Development of sponges containing polysaccharide microspheres loaded with curcumin

• Grant number: 21/14698-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: September 01, 2022
• End date: August 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Priscila Gava Mazzola
• Grantee: Érica Mendes dos Santos
• Supervisor: Pedro Edson Fardim
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCF). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Leuven, Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium
• Associated to the scholarship: 20/11333-4 - Development of a polysaccharide membrane containing extract from the shell of Spondias mombin L. for the treatment of Pressure Ulcers, BP.DR

Abstract

This study aims to design, fabricate and characterize sponges containing polysaccharide microspheres loaded with Spondias mombin L. seed extract for treatment of pressure ulcer. Pressure ulcer is a skin damage that impairs the quality of life of patients, affecting their physical, emotional, mental and social well-being. Porous biomicrospheres (beads) and sponges will be developed using carrageenan, a natural sulfated polysaccharide. Porous carrageenan materials are interesting option for applications in wound healing due to its ability to form gels with high water retention and adhesive properties. Spondias mombin L. is a fruit tree with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and healing activities, that can help in pressure ulcers treatment. Therefore, carrageenan beads loaded with Spondias mombin L. seed extract will be produced and incorporated in sponges. Then formulation properties will be evaluated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confocal microscopy, besides the evaluation of its porosity, swelling, stability and antimicrobial activity. (AU)