27 years experience in teaching at AISSMS College of Pharmacy, 83 publications, 2 book chapters in Springer, 6 months industry experience in Hoechst Pharmaceuticals
EDUCATION
M Pharm (Pharmaceutics), PhD
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Science, General Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics, Materials Science
Physico-mechanistic studies on effect of spray drying and corrective excipients on direct compressibility of nanosponges by SeDeM analysis Monica RP Rao, Madhura Patil, Bushra Bagwan, Prerana Patil, Isha Bhaleghare Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, 2025 OBJECTIVES SeDeM analysis enables rapid screening of powders for direct compression (DC) into tablets. Aim of this work was to investigate plain nanosponges (NS) and spray dried nanosponges (SDNS) for direct compressibility using SeDeMExpert system. Beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD) based NS are widely used for solubility, stability enhancement, and taste masking. Evaluation of their compressibility profile will shorten timelines required for early formulation development studies of tablets excipients. METHODS NS were synthesized by crosslinking β-CD with diphenyl carbonate (DPC) and spray dried. They were evaluated for spectral and particle characteristics and characterized by SeDeManalysis. Primary indices of dimension: compressibility, flowability, lubricity, and stability were calculated by converting the micromeritic properties into 'r' values using factors. Radar diagrams were plotted to map micromeritic properties. Avicel® and Supertab® were mixed with NS and SDNS to correct deficiencies. RESULTS Spectral characterization confirmed formation of NS. SeDeManalysis and radar diagrams conveyed lacunae in powder characteristics. SDNS displayed better micromeritics than NS however compressibility index was deficient in both. Avicel® and Supertab® were mixed with NS and SDNS and SeDeM analysis of mixtures revealed superior micromeritic properties providing conclusive proof of direct compressibility. Index of good compressibility (IGC) of mixtures was above limits. CONCLUSIONS SeDeManalysis is promising technique to characterize powders and predict compressibility of powders. It provides pointers to need for particle engineering to facilitate DC.
Enhancement of Solubility of Albendazole by Inclusion Complexation with Nanosponges and β-Cyclodextrin Monica Raghavendra Prasad Rao, Saloni A Sakharwade Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, 2024 Abstract: Aim: Objective of work was to compare role of β-Cyclodextrin (β-CD) and Nanosponges (NS) prepared with different cross-linking ratios and different drug loading ratios to enhance solubility and dissolution rate of Albendazole (ALB). Materials and Methods: Diphenyl Carbonate (DPC) was used as cross-linker for preparing NS with various β-CD and DPC ratios (1:2 and 1:4). Solvent evaporation was used to make binary complex. ALB and NS were dissolved in Dichloromethane (DCM) in 1:1 and 1:2 ratios and triturated until solvent evaporated. Phase solubility, saturation solubility and in vitro dissolution studies were performed. Solid state characterization as well as spectral and thermal analyses was done. Results: Stability constant for complexes ALB-β-CD, ALB-NS (1:2 ratios) and ALB-NS (1:4 ratios) were found to be 1715M-1±18.3, 1902M-1±29.5 and 1945M-1±30.1 respectively. Maximum solubility of all complexes was observed in fed state simulated intestinal fluid (FeSSIF). The increase was to the tune of 3-8 folds for all binary complexes at 1:1 and 1: 2 drug loading ratios. Dissolution rate increased by 47%-67% for drug loading ratio 1:1 and 55-71% for drug loading ratio 1:2 in FeSSIF in 150 min. Conclusion: β-CD based NS improved solubility of ALB. Presence of drug in molecular form in nanochannels and amorphization were responsible for increase in solubility. Nanosponges prepared in ratio 1:4 and drug loading in ratio 1:2 showed highest increase in solubility and dissolution rate. Keywords: β-cyclodextrin, Binary complex, Nanosponges, Albendazole.
