In recent years, the key role of oxidative stress in pathogenesis of oral diseases has been emphasized and the use of antioxidant agents has been encouraged. Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA) is a unicellular blue-green alga with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was the formulation and characterization of mucoadhesive thin layer films loaded with AFA, finalized to the treatment of oxidative stress (OS)-related oral diseases. First, to enhance the bioavailability of AFA constituents, the raw food grade material was appropriately treated by a high frequency homogenization able to disrupt cell walls. Thus, Eudragit® E100-based buccal films were produced by the solvent casting method, containing 7% and 18% of AFA. The films, characterized by uniformity in thickness, weight, and drug content, showed low swelling degree, good muco-adhesiveness and controlled drug release. The mechanical tests showed elastic moduli of films of almost 5 MPa that is well-suitable for human buccal applications without discomfort, besides biaxial tests highlighted a marked material isotropy. Permeation studies through porcine mucosae demonstrated the ability of films to promote AFA penetration in the tissues, and when sublingually administered, they produced a drug flux up to six-fold higher than an AFA solution. The new formulations represent an interesting alternative for the development of cosmetics and nutraceuticals with a functional appeal containing plant extracts.
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) plays many roles in wound healing in general, through different mechanisms. Several authors reported the effectiveness of hyaluronic acid in promoting mucosal healing and reducing discomfort for patients after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Different methods for HA nasal administration have been reported. The aim of our study has been to evaluate the efficacy of the administration of nebulized HA through a nasal douche compared with its administration through a nasal spray with patients undergoing ESS for chronic rhinosinusitis. From January 2013 to January 2019 a prospective clinical trial was carried out in our hospital with 163 patients who had undergone ESS for chronic rhinosinusitis. The sample was divided into three groups according to the method of administration of HA. Our study confirm the efficacy of the administration of nebulized HA through nasal douche in post-operative care (6.5% vs 4.5%). The most relevant data regards the nasal dryness sign: the data revealed an unexpected percentage of worsening of that sign at time T3 (p = 0.049) particularly evident in the patients treated with HA through nasal douche compared to whom the nasal spray device was prescribed (4% vs 1%). Further studies are needed to identify the best means of administration of HA, which would satisfy the requirements for efficacy in terms of the results and, at the same time, patient compliance.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.