Theory has been used to complement experiment in the development of both drugs and delivery systems. Theoretical methods are capable of identifying the molecular basis of drug formulation inadequacies and systematic theoretical studies may suggest fruitful avenues for material modification. This thesis highlights the utility of computer-based theoretical calculations for guiding the design of drug formulations and enhancing material-drug compatibility and stability. Specifically, the present work explores the applications of semi-empirical methods and atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to enhance the performance of nano-emulsions and polymer micelle formulations for the delivery of hydrophobic drugs. This work includes three separate studies preceded by an introductory summary of available theoretical techniques. The first study evaluates the accuracy and reliability of semi-empirical methods and MD simulations as means to select suitable excipients to formulate the anti-cancer drug docetaxel in an emulsion. Here, simulations accurately predict the rank order of drug solubility in various excipients, suggesting that simulation is useful for library enrichment. In the second study, a drug conjugation approach is used to further improve the stability and solubility of docetaxel in a triglyceride-based nano-emulsion. Here, optimal conjugates are identified with computer-based theoretical calculations and conjugates with formulation-compatible moieties are synthesized. As predicted, the conjugates exhibit enhanced solubility and loading efficiency in a nano-emulsion. The goal of the third study is to rationally design a stable unimolecular star copolymer that, as a unimer, does not disassemble upon the dilution that accompanies intravenous injection. Here, MD simulation is used to systematically investigate the solution properties of differently composed star copolymers. Overall, star copolymers with a hydrophobic PCL core ≤ 2 kDa and hydrophilic PEG blocks approaching 14.6 kDa per arm are predicted to form unimolecular micelles that remain unimeric at high concentrations. The studies presented in this thesis demonstrate that theoretical approaches are useful for fast pre-screening of drug formulation materials and for the development of delivery systems and drug derivatives.

Theory has been used to complement experiment in the development of both drugs and delivery systems. Theoretical methods are capable of identifying the molecular basis of drug formulation inadequacies and systematic theoretical studies may suggest fruitful avenues for material modification. This thesis highlights the utility of computer-based theoretical calculations for guiding the design of drug formulations and enhancing material-drug compatibility and stability. Specifically, the present work explores the applications of semi-empirical methods and atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to enhance the performance of nano-emulsions and polymer micelle formulations for the delivery of hydrophobic drugs. This work includes three separate studies preceded by an introductory summary of available theoretical techniques. The first study evaluates the accuracy and reliability of semi-empirical methods and MD simulations as means to select suitable excipients to formulate the anti-cancer drug docetaxel in an emulsion. Here, simulations accurately predict the rank order of drug solubility in various excipients, suggesting that simulation is useful for library enrichment. In the second study, a drug conjugation approach is used to further improve the stability and solubility of docetaxel in a triglyceride-based nano-emulsion. Here, optimal conjugates are identified with computer-based theoretical calculations and conjugates with formulation-compatible moieties are synthesized. As predicted, the conjugates exhibit enhanced solubility and loading efficiency in a nano-emulsion. The goal of the third study is to rationally design a stable unimolecular star copolymer that, as a unimer, does not disassemble upon the dilution that accompanies intravenous injection. Here, MD simulation is used to systematically investigate the solution properties of differently composed star copolymers. Overall, star copolymers with a hydrophobic PCL core ≤ 2 kDa and hydrophilic PEG blocks approaching 14.6 kDa per arm are predicted to form unimolecular micelles that remain unimeric at high concentrations. The studies presented in this thesis demonstrate that theoretical approaches are useful for fast pre-screening of drug formulation materials and for the development of delivery systems and drug derivatives.

