Publications by authors named "Mariana Volpato Junqueira"

Hypericin (Hyp), a natural hydrophobic and photoactive pigment, and methylene blue (MB), a hydrophilic cationic dye, are utilized as photosensitizer (PS) for photodynamic therapy of cancer. Bioadhesive and thermoresponsive polymeric systems can improve the drug availability by increasing the contact time between the system and the mucosa and also controlling the drug release. In this work, an accelerated physicochemical stability study of binary polymeric systems composed of poloxamer 407 (Polox) and Carbopol 934 P (Carb) for MB or Hyp release was performed.

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Microparticulate drug delivery systems have shown a great interest in the pharmaceutical area. They allow the increase of drug therapeutic efficacy and the reduction of side effects. In this context, microsponges represent a new model of porous polymer microspheres, which allow the entrapment of a wide range of active agents.

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Hypericin (Hyp) is a natural photoactive pigment utilized in the treatment of different types of cancer and antimicrobial inactivation using photodynamic therapy (PDT). Hyp is poorly soluble in water leading to problems of administration, getting close contact with the site, and bio-availability. Therefore, this study aimed to develop bioadhesive thermoresponsive system containing Hyp for local PDT.

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Pluronic F127 was associated with a carbomer homopolymer type B, as a model polymer blend to evidence the information provided by rheological and mechanical analyses on the development of bioadhesive thermoresponsive systems. The mechanical analysis enabled to observe that 20% (w/w) Pluronic F127-polymer blends were harder, more adhesive, more mucoadhesive, more compressive and less soft. In addition, continuous flow rheometry demonstrated that the systems were plastic with rheopexy (15%, w/w, Pluronic F127) or thixotropic (20%, w/w, Pluronic F127).

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Article Synopsis
  • Methylene blue (MB) is used in photodynamic therapy for colorectal cancer and leishmaniasis, but its effects on bioadhesive thermoresponsive systems made with poloxamer 407 and Carbopol 934P need further investigation.
  • The study aimed to assess how different concentrations of MB affect the dielectric and mucoadhesive properties of these polymeric systems and their drug release profiles.
  • Results showed that lower concentrations of MB improved ionic mobility and drug release, suggesting better potential for clinical application.
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Polycarbophil is widely used in a variety of pharmaceutical formulations, mainly for their strong ability to adhere to the epithelial and mucous barriers (bio/mucoadhesion). On the other hand, its association with the thermoresponsive polymer (poloxamer 407) has been poorly explored. This work investigates the rheological, mechanical and mucoadhesive properties of polymer blends containing polycarbophil and poloxamer 407, in order to select the best formulations for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications.

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This study describes the investigation about the physicochemical behavior of methylene blue (Mb) addition to systems containing poloxamer 407 (Polox), Carbopol 934P (Carb), intended to be locally used by photodynamic therapy. A factorial design 2 (plus center point) was used to analyze the rheological, mucoadhesive and textural properties of the preparations. Systems containing the lower concentrations of Polox (15 and 17.

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The development of binary polymeric mixtures (polymer blends) containing bioadhesive and thermoresponsive polymers can provide new materials for biomedical applications, with higher contact, increased adhesion, prolonged residence time, protection, and in determined cases, secured absorption of an active agent from the site of application. Mixtures were prepared using a wide range of poloxamer 407 and Carbopol 971P(®) amounts. The rheological (flow and oscillatory), sol-gel transition temperature, mechanical (hardness, compressibility, adhesiveness, cohesiveness and elasticity), softness, and mucoadhesive properties of formulations were investigated.

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Article Synopsis
  • Photodynamic therapy (PDT) using methylene blue (MB) offers a promising treatment option for colorectal cancer, but challenges exist in administration and ensuring the drug stays at the treatment site.
  • The study focused on creating a mucoadhesive thermoresponsive system containing MB, assessing its properties like viscosity, release profile, and intestinal permeation.
  • Results showed that a specific formulation (20% Polox, 0.15% Carb, and 0.25% MB) exhibited effective characteristics for PDT, demonstrating photodynamic activity and low toxicity, indicating potential for clinical use.
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Considering the antioxidant activity of the Trichilia catigua extract (TCE), the aim of the current study was to develop and characterize W/O/W multiple emulsions containing different vegetable oils as a platform to deliver a TCE. The extract displayed antioxidant activity (IC) of 4.59 µg/mL and total phenol content (TPC) of 50.

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