Browsing by Author "Ribeiro, Artur"
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- Avobenzone-loaded and omega-3-enriched lipid formulations for production of UV blocking sunscreen gels and textilesPublication . Caldas, Ana Rita; Faria, Maria João; Ribeiro, Artur; Machado, Raúl; Gonçalves, Hugo; Gomes, Andreia C.; Soares, Graça; Lopes, Carla Martins; Lúcio, MarleneGiven the growing harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation there is an urgent need to develop effective strategies to prevent skin damages. Therefore, hydrogel or cotton and wool fabrics were impregnated with avobenzone (AVO)-loaded and omega-3 (ω3)-enriched lipid formulations (liposomes – LIP, nanostructured lipid carriers – NLC and solid lipid nanoparticles – SLN) to obtain UV blocking sunscreen gel or functional textiles. To evaluate the physicochemical characteristics of AVO and the sun blocking performance of the formulations incorporated in hydrogels or textiles, in silico and in vitro studies were conducted. In silico studies indicated that AVO can permeate the epithelium, and lipid formulations could be a promising strategy for incorporating and retaining AVO. Furthermore, all lipid formulations showed an entrapment efficiency of AVO of ca. 100 % and a loading capacity between 7 and 12 %. The presence of AVO was confirmed by ATR-FTIR and SEM analysis. In vitro release profiles showed that the UV filter was almost totally retained within the lipid formulations (release of only 4.2 ± 2.5 % at 6 h) with similar results obtained for textiles. After assessing the cytotoxicity, cationic formulations loaded with AVO showed to be cytotoxic in a human keratinocyte cell line (NCTC 2544 cells) as opposed to AVO-loaded anionic formulations after 24 h. Photodegradation studies demonstrated that lipid formulations have photoprotective properties by stabilizing AVO but the photoprotective role could not be attributed to ω3 despite its antioxidant effect evaluated by ATR-FTIR. Overall, it is possible to conclude that SLN and NLC were more effective as UV protectors than LIP, and that each formulation can have different applications. Negatively charged NLC and SLN can be used for UV protection in contact with the skin either in sunscreen gel or clothing, while positively charged NLC and SLN should be reserved as UV protectors of tissues not in contact with skin (e.g., umbrellas, curtains, etc.).
- Nanostructured lipid carriers enriched hydrogels for skin topical administration of quercetin and omega-3 fatty acidPublication . Lúcio, Marlene; Giannino, Nicole; Barreira, Sérgio; Catita, José; Gonçalves, Hugo; Ribeiro, Artur; Fernandes, Eduarda; Carvalho, Isabel; Pinho, Hugo; Cerqueira, Fátima; Biondi, Marco; Lopes, Carla MartinsChronic skin exposure to external hostile agents (e.g., UV radiation, microorganisms, and oxidizing chemicals) may increase oxidative stress, causing skin damage and aging. Because of their well-known skincare and protective benefits, quercetin (Q) and omega-3 fatty acids (ω3) have attracted the attention of the dermocosmetic and pharmaceutical sectors. However, both bioactives have inherent properties that limit their efficient skin delivery. Therefore, nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) and enriched PFC® hydrogels (HGs) have been developed as a dual-approach vehicle for Q and/or ω3 skin topical administration to improve bioactives’ stability and skin permeation. Two NLC formulations were prepared with the same lipid composition but differing in surfactant composition (NLC1—soy lecithin and poloxamer 407; NLC2—Tween® 80 and dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DOSS)), which have an impact on physicochemical properties and pharmaceutical and therapeutic performance. Despite both NLCs presenting high Q loading capacity, NLC2`s physicochemical properties make them more suitable for topical skin administration and ensure longer colloidal stability. Additionally, NLC2 demonstrated a more sustained Q release, indicating higher bioactive storage while improving permeability. The occlusive effect of NLCs-enriched HGs also has a positive impact on skin permeability. Q-loaded NLC2, with or without ω3, -enriched HGs demonstrated efficacy as antioxidant and photoprotective formulations as well as effective reduction in S. aureus growth, indicating that they constitute a promising approach for topical skin administration to prevent skin aging and other damaging cutaneous processes.
- Omega 3 and resveratrol loaded lipid nanosystems for potential use as topical formulations in autoimmune, inflammatory, and cancerous skin diseasesPublication . Caldas, Ana Rita; Catita, José; Machado, Raúl; Ribeiro, Artur; Cerqueira, Fátima; Horta, Bruno; Medeiros, R.; Lúcio, Marlene; Lopes, Carla MartinsResveratrol (RSV) and omega 3 (ω3), because of their biological favorable properties, have become subjects of interest for researchers in dermocosmetic and pharmaceutical industries; however, these bioactives present technological limitations that hinder their effective delivery to the target skin layer. To overcome the stability and skin permeation limitations of free bioactives, this work proposes a combined strategy involving two different lipid nanosystems (liposomes and lipid nanoparticles) that include ω3 in their lipid matrix. Additionaly, RSV is only encapsulated in liposomes that provid an adequate amphiphilic environment. Each formulation is thoroughly characterized regarding their physical–chemical properties. Subsequently, the therapeutic performance of the lipid nanosystems is evaluated based on their protective roles against lipid peroxidation, as well as inhibition of cicloxygenase (COX) and nitric oxid (NO) production in the RWA264.7 cell line. Finally, the lipid nanosystems are incorporated in hydrogel to allow their topical administration, then rheology, occlusion, and RSV release–diffusion assays are performed. Lipid nanoparticles provide occlusive effects at the skin surface. Liposomes provide sustained RSV release and their flexibility conferred by edge activator components enhances RSV diffusion, which is required to reach NO production cells and COX cell membrane enzymes. Overall, the inclusion of both lipid nanosystems in the same semisolid base constitutes a promising strategy for autoimmune, inflammatory, and cancerous skin diseases.