Development and characterization of thermoresponsive sprayable poloxamer hydrogels for buccal carotenoid delivery

• Grant number: 24/07629-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2024
• End date: June 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Leonardo Miziara Barboza Ferreira
• Grantee: Gabriela Rodrigues de Paulo
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCFAR). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Carotenoids are organic compounds that have been widely studied for their potential health benefits due to their antioxidant properties, contributing to the prevention of various diseases, such as chronic non-communicable diseases, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, obesity, hypertension arterial and age-related muscular disorders. However, its instability and low bioavailability when administered orally represent a significant limitation to its preventive or therapeutic efficacy. Given this, the present study aims to develop thermoresponsive sprayable poloxamer hydrogel formulations for the administration of carotenoids to the oral mucosa, avoiding gastrointestinal barriers and allowing direct absorption of these compounds. Additionally, the characterization of these formulations will be carried out through physical-chemical inverted tube tests, differential scanning calorimetry (nanoDSC), spraying and pH determination. Under different temperature conditions, centrifugation, organoleptic evaluation and differential scanning calorimetry (nanoDSC) experiments will be carried out, with the aim of evaluating the stability of the hydrogels. Furthermore, using the UV/VIS spectrophotometry technique, the stability of the carotenoids present in the formulation will be evaluated. Finally, to evaluate the adhesion capacity on the oral mucosa, the mucoadhesion strength of the hydrogels obtained using a texturometer will be determined.