements. These points limit the confidence in the quantitative cytotoxicity data and should be addressed in future work.
Nonetheless, the study makes a significant contribution through its synthesis, characterization, and demonstration of BBB permeability. Overall, it is a high-quality and impactful piece of research that will be of interest to the nanomaterials and biomedical communities, and it is suitable for consideration as an Editor’s Choice Article.”

7. “Influence of Ionization and the Addition of Cyclodextrins and Hydrophilic Excipients on the Solubility of Benzthiazide, Isoxicam, and Piroxicam”
by Diego Lucero-Borja, Rebeca Ruiz, Elisabet Fuguet and Clara Ràfols
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(5), 571; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17050571
Editor’s highlight: “The manuscript highlighted that the bioavailability of a drug depends, among other parameters, on solubility. The authors emphasize that one of the strategies used to enhance the solubility of sparingly soluble drugs is the use of excipients. Excipients can interact with the drug by increasing its solubility and/or stabilizing supersaturated solutions. Also, the authors underlined that some of the most common excipients are cyclodextrins and hydrophilic polymers. Dr. Lucero-Borja et al. based their study on the effect of two cyclodextrins (captisol and cavasol) and three hydrophilic polymers (klucel, kollidon and plasdone S630) on the solubility of three ionizable drugs (benzthiazide, isoxicam, and piroxicam). They evaluated this at biorelevant pH values, using two complementary techniques. The methods they used was the solubility enhancement by evaluating the comparison of the solubility with and without the presence of excipients through the shake-flask and CheqSol methodology. The results of the authors are very interesting. Dr. Lucero-Borja et al. showed that Captisol and cavasol slightly increase the concentration of the neutral species of the drugs in the solution before precipitation begins, although they do not enhance the supersaturation duration nor the thermodynamic solubility of the drugs. They showed also that the increase in solubility in the presence of cyclodextrins is mainly caused by the ionization state of the drug. Hydrophilic polymers not only improve thermodynamic solubility but also the extent and the duration of the supersaturation. Also, they observed that some metastable forms are observed for benzthiazide and isoxicam in the presence of kollidon and plasdone S630. The authors drew the conclusions that the shake-flask method enabled the evaluation of thermodynamic solubility both in the absence and presence of excipients. Meanwhile, the CheqSol method provided insights into the presence of supersaturated solutions. Different behavior was observed depending on the nature of the excipient.”