Modifying eye drops using hyaluronan leads to an increased retention time on the eye surface. Long-lasting observations of the stability of two different eye drops, Opthalmo-Septonex and Visine Classic, after the addition of hyaluronan with varying concentration are presented in this work. The interactions of hyaluronan with the eye drops, or their components benzalkonium chloride and tetryzoline, are investigated by monitoring particle sizes and the charge of the molecules. Additionally, rheological examinations of the samples are done and the mucoadhesion index is determined by using the mucine method.

La voie orale suscite un intérêt pour l'administration des médicaments anticancéreux, qui sont encore administrés essentiellement par voie parentérale. En effet, la biodisponibilité des principes actifs est fortement limitée par leurs propriétés physico-chimiques et des facteurs physiologiques. L'utilisation de systèmes à base de lipides et de nanoparticules polymères peuvent se montrer très performants pour surmonter certaines limitations. L'objectif de ce travail a consisté à développer deux familles de systèmes dispersés pour la voie orale contenant dans leur phase interne de l'huile de copaïba servant de véhicules à des médicaments anticancéreux comme le paclitaxel. Dans la première partie du travail a été consacrée au développement et à la validation de méthodes d’analyses de l’huile de copaiba par chromatographie en phase gaseuse et de dosage du paclitaxel dans l'huile de copaïba. Dans la deuxième partie du travail, des microémulsions d'huile de copaïba/eau ont été formulée en proposant une approche originale basée sur la complémentarité chimique des composés de l'huile et des tensioactifs. Cette approche a permis l'obtention de microémulsion contenant des fractions volumiques importantes de l'huile essentielle de copaïba (19.6%) tout en maintenant les concentrations en tensioactifs faible (13.7%). Du paclitaxel a pu être incorporé dans les microémulsions sans perturber notablement les caractéristiques du system. La troisième partie du travail a été consacré au développement de nanocapsules mucoadhésives contenant de l'huile de copaïba. La mise en œuvre d’un plan d’expérience a contribué à la formulation de nanocapsules incorporant du paclitaxel pouvant être marquée par une sonde fluorescente. La stabilité des nanocapsules a été étudiée dans des milieux gastrique et intestinaux simulés. Leur mucoadhésion a été évaluée sur des fragments de muqueuse intestinale prélevés chez le rat. Les résultats de ces travaux ont conduit au développement de deux formulations de paclitaxel dans des nanosystèmes originaux qui pourront par la suite être évalués pour en étudier leur capacité à délivrer l'agent anticancéreux par voie orale. / Anticancer drug are still mainly administered by the parenteral route. Oral delivery is limited the physicochemical properties of drugs and physiological. Systems based on lipids and polymeric nanoparticles may overcome these limitations. The aim of our project was to develop dispersed systems containing copaiba oil in their internal phase as vehicle for oral administration of paclitaxel, an anticancer drug, paclitaxel. The work was carried on in three parts. At first, methods of analysis of copaiba oil and of dosage of paclitaxel in this oil were developed and validated based on gas chromatography and HPLC respectively. Then, copaiba oil/water microemulsion was formulated from a new approach based on the pairing of chemical properties of the oil components and the surfactants. Stable microemulsion containing remarkably high amount of copaiba essential oil (volume fraction 19.6%) and a low surfactant concentration (13.7%) were obtained and could incorporate paclitaxel. Finally, an experimental design approach was proposed to develop mucoadhesive nanocapsules encapsulating copaiba oil, paclitaxel and that can be labeled with a fluorescent. These systems were tested for their ability to concentrate paclitaxel on the gut mucosa by evaluating their mucoadhesion using a ex vivo model based on the Ussing chambers. The nanosystems proposed in this work are ready for an evaluation for their capacity to deliver this anticancer drug by the oral route.

