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20 Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) formulations for oromucosal administration induce a delayed 21 rise in nicotine blood levels as opposed to the immediate nicotine increase obtained from cigarette 22 smoking; this being a shortcoming of the therapy. Here, we demonstrate that α-23 lactalbumin/polyethylene oxide (ALA/PEO) electrospun nanofibers constitute an efficient oromucosal delivery system for fast-onset nicotine delivery of high relevance for acute dosing NRT 25 applications. In vitro, nicotine-loaded nanofibers showed fast disintegration in water, with a weight 26 loss up to 40% within minutes, and a faster nicotine release (26.1±4.6% after 1 min of incubation) 27 of the loaded nicotine compared to two relevant marketed NRT formulations with a comparable 28 nicotine dose (i.e. 7.9±5.1% and 2.2±0.3% nicotine was released from a lozenge and a sublingual 29 tablet, respectively). Model-fitting of the release data indicated that the release mechanism of 30 nicotine from the hydrophilic nanofibers was possibly governed by more than one type of release 31 phenomena. Remarkably, ex vivo studies using porcine buccal mucosa demonstrated a more 32 efficient permeation of the nicotine released from the nanofibers (flux of 1.06±0.22 33 nmol/(cm 2 ×min)) compared to when dosing even a ten-fold concentrated nicotine solution (flux of 34 0.17±0.14 nmol/(cm 2 ×min)). Moreover, MALDI MS imaging of ex vivo porcine buccal mucosa 35 exposed to nicotine-loaded nanofibers clearly revealed higher amounts of nicotine throughout the 36 epithelium, as well as in the lamina propria and submucosa of the tissue. Our findings suggest that 37 nicotine-loaded ALA/PEO nanofibers have potential as a mucosal, fast-releasing and 38 biocompatible delivery system for nicotine, which can overcome the limitations of current 39 marketed NRTs.

Background Cosmetic industry following the recent trends in the relative market has turned its interest in the formation of cosmeceutical products containing natural bioactive ingredients. Natural extracts may reveal undesirable sensory characteristics due to their composition. Encapsulation and nanotechnology are the most promising methods to overcome these drawbacks, opening up new perspectives for the future of cosmeceutical industry. Aims The purpose of this study was the use of nano‐encapsulated plant and fruit extracts to formulate cosmeceutical facial creams with acceptable rheological characteristics. Methods Electrohydrodynamic process was used to encapsulate pomegranate and tea tree oil extracts and incorporate them in facial cosmetic creams. All the formulations including those without additives, were stored at three different temperatures. Subsequently, rheological oscillatory tests (frequency sweep tests) were performed using the dynamic mechanical analysis method in order to evaluate alterations in storage modulus (G'), loss modulus (G''), and complex viscosity (η*). Results Dynamic mechanical analysis, showed that all formulations are suitable for application in cosmetic industry, while changes due to storage period or the storage temperature were negligible. Conclusion The addition of the selected extracts' nanofibers to formulate cosmeceutical facial creams, developed products with acceptable rheological characteristics that could be decisive for the cosmetics industry.

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