Evaluation of antioxidant and photoprotective activity of solid lipid nanoparticles containing curcumin, a polyphenol

• Grant number: 18/23163-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2019
• End date: April 30, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Luis Alexandre Pedro de Freitas
• Grantee: Milena Almeida Fernandes
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Human skin, when exposed to ultraviolet rays, is damaged and the means used to reduce deleterious effects are sunscreens. The combination of sunscreen with persistent exposure to ultraviolet radiation leads to the formation of degradation products, such as free radicals, that penetrate the deeper layers of the skin causing damage. Solid lipid nanoparticles have been used as a physical protector, since they have controlled release, bringing prominence to research. This project proposes to evaluate nanoparticles containing curcumin, active principle of the popular plant, saffron of the earth, which will be developed in the Laboratory of Industrial Processes Pharmaceutical of the FCFRP as possible additives to photoprotective formulations. Studies show curcumin as an important antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, as well as acting against several other diseases. Despite its low bioavailability in the body, interest in natural products is growing and new ways of encapsulating these bioactive agents are developed. These nanoparticles will have their antioxidant activities evaluated by the Active Oxygen Method (AOM) having porcine ear skin homogenate as an in vitro model. The antioxidant activity of each sample will be determined based on the inhibition of the generation of degradation products, measured through the conductivity of the water as a function of time, for the skin homogenate for different combinations of this with the curcumin nanoparticles and antioxidant agents.