High throughput screening techniques that are routinely used in modern drug discovery processes result in a higher prevalence of poorly water-soluble drugs. Such drugs often have poor bioavailability issues due to their poor dissolution and/or permeability to achieve sufficient and consistent systemic exposure, resulting in sub-optimal therapeutic efficacies, particularly via oral administration. Alternative formulations and delivery routes are demanded to improve their bioavailability. Nanoparticulate formulations of poorly water-soluble drugs offer improved dissolution profiles. The physiology of the lung makes it an ideal target for non-invasive local and systemic drug delivery for poorly water-soluble drugs. In Chapter 2, a particle engineering process ultra-rapid freezing (URF) was utilized to produce nanostructured aggregates of itraconazole (ITZ), a BCS class II drug, for pulmonary delivery with approved biocompatible excipients. The obtained formulation, ITZ:mannitol:lecithin (1:0.5:0.2, w/w), i.e. URF-ITZ, was a solid solution with high surface area and ability to achieve high magnitude of supersaturation. An aqueous colloidal dispersion of URF-ITZ was suitable for nebulization, which demonstrated optimal aerodynamic properties for deep lung delivery and high lung and systemic ITZ levels when inhaled by mice. The significantly improved systemic bioavailability of inhaled URF-ITZ was mainly ascribed to the amorphous morphology that raised the drug solubility. The effect of supersaturation of amorphous URF-ITZ relative to nanocrystalline ITZ on bioavailability following inhalation was evaluated in Chapter 3. The nanoparticulate amorphous ITZ composition resulted in a significantly higher systemic bioavailability than for the nanocrystalline ITZ composition, as a result of the higher supersaturation that increased the permeation. In Chapter 4, pharmacokinetics of inhaled nebulized aerosols of solubilized ITZ in solution versus nanoparticulate URF-ITZ colloidal dispersion were investigated, under the hypothesis that solubilized ITZ can be absorbed faster through mucosal membrane than the nanoparticulate ITZ. Despite similar ITZ lung deposition, the inhaled solubilized ITZ demonstrated significantly faster systemic absorption across lung epithelium relative to nanoparticulate ITZ in mice, due in part to the elimination of the phase-to-phase transition of nanoparticulate ITZ. / text

Computational methods such as linear free energy relationships (LFERs) offer a useful high-throughput solution to quickly evaluate drug developability, e.g. membrane permeability, organic solvent/water partition coefficients, and solubility. LFERs typically assume the contribution of structural components/functional groups to the overall properties of a given molecule to be constant and independent. This dissertation describes a series of studies in which linear free energy relationships were developed to predict solvation of small organic molecules in lipid formulations, specifically, triglyceride containing solvents and phospholipid-based liposomes. The formation of intermolecular HBs in triglyceride solvents (homogenous with H-bond accepting ability) and intramolecular HBs within the bilayer barrier domain (hydrocarbon-like) proved to be the major factors to consider in developing LFERs to account for the increased oil/water partition coefficients and enhanced bilayer permeability of small organic molecules. The triglyceride solvent/water partition coefficients of a series of model compounds varying in polarity and H-bond donating/accepting capability were used to establish a correlation between the solvent descriptors and the ester concentration in these solvents using the Abraham LFER approach. The LFER analyses showed that the descriptors representing the polarizability and H-bond basicity of the solvents vary systematically with the ester concentration. A fragment-based LFER to predict membrane permeability or 1,9- decadiene/water partition coefficients of small organic molecules including small peptides was systematically constructed using a total of 47 compounds. Significant nonadditivity was observed in peptides in that the contribution of the peptide backbone amide to the apparent transfer free energy from water into the bilayer barrier domain is considerably smaller than that of a “well-isolated” amide and greatly affected by adjacent polar substituents on the C-termini. In order to explain the phenomenon of nonadditivity, the formation of intramolecular HBs and inductive effects of neighboring polar groups on backbone amide, were investigated using FTIR and MD simulations. Both spectroscopic and computational results provided supportive evidence for the hypothesis that the formation of intramolecular HBs in peptides is the main reason for the observed nonadditivity of Δ(ΔG°)-CONH-. The MD simulation results showed that the inductive effect of neighboring groups is not as important as the effect of intramolecular HBs.

