Due to the high frequency and severity of upper respiratory bacterial infections, probiotics could offer a new medical approach. We explored the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of the new strain BIA and formulated a nasal spray. BIA was isolated from orange peel and taxonomically identified through 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe development of innovative products for restoring skin integrity and promoting wound healing is still a challenge. The aim of this work was to evaluate an innovative Spanish broom wound dressing impregnated with extract-loaded ufasomes to improve wound healing. Ufasomes were characterized in terms of size, polydispersity index, entrapment efficiency, zeta potential, and stability.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSince the local treatment of oral candidiasis usually requires long-term administration of the antifungal drug, an ideal dosage form should be able to maintain the drug release over an extended period, assuring an adequate concentration at the infection site. In this context, we have considered the possibility of a buccal delivery of miconazole nitrate (MN) by mucoadhesive polymeric matrices. The loading of the antifungal drug in a hydrophilic matrix was made possible by taking advantage of the amphiphilic nature of liposomes (LP).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGlycyrrhiza glabra extract is widely known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and can improve the wound healing process. The aim of this work was to shorten the time of the healing process by using an eco-sustainable wound dressing based on Spanish broom flexible cellulosic fabric by impregnation with G. glabra extract-loaded ethosomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe aim of this study was to develop azithromycin (AZT)-loaded liposomes (LP) and niosomes (NS) useful for the treatment of bacterial skin infections and acne. LP based on phosphatidylcholine from egg yolk (EPC) or from soybean lecithin (SPC), and NS composed of sorbitan monopalmitate (Span 40) or sorbitan monostearate (Span 60) were prepared through the thin film hydration (TFH) and the ethanol injection (EI) methods. The formulations were subsequently characterized for their physico-chemical and functional properties.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRising environmental awareness drives green consumers to purchase sustainable cosmetics based on natural bioactive compounds. The aim of this study was to deliver L. extract as a botanical ingredient in an anti-aging gel using an eco-friendly approach.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe aim of this work was to develop novel chitosan (CH) based nanoparticles (NPs) for rifampicin (RIF) delivery. RIF, a lipophilic molecule, was incorporated inside NPs as a complex with an anionic cyclodextrin, sulphobutyl-ether-β-cyclodextrin (SBE-β-CD). NPs were then prepared through the ionic gelation method by exploiting the interaction between CH and SBE-β-CD-RIF complex (CH/SBE-β-CD-RIF NPs), possibly in the presence of other crosslinkers, like carboxymethylcellulose (CH/SBE-β-CD-RIF/CMC NPs) and pentasodium tripolyphosphate (CH/SBE-β-CD-RIF/TPP NPs).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe objective of this work was to optimize a thermosensitive in situ gelling formulation to improve intranasal and nose-to-brain delivery of the antiepileptic drug carbamazepine (CBZ). A preliminary procedure of vehicles obtained just mixing different fractions of poloxamer 407 (P407) and poloxamer 188 (P188) revealed preparations with phase transition temperatures, times to gelation and pH values suitable for nasal delivery. Subsequently, the mucoadhesive properties of the most promising formulations were tuned by adding hydroxypropylmethylcellulose types of different viscosity grades, and the effect of the adhesive polymers was evaluated by testing in vitro time and strength of mucoadhesion on specimens of sheep nasal mucosa.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn recent years, the treatment of bacterial skin infections has been considered a major healthcare issue due to the growing emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of . The incorporation of antibiotics in appropriate nanosystems could represent a promising strategy, able to overcome several drawbacks of the topical treatment of infections, including poor drug retention within the skin. The present work aims to develop microemulsions containing azithromycin (AZT), a broad-spectrum macrolide antibiotic.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFValorization of wild plants to obtain botanical ingredients could be a strategy for sustainable production of cosmetics. This study aimed to select the rosehip extract containing the greatest amounts of bioactive compounds and to encapsulate it in vesicular systems capable of protecting their own antioxidant activity. Chemical analysis of L.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe inclusion of a chemical permeation enhancer in a dosage form is considered an effective approach to improve absorption across the nasal mucosa. Herein we evaluated the possibility of exploiting biosurfactants (BS) produced by BC9 as innovative natural excipients to improve nasal delivery of hydrocortisone (HC). BC9-BS ability to improve HC solubility and the BS mucoadhesive potential were investigated using the surfactant at a concentration below and above the critical micelle concentration (CMC).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe selection of an appropriate dressing for each type of wound is a very important procedure for a faster and more accurate healing process. So, the aim of this study was to develop innovative Spanish Broom and flax wound dressings, as alternatives to cotton used as control, with polymeric films containing glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) to promote wound-exudate absorption and the healing process. The different wound dressings were prepared by a solvent casting method, and characterized in terms of drug loading, water uptake, and in vitro release.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe use of nanoparticles (NPs) represents a useful strategy for peptide antibiotic delivery to mucosal membranes by either prolonging drug residence time at the target site (mucoadhesive NPs) or by enhancing diffusion across mucus layer to reach the underlying epithelium (mucopenetrating NPs). The purpose of this study was to design chitosan (CH) NPs and to evaluate their employment as mucoadhesive and/or mucopenetrating systems for vancomycin (VM) delivery. NPs were prepared by ionic gelation of CH with sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), sodium alginate (ALG), sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) or phytic acid (PA) and characterized in terms of size, zeta-potential, morphology, drug encapsulation efficiency, mucoadhesion and mucopenetrating ability.