Avec près de 30 millions de morts depuis le début de la pandémie, l’infection par le VIH est un véritable fléau à l’échelle mondiale, surtout en Afrique sub-saharienne. Dans ce contexte, disposer d’une formulation microbicide efficace, facile à administrer par la voie vaginale, représenterait un outil de prévention idéal pour lutter contre cette pandémie. Ainsi, la conception rationnelle de telles formulations représente un enjeu majeur de santé publique.Ce travail décrit la recherche de formulations thermogélifiantes et mucoadhésives à base de pluronics et d’hydroxypropyl méthylcellulose (HPMC). Outre la caractérisation de leurs propriétés rhéologiques et d’adhésion, ainsi que des études en culture cellulaire suggérant une très faible toxicité de contact, ces hydrogels ont montré d’une part, leur capacité à véhiculer efficacement le peptide M48U1 (équipe L. Martin, CEA) destiné à bloquer l’entrée cellulaire du VIH et d’autre part à ralentir considérablement la diffusion de nanoparticules modèles mimant les particules virale matures du VIH-1, en comparaison d’hydrogel d'hydroxy éthylcellulose (HEC) fréquemment utilisés dans divers essais cliniques infructueux et aussi au mucus cervico-vaginal de macaque. L’ensemble des résultats suggère donc la capacité de ces formulations à constituer une double barrière, physique et pharmacologique, protectrice de la muqueuse vaginale vis-à-vis du VIH. / With nearly 30 million deaths since the start of the pandemic, HIV infection is a major problem globally, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. In this context, have an effective microbicide formulation, easily administered by the vaginal route, would be a great prevention tool to fight against this pandemic. Thus, the rational design of such formulations is a major issue of public health.This paper describes research of mucoadhesive and thermogelling formulations based on pluronics and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). Further characterization of their rheological properties and adhesion, and cell culture studies suggesting a very low contact toxicity, these hydrogels showed on one hand, their ability to effectively convey the peptide M48U1 (L. Martin team, CEA) for blocking the entry of HIV cellular and on the other hand to considerably slow down the diffusion of nanoparticles models mimicking viral particles mature HIV-1, compared to hydroxy ethylcellulose hydrogel (HEC) commonly used in various unsuccessful clinical trials and also in cervico-vaginal mucus of macaque. The overall results therefore suggest the ability of these formulations constitute a double barrier, physical and pharmacological, protective of the vaginal mucosa from the HIV.

Selon les dernières estimations de l'OMS, on enregistre chaque année dans le monde 498.9 millions de nouveaux cas d'infections sexuellement transmissibles (IST) dont 276.4 millions sont dus au parasite Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis). Au niveau du tractus génital, la colonisation et l’irritation de la muqueuse vaginale par T. vaginalis favorisent la survenue de complications infectieuses. Ces infections associées peuvent conduire à des infections chroniques et avoir à terme des conséquences graves (stérilité, rupture prématuré du placenta, mort prématurée du nourrisson). De plus, ces infections vaginales représentent des facteurs qui favorisent les infections par le Virus d’Immunodéficience Humaine (VIH-1).A l’heure actuelle, la lutte contre ce type d’infections consiste à agir tant au niveau curatif, que préventif. Ainsi, l’objectif de ce projet est de développer de nouvelles formulations pour la prévention et le traitement des pathogènes qui colonisent les muqueuses vaginales. Dans ce contexte, la formulation que nous proposons est composée de metronidazole inclut dans un hydrogel thermogélifiant à base de pluronic® F127 et de chitosane. Il a été montré que cet hydrogel conserve ces propriétés physiques à une température physiologique même après dilution dans les fluides vaginaux. Ces hydrogels sont stables et permettent une libération prolongée du metronidazole. La formulation n’a montré aucune toxicité envers les cellules HeLa ni envers la muqueuse vaginale porcine. L’efficacité de cette formulation a été prouvée envers T. vaginalis et présente un effet protecteur envers les cellules HeLa en présence de T. vaginalis. L’ensemble des résultats suggère donc la capacité́ de cette formulation à constituer une double barrière, physique et pharmacologique, protectrice de la muqueuse vaginale vis-à-vis de T. vaginalis. / According to the latest WHO estimates, 498 millions of new cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are recorded annually in the world, including 276.4 million due to the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis). In the genital tract colonization and irritation of the vaginal mucosa by T. vaginalis promote the occurrence of infectious complications. Associated infections can lead to chronic infections and eventually have serious consequences (infertility, premature placental abruption, premature death). In addition, these vaginal infections can promote infection by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1).Currently, the fight against these infections is to act at curative and preventive level. Thus, the objective of this project is to develop new formulations for the prevention and treatment of pathogens that colonize the vaginal mucosa. In this context, we propose a formulation composed of metronidazole and chitosan include in a thermogelling hydrogel of pluronic F127®.It was shown that the hydrogel retains its physical properties even at a physiological temperature and after dilution in the vaginal fluids. These hydrogels are stable and allow a sustained release of the metronidazole. The formulation showed no toxicity against HeLa cells or porcine vaginal mucosa. The effectiveness of this formulation has been proven against T vaginalis and has a protective effect on HeLa cells in the presence of T. vaginalis. The overall results therefore suggest the ability of this formulation to form a double barrier, physical and pharmacological, than protect vaginal mucosa against T. vaginalis.