The purpose of this case study was to compare the pedagogical and affective efficiency and efficacy of creative prose fiction writing workshops taught via asynchronous computer-mediated online distance education with creative prose fiction writing workshops taught face-to-face in order to better understand their operational pedagogy and correlative affective features to determine if workshops are transferable to a computer-mediated delivery system in order to aid administrative decision-makers regarding the possible pedagogical usefulness of expanding their existing writing program to offer an optional-residency creative writing program in concert with their current high residency program. Qualitative data were collected through non-participatory virtual observation of two computer-mediated workshops and in person at a face-to-face mediated workshop. Both workshops used the traditional social constructivist workshop approach which is widely considered to be the gold standard method by the majority of creative writing programs based on its long-standing success as a pedagogical method. In addition to observing the respective workshops, one-on-one interviews were conducted with three creative writing program administrators and three creative writing instructors, one of whom was also a former program administrator. Creative writing students participating in the three observed workshops were also interviewed one-on-one. Findings revealed that from a pedagogical perspective both the computer-mediated and the face-to-face mediated workshops are pedagogically efficient and effective using a social constructivist model when workshop teachers demonstrate a strong teaching presence focused on honing novice writers’ ability and desire to write. Additionally, the researcher concluded a robust teaching presence is imperative in order to establish and maintain a strong social presence between students and between students and the instructor, as both components are critical for learner autonomy in a social constructivist teaching and learning community. However, teaching presence alone cannot guarantee a strong affective social presence as differences between students’ and/or between students’ and an instructor’s social, cultural, educational, and historical ontogenies can lead to unresolved conflicts that increase psychological distance in the teaching and learning community. Additionally, while pedagogically equivalent, computer-mediated workshops have important time management and potentially affective advantages compared to the face-to-face mediated workshop that help ensure establishment and maintenance of social presence.

Miltefosine (hexadecylphosphocholine, HePC), a synthetic antitumor designed from natural phospholipids, is clinically approved for cutaneous metastases of breast cancer and cutaneous lymphoma. This drug acts mainly at cellular membrane level, where it accumulates and interferes with lipid metabolism and lipid-dependent signaling pathways leading the cells to apoptosis. However, HePC systemic and peroral administration induces hemolysis and mucosal toxicity, respectively. To overcome these limitations, we investigated the protective properties of colloidal polymeric micelles (PM) composed by Pluronics, triblock copolymers of poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(propylene oxide). We found that both Pluronic composition and concentration modulate the hemolytic profile of incorporated drug (HePC-PM) by increasing the drug amount to cause in vitro hemolysis. Moreover, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) was used to assess structural information of interactions between HePC and PM. Additionally, we showed that HePC-PM prevented mucosal irritation, decreasing bleeding and lysis of blood vessels in a chicken chorioallantoic membrane model. Interestingly, HePC-PM increased the in vitro selective cytotoxicity against cervix tumor cells rather healthy fibroblasts, suggesting a differential uptake of these nanostructures by tumor cells. Furthermore, we also found that HePC induces cytotoxicity and decrease cell survival, migration and proliferation in osteosarcoma cells in vitro. We showed that cytotoxicity by HePC is associated with caspase-3 activation, DNA fragmentation, apoptotic-like bodys formation and inhibition of both constitutive and cytokine-stimulated Akt/PKB phosphorylation. HePC-PM clearly reduces the drug cytotoxic effects. Finally, we demonstrated that Pluronic F127 polymeric micelles are efficient for cargo delivering the encapsulated drug preferentially into tumor cells rather than healthy cells. These findings together suggest that Pluronic F127 PM reduce drug side effects and provide a potential alternative for systemic delivery of HePC, as well as other amphiphilic drugs. / Miltefosina (hexadecilfosfocolina, HePC), um fármaco antitumoral sintético desenvolvido a partir de fosfolipídios naturais, é clinicamente aprovada para o tratamento tópico de metástases de câncer de mama e linfomas cutâneos. Atua principalmente nas membranas celulares, onde se acumula e interfere no metabolismo lipídico e nas vias de sinalização dependentes de lipídios levando as células à apoptose. No entanto, quando administrada sistemicamente ou oralmente a HePC induz hemólise e toxicidade de mucosas, respectivamente. Para superar estas reações adversas investigamos os efeitos protetores conferidos por micelas poliméricas coloidais (PM) compostas por Pluronics, copolímeros tribloco de poli(óxido de etileno) e poli(óxido de propileno). Inicialmente, encontramos que a composição e concentração do Pluronic modulam o perfil hemolítico do fármaco encapsulado (HePC-PM), aumentando a quantidade necessária de HePC para causar hemólise in vitro. Além disso, utilizamos o espalhamento de raios-X a baixo ângulo (SAXS) para obter informações estruturais das interações entre HePC e PM. Em seguida, mostramos que HePC-PM preveniu a irritação da mucosa, diminuindo a hemorragia e a vasoconstricção em membrana corioalantóica de ovos embrionados. Estudos in vitro demonstraram que a HePC-PM aumentou seletivamente a citotoxicidade contra células de carcinoma HeLa em relação a fibroblastos saudáveis, sugerindo captação diferencial dessas nanoestruturas pelas células tumorais. Além disso, relatamos que, in vitro, a HePC induz citotoxicidade, diminui a sobrevivência, migração e proliferação osteossarcomas. Esta citotoxicidade está associada à ativação da caspase-3, fragmentação do DNA, formação de corpos apoptóticos e inibição da fosforilação de Akt/PKB. Adicionalmente, HePC-PM reduz os efeitos citotóxicos nestas linhagens. Finalmente, demonstramos que as micelas poliméricas de Pluronic F127 são eficientes para a entrega intracelular fármacos preferencialmente em células tumorais, e em menor grau em células saudáveis. Em conjunto, os dados sugerem que este sistema nanoestruturado reduz a toxicidade da HePC e representa uma alternativa potencial para a administração sistêmica deste e de outros fármacos anfifílicos.

De acordo com o conceito de sistemas de liberação controlada, o presente estudo foi baseado na utilização de polímeros hidrofílicos biocompatíveis, formadores de hidrogéis, para o desenvolvimento de matrizes na forma de filmes finos. Os polímeros utilizados para a formação das matrizes foram a quitosana proveniente das cascas de camarão, o amido de milho modificado e a poli(N-vinil-2-pirrolidona) - PVP. As matrizes foram reticuladas utilizando glutaraldeído. O fármaco escolhido para testar a capacidade de liberação dos dispositivos foi o anti-inflamatório não esteroidal (AINE) diclofenaco sódico. Para obtenção das matrizes com propriedades adequadas para essa finalidade, foram testadas misturas de quitosana-amido e quitosana-PVP. Após a triagem qualitativa, os dispositivos foram avaliados quanto à citotoxidade, intumescimento máximo, fração gel, parâmetros cinéticos associados à absorção de vapor de água e à capacidade de liberação de diclofenaco sódico in vitro. As formulações de quitosana-PVP foram as que apresentaram melhores propriedades para a aplicação proposta nesse estudo, se destacando a formulação A3, com alto percentual de liberação, boas propriedades de manuseio, poucos componentes na formulação diminuindo o potencial alergênico e aprovação no teste de citotoxicidade em células de camundongo (NCTC) pelo método de incorporação do vermelho neutro. / According to the concept of drug delivery systems, this study has based on the use of biocompatible hydrophilic polymers hydrogels-forming for the development of matrices in the form of thin films. The polymers used for forming the matrices were chitosan from shrimp shells, modified maize starch and poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) PVP. The matrices were cross-linked using glutaraldehyde. The drug chosen to test the ability of the devices release was the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) sodium diclofenac. Mixtures between chitosan-starch and chitosan-PVP tested to obtain the matrices with suitable properties for this purpose. The devices after qualitative screening had evaluated for cytotoxicity, maximum swelling, gel fraction, kinetic parameters associated with absorbing water vapor and the release of diclofenac sodium able to in vitro. The formulations based on chitosan-PVP were the presents the best properties, in evidence formulation A3, with high percentage of delivery, good handing properties, few compounds/components reducing the allergenic potential and successful in vitro cell viability red uptake cytotoxicity assay, using cell culture mouse cells (NCTC).

