RESUMO
In this study bupivacaine (BVC) was encapsulated in Nano-capsules of poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) and its cytotoxicity in HaCaT (MTT) cells, its permeability in the oesophageal epithelium of pigs, as well as its anesthetic effect in the incision model of rat's hind paw (electronic von Frey anesthesiometer) were evaluated. BVC and epinephrine-associated bupivacaine (BVC-Epi) have been compared to BVC-Nano and it was demonstrated that BVC-Nano had high physicochemical properties and remained stable for 120 days; also, encapsulation of bupivacaine did not affect its toxicity to HaCaT cells, but epinephrine reduced its toxicity. Although both methods of combination with epinephrine and encapsulation in nanocapsules resulted in an extended time of anesthesia, the efficacy of epinephrine was more favorable. The permeation evaluation indicated that encapsulation increased both the permeability coefficient and the steady-state flux of bupivacaine across the esophageal epithelium. BVC permeation was enhanced by encapsulation into Nano-capsules, as a new novel therapeutic strategy, facilitating future research as a topical anesthetic.