erica zucchetti - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by erica zucchetti

Research paper thumbnail of Polyvinyl alcohol/cellulose hydrogel as possible corneal stroma substitute in drug permeation tests

Biomedical science and engineering, Sep 29, 2021

The permeation studies of active compounds and formulations are necessary to verify the capabilit... more The permeation studies of active compounds and formulations are necessary to verify the capability of molecules to pass through the physiological barrier of our body. In order to develop a 3D model of the cornea, preparation and characterization of different hydrogels as corneal stroma substitutes were tested.

Research paper thumbnail of Hydrogels as Corneal Stroma Substitutes for In Vitro Evaluation of Drug Ocular Permeation

Pharmaceutics, Apr 13, 2022

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Research paper thumbnail of Effect of Tumor Relevant Acidic Environment in the Interaction of a N-hydroxyindole-2-Carboxylic Derivative with the Phospholipid Bilayer

Pharmaceutical Research, Jul 9, 2018

The inhibitors of the human isoform 5 of lactate dehydrogenase (hLDH5) have attracted growing int... more The inhibitors of the human isoform 5 of lactate dehydrogenase (hLDH5) have attracted growing interest as efficient anti-cancer agents. In the present paper, the interactions between an efficient hLDH5 inhibitor (N-hydroxyindole-2-carboxylic derivative) and lipid bilayers based on dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) were investigated. Additionally, since interstitial acidification plays a key role in tumor pathogenesis and tumor drug therapy, the effect of acidic pH was assessed and correlated to DPPC/drug interaction. Methods Four different techniques were used: differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic light scattering, UV-VIS second derivative spectrometry and attenuated total reflection Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. Results All techniques concur in highlighting a structural change of lipid assembly, susceptible both to pH change and to the presence of the antitumor compound. Lipid vesicles appeared more compact at the lower pH, since the thermal pre-transition from the lamellar gel phase to the ripple gel phase was

Research paper thumbnail of Combination of Nanomicellar Technology and In Situ Gelling Polymer as Ocular Drug Delivery System (ODDS) for Cyclosporine-A

Pharmaceutics, Feb 1, 2021

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Research paper thumbnail of MAGL inhibitor NanoMicellar formulation (MAGL-NanoMicellar) for the development of an antiglaucoma eye drop

International Journal of Pharmaceutics, Sep 1, 2022

Research paper thumbnail of Reconstituted epithelial tissues and native cornea: A comparison of the influence of surfactants on ocular permeability

Biomedical science and engineering, Feb 14, 2020

The aim of this study was to prepare an artificial rabbit corneal epithelium (RRCE) to compare wi... more The aim of this study was to prepare an artificial rabbit corneal epithelium (RRCE) to compare with a human corneal epithelial model and excised rabbit cornea through permeation studies to investigate differences of surfactants influence on ocular permeability of a lipophilic compound. First solubility assays with different surfactants were performed and the integrity of the RRCE was assessed by measuring transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). The permeation parameters showed that the RRCE was more sensitive than native cornea and human cornal epithelial model to the effect of permeation enhancers.

Research paper thumbnail of Reconstituted epithelial corneal tissues for evaluation of drug delivery

Biomedical science and engineering, Feb 11, 2020

One possible approach to reduce the use of animals in the evaluation of the ocular drug delivery ... more One possible approach to reduce the use of animals in the evaluation of the ocular drug delivery is that to use cell cultures as model of tissues. In this study are compared two different reconstituted epithelial corneal tissues, a homemade artificial corneal epithelium (Reconstituted Rabbit Corneal Epithelium) and a commercial human corneal epithelial model (COR-100 EpiCorneal TM , MatTek), for permeation experiments of three drugs with different physical chemical properties: timolol maleate, cyclosporin A, and a newly synthesized compound, MAGL 17.b. The collected data show that corneal epithelial models are not sufficient to simulate the complexity of the corneal barrier and the presence of a layer simulating the stroma may be necessary to approach the structure of native cornea.

