Silk fibroin delivery systems for the topical treatment of wounds with insulin

• Grant number: 13/15252-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: November 01, 2013
• End date: February 28, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Renata Fonseca Vianna Lopez
• Grantee: Karina Dias
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Poorly healing wounds are the second biggest cause of absence from work because the exposed tissue can lead to major complications such as generalized infections and squeals. Due to the complexity of the healing process there are many existing therapeutic approaches in order to enhance tissue regeneration, but currently there is no safe and effective treatment for wound healing in the cornea, for example, which demonstrates the need to search drugs and strategies to assist in this process. Insulin has been a constant target of research involving healing, but his administration has been made by the parenteral route. The topical treatment of skin wounds, corneal or other mucosal, requires the use of insulin delivery systems to ensure stability and presence of insulin in place for long periods which must be regenerated. The delivery system must be biocompatible and preferably also aid in the healing process. The silk fibroin is a natural polymer that has been studied as a support for wound healing. The objective of this project is to develop carrier-based insulin silk fibroin targeting the topical treatment of wounds. Be prepared gels and silk fibroin films containing insulin. The formulations are characterized by physical methods (visual appearance, thickness, amount of swelling, mechanical and rheological properties) and physicochemical (scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, optical birefringence microscopy, spectroscopy Absorption in the infrared region). The integrity of insulin molecules developed in the formulations is evaluated by immunoassay. The films will be tested for their cytotoxic potential and genotótoxico. In vitro release profile, penetration and retention of insulin both in the cornea and mucosa, from the delivery systems developed will be made in bicompartimental vertical diffusion systems, employing the membrane itself designed to evaluate the speed release of insulin formulations, as well as its penetration in these tissues.