RESUMO
The development of effective treatments against infectious diseases is an extensive and ongoing process due to the rapid adaptation of bacteria to antibiotic-based therapies. However, appropriately designed activity enhancers, including antibiotic delivery systems, can increase the effectiveness of current antibiotics, overcoming antimicrobial resistance and decreasing the chance of contributing to further bacterial resistance. The activity/delivery enhancers improve drug absorption, allow targeted antibiotic delivery, improve their tissue and biofilm penetration and reduce side effects. This review provides insights into various antibiotic activity enhancers, including polymer, lipid, and silver-based systems, designed to reduce the adverse effects of antibiotics and improve formulation stability and efficacy against multidrug-resistant bacteria.
RESUMO
Eugenol is a major phenolic component derived from clove oil with potential medical applications. Of particular interest, it has been used as a therapeutic agent in topical applications because of its analgesic and local anesthetic properties. However, topical formulations of eugenol produce skin irritation, which limits its clinical applications. One promising strategy to overcome this disadvantage is by using a biocompatible material that could be an appropriate topical vehicle for eugenol. Researchers have recently focused on the development of eugenol-embedded calcium citrate nanoparticles (Eu-CaCit NPs) without adverse effects. The Eu-CaCit NPs were developed as a topical delivery system and their biocompatibility and penetration ability were evaluated. Eu-CaCit NPs at 1.2 mg/mL did not show cytotoxicity effects in human cells. Moreover, the Eu-CaCit NPs presented the ability to penetrate the dermis layer of the human intact skin following 12 h exposure. All the results concluded that Eu-CaCit NPs have shown a potential as a carrier for topical delivery of eugenol. These novel nanoparticles represent a promising alternative for topical application of local anesthetic with natural pain relievers.
RESUMO
In this work, the preparation of novel calcium citrate (CaCit) nanoparticles (NPs) has been disclosed and the use of these NPs as "Trojan" carriers has been demonstrated. The concentration ratio between calcium ions and citrate ions was optimized, yielding spherical NPs with size in the range of 100-200 nm. Additionally, a fluorescent dye, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), was successfully encapsulated by the coprecipitation method. The products were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The cellular uptake was investigated by incubating the synthesized fluorescent-tagged NPs with human keratinocytes using a confocal microscope. The accumulation of the FITC in the cells suggested that the CaCit NPs can potentially be used as novel drug carriers.