Research paper thumbnail of Tyrosol-Enriched Tomatoes by Diffusion across the Fruit Peel from a Chitosan Coating: A Proposal of Functional Food

Foods, Feb 4, 2021

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Research paper thumbnail of Ocular Application of Oleuropein in Dry Eye Treatment: Formulation Studies and Biological Evaluation

Pharmaceuticals, Nov 12, 2021

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Research paper thumbnail of MAGL inhibitor NanoMicellar formulation (MAGL-NanoMicellar) for the development of an antiglaucoma eye drop

International Journal of Pharmaceutics

Research paper thumbnail of Hydrogels as Corneal Stroma Substitutes for In Vitro Evaluation of Drug Ocular Permeation

Pharmaceutics

Hydrogels are complex hydrophilic structures, consisting of crosslinked homopolymers or copolymer... more Hydrogels are complex hydrophilic structures, consisting of crosslinked homopolymers or copolymers insoluble in water. Due to their controllable bio-physicochemical properties mimicking the morphology of the native extracellular matrix, they are a key part of a lot of research fields, including medicine, pharmaceutics, and tissue engineering. This paper was focused on the preparation and characterization of hydrogels from different blends of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and gelatin (GEL) at various ratios, and from gelatin and chitosan alone to understand their feasibility of utilizing as corneal stroma substitutes in permeability tests for drug candidate molecules in early stages of their development. The characterization was carried out by differential scanning calorimetry, electron microscopy (SEM), water content, mass loss, water permeability, wettability, and tensile stress–strain tests. After the physicochemical characterization, PVA/MCC blend ...

Research paper thumbnail of Combination of Nanomicellar Technology and In Situ Gelling Polymer as Ocular Drug Delivery System (ODDS) for Cyclosporine-A

Pharmaceutics

A combination of in situ gelling systems and a loaded drug self-assembling nanomicellar carrier w... more A combination of in situ gelling systems and a loaded drug self-assembling nanomicellar carrier was chosen in this study as a new potential Ocular Drug Delivery System (ODDS) for Cyclosporine-A (CyA), a poorly water-soluble drug. Two non-ionic surfactants (d-α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol succinate, VitE-TPGS and polyoxyl 40 hydrogenated castor oil, RH-40) were used to produce the nanomicelles. The physical–chemical characterization of the nanomicelles in terms of CyA entrapment (EE%) and loading efficiency (LE%), cloud point (CP), regeneration time (RT), size and polydispersity index (PI) allowed us to select the best combination of surfactant mixture, which showed appropriate stability, high CyA-EE (99.07%), very small and homogeneous dimensions and favored the solubilization of an amount of CyA (0.144% w/w) comparable to that contained in marketed emulsion Ikervis®. The selected nanomicellar formulation incorporated into optimized ion-sensitive polymeric dispersions of gellan g...

Research paper thumbnail of A hybrid ocular delivery system of cyclosporine-A comprising nanomicelle-laden polymeric inserts with improved efficacy and tolerability

Biomaterials Science, 2021

We report on hybrid nanomicelle–polymer inserts for improved delivery of cyclosporine A (CyA) to ... more We report on hybrid nanomicelle–polymer inserts for improved delivery of cyclosporine A (CyA) to the surface of the eye.

Research paper thumbnail of Tyrosol-Enriched Tomatoes by Diffusion across the Fruit Peel from a Chitosan Coating: A Proposal of Functional Food

Foods, 2021

Chitosan is receiving increasing attention from the food industry for being a biodegradable, non-... more Chitosan is receiving increasing attention from the food industry for being a biodegradable, non-toxic, antimicrobial biopolymer able to extend the shelf life of, and preserve the quality of, fresh food. However, few studies have investigated the ability of chitosan-based coatings to allow the diffusion of bioactive compounds into the food matrix to improve its nutraceutical quality. This research is aimed at testing whether a hydrophilic molecule (tyrosol) could diffuse from the chitosan-tyrosol coating and cross the tomato peel. To this end, in vitro permeation tests using excised tomato peel and an in vivo application of chitosan-tyrosol coating on tomato fruit, followed by tyrosol quantification in intact fruit, peel and flesh during a seven-day storage at room temperature, were performed. Both approaches demonstrated the ability of tyrosol to permeate across the fruit peel. Along with a decreased tyrosol content in the peel, its concentration within the flesh was increased, ind...

