Amoebicidal activity of essential oils and essential oil-based microemulsions of Aloysia citrodora Ortega ex Pers., Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt ex Bor, and Ocimum gratissimum L. against Acanthamoeba polyphaga trophozoites.

Aims: Evaluate the in vitro efficacy of the essential oils derived from Aloysia citrodora (Verbenaceae), Cymbopogon winterianus (Poaceae), and Ocimum gratissimum (Lamiaceae) against Acanthamoeba polyphaga trophozoites. Additionally, microemulsions formulated with these essential oils, along with their major components, were analyzed.

Methods And Results: The prepared microemulsions were characterized using polarized light microscopy and rheological techniques.

Microemulsions strongly promoted the activity of α-bisabolol against different Leishmania species and its skin permeation.

This study aimed to develop microemulsions (MEs) containing α-bisabolol for the topical treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Initially, pseudoternary phase diagrams were developed using α-bisabolol as the oil phase, Eumulgin® CO 40 as the surfactant, Polymol® HE as the co-surfactant, and distilled water as the aqueous phase. Two transparent liquid systems (TLS) containing 5% of α-bisabolol were selected and characterized (F5E25 and F5EP25).

Effect of 3-Carene and the Micellar Formulation on .

Leishmaniases are neglected tropical diseases caused by obligate intracellular of the genus . The drugs used in treatment have a high financial cost, a long treatment time, high toxicity, and variable efficacy. 3-Carene (3CR) is a hydrocarbon monoterpene that has shown in vitro activity against some species; however, it has low water solubility and high volatility.

Thermosensitive system formed by poloxamers containing carvacrol: An effective carrier system against Leishmania amazonensis.

The drugs used in the treatment of leishmaniasis show problems concerning side effects and toxicity. As a result, the search for new actives is necessary, and natural products like carvacrol - 5-isopropyl-2-methylphenol, become a relevant alternative. To enable the use of carvacrol as an antileishmanial agent, thermosensitive hydrogels were developed from poloxamer triblock copolymers 407 (P407) and 188 (P188).

Chitosan-functionalized nanostructured lipid carriers containing chloroaluminum phthalocyanine for photodynamic therapy of skin cancer.

The objective of this study was to obtain optimized nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) functionalized with chitosan containing chloroaluminum phthalocyanine (ClAlPc) as a photosensitizer. Initially, the optimization of the preparation method of the NLC was performed, where the influence of different surfactants such as PVA and Tween 80, as well as different solid lipids such as stearic acid and Glycerol Monostearate (GM) was evaluated. The formulation containing GM and PVA (NLC10) was considered promising.

Larvicidal formulation containing N-tosylindole: A viable alternative to chemical control of Aedes aegypti.

Aedes aegypti is currently a major public health problem. This mosquito is responsible for the spread of infectious diseases that have been causing epidemics worldwide. Surfactant-stabilized systems, such as microemulsions, liquid-crystalline precursors and liquid crystals, are promising sustained delivery formulations of hydrophilic and hydrophobic substances.

Microemulsion systems to enhance the transdermal permeation of ivermectin in dogs: A preliminary in vitro study.

This study aims to evaluate the influence of the phase behavior of microemulsions in the transdermal administration ("spot-on") of ivermectin, an antiparasitic drug widely used in the treatment of endoparasites and ectoparasites in dogs. In this regard, pseudoternary phase diagrams composed of water (aqueous phase), isopropyl myristate (oil phase), tween 80 (surfactant) and labrasol (cosurfactant) were obtained in a different surfactant: cosurfactant (S:CS) ratios. S:CS in 1:3 ratio presented a larger region of microemulsion formation and three microemulsions were selected from it and characterized.

Meglumine-based supra-amphiphile self-assembled in water as a skin drug delivery system: Influence of unfrozen bound water in the system bioadhesiveness.

Hexagonal liquid crystals and supramolecular polymers from meglumine-based supra-amphiphiles were developed as drug delivery systems to be applied on the skin. The influence of fatty acid unsaturation on the structure and mechanical properties was evaluated. Moreover, we have investigated the system biocompatibility and how the type of water could influence its bioadhesive properties.

Synthesis of functionalized mesoporous material from rice husk ash and its application in the removal of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

The rice husk ash (RHA) was used as an alternative source of silica for the synthesis of the functionalized mesoporous material, which was used in the removal of the PAHs naphthalene (Nap), benzo[b]fluoranthene (B[b]F), benzo[k]fluoranthene (B[k]F), and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) from aqueous media. The PABA-MCM-41 (RHA) was characterized using FTIR, TGA, SAXS, and N adsorption-desorption analyses. Removal experiments were performed to determine the initial concentrations, individual adsorption in comparison with the mixture of the PAHs, PABA-MCM-41 (RHA) amount, pH, time, and temperature, and the results obtained were statistically analyzed.

Anti-hyperalgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of citral with β-cyclodextrin and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes in animal models.

Citral (CIT) is a monoterpene formed by the geranial and neral stereoisomers. CIT is the major compound of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil, commonly known as "lemongrass", and has demonstrated potential antihyperalgesic, anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects. However, CIT shows high volatility, low solubility in water and consequent low bioavailability, which limits its use.

Tailoring microstructural, drug release properties, and antichagasic efficacy of biocompatible oil-in-water benznidazol-loaded nanoemulsions.

