Transitioning from static to suspension culture system for large-scale production of xeno-free extracellular vesicles derived from mesenchymal stromal cells.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have shown increasing therapeutic potential in the last years. However, large production of EV is required for therapeutic purposes. Thereby, scaling up MSC cultivation in bioreactors is essential to allow culture parameters monitoring.

Influence of Alkyl Chains of Modified Polysuccinimide-Based Polycationic Polymers on Polyplex Formation and Transfection.

The development of polymers with low toxicity and efficient gene delivery remains a significant barrier of nonviral gene therapy. Modification and tuning of chemical structures of carriers is an attractive strategy for efficient nucleic acid delivery. Here, polyplexes consisting of plasmid DNA (pDNA) and dodecylated or non-dodecylated polysuccinimide (PSI)-based polycations are designed, and their transfection ability into HeLa cells is investigated by green fluorescent protein (GFP) expressing cells quantification.

Skin permeation, biocompatibility and antitumor effect of chloroaluminum phthalocyanine associated to oleic acid in lipid nanoparticles.

The objective of this study was to develop and characterize lipid nanoparticles (LNs) containing chloroaluminum phthalocyanine (ClAlPc) to reduce the aggregation of the drug and improve its skin penetration and its antitumor effect. LNs were prepared and characterized by using stearic acid (SA) as solid lipid and oleic acid (OA) as liquid lipid in different proportions. in vitro and in vivo skin penetration was evaluated using modified Franz diffusion cells and fluorescence microscopy, respectively.

Evaluation of critical parameters for in vitro skin permeation and penetration studies using animal skin models.

In vitro skin permeation/penetration studies may be affected by many sources of variation. Herein, we aimed to investigate the major critical procedures of in vitro skin delivery studies. These experiments were performed with model drugs according to official guidelines.

In Situ Gelling Liquid Crystalline System as Local siRNA Delivery System.

An effective short interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery system protects the siRNA from degradation, facilitates its cellular uptake, and promotes its release into the cytoplasm. Local administration of siRNA presents advantages over systemic administration, such as the possibility to use lower doses and allow local and sustained release. In this context, in situ solidifying organogels based on monoglycerides (MO), polyethylenimine (PEI), propylene glycol (PG) and tris buffer are an attractive strategy for intratumoral delivery of siRNA.

Chemical penetration enhancers.

To achieve an efficient skin penetration of most compounds it is necessary to overcome the barrier function of the skin, provided mainly (but not only) by the stratum corneum. Among various strategies used or studied to date, chemical penetration enhancers are the most frequently employed with one of the longest histories of use. There is a multitude of agents described as penetration enhancers, and they present varying properties and structures.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of the delivery of topical formulations containing glycoalkaloids of Solanum lycocarpum fruits.

The glycoalkaloids solasonine (SN) and solamargine (SM) have been studied for their antiparasitic, antifungal, and anticancer properties, especially in vitro and in vivo against non-melanoma skin cancer. Thus, the alkaloidic extract of Solanum lycocarpum, which contains approximately 45% each of SN and SM, was used to define the best experimental conditions for in vitro and in vivo assays. The in vitro assays were performed with the Franz cell diffusion porcine skin model to evaluate the effects of different pHs and the presence of monoolein, ethoxydiglycol or ethanol penetration enhancers on the skin penetration and retention of SN and SM after 3, 6, 9 and 12h of exposure.

Physicochemical characterization of surfactant incorporating vesicles that incorporate colloidal magnetite.

Drug administration through the transdermal route has optimized for the comfort of patients and easy application. However, the main limitation of transdermal drug delivery is the impermeability of the human skin. Recent advances on improvement of drug transport through the skin include elastic liposomes as a penetration enhancer.

Antimycobacterial activity of 2-phenoxy-1-phenylethanone, a synthetic analogue of neolignan, entrapped in polymeric microparticles.

Conventional treatment of tuberculosis (TB) demands a long course therapy (6 months), known to originate multiple drug resistant strains (MDR-TB), which emphasizes the urgent need for new antituberculous drugs. The purpose of this study was to investigate a novel treatment for TB meant to improve patient compliance by reducing drug dosage frequency. Polymeric microparticles containing the synthetic analogue of neolignan, 1-phenyl-2-phenoxiethanone (LS-2), were obtained by a method of emulsification and solvent evaporation and chemically characterized.

Bone repair investigation using rhBMP-2 and angiogenic protein extracted from latex.

Background: The aim of this work was to study the new bone tissue formation after bone morphogenetic protein type 2 (rhBMP-2) and P-1 application, using 5 and 10 μg of each, combined to a material carrier, in critical bone defects.

Methods: It was used 70 Wistar rats (male, ∼250 g) that were divided in 10 groups with seven animals on each. Groups are the following: critical bone defect only, pure monoolein gel, 5 μg of pure P-1, 5 μg of pure rhBMP-2, 5 μg of P-1/monoolein gel, 5 μg of rhBMP-2/monoolein gel, 10 μg of pure P-1, 10 μg of pure rhBMP-2, 10 μg of P-1/monoolein gel, 10 μg of rhBMP-2/monoolein gel.

Preparation and characterization of chitosan-treated alginate microparticles incorporating all-trans retinoic acid.

Chitosan treated alginate microparticles were prepared with the purpose of incorporating all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) using an inexpensive, simple and fast method, enhancing dermal localization and sustaining the release of ATRA into the skin. Microparticles characterization, drug-polymer interaction, release profile and in vitro skin retention were investigated. Microparticles presented spherical shape and drug loading capacity of 47%.

Monoolein and chitosan gels as potential carriers of the rhBMP-2, using decortication surgical technique in Wistar rats as experimental model.

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the new bone tissue, comparing two different carriers for rhBMP-2, monoolein and chitosan gels, using the decortication and nondecorticatication surgical technique in rat mandibles, evaluated by histomorphometrical method. It was used 56 male Wistar rats (300 g), divided into 8 groups according to the rhBMP-2 carrier used, monoolein or chitosan gels; surgical technique, bone decortication or nondecortication; and period of time, 3 or 6 weeks until the sacrifice by perfusion. Results obtained in this study showed that the rhBMP-2/monoolein and rhBMP-2/chitosan used in this experimental model was able to induce osteogenesis, contributing to the bone healing process.

Cryo-TEM investigation of phase behaviour and aggregate structure in dilute dispersions of monoolein and oleic acid.

Cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) was used to image the microstructure in dilute sonicated dispersions of monoolein and oleic acid. The aim of the study was to explore how different experimental parameters, such as sample composition, total lipid concentration, pH, and ageing affect the phase behaviour and aggregate structure. Our investigations show that a rich variety of lamellar and non-lamellar structures, including liposomes and particles of cubic and inverted hexagonal phase, may form depending on the experimental conditions.