Research paper thumbnail of Formulations Based on Natural Ingredients for the Treatment of Nail Diseases

Current Pharmaceutical Design, 2020

Nail is a strong and resistant structure, characterized by a low permeability to foreign molecule... more Nail is a strong and resistant structure, characterized by a low permeability to foreign molecules. Nails can be subjected to many diseases, among which fungal infections (e.g. onchomycosis) are the most common and responsible for nail structure alteration. Many formulations have been produced for the delivery of active ingredients to treat nail disorders, based on newly synthesized active molecules or containing chemical enhancers or chemically-modified polymers able to improve the drug transungual penetration. To avoid permanent alterations of the nail structure due to the use of chemical compounds or organic solvent-based formulation, researchers have developed novel formulations focusing on the use of new natural-based compounds. The purpose of this review is to provide information on the outcoming of natural ingredients-based formulations that have been developed in the last years as potential alternative to chemical-based formulations.

Research paper thumbnail of Ocular Application of Oleuropein in Dry Eye Treatment: Formulation Studies and Biological Evaluation

Pharmaceuticals, 2021

Background. Oleuropein is already known for its numerous pharmacological properties, but its acti... more Background. Oleuropein is already known for its numerous pharmacological properties, but its activity in the ocular field has not yet been investigated. The study aims to verify a possible use of oleuropein (OLE)-based eye drops both in terms of efficacy in dry eye syndrome and stability in aqueous solution. Methods. OLE was co-precipitated with HP-β-cyclodextrin, and the obtained complex was encapsulated into liposomes prepared by hydration of a lipid film composed of Lipoid S100 and cholesterol with different pH buffer solutions. The hydrated vesicles were shrunk by ultrasonication or extrusion. The preparations were characterized from the physicochemical point of view by subjecting them to differential scanning calorimetry, ATR-FTIR, dynamic light scattering analysis, and microscopy. Subsequently, OLE protective activity against hyperosmotic and oxidative stress on rabbit corneal epithelial cells (RCE) was evaluated. Results. The liposomal vesicles obtained after extrusion showed...

Research paper thumbnail of Polyvinyl alcohol/cellulose hydrogel as possible corneal stroma substitute in drug permeation tests

Biomedical Science and Engineering

The permeation studies of active compounds and formulations are necessary to verify the capabilit... more The permeation studies of active compounds and formulations are necessary to verify the capability of molecules to pass through the physiological barrier of our body. In order to develop a 3D model of the cornea, preparation and characterization of different hydrogels as corneal stroma substitutes were tested.

Research paper thumbnail of Hyaluronic-Coated Albumin Nanoparticles for the Non-Invasive Delivery of Apatinib in Diabetic Retinopathy

International Journal of Nanomedicine

Purpose: Apatinib (Apa) is a novel anti-vascular endothelial growth factor with the potential to ... more Purpose: Apatinib (Apa) is a novel anti-vascular endothelial growth factor with the potential to treat diabetic retinopathy (DR); a serious condition leading to visual impairment and blindness. DR treatment relies on invasive techniques associated with various complications. Investigating topical routes for Apa delivery to the posterior eye segment is thus promising but also challenging due to ocular barriers. Hence, the study objective was to develop Apa-loaded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles (Apa-BSA-NPs) coated with hyaluronic acid (HA); a natural polymer possessing unique mucoadhesive and viscoelastic features with the capacity to actively target CD44 positive retinal cells, for topical administration in DR. Methods: Apa-BSA-NPs were prepared by desolvation using glutaraldehyde for crosslinking. HA-coated BSA-NPs were also prepared and HA: NPs ratio optimized. Nanoparticles were characterized for colloidal properties, entrapment efficiency (EE%), in vitro drug release and mucoadhesive potential. In vitro cytotoxicity on rabbit corneal epithelial cells (RCE) was assessed using MTT assay, while efficacy was evaluated in vivo in a diabetic rat model by histopathological examination of the retina by light and transmission electron microscopy. Retinal accumulation of fluorescently labeled BSA-NP and HA-BSA-NP was assessed using confocal microscope scanning. Results: Apa-HA-BSA-NPs prepared under optimal conditions showed size, PdI and zeta potential: 222.2±3.56 nm, 0.221±0.02 and −37.3±1.8 mV, respectively. High EE% (69±1%), biphasic sustained release profile with an initial burst effect and mucoadhesion was attained. No evidence of cytotoxicity was observed on RCE cells. In vivo histopathological studies on DR rat model revealed alleviated retinal micro-and ultrastructural changes in the topical HA-Apa-BSA-NP treated eyes with normal basement membrane and retinal thickness comparable to normal control and intravitreally injected nanoparticles. Improved retinal accumulation for HA-BSA-NP was also observed by confocal microscopy. Conclusion: Findings present HA-Apa-BSA-NPs as a platform for enhanced topical therapy of DR overcoming the devastating ocular complications of the intravitreal route.

