Chitosan/Virgin-Coconut-Oil-Based System Enriched with Cubosomes: A 3D Drug-Delivery Approach

Abstract

Emulsion-based systems that combine natural polymers with vegetable oils have been identified as a promising research avenue for developing structures with potential for biomedical applications. Herein, chitosan (CHT), a natural polymer, and virgin coconut oil (VCO), a resource obtained from coconut kernels, were combined to create an emulsion system. Phytantriol-based cubosomes encapsulating sodium diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory drug, were further dispersed into CHT/VCO- based emulsion. Then, the emulsions were frozen and freeze-dried to produce scaffolds. The scaffolds had a porous structure ranging from 20.4 to 73.4 µm, a high swelling ability (up to 900%) in PBS, and adequate stiffness, notably in the presence of cubosomes. Moreover, a well-sustained release of the entrapped diclofenac in the cubosomes into the CHT/VCO-based system, with an accumulated release of 45 ± 2%, was confirmed in PBS, compared to free diclofenac dispersed (80 ± 4%) into CHT/VCO-based structures. Overall, the present approach opens up new avenues for designing porous biomaterials for drug delivery through a sustainable pathway.

Chitosan/Virgin Coconut Oil-Based Emulsions Doped with Photosensitive Curcumin Loaded Capsules: A Functional Carrier to Topical Treatment

“…According to this, and as the amount of oil in the emulsion film is higher at the beginning of the assay, it favors the CUR exit from the system to the media, justifying the observed initial burst release of CUR, after being released from the dispersed capsules. A similar behavior has already been reported for other oil-based systems loaded with different drug carriers [ 28 ]. Envisioning the intent of developing a topical application, this approach will benefit from the oil ability of promote skin permeability of active agents.…”

“…We proposed that the loaded capsules dispersed in the film may be disrupted under light stimulation, being the drug released and was able to migrate from the structure. As CUR is a lipophilic compound, its migration may be favored by the emulsion lipophilic nature, being the oil migration mechanism used to transfer it to the release medium [ 28 ]. According to this, and as the amount of oil in the emulsion film is higher at the beginning of the assay, it favors the CUR exit from the system to the media, justifying the observed initial burst release of CUR, after being released from the dispersed capsules.…”

“…The dispersion of the loaded LbL-capsules into emulsion films produced by the association of CHT with virgin coconut oil (VCO) serves as a topical patch to protect wounds, keep the moist environment, and locally deliver the CUR. VCO has been pointed out as a health promoter due to its anti-fungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, and antioxidant properties [ 27 , 28 ]. Further, earlier research has shown that combining VCO with natural polymers, e.g., gellan gum, chitosan, or corn starch [ 29 , 30 ], produces an emulsion-based system that is valuable for many applications.…”

“…Further, earlier research has shown that combining VCO with natural polymers, e.g., gellan gum, chitosan, or corn starch [ 29 , 30 ], produces an emulsion-based system that is valuable for many applications. In our previous studies combining VCO with chitosan (CHT), a natural polymer and emulsifier, emulsion films were produced with adequate features to be used as a drug delivery vehicle and a topical patch for wound care [ 27 , 28 ]. In the present study, we hypothesized that dispersed CUR-loaded capsules can be used to design a multifunctional device to be topically applied on the wound site.…”