New weekly injection to offer steady Parkinson's medication, cut need for daily pills
Frequent dosing is a burden, especially for elderly patients or those with swallowing difficulties, leading to inconsistent medication levels, more side effects, and reduced effectiveness.
To address this, the team from the University of South Australia (UniSA) developed a long-acting injectable formulation that delivers a steady dose of levodopa and carbidopa -- two key medications for Parkinson's -- over an entire week.
The biodegradable formulation is injected under the skin or into muscle tissue, where it gradually releases the medication over seven days, noted the researchers in the paper published in the journal Drug Delivery and Translational Research.
The newly developed injectable could significantly improve treatment outcomes and patient adherence, said lead researcher Professor Sanjay Garg, from UniSA's Center for Pharmaceutical Innovation.
"Our goal was to create a formulation that simplifies treatment, improves patient compliance, and maintains consistent therapeutic levels of medication. This weekly injection could be a game-changer for Parkinson's care," Garg said.
"Levodopa is the gold-standard therapy for Parkinson's, but its short lifespan means it must be taken several times a day."
The injectable gel combines a US FDA-approved biodegradable polymer, PLGA, with Eudragit L-100, a pH-sensitive polymer, to achieve a controlled and sustained drug release.
The team noted that the release of both levodopa and carbidopa steadily over a week could help maintain consistent plasma levels and reduce the risks associated with fluctuating drug concentrations.
Extensive lab tests confirmed the system's effectiveness and safety. More than 90 per cent of the levodopa dose and more than 81 per cent of the carbidopa dose were released over seven days.
Notably, the implant degraded by over 80 per cent within a week and showed no significant toxicity in cell viability tests.
In addition, the formulation can be easily administered through a fine 22-gauge needle, minimising discomfort and eliminating the need for surgical implantation.
Garg said the technology could also be adapted for other chronic conditions such as cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, pain management, and chronic infections that require long-term drug delivery.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
30 minutes ago
- News18
‘ISRO Averted Axiom-4 Disaster, Ensured Safety Of Shubhanshu Shukla': V Narayanan Reveals How
Last Updated: ISRO chief V Narayanan said, "On the evening of June 10, we informed SpaceX team to call off the launch. My team was not confident about the rocket's integrity.' Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief Dr V Narayanan recently revealed that the space agency's decisive stand played a crucial role in the success of Axiom 4, through which Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS) and the second Indian in orbit after Rakesh Sharma in 1984. The launch, originally scheduled for June 11, was called off on the evening of June 10 after Isro's team detected a leak and later a crack in the Falcon 9 booster. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the IEEE International Conference at Presidency University Bengaluru, Narayanan said, he said, 'I was leading the team, and after thorough discussions, we decided not to accept the takeoff. On the evening of June 10, we informed the SpaceX team to call off the launch. My team was not confident about the rocket's integrity and refused to participate." While some dismissed Isro's concerns initially, SpaceX engineers, too, the next day, confirmed the presence of a crack in the Falcon 9 rocket. 'It was a fantastic job of saving the mission," said Narayanan, adding, 'Today, astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and the entire mission are safe. India is second to none," he said, praising the teamwork that averted potential disaster. Axiom Mission-4 & Shubhanshu Shukla Executed by Axiom Space, in partnership with NASA, ISRO and SpaceX, a four-member crew lifted off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The 14-day mission was rescheduled multiple times due to technical issues, including the Falcon 9 leak and problems aboard the ISS. It aimed to conduct major research, including 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries, including the US, India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, UAE, and nations across Europe. The research will cover space agriculture (e.g. methi, moong daal), tardigrade biology, muscle loss prevention, glucose regulation (Suite Ride diabetes study), cognitive/computer interaction, and more. This will be the most research and science-related activities conducted on an Axiom Space mission aboard the International Space Station to date. These studies include examining muscle regeneration, growth of sprouts and edible microalgae, survival of tiny aquatic organisms, and human interaction with electronic displays in microgravity. The crew will return on July 14. With PTI Inputs view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Economic Times
34 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Phase-3 clinical trial enrolment for India's first dengue vaccine to be completed by October: ICMR
Synopsis India's DengiAll vaccine trial is nearing completion. ICMR scientists anticipate enrolling 10,500 participants by October across 20 Indian centers. The phase III trial assesses the Panacea Biotec's one-shot dengue vaccine. Initial trials showed no safety concerns. Participants will be monitored for two years to evaluate efficacy. This is a crucial step as India currently lacks a licensed dengue vaccine. Agencies Representational image Enrolment of about 10,500 participants in the phase III clinical trial of the indigenous one-shot Panacea Biotec developed dengue vaccine, DengiAll, is likely to be completed by October across 20 centres in India, according to ICMR far, 8,000 participants in various centres at Pune, Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi and Bhubaneswar among others have received either the vaccine or a placebo as part of the trial sponsored by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Panacea Biotec. The trial is co-led by ICMR-National Institute of Translational Virology and AIDS research in Pune, National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), Chennai and National Institute of Virology, there is no antiviral treatment or licensed vaccine against dengue in results of the Phase-1/2 trial has shown no safety concerns for the one-shot vaccine, NIE Director Dr Manoj Murhekar said. "The participants enrolled in the Phase- III trial will be followed up for two-years. This trial will evaluate the efficacy of this tetravalent dengue vaccine," Dr Murhekar multi-centre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled phase-III trial was launched in August last year to evaluate the jab's efficacy, safety and, long-term immunogenicity. The first participant in this trial was vaccinated at the Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS), Rohtak last year. The development of an effective vaccine is complex due to the need to achieve good efficacy for all four serotypes. The dengue virus has four serotypes, 1-4, with low cross-protection against each other, meaning individuals can experience repeated infections, Dr Murhekar said. In India, all four serotypes of dengue virus are known to circulate or co-circulate in many regions. The Union Health Ministry in a statement earlier had said that the tetravalent dengue vaccine strain (TV003/TV005), originally developed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), USA, has shown promising results in clinical trials in Brazil. Panacea Biotec, one of three Indian companies to receive the strain, is at the most advanced stage of development. The company has worked extensively on these strains to develop a full-fledged vaccine formulation and holds a process patent for this work. Dengue is a major public health concern in India, ranking among the top 30 countries with the highest incidence of the disease. The global incidence of dengue has been steadily increasing over the past two decades, with more than 129 countries reporting dengue viral disease by the end of 2023, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).In India, approximately 75-80 per cent of infections are asymptomatic, yet these individuals can still transmit the infection through the bite of Aedes mosquitoes. Among the 20-25 per cent of cases where symptoms are clinically apparent, children are at a significantly higher risk of hospitalisation and mortality. In adults, the disease can escalate into severe conditions like dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. According to the government data, around 12,043 dengue cases were reported till March this year. In 2024, 2.3 lakh cases and 297 deaths had been recorded.
Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
Cheese cubes vs cheese spread vs cheese slices: Which is healthier and what are the preservatives they contain
Cheese has quietly made its way into almost every Indian kitchen. It's tucked into sandwiches, melted on toast, folded into parathas, or eaten straight from the pack. But with so many forms now available, it can get a little confusing. Should you go for cheese cubes, slices, or that creamy spread? They all taste good, but what's actually healthier? And what keeps them fresh for months without spoiling? Let's slice through the layers and find out. Cheese cubes These are the small blocks you'll often see in tiffins or on snack platters. Most popular Indian brands like Amul and Mother Dairy make processed cheddar-style cubes. They are pasteurised, vacuum-packed, and often contain added salt, citric acid, and emulsifiers to keep the texture smooth and the shelf life long. To prevent spoilage, they usually contain sorbic acid (INS 200) and nisin (INS 234). These are food-grade preservatives that stop yeast and bacterial growth. Thanks to this combination, cheese cubes can stay fresh for several months without refrigeration until opened. What's good: rich in calcium and protein, travel-friendly, portion-controlled, and perfect for snacking. Cheese spread Creamy and spoonable, cheese spreads are made by blending cheese with milk solids, butter, and stabilisers. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Sunteck Presents 2/3BHK Sea View Homes at ₹98L+* in Mumbai Sunteck Realty Learn More Undo They are designed to be smooth, easy to apply, and stay soft even when chilled. The same preservatives appear here too. Sorbic acid and nisin are used, along with acidity regulators like citric acid to keep the pH balanced. Emulsifying salts such as sodium citrate help maintain texture and prevent separation. What's good: great for quick breakfasts, light snacks, and kid-friendly sandwiches. It is also easier to digest for some people due to its smooth, processed texture. Cheese slices Those individually wrapped slices you find in burger joints or school tiffins are all about convenience. They melt beautifully, peel easily, and never fall apart. To hold that perfect shape and meltability, manufacturers use emulsifiers like sodium citrate (INS 331) and polyphosphates (INS 452), along with the standard preservatives sorbic acid and nisin. Some slices also use food-safe colourants to achieve that glossy yellow-orange look. While the plastic wrapping helps keep them intact, it is the preservatives doing the real work behind the scenes. What's good: easy to use, mess-free, and ideal for quick sandwiches or burgers. How they stay fresh All three cheese types rely on a similar formula to last longer: Pasteurisation eliminates harmful microbes Preservatives like sorbic acid and nisin prevent spoilage Emulsifiers keep the texture smooth and prevent separation Low moisture content slows down bacterial growth Vacuum-sealed or individually wrapped packaging keeps air and contamination out This combination means your cheese can survive on a shelf or in the fridge for weeks or even months without going bad. Which is healthier? That depends on your needs. All three options provide calcium and protein but they are also processed and often high in sodium. Cheese cubes are closest in texture to natural cheese and may have fewer additives. Cheese spreads are the most processed but gentle on digestion. Cheese slices are the most convenient but usually contain the most emulsifiers and stabilisers. If you want a cleaner option, natural cheese blocks like cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, or homemade paneer are worth considering. They are fresher and typically free from added preservatives. But if you're using processed cheese occasionally and in moderation, they can still fit into a balanced diet. Want to skip preservatives? Make fresh cheese at home If you prefer your cheese clean and preservative-free, making it at home is simple and satisfying. Boil full-fat milk and turn off the heat once it begins to rise. Stir in lemon juice, vinegar, or curd to curdle the milk. As the whey separates, strain the curds through a muslin cloth. Rinse gently to remove the sourness, tie the cloth, and let it hang for about an hour to drain. What you get is fresh paneer that is soft, rich in protein, and completely free of additives. If you want to go one step further and make firmer cheese like mozzarella or rennet-set cheese, you can use rennet, an enzyme that helps milk coagulate. It is commonly used in traditional cheesemaking and gives you a more structured, sliceable cheese. Rennet is available in both animal and vegetarian forms, and a small amount goes a long way. Homemade cheese may not last for months, but it is free of preservatives, easy on the stomach, and a great way to enjoy real, fresh flavour straight from your kitchen.
