FCS (DCF) - Artigos em Revistas Científicas Internacionais com Arbitragem Científica
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- Advances in pharmaceutical biotechnologyPublication . Silva, Ana Catarina; Lopes, Carla Martins; Lobo, José M.S.; Amaral, Maria H.
- Application of nanotechnology in the agro-food sectorPublication . Lopes, Carla Martins; Fernandes, J.R.; Martins-Lopes, P.Nanotechnology is an emerging field of research that has been widely applied in different scientific and engineering areas. The agro-food sector is not an exception, which considers its applicability in several areas of major interest for both consumers and producers. This review considers major concepts related to nanostructures and nano-based instruments used in the food sector, as well as their applications in agro-food products. Food safety through the use of nanosensors for pathogen detection, smart packaging, and valorisation of food products by nanoencapsulation/nanodelivery of food ingredients (e.g. flavours) are examples of important areas of nanotechnology. Consumers' apprehension regarding food stability and safety issues is also considered.
- Application of the Quality-by-Design (QbD) approach to improve the nose-to-brain delivery of diazepam-loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLCs)Publication . Costa, Cláudia Pina; Cunha, Sara; Peixoto, Andreia F.; Moreira, João Nuno; Lobo, José Manuel Sousa; Silva, Ana CatarinaThe intranasal administration of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) has been suggested as a promising strategy to improve the fast treatment of epilepsy. This route allows for drug passage directly from the nose to the brain, avoiding the need of bypassing the blood–brain barrier. In addition, the quality-by-design (QbD) approach is a useful tool for the optimization of manufacturing variables, resulting in effective and safe pharmaceutical formulations. The aim of this work was to use the QbD approach to optimize a NLCs formulation for the nose-to-brain delivery of diazepam. The studies began with the screening of excipients and the assessment of the lipid-drug compatibility. The central composite design was used to evaluate the effects of critical material attributes (CMAs) (ratio of solid and liquid lipids and the amount of drug and emulsifiers) on the CQAs of the diazepam-loaded NLCs formulation (particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP) and encapsulation efficiency (EE)). The results showed that the most adequate ratios of lipids and emulsifiers were 6.65:2.85 and 4.2:0.3 (%, w/w), with values of 84.92 nm, 0.18, −18.20 mV and 95.48% for particle size, PDI, ZP and EE, respectively. This formulation was selected for further studies related to the optimization of critical process parameters (CPPs).
- Applications of polymeric and lipid nanoparticles in ophthalmic pharmaceutical formulations: present and future considerationsPublication . Almeida, Hugo; Amaral, Maria Helena; Lobão, Paulo; Silva, Ana Catarina; Lobo, José Manuel SousaThe unique properties and characteristics of ocular tissues and the whole set of defence mechanisms of the ocular globe make the instillation of ocular drugs into a difficult task with a low rate of therapeutic response. One of the challenges for the new generation of ophthalmic pharmaceutical formulations is to increase the bioavailability of drugs administered by the ocular route and, therefore, their therapeutic efficacy. This can be achieved with the use of some strategies that provide an increase in the formulation pre-corneal residence time, mucoadhesion and penetration across the eye tissues. Colloidal carrier systems have been very successfully used for the selective and targeted delivery of drugs for several routes of administration. In this context, nanoparticles prepared with specific polymers or lipids and coated, dispersed or suspended in polymer solutions with mucoadhesion properties or in situ gelling properties will be an excellent strategy that deserves attention and further research. In this review, the characteristics and main properties of polymeric and lipid nanoparticles are discussed and examples and advantages of the application of these colloidal carrier systems for the ophthalmic administration of drugs are presented. The future directions of the research required in this specific field are also presented.
- Biosimilar medicines used for cancer therapy in Europe: a reviewPublication . Santos, Sofia B.; Lobo, José M. Sousa; Silva, Ana CatarinaThis article provides an updated review of the biosimilar medicines approved for cancer therapy in the European Union (EU). First we discuss the most relevant aspects for the development and approval of biosimilar medicines. We then present the oncological biosimilar drugs currently used, which include epoetins (alpha and zeta), filgrastim, and monoclonal antibodies (rituximab, trastuzumab and bevacizumab). Among the clinical applications of biosimilar medicines, cancer therapy remains the main target area and more approved biosimilars are expected over the next few years, providing cost-effective drugs to more patients. Furthermore, comprehensive pharmacovigilance studies are going on, monitoring the marketed biosimilars, and providing more feasible information to clinicians regarding the safety and efficacy of these medications.
- Biotechnology applied to cosmetics and aesthetic medicinesPublication . Gomes, Cátia; Silva, Ana Catarina; Marques, Ana Camila; Sousa Lobo, José; Amaral, Maria HelenaBiotechnology uses microorganisms and/or enzymes to obtain specific products through fermentative processes and/or genetic engineering techniques. Examples of these products are active ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, kojic acid, resveratrol, and some enzymes, which are used in skin anti-aging products. In addition, certain growth factors, algae, stem cells, and peptides have been included in cosmetics and aesthetic medicines. Thus, biotechnology, cosmetics and aesthetic medicines are now closely linked, through the production of high-quality active ingredients, which are more effective and safer. This work describes the most used active ingredients that are produced from biotechnological processes. Although there are a vast number of active ingredients, the number of biotechnological active ingredients reported in the literature is not significantly high.
