Raman Microspectroscopy as a Tool to Elucidate the Efficacy of Topical Formulations Containing Curcumin

Autor(es)

Iermak, Ievgeniia ^[1] ; da Silva, Ana Paula ^[2] ; Kurachi, Cristina ^[1] ; Bagnato, Vanderlei Salvador ^[1] ; Inada, Natalia Mayumi ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sao Carlos Inst Phys, Trabalhador Sao Carlense Ave 400, BR-13566590 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] PDT Pharma Ind Com Pharmaceut Prod LTDA, Marechal Deodoro da Fonseca Str 67, BR-14140000 Cravinhos, SP - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: PHARMACEUTICALS; v. 12, n. 1 MAR 23 2019.
• Citações Web of Science: 0

Resumo

The success of the onychomycosis treatment is directly associated with factors such as the choice of the medication, the administration route, and the pharmaceutical formulation. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an emerging and promising technique indicated for onychomycosis treatment. For this application, the main challenge is the efficient delivery of the photosensitizer (PS). Curcumin is widely used as a PS, however it is an unstable molecule and it is a challenge to develop a formulation with good penetration into the nail plate, maintaining the stability of curcumin. In this study, the molecular mechanisms underlying the efficacy of two topical formulations containing curcumin used in a clinical trial for onychomycosis treatment were analyzed by Raman microspectroscopy. It is shown that curcumin is present in both formulations in aggregated and non-aggregated states, and in aggregates it is present in different conformations, depending on the interaction with the solvent. This proves to be critical for efficient and uniform PS delivery to the nail and its complete use during the treatment. These analyses are showing how promising Raman microspectroscopy is in understanding the molecular mechanisms of the efficiency of photosensitizers and are helping to improve the development of pharmaceutical formulations. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 13/07276-1 - CEPOF - Centro de Pesquisa em Óptica e Fotônica
• Beneficiário: Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Centros de Pesquisa, Inovação e Difusão - CEPIDs