Design of a Nasal Spray Based on Cardiospermum halicacabum Extract Loaded in Phospholipid Vesicles Enriched with Gelatin or Chondroitin Sulfate.

The extract of Cardiospermum halicacabum L. (C. halicacabum) obtained from flower, leaf and vine was loaded into modified phospholipid vesicles aiming at obtaining sprayable, biocompatible and effective nasal spray formulations for the treatment of nasopharyngeal diseases. Penetration enhancer-containing vesicles (PEVs) and hyalurosomes were formulated, and stabilized by adding a commercial gelatin from fish (20 mg/mL) or chondroitin sulfate from catshark cartilages (Scyliorhinus canicula, 20 mg/mL). Cryo-TEM images confirmed the formation of spherical vesicles, while photon correlation spectroscopy analysis disclosed the formation of small and negatively-charged vesicles. PEVs were the smaller vesicles (~100 nm) along with gelatin-hyalurosomes (~120 nm), while chondroitin-PEVs and chondroitin-hyalurosomes were larger (~160 nm). Dispersions prepared with chondroitin sulfate were more homogeneous, as the polydispersity index was ~0.15. The in vitro analysis of the droplet size distribution, average velocity module and spray cone angle suggested a good spray-ability and deposition of formulations in the nasal cavity, as the mean diameter of the droplets was in the range recommended by the Food and Drug Administration for nasal targets. The spray plume analysis confirmed the ability of PEVs, gelatin-PEVs, hyalurosomes and gelatin-hyalurosomes to be atomized in fine droplets homogenously distributed in a full cone plume, with an angle ranging from 25 to 30°. Moreover, vesicles were highly biocompatible and capable of protecting the epithelial cells against oxidative damage, thus preventing the inflammatory state.

Current and Future Therapies for Psoriasis with a Focus on Serotonergic Drugs.

Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated skin disease, with a pathogenesis resulting from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The pathogenesis of psoriasis is driven by the interaction between innate and adaptive immune cells and keratinocytes, in a complex process mediated by cytokines and other signaling molecules. This leads to an inflammatory process with increased proliferation of epidermal cells, neo-angiogenesis, and infiltration of white cells in the skin, which cause the characteristic psoriasis plaques. Several studies have suggested that the neurotransmitter serotonin, a key mediator between the skin and the neuroendocrine system, also plays an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Psoriasis often needs long-term treatment, which can be a burden. Thus, the choice of the treatment is crucial to increase the patients' adherence and quality of life. This review addresses the currently available systemic and topical treatments for psoriasis, used by themselves or combined with phototherapy. It particularly focuses on the importance of advanced drug delivery systems as a way to increase the drug penetration and retention in the skin, while also enhancing its solubility and stability. Finally, we discuss the role of the serotonin system in psoriasis, and summarize what is known about the effects of antidepressants, in particular specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors, on the physical symptoms of this disease.

Lycopene from tomatoes: vesicular nanocarrier formulations for dermal delivery.

This experimental work aimed to develop a simple, fast, economic, and environmentally friendly process for the extraction of lycopene from tomato and incorporate this lycopene-rich extract into ultradeformable vesicular nanocarriers suitable for topical application. Lycopene extraction was conducted without a cosolvent for 30 min. The extracts were analyzed and incorporated in transfersomes and ethosomes. These formulations were characterized, and the cellular uptake was observed by confocal microscopy. Dermal delivery of lycopene formulations was tested under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Lycopene extraction proved to be quite safe and selective. The vesicular formulation was taken up by the cells, being more concentrated around the nucleus. Epicutaneous application of lycopene formulations decreased the level of anthralin-induced ear swelling by 97 and 87%, in a manner nonstatistically different from the positive control. These results support the idea that the lycopene-rich extract may be a good alternative to the expensive commercial lycopene for incorporation into advanced topical delivery systems.