Natural Ergot Alkaloids in Ocular Pharmacotherapy: Known Molecules for Novel Nanoparticle-Based Delivery Systems

Author(s):Show less -

Baldim, Iara ^{[1, 2]} ; Oliveira, Wanderley P. ^[1] ; Kadian, Varsha ^[3] ; Rao, Rekha ^[3] ; Yadav, Nitesh ^[3] ; Mahant, Sheefali ^[4] ; Lucarini, Massimo ^[5] ; Durazzo, Alessandra ^[5] ; Da Ana, Raquel ^[6] ; Capasso, Raffaele ^[7] ; Souto, Selma B. ^[8] ; Santini, Antonello ^[9] ; Souto, Eliana B. ^{[6, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Pharmaceut Sci Ribeirao Preto, Av Cafe S-N, BR-14040903 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Minho, CEB Ctr Biol Engn, Campus Gualtar, P-4710057 Braga - Portugal

^[3] Guru Jambheshwar Univ Sci & Technol, Dept Pharmaceut Sci, Hisar 125001, Haryana - India

^[4] Maharshi Dayanand Univ, Dept Pharmaceut Sci, Rohtak 124001, Haryana - India

^[5] CREA Res Ctr Food & Nutr, Via Ardeatina 546, I-00178 Rome - Italy

^[6] Univ Coimbra, Fac Pharm, Dept Pharmaceut Technol, P-3000548 Coimbra - Portugal

^[7] Univ Napoli Federico Ii, Dept Agr Sci, Via Univ 100, I-80055 Portici - Italy

^[8] Hosp Sao Joao, Dept Endocrinol, P-4200319 Porto - Portugal

^[9] Univ Napoli Federico II, Dept Pharm, Via D Montesano 49, I-80131 Naples - Italy

• Document type: Review article
• Source: BIOMOLECULES; v. 10, n. 7 JUL 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

Several pharmacological properties are attributed to ergot alkaloids as a result of their antibacterial, antiproliferative, and antioxidant effects. Although known for their biomedical applications (e.g., for the treatment of glaucoma), most ergot alkaloids exhibit high toxicological risk and may even be lethal to humans and animals. Their pharmacological profile results from the structural similarity between lysergic acid-derived compounds and noradrenalin, dopamine, and serotonin neurotransmitters. To reduce their toxicological risk, while increasing their bioavailability, improved delivery systems were proposed. This review discusses the safety aspects of using ergot alkaloids in ocular pharmacology and proposes the development of lipid and polymeric nanoparticles for the topical administration of these drugs to enhance their therapeutic efficacy for the treatment of glaucoma. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/03427-2 - Microencapsulation and nanoencapsulation of natural compounds by drying technologies
• Grantee: Cláudia Regina Fernandes de Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Young Researchers
• FAPESP's process: 11/10333-1 - Microencapsulation and nanoencapsulation of natural compounds by drying technologies
• Grantee: Cláudia Regina Fernandes de Souza
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/26069-0 - Encapsulation of essential oils for use in pharmaceutical compositions with antimicrobial activity
• Grantee: Wanderley Pereira Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants