This is a summary of a research study on a new treatment for Parkinson’s disease. Here’s a breakdown of the key data:
What the Research is About:
Problem: Parkinson’s disease patients currently need to take oral medication (levodopa and carbidopa) multiple times a day. This can lead to inconsistent drug levels in the body and makes it difficult for patients to adhere to their treatment schedule.
Solution: unisa scientists have developed an in-situ forming implant system for levodopa and carbidopa. This means a liquid formulation is injected,and it then solidifies into an implant within the body.
Goal: To create a long-acting injectable that can deliver levodopa and carbidopa for up to one week,reducing the need for frequent oral doses and improving patient compliance.
Key Findings of the Study:
Formulation: The researchers used a combination of poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) and eudragit L-100 to create the implant. They optimized the formulation to achieve controlled release over 7 days. Release Profile: The optimized formulation showed an initial “burst” release of the drugs in the frist 24 hours, followed by a sustained release, with about 92% of levodopa and 81% of carbidopa released within 7 days.
Injectability: The formulation had low viscosity, making it easy to inject using a 22 G needle.
Degradation: The implant showed a important weight loss (81.89%) over 7 days, indicating it breaks down in the body. In-vivo Prediction: based on modeling, the implant is predicted to provide a sustained drug level in the body for a significant period, assuming 100% bioavailability.
Future Prospects:
UniSA scientists are hoping to start clinical trials in the near future.
They are also exploring commercialisation opportunities for this new treatment.
In essence, this research presents a promising new approach to Parkinson’s disease treatment that could significantly improve the lives of patients by simplifying their medication regimen and ensuring more consistent symptom control.