Encapsulation of the major compound of green propolis, Artepillin C, in solid lipid nanoparticles

• Grant number: 23/01305-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): June 01, 2023
• Effective date (End): November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Wallance Moreira Pazin
• Grantee: Julia dos Santos Cabral
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências (FC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/22214-6 - Towards a convergence of technologies: from sensing and biosensing to information visualization and machine learning for data analysis in clinical diagnosis, AP.TEM

Abstract

Bioactive natural compounds are known for their therapeutic potential. However, there is a major limitation in the clinical use of most of these natural bioactive compounds due to the low efficiency of absorption and bioavailability when administered orally or topically in vivo, as is the case of Artepillin C, the major compound of Brazilian green propolis. It is known that there is a high efficiency in the biological activities performed in in vitro assays by the use of this molecule, however, due to its lipophilicity, oral administration or topical use is limited, and there is a low or insignificant in vivo activity in tissues tumors. In this context, the project envisages the study of formulations of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) used to encapsulate bioactive compounds and deliver them to target cells. Knowledge of the lipid composition is a key factor in ensuring greater efficiency in encapsulation, loading and release of bioactive compounds of interest, such as Artepillin C. The project will be developed using biophysical techniques based on spectroscopy and optical and electron microscopy, in addition to of atomic force microscopy, which will be used to characterize lipid nanostructures. High performance liquid chromatography tests and analysis by dialysis technique will be used to quantify the encapsulation and release of Artepillin C from nanoparticles. The project is part of the newly established research line of the proposal's advisor at the Physics Department of the Faculty of Sciences/UNESP, Bauru campus, which envisages the establishment of strategies to increase the efficiency in the pharmacological activity of phytochemicals of interest when applied in vivo, generating impact in the health area.