Research paper thumbnail of Development and Characterization of a Novel Peptide-Loaded Antimicrobial Ocular Insert

Biomolecules

Infectious ocular keratitis is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Bacterial resistance to ... more Infectious ocular keratitis is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Bacterial resistance to classical pharmacological treatments raised the interest of researchers towards antimicrobial peptide (AMP)-based therapy. hLF 1-11, a synthetic antimicrobial peptide derived from the N-terminus of human lactoferrin, proved effective against different bacteria and yeast but, like all proteinaceous materials, it is unstable from chemical, physical, and biological points of view. In this study, new freeze-dried solid matrices containing mucoadhesive polymers were prepared and characterized in terms of rheology, hydration time, bioadhesion, drug content, and in vitro release. The formulation HPMC/T2/HA/hLF 1-11fd was selected for the delivery of hLF 1-11, since it showed good drug recovery and no chemical degradation up to at least 6 months (long-term stability). Furthermore, the HPMC/T2/HA/hLF 1-11fd matrix allowed for the release of the drug in a simulated physiological environment, linke...

Research paper thumbnail of Reconstituted epithelial corneal tissues for evaluation of drug delivery

Biomedical Science and Engineering

One possible approach to reduce the use of animals in the evaluation of the ocular drug delivery ... more One possible approach to reduce the use of animals in the evaluation of the ocular drug delivery is that to use cell cultures as model of tissues. In this study are compared two different reconstituted epithelial corneal tissues, a homemade artificial corneal epithelium (Reconstituted Rabbit Corneal Epithelium) and a commercial human corneal epithelial model (COR-100 EpiCornealTM, MatTek), for permeation experiments of three drugs with different physical chemical properties: timolol maleate, cyclosporin A, and a newly synthesized compound, MAGL 17.b. The collected data show that corneal epithelial models are not sufficient to simulate the complexity of the corneal barrier and the presence of a layer simulating the stroma may be necessary to approach the structure of native cornea.

Research paper thumbnail of Polyvinyl alcohol/cellulose hydrogel as possible corneal stroma substitute in drug permeation tests

Biomedical science and engineering, Sep 29, 2021

The permeation studies of active compounds and formulations are necessary to verify the capabilit... more The permeation studies of active compounds and formulations are necessary to verify the capability of molecules to pass through the physiological barrier of our body. In order to develop a 3D model of the cornea, preparation and characterization of different hydrogels as corneal stroma substitutes were tested.

Research paper thumbnail of Hydrogels as Corneal Stroma Substitutes for In Vitro Evaluation of Drug Ocular Permeation

Pharmaceutics, Apr 13, 2022

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Research paper thumbnail of Effect of Tumor Relevant Acidic Environment in the Interaction of a N-hydroxyindole-2-Carboxylic Derivative with the Phospholipid Bilayer

Pharmaceutical Research, Jul 9, 2018

The inhibitors of the human isoform 5 of lactate dehydrogenase (hLDH5) have attracted growing int... more The inhibitors of the human isoform 5 of lactate dehydrogenase (hLDH5) have attracted growing interest as efficient anti-cancer agents. In the present paper, the interactions between an efficient hLDH5 inhibitor (N-hydroxyindole-2-carboxylic derivative) and lipid bilayers based on dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) were investigated. Additionally, since interstitial acidification plays a key role in tumor pathogenesis and tumor drug therapy, the effect of acidic pH was assessed and correlated to DPPC/drug interaction. Methods Four different techniques were used: differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic light scattering, UV-VIS second derivative spectrometry and attenuated total reflection Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. Results All techniques concur in highlighting a structural change of lipid assembly, susceptible both to pH change and to the presence of the antitumor compound. Lipid vesicles appeared more compact at the lower pH, since the thermal pre-transition from the lamellar gel phase to the ripple gel phase was

Research paper thumbnail of Combination of Nanomicellar Technology and In Situ Gelling Polymer as Ocular Drug Delivery System (ODDS) for Cyclosporine-A

Pharmaceutics, Feb 1, 2021

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Research paper thumbnail of MAGL inhibitor NanoMicellar formulation (MAGL-NanoMicellar) for the development of an antiglaucoma eye drop

