Trends in nanoformulations for atopic dermatitis treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Immunological skin dysfunctions trigger the synthesis and release of inflammatory cytokines, which induce recurrent skin inflammation associated with chronic itching, inefficient barrier behavior, and reduced skin hydration. These features characterize a multifactorial chronic inflammatory disease atopic dermatitis (AD). AD therapy includes anti-inflammatory drugs and immunosuppressors as well as non-pharmacological alternatives such as emollients, moisturizers, and lipids (ceramides, phospholipids) for modulating the skin hydration and the barrier repair. However, these treatments are inconvenient with low drug skin penetration and insufficient maintenance on the application site. AREAS COVERED: Nanotechnology-based therapies can be a great strategy to overcome these limitations. Considering the particular skin morphological organization, SC lipid matrix composition, and immunological functions/features related to nanocarriers, this review focuses on recent developments of nanoparticulate systems (polymeric, lipid-based, inorganic) as parent or hybrid systems including their chemical composition, physico-chemical and biopharmaceutical properties, and differential characteristics that evaluate them as new effective drug-delivery systems for AD treatment. EXPERT OPINION: Despite the several innovative formulations, research in nanotechnology-based carriers should address specific aspects such as the use of moisturizers associated to pharmacological therapies, toxicity studies, scale-up production processes and the nanocarrier influence on immunological response. These approaches will help researchers choose the most appropriate nanocarrier system and widen nanomedicine applications and commercialization.

Recent Developments and Challenges for Nanoscale Formulation of Botanical Pesticides for Use in Sustainable Agriculture.

In recent years, the use of substances of natural origin, such as botanical pesticides, has emerged as a preferred alternative to the use of synthetic pesticides, the excessive use of which has raised a lot of concern over safety to human/animal health and the environment. Recent developments in nanotechnology have opened up a new avenue for the development of more efficient formulations that can overcome many of the obstacles generally faced in their use in the field, such as loss of activity because of degradation, instability, volatilization, and so on. This Review discusses the key developments in this area, as well as the challenges in relation to nanoscale formulation of botanical pesticides. It presents an appraisal of the recent scientific research, along with an account of the products that have already reached the market. While it acknowledges the great potential of nanotechnology-derived formulations of botanical pesticides for increasing agricultural productivity and reducing health and the environmental impacts, it also highlights the technological challenges that must be addressed to enable adoption of the technology for wider use in agri-food production.

Budesonide-hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin inclusion complex in binary poloxamer 407/403 system for ulcerative colitis treatment: A physico-chemical study from micelles to hydrogels.

Budesonide (BUD) is a glucocorticoid widely used for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. In this work, we propose the study of the system BUD-HP-ß-CD inclusion complex incorporated into PL 407 and PL407-PL403 thermoreversible hydrogels, considering physico-chemical and pharmaceutical aspects. Complexation between BUD and HP-ß-CD was confirmed by phase solubility studies (1:1 stoichiometry, Kc=8662.8 M(-1)), DSC, FTIR and microscopy analyzes. BUD solubility in simulated upper and lower colon fluids was improved in a dependence of HP-ß-CD and PL 407 or PL407-PL403 association. Micellar hydrodynamic diameter studies showed the interaction between HP-ß-CD and PL blocks, as well as the reorganization of the micellar system in the presence of BUD and its inclusion complex. Micellization temperature (Tm) was not shifted, but sol-gel phase transition studies showed that in the presence of BUD, HP-ß-CD or BUD:HP-ß-CD complex, the association PL407-PL403 favored the gel formation close to the physiological temperature. Physico-chemical and in vitro release assays studies revealed no competitive displacement of BUD from the HP-ß-CD cavity evoked by PL407 or PL407-PL403 addition. These findings point out the BUD-HP-ß-CD in PL-based hydrogels as strategies for future investigations on development of new pharmaceutical formulations for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

Preparation and characterization of poly(ε-caprolactone) nanospheres containing the local anesthetic lidocaine.

The objective of this work was to develop a modified release system for the local anesthetic lidocaine (LDC), using poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) nanospheres (NSs), to improve the pharmacological properties of the drug when administered by the infiltration route. In vitro experiments were used to characterize the system and investigate the release mechanism. The NSs presented a polydispersion index of 0.072, an average diameter of 449.6 nm, a zeta potential of -20.1 mV, and an association efficiency of 93.3%. The release profiles showed that the release of associated LDC was slower than that of the free drug. Atomic force microscopy analyses showed that the spherical structure of the particles was preserved as a function of time, as well as after the release experiments. Cytotoxicity and pharmacological tests confirmed that association with the NSs reduced the toxicity of LDC, and prolonged its anesthetic action. This new formulation could potentially be used in applications requiring gradual anesthetic release, especially dental procedures.