Skin Regenerative Potential of Cupuaçu Seed Extract (Theobroma grandiflorum), a Native Fruit from the Amazon: Development of a Topical Formulation Based on Chitosan-Coated Nanocapsules

Abstract

Scarless skin regeneration is a challenge in regenerative medicine. Herein, we explore the regenerative potential of a Cupuaçu seed extract (Theobroma grandiflorum) to develop an innovative skin regeneration formulation based on chitosan-coated nanocapsules. Cupuaçu seed extract significantly stimulated cell proliferation and migration. A reparative gene expression profile could be verified following extract treatment, which included high levels of MKI67, a cellular proliferation marker, and extracellular matrix genes, such as ELN and HAS2, which code for elastin and hyaluronic acid synthase 2. Formulations with Cupuaçu seed extract successfully entrapped into nanocapsules (EE% > 94%) were developed. Uncoated or coated nanocapsules with low-molecular-weight chitosan presented unimodal size distribution with hydrodynamic diameters of 278.3 ± 5.0 nm (PDI = 0.18 ± 0.02) and 337.2 ± 2.1 nm (PDI = 0.27 ± 0.01), respectively. Both nanosystems were physically stable for at least 120 days and showed to be non-irritating to reconstructed human epidermis. Chitosan coating promoted active penetration into undamaged skin areas, which were still covered by the stratum corneum. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated for the first time the biotechnological potential of the frequently discarded Cupuaçu seed as a valuable pharmaceutical ingredient to be used in regenerative skin products.

Effect of Fermentation and Extraction Techniques on the Physicochemical Composition of Copoazú Butter (Theobroma grandiflorum) as an Ingredient for the Cosmetic Industry

“…The fatty acid profiles exhibit similarities with those reported in Copoazú butter studies [7,24,26], identifying oleic acid as the predominant component, followed by stearic acid. This composition has a direct effect on the melting point of butter due to the presence of unsaturated fatty acids [27].…”

“…Essential unsaturated fatty acids (linoleic and arachidonic), which can be found in Copoazú butter, are highly recognized for their impact on inflammation and tissue-healing processes [28][29][30]. The presence of oleic acid further accelerates healing and scar tissue formation, making it a versatile matrix with applications in cosmeceuticals [26].…”

Methodologies to Evaluate the Hair Follicle-Targeted Drug Delivery Provided by Nanoparticles

“…Nanoparticulate systems have proved efficient in overcoming the skin barrier by diverse mechanisms, depending on their composition. Solid lipid nanoparticles, for instance, allow an efficient skin occlusion [ 22 ], with a consequent increase in the permeability of lipophilic drugs [ 23 ] or an increase in drug solubility, creating a higher concentration gradient that drives drug permeation through the stratum corneum [ 24 ]. Moreover, the low or complete absence of toxicity of this kind of nanoparticles [ 25 ], and the possibility of modified drug release make them exciting systems for topical drug delivery [ 26 ].…”

Cupuassu (Theobroma grandiflorum [Willd. ex Sprengel] Schumann) Fruit Development: Key Genes Involved in Primary Metabolism and Stress Response

“…ex Spreng.] Schum) is one of the most important fruit species of the Amazon region, and the expansion of cupuassu plantations could play an important social, economic, and environmental role in the considered areas [1]. Cupuassu fruit has drupe and berry characteristics, an elongated shape with rounded ends, a length of 12 to 25 cm, and a diameter of 10 to 12 cm.…”

“…1 As described in[10] 2. from CocoaGenDB (https://cocoa-genome-hub.southgreen.fr/ accessed on 22 October 2021) and[21].…”