Background: In addition to conventional chemotherapeutics, nucleic acid-based therapeutics like antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (AS-ODN) represent a novel approach for the treatment of bladder cancer (BCa). An efcient delivery of AS-ODN to the urothelium and then into cancer cells might be achieved by the local application of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). In the present study, pristine MWCNT and MWCNT functionalized with hydrophilic moieties were synthesized and then investigated regarding their physicochemical characteristics, dispersibility, biocompatibility, cellular uptake and mucoadhesive properties. Finally, their binding capacity for AS-ODN via hybridization to carrier strand oligodeoxynucleotides (CS-ODN), which were either non-covalently adsorbed or covalently bound to the diferent MWCNT types, was evaluated. Results: Pristine MWCNT were successfully functionalized with hydrophilic moieties (MWCNT-OH, -COOH, -NH2, -SH), which led to an improved dispersibility and an enhanced dispersion stability. A viability assay revealed that MWCNTOH, MWCNT-NH2 and MWCNT-SH were most biocompatible. All MWCNT were internalized by BCa cells, whereupon the highest uptake was observed for MWCNT-OH with 40% of the cells showing an engulfment. Furthermore, all types of MWCNT could adhere to the urothelium of explanted mouse bladders, but the amount of the covered urothelial area was with 2–7% rather low. As indicated by fuorescence measurements, it was possible to attach CS-ODN by adsorption and covalent binding to functionalized MWCNT. Adsorption of CS-ODN to pristine MWCNT, MWCNT-COOH and MWCNT-NH2 as well as covalent coupling to MWCNT-NH2 and MWCNT-SH resulted in the best binding capacity and stability. Subsequently, therapeutic AS-ODN could be hybridized to and reversibly released from the CS-ODN coupled via both strategies to the functionalized MWCNT. The release of AS-ODN at experimental conditions (80 °C, bufer) was most efective from CS-ODN adsorbed to MWCNT-OH and MWCNT-NH2 as well as from CS-ODN covalently attached to MWCNT-COOH, MWCNT-NH2 and MWCNT-SH. Furthermore, we could exemplarily demonstrate that AS-ODN could be released following hybridization to CS-ODN adsorbed to MWCNT-OH at physiological settings (37 °C, urine). Conclusions: In conclusion, functionalized MWCNT might be used as nanotransporters in antisense therapy for the local treatment of BCa.