Dapsone-Loaded Mixed Micellar Gel for Treatment OF Acne Vulgaris Monica RP Rao, Sushant Deshpande, Padmanabh Deshpande AAPS Pharmscitech, 2023 Mixed polymeric micelles are potential nanocarriers for topical drug delivery. Dapsone (DAP) is an antibacterial used as anti-acne agent, but challenged by low water solubility and poor skin permeability. In the present study, DAP-loaded mixed micellar gel was developed comprising Pluronics F-68 and F-127. Micelles were prepared by solvent evaporation method and particle size, ex vivo permeation, drug loading, and entrapment efficiency were determined. Central Composite Design was used to optimize formulation. Independent variables were concentration of Pluronics at three levels while micelle size and drug loading capacities were dependent variables. Droplet size ranged from 400 to 500 nm. Transmission electron microscopy revealed spherical morphology of micelles. Optimized micelles were incorporated into gel base using HPMC K100M, Sodium CMC, and Carbopol 980 as gelling agents. Gels were evaluated for pH, drug content, spreadability, rheology, syneresis, ex vivo permeation, and subacute dermal toxicity. Compared with solubility of free DAP (0.24+0.056 µg/ml), solubility in mixed micelles was 18.42±3.4 µg/ml in water at room temperature. Order of spreadability of gels was Na CMC < HPMC < Carbopol 980. Carbopol gels displayed thixotropy with index of 3.17. Syneresis for all gels from day 0 to day 30 was found to be in range of 4.2 to 15.6% w/w. Subacute dermal toxicity studies showed no signs of erythema and edema on rat skin until 21 days. These results suggest that mixed micelles can significantly increase solubility and permeability and sustain release of DAP and are suitable carriers for topical DAP delivery in anti-acne therapies. Graphical Abstract
Computational Techniques for Drug Repurposing: A Paradigm Shift in Drug Discovery Monica Raghavendra Prasad Rao, Isha Sangram Ghadge, Saurav Prasanna Kulkarni, Tanya Asthana Current Drug Therapy, 2023 The last two years from 2020 to 2022 have seen the world face an unparalleled crisis in the form of the corona virus, which has challenged mankind as never before. The struggle and race to find a cure for the disease kept medical professionals, pharmacists, and scientists on their toes. Drug discovery by de novo approach was not an option due to its obvious downside of the enormous time required for the process. Hitherto unknown in public parlance, repurposing existing drugs showed the way forward for scientists. Drug repurposing involves redefining medical use for drugs that have crossed the drug discovery process and were approved, discontinued, or shelved. Drug repurposing or repositioning has shown effective results in treating several diseases. This review traces the journey of some repurposed drugs and provides an overview of computational methods used for repurposing, which include signature mapping, molecular docking, and in silico approaches. The review also highlights repurposed drugs for cancer, one of the most dreaded diseases, and how repurposing can prove to be a boon for many types of cancers. Concerted efforts to study this modality of drug discovery are the need of the hour. The article discusses various drugs which have been successfully repurposed for the treatment of a plethora of diseases. Drug repurposing is a silver lining that can reduce the arduous journey of discovering a definitive cure for a disease and has the potential to change the landscape of the drug discovery process.
Pharmacotechnical Evaluation by SeDeM Expert System to Develop Orodispersible Tablets Monica R. P. Rao, Sharwari Sapate, Ashwini Sonawane AAPS Pharmscitech, 2022 Sediment delivery model (SeDeM) system is innovative tool to correlate micromeritic properties of powders with compressibility. It involves computation of indices which facilitate direct compressibility of solids and enable corrective measures through particle engineering. Study had multiple objectives, viz, (i) to enhance solubility of BCS class II, nevirapine using solid dispersions; (ii) SeDeM analyses of excipients and solid dispersions to analyze direct compressibility; and (iii) prepare orodispersible tablets (ODT). Solid dispersions were prepared by solvent evaporation. Superdisintegrants and solid dispersions were analyzed for primary indices of dimension, compressibility, flowability, stability, and disgregability derived from micromeritic properties. Radar diagrams were constructed to provide visual clues to deficient properties for direct compressibility. ODTs were prepared using excipients which passed criteria for direct compressibility and evaluated for tablet properties. Solid dispersions with Eudragit S100 revealed 6 to 10 fold increase in solubility in various dissolution media including biorelevant media in comparison with plain drug. Solubility was found to be pH dependent. SeDeM analyses facilitated identification of superdisintegrants and excipients with unfavorable compressibility. Radar diagrams provided a clear pictorial evidence of lacunae in powder properties. Based on SeDeM results, tablets were formulated by direct compression using crosspovidone, croscarmellose sodium, and mannitol. All batches showed 40% release in first minute in simulated salivary fluid.
Design and evaluation of sustained release matrix tablets using sintering technique International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
Controlled release floating oral in situ gel of itopride hydrochloride using ph sensitive polymer International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2014
Characterization of psyllium (Plantago ovata) polysaccharide and its use as a binder in tablets Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, 2013
Development and validation of HPTLC method for determination of bromhexine hydrochloride in Human Plasma Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology, 2012
Binary and ternary solid dispersions of fenofibrate for solubility enhancement International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2012
Study of rheological properties of psyllium polysaccharide and its evaluation as suspending agent International Journal of Pharmtech Research, 2011
Compatibility study of Aceclofenac and tablet disintegrants by thermal and nonthermal methods Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology, 2011
Preparation and evaluation of self-microemulsifying drug delivery system of carvedilol Latin American Journal of Pharmacy, 2011
Characterization of solid dispersions of simvastatin with PVP K30 and poloxamer 188 Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, 2011
Preparation and evaluation of immediate release tablet of metoclopramide HCl using simplex centroid mixture design International Journal of Pharmtech Research, 2010
Physicochemical characterization and in Vitro dissolution of domperidone by solid dispersion technique Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, 2009
Use of ultrasound in chemical synthesis and particle engineering Indian Drugs, 2008
