Ανάπτυξη και μελέτη λιπιδικών νανοσυστημάτων για την βελτίωση της κλινικής εικόνας δερματικών παθήσεων ; Development and study of lipid nanosystems for the relief of clinical symptoms of dermatological diseases

The use of nanocarriers in drug delivery has provided new opportunities in topical treatment of diseases affecting the skin by improving drug permeation and accumulation in the various skin strata, reducing systemic side effects, and enhancing the solubility of poorly soluble drugs. The present work aimed to develop and investigate drug loaded nanoparticles for improving topical delivery of curcumin. Curcumin (CUR) has a long history of use as an antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer and wound healing agent, among others, for the treatment of various skin conditions. Encapsulation in nanocarriers may overcome the administration limitations of CUR, such as lipophilicity and photodegradation. Lipid nanocarriers with different matrix fluidity (Solid Lipid Nanoparticles; SLN, Nanostructured Lipid Carriers; NLC, and Nanoemulsion; NE) were prepared for the topical delivery of curcumin (CUR) in case of acne and/or seborrheic dermatitis (S.D.). An unloaded set, without adding CUR, was also developed for comparison. For easier topical application all nano-formulations were incorporated into Carbopol Ultrez 10 (CRB) based gels. Nano-formulations were prepared by hot homogenization followed by probe sonication technique, while their formation to gels was achieved by neutralization after the addition of triethanolamine till the pH adjustment to approximately 5.5. Then, all samples saved in the refrigerator (4oC) for further characterization. Particle size, polydispersity index (PdI) and zeta potential of all formulations were measured by Dynamic & Electrophoretic Light Scattering technique (DLS & ELS). The surface morphology of nano-dispersions was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Loading and encapsulation efficiency of nano-formulations were determined by Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) and UV-Vis Spectroscopy. The CUR content of gels was determined, respectively. Parameters such as pH and viscosity of gels were also monitored. Moreover, the stability of all formulations ...