Nanoparticles are systems formed by biodegradable, synthetic or natural polymers, that have gained significant importance in different industry segments, as well as being the highlight of essential researches. These tiny particles present various promising characteristics, such as: site-specific and gradual drug release and improvement of active principle solubility and stability. The combination of nanotechnology with medicinal plants could be able to enhance the action of plant extracts, such so that many innovative drug carriers have emerged, including polymeric nanoparticles. The objective of this study was to synthesize and characterize polymeric nanoparticles coated with hyaluronic acid, containing Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl) A. Gray flowers alcoholic extract, aiming to improve the nanoparticle’s stability, for possible future applications. The synthesis occurred through emulsion polymerization, where the monomer n-butyl-cyanoacrylate was incorporated with Dextran® into an aqueous HCl solution, with posterior addition of the alcoholic plant extract and neutralization reaction with NaOH. Stability parameters, such as hydrodynamic diameter, polydispersity index, zeta potential, spectroscopy (IV), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetry (TG) and Differential Exploration Calorimetry (DSC) were analysed. The nanoparticle system was evaluated taking into consideration particle stability prior and posterior to the addition of the extract, as well as coated and uncoated particles. The results demonstrated the good reactivity of the monomers of cyanoacrylates, as well as effectiveness of hyaluronic acid in relation to the proposed objective, evidenced in the results obtained by Infrared Spectroscopy, by SEM, DSC and, also, TG. The study demonstrated that there are possible future applications for this method.
As dispersões sólidas constituem hoje um importante campo de pesquisa para o desenvolvimento de um sistema de liberação de fármacos que tenham como característica a hidrofobia, propriedade essa que dificulta a sua biodisponibilidade, fazendo com que sejam descartados de novas pesquisas. As vantagens proporcionadas são uma maior hidrossolubilidade através da dispersão em carreador hidrofílico e a diminuição micrométrica das partículas. Aliada ao aprimoramento de sistemas medicamentosos inovadores, essa pesquisa é uma alternativa no emprego de uma nova droga antiparasitária, campo que precisa urgentemente de melhoras devido à presença de resistência a farmacoterapia usual e a possibilidade de efeitos colaterais graves. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho é o desenvolvimento de dispersões sólidas utilizando o óleo essencial de tomilho (Thymus vulgaris), conhecido por sua atividade antiparasitária, sendo considerado um novo sistema de liberação medicamentosa. O método de preparo escolhido foi a técnica fusão-solvente, empregando o polietilenoglicol (PEG) como carreador. Sua caracterização deu-se por testes de espectrofotometria de infravermelho, análise térmica diferencial e termogravimetria, difração de raio-X e microscopia eletrônica. A análise de microscopia eletrônica demonstrou uma diminuição do tamanho de partículas, além do aumento no número destas partículas. As análises comparativas de infravermelho e difração de raios-X, sugerindo a correta encapsulação do óleo. Além disso, a análise térmica comparativa demonstrou uma interação positiva entre o fármaco e o carreador.
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