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- 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.
- Development of lipid-based colloidal nanocarriers for topical application of acyclovirPublication . Silva, Juliana; Lopes, Carla Martins; Catita, José; Real Oliveira, Maria Elisabete; Lúcio, Marlene
- 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.