Potential use of nanostructured systems containing ursolic acid to optimize the therapy of Chagas Disease

• Grant number: 12/01515-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: May 01, 2012
• End date: January 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Juliana Maldonado Marchetti
• Grantee: Juliana Palma Abriata
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Chagas disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which affects millions of poor people in developing countries and is therefore neglected by the pharmaceutical industry. Besides, there is not yet an effective therapy. Preliminary studies have shown that ursolic acid, natural compound, present trypanocidal activity. However, it has low water solubility, which reduces their bioavailability. Among the existing drug delivery systems, polymeric nanoparticles play a central role, due to their ability to sustain or control the release of drugs. The subcellular size allows for higher intracellular uptake compared to other systems because they can improve the stability of drugs and can be biocompatible with the tissues and cells when made from biodegradable and / or biocompatible materials. Moreover, nanocoated systems are distinguished by high drug encapsulation efficiency, protection from degradation, and less likely to cause irritation due to their polymeric coating. The present study aims to characterize and compare nanoparticles containg ursolic and oleanolic acids with Polycaprolactone obtained by two techniques: emulsion / solvent evaporation and nanoprecipitation. Particles will be prepared using biodegradable and biocompatible polymers, an essential requirement for parenteral administration. The systems characterization will be performed by encapsulation efficiency and yield of the process determination , particle size distribution by light scattering, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Dissolution studies in vitro will compare the profile of pure drug dissolution with those encapsulated in nanoparticles.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

ABRIATA, JULIANA PALMA; ELOY, JOSIMAR O.; RIUL, THALITA BACHELLI; CAMPOS, PATRICIA MAZUREKI; BARUFFI, MARCELO DIAS; MARCHETTI, JULIANA MALDONADO. Poly-epsilon-caprolactone nanoparticles enhance ursolic acid in vivo efficacy against Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Materials Science & Engineering C-Materials for Biological Applications, v. 77, p. 1196-1203, AUG 1 2017. (12/01515-1)