International Journal of Pharmaceutics, Sep 1, 2022

Research paper thumbnail of Reconstituted epithelial tissues and native cornea: A comparison of the influence of surfactants on ocular permeability

Biomedical science and engineering, Feb 14, 2020

The aim of this study was to prepare an artificial rabbit corneal epithelium (RRCE) to compare wi... more The aim of this study was to prepare an artificial rabbit corneal epithelium (RRCE) to compare with a human corneal epithelial model and excised rabbit cornea through permeation studies to investigate differences of surfactants influence on ocular permeability of a lipophilic compound. First solubility assays with different surfactants were performed and the integrity of the RRCE was assessed by measuring transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). The permeation parameters showed that the RRCE was more sensitive than native cornea and human cornal epithelial model to the effect of permeation enhancers.

Research paper thumbnail of Reconstituted epithelial corneal tissues for evaluation of drug delivery

Biomedical science and engineering, Feb 11, 2020

One possible approach to reduce the use of animals in the evaluation of the ocular drug delivery ... more One possible approach to reduce the use of animals in the evaluation of the ocular drug delivery is that to use cell cultures as model of tissues. In this study are compared two different reconstituted epithelial corneal tissues, a homemade artificial corneal epithelium (Reconstituted Rabbit Corneal Epithelium) and a commercial human corneal epithelial model (COR-100 EpiCorneal TM , MatTek), for permeation experiments of three drugs with different physical chemical properties: timolol maleate, cyclosporin A, and a newly synthesized compound, MAGL 17.b. The collected data show that corneal epithelial models are not sufficient to simulate the complexity of the corneal barrier and the presence of a layer simulating the stroma may be necessary to approach the structure of native cornea.

Research paper thumbnail of Tyrosol-Enriched Tomatoes by Diffusion across the Fruit Peel from a Chitosan Coating: A Proposal of Functional Food

Foods, Feb 4, 2021

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Research paper thumbnail of Ocular Application of Oleuropein in Dry Eye Treatment: Formulation Studies and Biological Evaluation

Pharmaceuticals, Nov 12, 2021

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Research paper thumbnail of MAGL inhibitor NanoMicellar formulation (MAGL-NanoMicellar) for the development of an antiglaucoma eye drop

International Journal of Pharmaceutics

Research paper thumbnail of Hydrogels as Corneal Stroma Substitutes for In Vitro Evaluation of Drug Ocular Permeation

Pharmaceutics

Hydrogels are complex hydrophilic structures, consisting of crosslinked homopolymers or copolymer... more Hydrogels are complex hydrophilic structures, consisting of crosslinked homopolymers or copolymers insoluble in water. Due to their controllable bio-physicochemical properties mimicking the morphology of the native extracellular matrix, they are a key part of a lot of research fields, including medicine, pharmaceutics, and tissue engineering. This paper was focused on the preparation and characterization of hydrogels from different blends of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and gelatin (GEL) at various ratios, and from gelatin and chitosan alone to understand their feasibility of utilizing as corneal stroma substitutes in permeability tests for drug candidate molecules in early stages of their development. The characterization was carried out by differential scanning calorimetry, electron microscopy (SEM), water content, mass loss, water permeability, wettability, and tensile stress–strain tests. After the physicochemical characterization, PVA/MCC blend ...

Research paper thumbnail of Combination of Nanomicellar Technology and In Situ Gelling Polymer as Ocular Drug Delivery System (ODDS) for Cyclosporine-A

Pharmaceutics

A combination of in situ gelling systems and a loaded drug self-assembling nanomicellar carrier w... more A combination of in situ gelling systems and a loaded drug self-assembling nanomicellar carrier was chosen in this study as a new potential Ocular Drug Delivery System (ODDS) for Cyclosporine-A (CyA), a poorly water-soluble drug. Two non-ionic surfactants (d-α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol succinate, VitE-TPGS and polyoxyl 40 hydrogenated castor oil, RH-40) were used to produce the nanomicelles. The physical–chemical characterization of the nanomicelles in terms of CyA entrapment (EE%) and loading efficiency (LE%), cloud point (CP), regeneration time (RT), size and polydispersity index (PI) allowed us to select the best combination of surfactant mixture, which showed appropriate stability, high CyA-EE (99.07%), very small and homogeneous dimensions and favored the solubilization of an amount of CyA (0.144% w/w) comparable to that contained in marketed emulsion Ikervis®. The selected nanomicellar formulation incorporated into optimized ion-sensitive polymeric dispersions of gellan g...