O uso de antioxidantes de origem natural apresenta uma perspectiva promissora na prevenção dos efeitos adversos causados pela radiação ultravioleta, incluindo o fotoenvelhecimento e a fotocarcinogênese. As atividades antioxidante, fotoprotetora e antienvelhecimento cutâneo foram demonstradas para o extrato de Pothomorphe umbellata. No entanto, seu potencial protetor da fotocarcinogênese ainda não foi estabelecido. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar os efeitos da aplicação tópica do gel de extrato de raiz de P. umbelallta nas alterações promovidas pelas exposições aguda (dose única - 0,20 KJ/m2) e crônica (4 semanas, dose total de 8,6 KJ/m2, 5 semanas, 13,17KJ/m2, 15 semanas, 55,51 KJ/m2) à radiação ultravioleta B na pele de camundongos sem pelo. Para avaliação dos antioxidantes não enzimáticos, ácido ascórbico e α-tocoferol, foram utilizados métodos de cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência e para avaliação dos enzimáticos, catalase, superóxido dismutase, glutationa peroxidase e glutationa redutase, métodos espectrofotométricos. As modulações das proteínas p53 e PCNA foram avaliadas por imunohistoquímica. Os resultados demonstram que o tratamento com gel de extrato de raiz de P. umbellata é capaz de modular o sistema antioxidante na pele de camundongos sem pêlo, proporcionando maior proteção frente à exposição à radiação UVB. Além disso, os resultados sugerem que a aplicação tópica de extrato de P. umbellata protege contra os danos causados pela radiação modulando vias de reparo e/ou morte celular. Estes resultados contribuem para elucidação do mecanismo de ação do extrato de P.umbellata na pele exposta à radiação UVB, indicando sua capacidade em preservar a pele sadia após a irradiação. / Topical application of botanical antioxidants has been appreciated as a viable approach to reduce the occurrence of deleterious damage cased by sunlight exposure, such as photoaging and photocarcinogenesis. The plant Pothomorphe umbellata has been shown to exert a potent antioxidant activity on the skin and to delay the onset and reduce the incidence of UVB-induced skin damage and photoaging. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of topical P. umbellata treatment on acute (single dose 0.20 KJ/m2) and chronic (4 weeks, total dose 8.6 KJ/m2, 5 weeks, 13.17KJ/m2, 15 weeks, 55.51 KJ/m2) UVB-induced damage hairless mouse epidermis. Nonenzymic antioxidants, ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol, were assayed by high performance liquid chromatography and enzymic antioxidants, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase, spectrophotometrically. UVB-induced p53 and PCNA were deteted by immunohistochemical technique. The data collected here suggest that topical application of P. umbellata extract affords strong protection against UVB-induced damages in skin epidermis by either preventing DNA damage or enhancing repair and inhibiting UVB-caused apoptosis and sunburn cell formation. Moreover, the results also suggest that P. umbellata extract modulates the cutaneous antioxidant network resulting in reduced susceptibility to UVB-induced oxidative damage. Together these results contribute for the elucidation of the mechanism of action of P.umbellata on UVB exposed skin and indicate the capacity of this extract to preserve skin health after irradiation.

O uso de antioxidantes de origem natural apresenta uma perspectiva promissora na prevenção dos efeitos adversos causados pela radiação ultravioleta, incluindo o fotoenvelhecimento e a fotocarcinogênese. As atividades antioxidante, fotoprotetora e antienvelhecimento cutâneo foram demonstradas para o extrato de Pothomorphe umbellata. No entanto, seu potencial protetor da fotocarcinogênese ainda não foi estabelecido. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar os efeitos da aplicação tópica do gel de extrato de raiz de P. umbelallta nas alterações promovidas pelas exposições aguda (dose única - 0,20 KJ/m2) e crônica (4 semanas, dose total de 8,6 KJ/m2, 5 semanas, 13,17KJ/m2, 15 semanas, 55,51 KJ/m2) à radiação ultravioleta B na pele de camundongos sem pelo. Para avaliação dos antioxidantes não enzimáticos, ácido ascórbico e α-tocoferol, foram utilizados métodos de cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência e para avaliação dos enzimáticos, catalase, superóxido dismutase, glutationa peroxidase e glutationa redutase, métodos espectrofotométricos. As modulações das proteínas p53 e PCNA foram avaliadas por imunohistoquímica. Os resultados demonstram que o tratamento com gel de extrato de raiz de P. umbellata é capaz de modular o sistema antioxidante na pele de camundongos sem pêlo, proporcionando maior proteção frente à exposição à radiação UVB. Além disso, os resultados sugerem que a aplicação tópica de extrato de P. umbellata protege contra os danos causados pela radiação modulando vias de reparo e/ou morte celular. Estes resultados contribuem para elucidação do mecanismo de ação do extrato de P.umbellata na pele exposta à radiação UVB, indicando sua capacidade em preservar a pele sadia após a irradiação. / Topical application of botanical antioxidants has been appreciated as a viable approach to reduce the occurrence of deleterious damage cased by sunlight exposure, such as photoaging and photocarcinogenesis. The plant Pothomorphe umbellata has been shown to exert a potent antioxidant activity on the skin and to delay the onset and reduce the incidence of UVB-induced skin damage and photoaging. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of topical P. umbellata treatment on acute (single dose 0.20 KJ/m2) and chronic (4 weeks, total dose 8.6 KJ/m2, 5 weeks, 13.17KJ/m2, 15 weeks, 55.51 KJ/m2) UVB-induced damage hairless mouse epidermis. Nonenzymic antioxidants, ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol, were assayed by high performance liquid chromatography and enzymic antioxidants, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase, spectrophotometrically. UVB-induced p53 and PCNA were deteted by immunohistochemical technique. The data collected here suggest that topical application of P. umbellata extract affords strong protection against UVB-induced damages in skin epidermis by either preventing DNA damage or enhancing repair and inhibiting UVB-caused apoptosis and sunburn cell formation. Moreover, the results also suggest that P. umbellata extract modulates the cutaneous antioxidant network resulting in reduced susceptibility to UVB-induced oxidative damage. Together these results contribute for the elucidation of the mechanism of action of P.umbellata on UVB exposed skin and indicate the capacity of this extract to preserve skin health after irradiation.