Os benefícios gerados pela luz do sol foram observados desde a origem da humanidade. A terapia fotodinâmica é a mais nova modalidade de tratamento com luz, que envolve a administração do fármaco fotossensível, o qual se deposita preferencialmente nas células que se deseja a ação, seguido por seletiva iluminação da lesão com luz na região do visível. A ftalocianina de cloro-alumínio (AlClPc) e a indocianina verde são apontados como potenciais fármacos nesta terapia, sendo bastante utilizados atualmente. Foram preparados complexos de ciclodextrinas de ftalocianina de cloro-alumínio e hidroxipropil-beta ciclodextrina e beta-ciclodextrina, incorporados em lipossomas com a indocianina verde, com o propósito de avaliar o sinergismo da ação, proporcionado pela associação de sistemas de liberação e de fármacos fotossensíveis, na terapia fotodinâmica. Quando avaliado isoladamente os complexos de ftalocianina e ciclodextrinas demonstraram valores diferentes da constante de associação demonstrando maior complexação com hidroxipropil-beta ciclodextrina. No entanto, os derivados de ciclodextrinas estudados melhoraram as propriedades fotofísicas do fármaco. Na avaliação das propriedades fotobiológicas, nenhuma toxicidade foi observada para a ftalocianina complexada com ciclodextrinas nem com lipossomas. Na avaliação do complexo de ftalocianina de cloro-alumínio/ciclodextrinas na presença de luz, houve um alto índice de morte celular. No caso da associação dos complexos de AlClPc incorporados nos lipossomas juntamente com a ICV as preparações também demonstraram que as modificações geradas pela incorporação dos fármacos fotossensíveis favoreceram as propriedades espectroscópicas necessárias para a ação dos fármacos na PDT, com conseqüente redução da agregação e alterações significativas nas propriedades fotofísicas e fotobiológicas dos fármacos. Os complexos de ciclodextrinas incorporados nos lipossomas com indocianina verde se apresentaram estáveis como sistemas de liberação, após liofilização, garantindo a característica de vesícula unilamelar pequena. Neste trabalho observa-se claramente o sinergísmo garantido por associação dos dois fármacos fotossensíveis e de sistemas de liberação sugerindo uma nova área de pesquisa na terapia fotodinâmica. / The benefits generated by sunlight were observed from the origin of humanity. Photodynamic therapy is the new form treatment of light, which involves the administration of the photosensitizer drug which is targeting preferentially in diseased cells, followed by selective illumination of the lesion with visible light. The aluminum chloride phthalocyanine and indocyanine green are studied as potential drugs this therapy and often used. Were development complex of hydroxypropyl-beta cyclodextrin and beta-cyclodextrin with aluminum chloride phthalocyanine entrapment in liposomes with indocyanine green in order to studed the synergism of action, provided by association of both release and photosensitizer drugs, in photodynamic therapy. Complexes of phthalocyanine with different cyclodextrins derivatives showed different values of the association constant showing greater complexation with hydroxypropyl-beta cyclodextrin.However the derivatives of cyclodextrins studied improved the drug photophysical properties. In evaluating the photobiological properties, no toxicity was observed for phthalocyanines complexed with cyclodextrins or liposomes.Althought the evaluation of phthalocyanine complex excited by light, showed a higher rate of cell death. When the complexes where incorporated in liposomes plus indocyanine green photosensitizer drugs improved the spectroscopic properties necessary for the action of drugs in PDT reduced aggregation and significant improved in the photophysical and photobiological properties of drugs. Complexes of cyclodextrins incorporated in liposomes with indocyanine green showed stable drug delivery systems, after freeze-drying and keeping a small unilamellar vesicle.This work showed that there is clearly synergism by the association two photosensitizers and drug delivery systems and represents a great contribution for a new area of research in photodynamic therapy.