Research paper thumbnail of A hybrid ocular delivery system of cyclosporine-A comprising nanomicelle-laden polymeric inserts with improved efficacy and tolerability

Biomaterials Science, 2021

We report on hybrid nanomicelle–polymer inserts for improved delivery of cyclosporine A (CyA) to ... more We report on hybrid nanomicelle–polymer inserts for improved delivery of cyclosporine A (CyA) to the surface of the eye.

Research paper thumbnail of Tyrosol-Enriched Tomatoes by Diffusion across the Fruit Peel from a Chitosan Coating: A Proposal of Functional Food

Foods, 2021

Chitosan is receiving increasing attention from the food industry for being a biodegradable, non-... more Chitosan is receiving increasing attention from the food industry for being a biodegradable, non-toxic, antimicrobial biopolymer able to extend the shelf life of, and preserve the quality of, fresh food. However, few studies have investigated the ability of chitosan-based coatings to allow the diffusion of bioactive compounds into the food matrix to improve its nutraceutical quality. This research is aimed at testing whether a hydrophilic molecule (tyrosol) could diffuse from the chitosan-tyrosol coating and cross the tomato peel. To this end, in vitro permeation tests using excised tomato peel and an in vivo application of chitosan-tyrosol coating on tomato fruit, followed by tyrosol quantification in intact fruit, peel and flesh during a seven-day storage at room temperature, were performed. Both approaches demonstrated the ability of tyrosol to permeate across the fruit peel. Along with a decreased tyrosol content in the peel, its concentration within the flesh was increased, ind...

Research paper thumbnail of Formulations Based on Natural Ingredients for the Treatment of Nail Diseases

Current Pharmaceutical Design, 2020

Nail is a strong and resistant structure, characterized by a low permeability to foreign molecule... more Nail is a strong and resistant structure, characterized by a low permeability to foreign molecules. Nails can be subjected to many diseases, among which fungal infections (e.g. onchomycosis) are the most common and responsible for nail structure alteration. Many formulations have been produced for the delivery of active ingredients to treat nail disorders, based on newly synthesized active molecules or containing chemical enhancers or chemically-modified polymers able to improve the drug transungual penetration. To avoid permanent alterations of the nail structure due to the use of chemical compounds or organic solvent-based formulation, researchers have developed novel formulations focusing on the use of new natural-based compounds. The purpose of this review is to provide information on the outcoming of natural ingredients-based formulations that have been developed in the last years as potential alternative to chemical-based formulations.

Research paper thumbnail of Ocular Application of Oleuropein in Dry Eye Treatment: Formulation Studies and Biological Evaluation

Pharmaceuticals, 2021

Background. Oleuropein is already known for its numerous pharmacological properties, but its acti... more Background. Oleuropein is already known for its numerous pharmacological properties, but its activity in the ocular field has not yet been investigated. The study aims to verify a possible use of oleuropein (OLE)-based eye drops both in terms of efficacy in dry eye syndrome and stability in aqueous solution. Methods. OLE was co-precipitated with HP-β-cyclodextrin, and the obtained complex was encapsulated into liposomes prepared by hydration of a lipid film composed of Lipoid S100 and cholesterol with different pH buffer solutions. The hydrated vesicles were shrunk by ultrasonication or extrusion. The preparations were characterized from the physicochemical point of view by subjecting them to differential scanning calorimetry, ATR-FTIR, dynamic light scattering analysis, and microscopy. Subsequently, OLE protective activity against hyperosmotic and oxidative stress on rabbit corneal epithelial cells (RCE) was evaluated. Results. The liposomal vesicles obtained after extrusion showed...

Research paper thumbnail of Polyvinyl alcohol/cellulose hydrogel as possible corneal stroma substitute in drug permeation tests

Biomedical Science and Engineering

The permeation studies of active compounds and formulations are necessary to verify the capabilit... more The permeation studies of active compounds and formulations are necessary to verify the capability of molecules to pass through the physiological barrier of our body. In order to develop a 3D model of the cornea, preparation and characterization of different hydrogels as corneal stroma substitutes were tested.

