Development and characterization of functional lipid-biopolymeric films for lidocaine transdermal delivery

• Grant number: 16/04158-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): June 01, 2016
• Effective date (End): December 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Biochemical and Molecular Pharmacology
• Principal Investigator: Eneida de Paula
• Grantee: Bárbara Oliveira de Paula
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 14/14457-5 - Lipid-based nanocarriers (SLN/NLC and remote-loading liposomes) used to improve the upload and potency of local anesthetics, AP.TEM

Abstract

Transdermal topical anesthesia is relevant to the patient comfort before superficial painful clinical procedures, as well as in the management of pain due to post-operative or dermal and epidermal lesions. However, the stratum corneum is a physiological barrier that difficult the efficient absorption of drugs so that the development of a formulation with increased therapeutic efficacy for the skin remains a challenge. This project proposes the development of optimized nanostructured lipid carriers formulations composed of shea butter and almond oil, components with a structural role plus anti-inflammatory, hydrant, emollient and tissue regeneration properties. The most robust formulations regarding the structural properties of nanoparticles will encapsulate lidocaine (2%) targeting the transdermal administration of the anesthetic. Such systems will be incorporated by biopolymeric matrices of chitosan, alginate and xanthan, and processed as films, which are flexible, remains at the specific site of interest and can be easily administered by the patient. These systems will be evaluated by particle size and polydispersity index, Zeta potential, transmission electron microscopy, swelling properties, encapsulation efficiency and in vitro release of lidocaine. This project proposes a viable, low cost and reproducible nanobiotechnologic, strategy which will allow the development of a transdermal lidocaine release system with improved properties.