Supramolecular Hydrogels Consisting of Nanofibers Increase the Bioavailability of Curcuminoids in Inflammatory Skin Diseases

Abstract

The low bioavailability of curcuminoids (CCMoids) limits their use in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. Our work shows that this constraint can be overcome upon their incorporation into supramolecular hydrogels assembled from a gemini-imidazolium amphiphilic gelator. Three structural CCMoid analogues were used to prepare supramolecular hydrogels, and it was observed that the concentration of both the gelator and CCMoid and the proportion of solvents influence the selfassembly process. Moreover, the mechanical properties of the nanostructured gels were studied to find the optimum gels, which were then further characterized microscopically, and their ability to release the CCMoid was evaluated. The physicochemical properties of the CCMoids play a fundamental role in the interaction with the gelator, influencing not only the gelation but also the morphology at the microscopic level, the mechanical properties, and the biopharmaceutical behavior such as the amount of CCMoid released from the gels. The nanostructured supramolecular hydrogels, which contain the CCMoids at much lower concentrations (μg/mL) in comparison to other products, promote the penetration of the CCMoids within the skin, but not their transdermal permeation, thus preventing any possible systemic effects and representing a safer option for topical administration. As a result, the CCMoid-containing hydrogels can effectively reduce skin inflammation in vivo, proving that these supramolecular systems are excellent alternatives in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases.

Langmuir and Langmuir–Blodgett technologies as nanoarchitectonic tools for the incorporation of curcumin in membrane systems

“…Researchers are trying to circumvent bioavailability problems of curcumin (low serum levels, limited tissue distribution, poor absorption, apparent rapid metabolism and short half-life) with the use of adjuvants or absorption factors ( piperidine/piperine), phospholipid complexes, metal-curcumin complexes, or its encapsulation into cyclodextrins, nanoparticles, liposomes, micelles, dendrimers, gels, DNA-nanostructures, or even exosomes. 19,[25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35] Enhanced bioavailability of curcumin in the near future by these media is likely to bring this promising natural product to the forefront of therapeutic agents for treatment of human diseases. Before this occurs, additional studies are required both at a fundamental and preclinical state.…”

Intrinsic Permeation and Anti-Inflammatory Evaluation of Curcumin, Bisdemethoxycurcumin and Bisdemethylcurcumin by a Validated HPLC-UV Method

“…In previous experiments, the incorporation of these curcuminoids in cationic supramolecular hydrogels leads to an electrostatic interaction between the negative charges of the beta diketone moiety of the curcuminoids and the cationic gelator, thus changing the ability of the curcuminoids to permeate through the skin tissue [ 29 ]. Specifically, their incorporation into these supramolecular gels permits penetration and retention within the tissue but prevents their complete permeation across the skin.…”

Gel-Dispersed Nanostructured Lipid Carriers Loading Thymol Designed for Dermal Pathologies

“…The donors provided written informed consent and the experimental protocol was approved by the Research Commission of Barcelona SCIAS Hospital (Barcelona, Spain). 46 , 47 The experimental procedure and quantitative analysis of TH were carried out according to a previously described method, with modifications. 31 , 48 This study consisted of three experiments set up to find comparable analysis and they were all performed in Franz cells using the same conditions described above.…”