Research paper thumbnail of Hyaluronic-Coated Albumin Nanoparticles for the Non-Invasive Delivery of Apatinib in Diabetic Retinopathy

International Journal of Nanomedicine

Purpose: Apatinib (Apa) is a novel anti-vascular endothelial growth factor with the potential to ... more Purpose: Apatinib (Apa) is a novel anti-vascular endothelial growth factor with the potential to treat diabetic retinopathy (DR); a serious condition leading to visual impairment and blindness. DR treatment relies on invasive techniques associated with various complications. Investigating topical routes for Apa delivery to the posterior eye segment is thus promising but also challenging due to ocular barriers. Hence, the study objective was to develop Apa-loaded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles (Apa-BSA-NPs) coated with hyaluronic acid (HA); a natural polymer possessing unique mucoadhesive and viscoelastic features with the capacity to actively target CD44 positive retinal cells, for topical administration in DR. Methods: Apa-BSA-NPs were prepared by desolvation using glutaraldehyde for crosslinking. HA-coated BSA-NPs were also prepared and HA: NPs ratio optimized. Nanoparticles were characterized for colloidal properties, entrapment efficiency (EE%), in vitro drug release and mucoadhesive potential. In vitro cytotoxicity on rabbit corneal epithelial cells (RCE) was assessed using MTT assay, while efficacy was evaluated in vivo in a diabetic rat model by histopathological examination of the retina by light and transmission electron microscopy. Retinal accumulation of fluorescently labeled BSA-NP and HA-BSA-NP was assessed using confocal microscope scanning. Results: Apa-HA-BSA-NPs prepared under optimal conditions showed size, PdI and zeta potential: 222.2±3.56 nm, 0.221±0.02 and −37.3±1.8 mV, respectively. High EE% (69±1%), biphasic sustained release profile with an initial burst effect and mucoadhesion was attained. No evidence of cytotoxicity was observed on RCE cells. In vivo histopathological studies on DR rat model revealed alleviated retinal micro-and ultrastructural changes in the topical HA-Apa-BSA-NP treated eyes with normal basement membrane and retinal thickness comparable to normal control and intravitreally injected nanoparticles. Improved retinal accumulation for HA-BSA-NP was also observed by confocal microscopy. Conclusion: Findings present HA-Apa-BSA-NPs as a platform for enhanced topical therapy of DR overcoming the devastating ocular complications of the intravitreal route.

Research paper thumbnail of Development and Characterization of a Novel Peptide-Loaded Antimicrobial Ocular Insert

Biomolecules

Infectious ocular keratitis is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Bacterial resistance to ... more Infectious ocular keratitis is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Bacterial resistance to classical pharmacological treatments raised the interest of researchers towards antimicrobial peptide (AMP)-based therapy. hLF 1-11, a synthetic antimicrobial peptide derived from the N-terminus of human lactoferrin, proved effective against different bacteria and yeast but, like all proteinaceous materials, it is unstable from chemical, physical, and biological points of view. In this study, new freeze-dried solid matrices containing mucoadhesive polymers were prepared and characterized in terms of rheology, hydration time, bioadhesion, drug content, and in vitro release. The formulation HPMC/T2/HA/hLF 1-11fd was selected for the delivery of hLF 1-11, since it showed good drug recovery and no chemical degradation up to at least 6 months (long-term stability). Furthermore, the HPMC/T2/HA/hLF 1-11fd matrix allowed for the release of the drug in a simulated physiological environment, linke...

Research paper thumbnail of Reconstituted epithelial corneal tissues for evaluation of drug delivery

Biomedical Science and Engineering

One possible approach to reduce the use of animals in the evaluation of the ocular drug delivery ... more One possible approach to reduce the use of animals in the evaluation of the ocular drug delivery is that to use cell cultures as model of tissues. In this study are compared two different reconstituted epithelial corneal tissues, a homemade artificial corneal epithelium (Reconstituted Rabbit Corneal Epithelium) and a commercial human corneal epithelial model (COR-100 EpiCornealTM, MatTek), for permeation experiments of three drugs with different physical chemical properties: timolol maleate, cyclosporin A, and a newly synthesized compound, MAGL 17.b. The collected data show that corneal epithelial models are not sufficient to simulate the complexity of the corneal barrier and the presence of a layer simulating the stroma may be necessary to approach the structure of native cornea.