Background: In addition to conventional chemotherapeutics, nucleic acid-based therapeutics like antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (AS-ODN) represent a novel approach for the treatment of bladder cancer (BCa). An efcient delivery of AS-ODN to the urothelium and then into cancer cells might be achieved by the local application of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). In the present study, pristine MWCNT and MWCNT functionalized with hydrophilic moieties were synthesized and then investigated regarding their physicochemical characteristics, dispersibility, biocompatibility, cellular uptake and mucoadhesive properties. Finally, their binding capacity for AS-ODN via hybridization to carrier strand oligodeoxynucleotides (CS-ODN), which were either non-covalently adsorbed or covalently bound to the diferent MWCNT types, was evaluated. Results: Pristine MWCNT were successfully functionalized with hydrophilic moieties (MWCNT-OH, -COOH, -NH2, -SH), which led to an improved dispersibility and an enhanced dispersion stability. A viability assay revealed that MWCNTOH, MWCNT-NH2 and MWCNT-SH were most biocompatible. All MWCNT were internalized by BCa cells, whereupon the highest uptake was observed for MWCNT-OH with 40% of the cells showing an engulfment. Furthermore, all types of MWCNT could adhere to the urothelium of explanted mouse bladders, but the amount of the covered urothelial area was with 2–7% rather low. As indicated by fuorescence measurements, it was possible to attach CS-ODN by adsorption and covalent binding to functionalized MWCNT. Adsorption of CS-ODN to pristine MWCNT, MWCNT-COOH and MWCNT-NH2 as well as covalent coupling to MWCNT-NH2 and MWCNT-SH resulted in the best binding capacity and stability. Subsequently, therapeutic AS-ODN could be hybridized to and reversibly released from the CS-ODN coupled via both strategies to the functionalized MWCNT. The release of AS-ODN at experimental conditions (80 °C, bufer) was most efective from CS-ODN adsorbed to MWCNT-OH and MWCNT-NH2 as well as from CS-ODN covalently attached to MWCNT-COOH, MWCNT-NH2 and MWCNT-SH. Furthermore, we could exemplarily demonstrate that AS-ODN could be released following hybridization to CS-ODN adsorbed to MWCNT-OH at physiological settings (37 °C, urine). Conclusions: In conclusion, functionalized MWCNT might be used as nanotransporters in antisense therapy for the local treatment of BCa.

CHARLES UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF PHARMACY IN HRADEC KRÁLOVÉ DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICAL TECHNOLOGY Author: Tereza Pokorná Title of Diploma thesis Terbinafine-loaded biodegradable polymeric systems for topical administration Supervisor: PharmDr. Eva Šnejdrová, Ph.D. In the diploma thesis the released properties of solid dispersions with terbinafine, based on polyesters of D,L-lactic acid and glycol acid, branched with pentaerythritol and tripentaerythritol are studied. The theoretical part deals with solid dispersions, their classification and methods of preparation, methods of drug dissolution testing, properties, effect, use of terbinafine and preparations containing terbinafine. In the experimental part, solid dispersions were prepared by the melting method. The drug was incorporated into the polyester in the form of a hydrochloride or a base in a concentration of 10 % or 20 %. Some systems were plasticized with 30% triethyl citrate. Thin layers were formulated from solid dispersions, and drug dissolution tests were performed on phosphate buffer pH 7.4 at 37 řC. Assay of terbinafine released was performed spectrophotometrically at 223 nm and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography. Based on the results of this diploma thesis, it can be clearly stated that the suitable carrier of terbinafine...

CHARLES UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF PHARMACY IN HRADEC KRÁLOVÉ DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICAL TECHNOLOGY Author: Vlastimil Barák Title of Diploma thesis The influence of formulation factors on the characteristics of terbinafine loaded nanoparticles Supervisor: PharmDr. Eva Šnejdrová, Ph.D. Consultant: Mgr. Juraj Martiška The diploma thesis is focused on biodegradable polymer nanoparticles loaded by terbinafine based on the copolymer of glycolic and lactic acid branched on polyacrylic acid. The nanoprecipitation method was employed, and the influence of formulation factors on nanoparticle characteristics was studied. The following formulation factors were the concentration of the polymer, the amount of terbinafine, and the concentration of surfactant. Nanoparticles of 120 nm to 300 nm were obtained depending on the preparation conditions. The nanoparticle polydispersity was in all cases from 0.080 to 0.230. The prepared nanoparticles were stable, as evidenced by zeta potential values above 38 mV. A positive zeta potential is desirable for dermal and mucosal adhesion in the topical and ocular application of nanoparticles with terbinafine. The amount of polymer used to form nanoparticles has the greatest effect on particle size. With increasing polyester concentration in the internal phase, the size of the...