Carbohydrate recognition is one of the most sophisticated recognition processes in biological systems, mediating many important aspects of cell-cell recognition, such as inflammation, cell differentiation, and metastasis. Consequently, lectin-glycan interactions have been intensively studied in order to mimic their actions for potential bioanalytical and biomedical applications. Galectins, a class of ß-galactoside-specific animal lectins, have been strongly implicated in inflammation and cancer. Galectin-3 is involved in carbohydrate-mediated metastatic cell heterotypic and homotypic adhesion via interaction with Thomsen-Friedenreich (TF) antigen on cancer-associated MUC1. However, the precise mechanism by which galectin-3 recognizes TF antigen is poorly understood. Our thermodynamic studies have shown that the presentation of the carbohydrate ligand by MUC1-based peptide scaffolds can have a major impact on recognition, and may facilitate the design of more potent and specific galectin-3 inhibitors that can be used as novel chemical tools in dissecting the precise role of galectin-3 in cancer and inflammatory diseases. Another lectin, odorranalectin (OL), has been recently identified from Odorrana grahami skin secretions as the smallest cyclic peptide lectin, has a particular selectivity for L-fucose and very low toxicity and immunogenicity, rendering OL an excellent candidate for drug delivery to targeted sites, such as: (1) tumor-associated fucosylated antigens implicated in the pathogenesis of several cancers, for overcoming the nonspecificity of most anticancer agents; (2) the olfactory epithelium of nasal mucosa for enhanced delivery of peptide-based drugs to the brain. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2015.

A incidência de casos de melanoma tem aumentado em todo o mundo sendo que, apesar do diagnóstico precoce e do advento das terapias moleculares, o número de pacientes que morrem com a doença em estágio avançado continua em elevação. Deste modo as pesquisas atuais têm focado no desenvolvimento de diferentes estratégias para a disponibilização de terapias eficazes e acessíveis. Nesse contexto, a via de administração transdérmica constitui uma alternativa promissora para aumentar a eficácia local e sistêmica de fármacos, incluindo agentes antitumorais. Diversos métodos têm sido desenvolvidos para maximizar a permeação cutânea de fármacos, destacando-se, entre esses, a ablação térmica por radiofrequência (RF). Esse processo resulta na criação de vários microcanais entre a epiderme e a derme, pelos quais diversas moléculas podem passar em direção às camadas mais profundas da pele. Nesse estudo, a eficácia da infusão transdérmica de etoposídeo por dispositivo de radiofrequência fracionada foi avaliada em modelo de melanoma murino. Camundongos da linhagem C56BL/6 foram divididos nos seguintes grupos experimentais: 1) controle; 2) tratados com radiofrequência; 3) tratados com a aplicação tópica de etoposídeo; e 4) tratados com radiofrequência e posterior aplicação tópica de etoposídeo. Os tratamentos foram realizados durante o período de 28 dias. O peso corpóreo, o volume tumoral e o perfil hematológico foram avaliados semanalmente. Ao término do tratamento os animais foram eutanasiados e procedeu-se a coleta da massa tumoral e dos órgãos (pulmão, baço, rins, linfonodos e fígado) para análise histopatológica. As células tumorais obtidas das massas tumorais foram analisadas quanto às alterações do ciclo celular e do potencial transmembrânico mitocondrial. Os resultados demonstraram que o tratamento com etoposídeo isolado reduziu a sobrevida dos animais e ocasionou alterações histológicas indicativas de toxicidade. Em contrapartida, a infusão transdérmica do etoposídeo por dispositivo de radiofrequência promoveu redução significativa do volume tumoral, em comparação com todos os grupos experimentais, sem ocasionar mortalidade. Esse tratamento também diminuiu a plaquetocitose e elevou o número de eritrócitos em comparação com os outros grupos. A análise histopatológica dos órgãos dos animais tratados com RF + etoposídeo evidenciou que não houveram alterações significativas na arquitetura tecidual. Ainda, o grupo tratado com RF + etoposídeo foi o que apresentou o maior percentual de células estacionadas na fase S/G2M e com mitocôndrias inativas, evidenciando o