This study explored the transition of lamellar-type liquid crystal (LLC) to biocompatible oil-in-water nanoemulsions able to modify benznidazole (BNZ) release and target the drug to cells infected with the T. cruzi parasite. Three cosolvents (2methylpyrrolidone [NMP], polyethylene glycol [POL], and propylene glycol [PRO] were tested to induce the transition of anisotropic LLC systems to isotropic nanoemulsions.

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.

Third-Generation Transdermal Delivery Systems Containing Zidovudine: Effect of the Combination of Different Chemical Enhancers and a Microemulsion System.

This study aimed to examine the influence of the combination of chemical enhancers and a microemulsion on the transdermal permeation of zidovudine (AZT). Ethanol, 1,8-cineole, and geraniol were incorporated in a microemulsion. The droplet size, zeta potential, rheology, and SAXS analysis were performed.

Microemulsion Formulations for the Transdermal Delivery of Lapachol.

This project was carried out to investigate the feasibility of using microemulsions for transdermal delivery of lapachol. From the screening of surfactants and oils, a range of microemulsions were developed using oleic acid, a mixture of Cremophor EL and Tween 20 and water. The solubility of lapachol was determined in these ingredients and in the formulated microemulsions.

Structural and Thermal Behavior of Meglumine-Based Supra-Amphiphiles in Bulk and Assembled in Water.

Supra-amphiphiles are a new class of building blocks that are fabricated by means of noncovalent forces. In this work, we studied the formation of supra-amphiphiles by combining hydrophilic meglumine (MEG) with hydrophobic maleated castor oils (MACO). Spectroscopic analysis demonstrated that ionic interactions are the main driving force in the fabrication of these materials.

Phase Transitions of Isotropic to Anisotropic Biocompatible Lipid-Based Drug Delivery Systems Overcoming Insoluble Benznidazole Loading.

Previous studies reported low benznidazole (BNZ) loading in conventional emulsions due to the weak interaction of the drug with the most common oils used to produce foods or pharmaceuticals. In this study, we focused on how the type of surfactant, surfactant-to-oil ratio w/w (SOR) and oil-to-water ratio w/w (OWR) change the phase behavior of different lipid-based drug delivery systems (LBDDS) produced by emulsion phase inversion. The surfactant mixture composed of soy phosphatidylcholine and sodium oleate (1:7, w/w, hydrophilic lipophilic balance = 16) stabilized medium chain triglyceride in water.

The Monoglyceride Content Affects the Self-Assembly Behavior, Rheological Properties, Syringeability, and Mucoadhesion of In Situ-Gelling Liquid Crystalline Phase.

This article reports the development of a precursor liquid crystalline system based on a mixture of monoglycerides (MO) and Cremophor(®) (CREM) that exhibits in situ gelation to a liquid crystalline phase. The effects of different MO/CREM ratios and the water content (WC) on several performance characteristics were investigated with a full factorial design. The formulations were characterized by polarized light microscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering, and water uptake assays.

Rheological Characterization and Safety Evaluation of Non-Ionic Lamellar Liquid Crystalline Systems Containing Retinyl Palmitate.

Retinyl palmitate (RP) is widely used as a special interest ingredient in dermatological formulations to improve the elasticity of the skin and to reduce wrinkles by stimulating collagen synthesis. Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems, such as liquid crystalline systems (LCSs), can modulate drug permeation into skin and improve the drug action. The effects of such systems on the skin, however, are not completely known.

Evaluation of Microemulsion and Lamellar Liquid Crystalline Systems for Transdermal Zidovudine Delivery.

This study proposed to investigate and to compare colloidal carrier systems containing Zidovudine (3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine) (AZT) for transdermal administration and optimization of antiretroviral therapy. Microemulsion (ME) and lamellar phase (LP) liquid crystal were obtained and selected from pseudoternary diagrams previously developed. Small-angle X-ray scattering and rheology analysis confirmed the presence of typical ME and liquid crystalline structures with lamellar arrangement, respectively.

Rheological, mechanical and adhesive properties of surfactant-containing systems designed as a potential platform for topical drug delivery.

In the last few decades, nanotechnology has led to an advance in the development of topical drug delivery. Nanostructured drug delivery systems enable the compartmentalization of drugs in restricted environments, modifying the release profile and maintaining the required drug concentration for prolonged periods at the site of action and/or absorption. The development of nanostructured systems containing surfactants has evolved rapidly.

Surfactant systems for nasal zidovudine delivery: structural, rheological and mucoadhesive properties.

Objectives: Zidovudine is the antiretroviral drug most frequently used for the treatment of AIDS. Although its effectiveness is recognized, it undergoes extensive first-pass metabolism and exhibits poor oral bioavailability. The nasal route is an option for enhanced therapeutic efficacy and to reduce the extent of the first-pass effect.

Development and in vitro evaluation of surfactant systems for controlled release of zidovudine.

The development of a controlled-release dosage form of zidovudine (AZT) is of crucial importance, in view of the pharmacokinetics of its toxic activity. A suitable drug delivery system could increase AZT bioavailability, reducing its dose-dependent side effects. In this study, systems composed of polyoxypropylene (5) polyoxyethylene (20) cetyl alcohol as surfactant (S), oleic acid as oil phase (O), and water (W) were developed, as possible AZT control release systems.