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe emergence of resistance to antifungal drugs has made the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) very challenging. Among natural substances, biosurfactants (BS) produced by have gained increasing interest in counteracting infections for their proven anti-adhesive properties and safety profile. In the present study, liposomes (LP-BS) or liposomes coated with hyaluronic acid (HY-LP-BS) were prepared in the presence of the BS isolated from the vaginal strain BC1 and characterized in terms of size, ζ potential, stability and mucoadhesion.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBuccal matrices represent a widely accepted dosage form permitting a convenient, easy, reliable drug administration and reducing administration errors. The aim of this study was the development of mucoadhesive buccal matrices for propranolol administration in children. Matrices were obtained by freeze-drying of drug loaded polymeric solutions based on gum tragacanth (GT), pectin (PEC), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), sodium hyaluronate (HA), gelatin (GEL), chitosan (CH) or a mixture of CH and HPMC (CH/HPMC).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe focus of this work was to prepare Spanish Broom, flax, and hemp dressings impregnated with glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) liposomes or hyalurosomes to promote the healing process and protect the skin wounds. Vesicles were prepared by the film hydration method and characterized in terms of size, particle size distribution, ζ potential, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro release, and biocompatibility on 3T3 fibroblasts. Loaded liposomes and hyalurosomes showed nanometric size (355 ± 19 nm and 424 ± 32 nm, respectively), good size distribution (lower than 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe objective of this study was the development of different solid formulations, such as wafers and films, for buccal administration of ondansetron, a selective and potent antagonist of 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 receptors used in children for the treatment of nausea and vomiting. Wafers and films have been prepared drying an aqueous solution of pectin, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, sodium hyaluronate, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, chitosan or gelatin, through lyophilization or oven. Formulations were characterized in terms of morphology, drug solid state and ability to hydrate, adhere to mucosa, release and favour the permeation of the drug through porcine esophageal epithelium, used as model of human buccal epithelium.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe aim of this work was to prepare mucoadhesive buccal films for local release of CD2, which shows interesting anti-inflammatory properties due to its high levels of arginine deiminase. Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose-based films were prepared by means of a modified casting method, which allowed CD2 loading on one side of the film, before its complete drying. Three batches of films were prepared, stored at +2-8 °C and +23-25 °C for 48 weeks and characterized in terms of physico-chemical and functional properties.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe aim of this article is to provide the rationale for the development of transdermal formulations of antipsychotics by highlighting their main advantages, starting with an overview of the antipsychotic formulations that are currently available on the market. Progress regarding transdermal antipsychotic formulations was investigated by performing a search of papers, patents and clinical trials published in the last 10 years. Available data on antipsychotic transdermal formulations are reported and discussed, focusing on the characteristics of the dosage forms and their ability to promote drug absorption.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStaphylococcus aureus is the major causative agent of skin and soft tissue infections, whose prevention and treatment have become more difficult due to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains. In this regard, the development of an effective treatment represents a challenge that can be overcome by delivering new antibiofilm agents with appropriate nanocarriers. In this study, a biosurfactant (BS) isolated from Lactobacillus gasseri BC9 and subsequently loaded in liposomes (LP), was evaluated for its ability to prevent the development and to eradicate the biofilm of different methicillin resistant S.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChlorhexidine (CLX) is a wide spectrum cationic antimicrobial used for prevention and treatment of infections of buccal and vaginal cavities. To increase the residence time of CLX-based formulations at the application site and consequently reduce the daily dose frequency, new formulations composed of mucoadhesive polymers should be designed. The objective of this work was the development of matrices based on polyanionic polymers, such as sodium alginate, carboxymethylcellulose, xanthan gum and sodium hyaluronate, aimed to prolong the local release of CLX into the buccal or vaginal cavity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe aim of this work was to prepare new mucoadhesive nasal decongestant nanoparticles obtained by direct crosslinking between the cationic polymer chitosan and the anionic drug cromolyn. Different chitosan/cromolyn molar ratios were used in order to obtain nanoparticles of suitable size, encapsulation efficiency/drug loading and mucoadhesion. Moreover, the ability of the nanoparticles to deliver cromolyn into and through the nasal mucosa was evaluated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBifidobacteria are predominant microorganisms in the intestinal flora, but at the same time represent a subdominant group of the vaginal microbiota. For this reason, oral administration of these probiotic bacteria can provide beneficial effect for both intestinal and urogenital ecosystems. The first aim of this study was to test the strain Bifidobacterium breve BC204, isolated from a vaginal swab of a healthy woman, for its capability to adhere to human cells, to survive to gastric acids and bile salts and to exert antimicrobial activities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe purpose of this work was to prepare and characterize an innovative formulation for vaginal delivery of econazole nitrate, commonly used for the treatment of Candida infections. A novel biosurfactant isolated from a vaginal Lactobacillus strain was used to prepare phosphatidylcholine based mixed vesicles. Biosurfactant was produced by Lactobacillus gasseri BC9, isolated from the vagina of a healthy premenopausal woman, and was chemically characterized by FT-IR and ESI-MS.
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