aumento da eficácia demonstrada no estudo in vivo. O conjunto de resultados sugere que o tratamento com a radiofrequência seguida do etoposídeo resulta em melhor resposta antitumoral do quimioterápico, com baixos índices de toxicidade sistêmica / The incidence of melanoma cases has increased worldwide and, despite early diagnosis and targeted molecular therapy, the number of patients dying from metastatic disease continues to rise. Thus, current research has focused on the development of different treatment strategies to provide efficient and accessible solutions. In this sense, transdermal delivery is a promising alternative enhancing the local and systemic efficacy of drugs, including antitumor agents. Several methods have been developed to improve the skin permeation of drugs, highlighting, among those, the radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA). This process results in the creation of many microchannels between the epidermis and the dermis through which several molecules can pass towards the deeper layers of the skin. In this study, the efficacy of the transdermal delivery of etoposide by a fractional radiofrequency device was evaluated in a murine melanoma model. C56BL/6 lineage mice were divided into the following experimental groups: 1) control; 2) treated with radiofrequency; 3) treated with topical applications of etoposide; and 4) treated with radiofrequency followed by topical applications of etoposide. The animals were treated for 28 days and the body weight, tumor volume and hematological profile were analyzed weekly. At the end of the treatments, the animals were euthanized and the tumor mass and organs (lung, spleen, kidneys, lymph nodes and liver) were collected for histopathological analysis. Tumor cells obtained from the tumor masses were analyzed for changes in the cell cycle and mitochondrial transmembrane potential. The results showed that the treatment with etoposide alone reduced the survival of the animals and caused histological changes indicating toxicity. On the other hand, the transdermal delivery of etoposide by a radiofrequency device resulted in a significant reduction of the tumor volume, in comparison with all the experimental groups, not causing mortality. This treatment also decreased thrombocytosis and increased the number of red blood cells compared to the other groups. The histopathological analysis of the organs from animals treated with RFA + etoposide demonstrated that there was no significant change in tissue architecture. Furthermore, the group treated with RFA + etoposide presented the highest percentage of cells with inactive mitochondria and interruption at the S/G2M stage, corroborating the increased efficacy of the in vivo study. The set of results indicates that the treatment with radiofrequency followed by etoposide results in better antitumor responses of chemotherapy, with low toxicity rates

A doença de Chagas é causada pelo Trypanosoma cruzi e acomete milhões de pessoas, principalmente as de baixa renda em países subdesenvolvidos. É considerada uma doença negligenciada, não existindo uma terapia eficaz contra os parasitas na fase crônica da doença. Estudos preliminares demonstraram que o ácido ursólico apresenta atividade tripanocida, entretanto, este fármaco possui baixa solubilidade em água, o que prejudica a sua biodisponibilidade. Com o intuito de viabilizar a terapia com ácido ursólico, as nanopartículas poliméricas são sistemas de liberação promissores, devido a sua capacidade de liberação modificada. Além disso, os sistemas nanoencapsulados destacam-se pela alta eficiência de encapsulação do fármaco, proteção contra degradação, e menor possibilidade de causar toxicidade. O objetivo deste trabalho foi o desenvolvimento e a caracterização de nanopartículas de policaprolactona para a veiculação de ácido ursólico, visando à otimização da terapia da Doença de Chagas. O estudo teve início com o desenvolvimento das nanopartículas poliméricas contendo ácido ursólico. A formulação obtida neste estudo pela técnica da nanoprecipitação apresentou menor valor de tamanho de partícula (173,17±4,20) e índice de polidispersividade (0,09±24,77), com perfil monomodal, potencial zeta de -36 mV e eficiência de encapsulação de 94,1±1,31%. O tamanho das partículas observado na microscopia eletrônica de varredura demonstrou ser