- Cationic solid lipid nanoparticles (cSLN): structure, stability and DNA binding capacity correlation studiesPublication . Doktorovova, S.; Shegokar, R.; Rakovsky, E.; Gonzalez-Mira, E.; Lopes, Carla Martins; Silva, A.M.; Martins-Lopes, P.; Muller, R.H.; Souto, Eliana B.Cationic solid lipid nanoparticles (cSLN) are promising lipid nanocarriers for intracellular gene delivery based on well-known and widely accepted materials. cSLN containing single-chained cationic lipid cetyltrimethylammonium bromide were produced by high pressure homogenization and characterized in terms of(a) particle size distribution by photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS) and laser diffractometry (LD), (b) thermal behaviour using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and (c) the presence of various polymorphic phases was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (WAXD). SLN composed of Imwitor 900PTM (IMW) showed different pDNA stability and binding capacity in comparison to those of Compritol 888 ATOTM (COM). IMW-SLN, having z-ave = 138–157 nm and d(0.5) = 0.15–0.158 m could maintain this size for 14 days at room temperature. COM-SLN had z-ave = 334 nm and d(0.5) = 0.42 m on the day of production and could maintain similar size during 90 days. IMW-SLN revealed improved pDNA binding capacity. We attempted to explain these differences by differentinteractions between the solid lipid and the tested cationic lipid.
- Characterization and biocompatibility evaluation of cutaneous formulations containing lipid nanoparticlesPublication . Eiras, F.; Amaral, M.H.; Silva, R.; Martins, E.; Lobo, J.M. Sousa; Silva, Ana CatarinaNanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) are well-known systems that show effectiveness to improve skin hydration, being suggested for cosmetic and dermatological use. Nonetheless, NLC dispersions present low viscosity, which is non-attractive for cutaneous application. To circumvent this drawback, the dispersions can be gelled or incorporated in semisolid systems, increasing the final formulation consistency. In this study, we prepared a hydrogel based on NLC containing vitamin E (HG-NLCVE) and evaluated its suitability for cutaneous application. The experiments started with the HG-NLCVE characterization (organoleptic analysis, accelerated stability, particle size, morphology, pH, texture and rheology). Afterwards, in vitro experiments were carried out, evaluating the formulation biocompatibility (MTT and Neutral Red) and irritant potential (Hen's egg test on the chorioallantoic membrane, HET-CAM) for cutaneous application. The results showed that the HG-NLCVE has adequate features for skin application, is biocompatible and non-irritant. From this study, it was predicted the in vivo irritant potential of the developed formulation, avoiding the need to perform a high number of tests on human volunteers. Regarding vitamin E and NLC potential to improve skin hydration, we suggest that the HG-NLCVE could be used in cosmetic (e.g. moisturizers and anti-aging) or dermatologic (e.g. xerosis and other skin disorders) products.
- Chronopharmaceutical delivery of anti-inflammatory drugsPublication . Barata, Pedro; Lopes, Carla MartinsThe human body follows 24 hours cycles called the circadian rhythm that affect many physiological and physiopathological processes. Chronotherapeutic diseases include asthma, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and other algesia processes. Drugs behaviours in the human body are also strongly affected by circadian changes, especially in what concerns absorption and elimination. Anti-inflammatory drugs are excellent candidates to chronotherapeutical delivery. Chronotherapeutic products are able to synchronize drug delivery with circadian rhythms in order to enhance efficacy and reduce side effects. These products mainly offer pulsatile release that follow a sigmoid release profile with a combination of periods of lag time and periods of fast drug release. Many technologies, either single units or multiparticulate systems, have been suggested and some have been successfully marketed improving patients adherence and quality of life. This review aims to describe the circadian rhythms and their influences in therapeutics as well as the technologies that have been proposed to develop chronopharmaceutical dosage forms.
- Compressed matrix core tablet as a quick/slow dual-component delivery system containing ibuprofenPublication . Lopes, Carla Martins; Lobo, José M. Sousa; Pinto, João F.; Costa, Paulo C.The purpose of the present research was to produce a quick/slow biphasic delivery system for ibuprofen. A dualcomponent tablet made of a sustained release tableted core and an immediate release tableted coat was prepared by direct compression. Both the core and the coat contained a model drug (ibuprofen). The sustained release effect was achieved with a polymer (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose [HPMC] or ethylcellulose) to modulate the release of the drug. The in vitro drug release profile from these tablets showed the desired biphasic release behavior: the ibuprofen contained in the fast releasing component was dissolved within 2 minutes, whereas the drug in the core tablet was released at different times (≈16 or 924 hours), depending on the composition of the matrix tablet. Based on the release kinetic parameters calculated, it can be concluded that the HPMC core was suitable for providing a constant and controlled release (zero order) for a long period of time.