compatível com os valores observados nas análises de espalhamento dinâmico de luz, embora tenha apresentado uma característica agregada e ligeiramente esférica. Através da determinação do coeficiente de partição do ácido ursólico foi possível avaliar a alta lipofilicidade do ácido ursólico. Na determinação do coeficiente de solubilidade do ácido ursólico, o lauril sulfato de sódio foi o tensoativo de escolha para o estudo in vitro do perfil de liberação, solubilizando aproximadamente 300 ?g.mL-1 de fármaco, mas não foi possível a realização do estudo in vitro do perfil de liberação, devido a sua característica altamente lipofílica. O estudo da citotoxicidade por ensaio de resazurina mostrou que a formulação escolhida não alterou a viabilidade celular de células LLCMK2, portanto sem toxicidade para o meio biológico, bem como evidenciou a capacidade das nanopartículas poliméricas contendo ácido ursólico de reduzir a viabilidade dos parasitas em aproximadamente 50%. A avaliação da atividade biológica do ácido ursólico em camundongo C57BL/6 infectados com a cepa Y do Trypanosoma cruzi apresentou uma redução acentuada (p<0,001) dos tripomastigotas quando comparados ao grupo I, sugerindo uma liberação sustentada do ácido ursólico nesse modelo de nanopartículas poliméricas. Como conclusão, as nanopartículas poliméricas contendo ácido ursólico podem ser propostas como uma abordagem quimioprofilática da doença de Chagas, considerando a necessidade dessa medida de segurança para pacientes que recebem transfusão sanguínea no Sistema Único de Saúde no Brasil. / Chagas disease is caused by parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and affects millions of lowincome in developing countries and because of that it is neglected by the pharmaceutical industry and there is no effective therapy against parasites in the chronic phase of the disease. Preliminary studies showed that ursolic acid presents tripanocidal activity, however, it has low water solubility, which reduces its bioavailability. Among the existing drug delivery systems, polymeric nanoparticles play a central role, due to their ability to sustain or control the release of drugs. Moreover, nanocoated systems are distinguished by high drug encapsulation efficiency, protection from degradation, and less likely to cause irritation. The aim of this work is development and characterization of the polymeric nanoparticles containing ursolic acid, aiming to optimize the treatment of Chagas disease. The study began with the development of polymeric nanoparticles containing ursolic acid. The formulation obtained in this study by the nanoprecipitation technique showed the lowest particle size (173.17 ± 4.20) and polydispersity index (0.09 ± 24.77), with monomodal profile, zeta potential of -36 mV and encapsulation efficiency was 94.1% ± 1.31. The size of the particles observed by scanning electron microscopy showed to be compatible with the values observed in the analysis of dynamic light scattering, although it had an aggregate and slightly spherical characteristic. By determining the coefficient of ursolic acid partition was possible to evaluate the high lipophilicity of ursolic acid. In determining the solubility coefficient of ursolic acid, sodium lauryl sulfate was the surfactant of choice for studying in vitro release profile, solubilizing approximately 300 ?g.mL-1 of the drug, but it has not been possible to conduct the study in vitro release profile, due to its highly lipophilic character. The study of resazurin cytotoxicity assay showed that the formulation did not alter the cell viability of LLCMK2 cells, and therefore, without toxicity to the biological environment and demonstrated the ability of the polymeric nanoparticles containing ursolic acid to reduce the viability of parasites in approximately 50 %. The evaluation of biological activity of ursolic acid in mice C57BL/6 mice infected with the Y strain of Trypanosoma cruzi showed a marked reduction (p<0.001) of trypomastigotes when compared to group I, suggesting a sustained release of ursolic acid in polymeric nanoparticles model. In conclusion, polymeric nanoparticles containing ursolic acid may be proposed as a chemoprophylactic approach of Chagas disease, considering the need for this safety measure for patients receiving blood transfusion Health System in Brazil.

O objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver e avaliar in vivo sistemas bioadesivos semissólidos (géis) e filmes contendo metronidazol e benzoato de metronidazol microencapsulado, liberado modificadamente intrabolsa periodontal, em pacientes submetidos a tratamento convencional para periodontite crônica (Raspagem e Alisamento Radicular - RAR) e a tratamento associado RAR ao gel ou ao filme. Foi realizado um estudo clínico controlado, randomizado e duplocego em humanos, para testar a hipótese de que o uso associado do sistema de liberação local (filme ou gel) à raspagem e alisamento radicular (RAR) é superior à terapia isolada. Participaram do estudo 45 pacientes de ambos os gêneros, da Faculdade de Odontologia de Ribeirão Preto da USP, os quais possuíam ao menos 2 dentes com periodontite crônica, totalizando para o estudo um &ldquo;n&rdquo; de 96 dentes, divididos aleatoriamente em 3 grupos: grupo 1 raspagem e alisamento radicular (RAR) controle ativo; grupo 2 - RAR + gel de metronidazol; grupo 3 RAR + filme com metronidazol. As concentrações dos fármacos e o tempo de liberação no fluido crevicular gengival foram monitorados. Os efeitos dos tratamentos foram avaliados pelo acompanhamento longitudinal de parâmetros clínicos (profundidade de sondagem, nível clínico de inserção e sangramento à sondagem) com o uso de sonda periodontal computadorizada e analisados estatisticamente por meio de ANOVA e pós-teste de Bonferroni, e microbiológicos da periodontite pela técnica de DNA-DNA Checkerboard Hibridization. Os resultados da análise das concentrações de metronidazol e benzoato de metronidazol nas bolsas periodontais dos pacientes foram considerados em avaliação paralela intragrupos e demonstraram que os fármacos foram detectados em concentração efetiva até 48 horas após a aplicação in situ, porém não foi observada diferença significante entre os grupos avaliados. Para os parâmetros microbiológicos foi detectada diferença estatística (teste de Friedmann, para valores de p<0,05) em relação aos grupos com utilização dos fármacos comparado ao grupo somente com a RAR. Conclui-se que o tratamento com os fármacos em ambas formas farmacêuticas (gel e filme), foi mais efetivo que o controle para a redução significativa dos microrganismos, tornando-se alternativa terapêutica de grande valia. / The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate in vivo bioadhesive semisolid systems (gels) and films containing metronidazole and metronidazole benzoate microencapsulated, modified release periodontal intrapocket, in patients undergoing conventional treatment for chronic periodontitis (RAR) and associated with RAR gel or film. A double - blind controlled human clinical trial was conducted to test the hypothesis that the use of the local delivery system (film or gel) to scaling and root planing (RAR) is superior to the isolated therapy. The study consisted of 45 patients from the Dental School of Ribeirão Preto - USP, both of whom had at least 2 teeth with chronic periodontitis, comprising a total of 96 teeth, randomly divided into 3 groups: group 1 - Scaling and root planing (RAR) - active control; Group 2 - RAR + gel with metronidazole Group 3 -. RAR + film with metronidazole; drug concentrations and release time in the gingival crevicular fluid were monitored. The effects of the treatments were evaluated by the longitudinal monitoring of clinical parameters (depth of probing, clinical level of insertion and bleeding to the probing) and analyzed statistically by ANOVA and Bonferroni post-test, and microbiological periodontitis by DNA-DNA Checkerboard Hibridization. The results of the analysis of metronidazole and metronidazole benzoate concentrations in patients\' periodontal pockets were considered in parallel intragroup analyzes and demonstrated that the drugs were detected in effective concentration up to 48 hours after the in situ application, but no significant difference was observed between the Groups evaluated. For the microbiological parameters a statistical difference was detected (Friedmann test, for values of p <0.05) in relation to the groups using the drugs compared to the RAR only group. It was concluded that the treatment with the drugs in both pharmaceutical forms (gel and film), was more effective than the control for the significant reduction of the microorganisms, becoming a therapeutic alternative of great value.