Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) was first discovered in the 1980s, since then, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and AIDS have become global health, social, and economic concerns. HIV was identified as the cause of AIDS in 1985, and this launched a wide-reaching effort to understand its biology. The knowledge acquired from these vast research efforts contributed to the development of modern therapeutic and preventative treatment strategies. According to recent data from the United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the ratio of infected people to AIDS- related deaths has decreased because of the expanding access to antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). The application of ARVs to HIV+ patients increases patients’ lifespans and improves the quality of life. Remaining as an incurable disease, expanding access to antiretroviral drugs and using prevention strategies are the best options to control the HIV pandemic for now. Treatment strategies with ARVs, however, are not sufficient to adequately address the HIV pandemic. Traditional combinational antiretroviral therapies (cART) for HIV treatment are limited by multiple drawbacks such as possible toxicity, limited drug concentrations, drug resistance, and viral rebound. Additionally, inadequate physicochemical properties of ARVs, such as poor solubility, permeability, and bioavailability, lead to limited absorption and biodistribution, resulting in poor clinical outcomes. Patient compliance and suboptimal efficacy lead to the development of resistant viruses and viral reservoirs. The presence of HIV reservoirs would cause viral rebound two to four weeks after terminating treatments. The complexity of reservoir structure, prolonged cell half-life, and the latent HIV viruses complicate HIV treatments iii targeting viral reservoirs. cART exhibits insufficient efficacy towards reservoir sites because of biological barriers and poor physicochemical properties. These problems highlight an urgent need for novel treatment strategies that are safe and effective to address HIV reservoirs. Innovative and improved delivery systems have been proposed over the years, especially lipid-formulations. Lipid formulations have emerged as promising vehicles owing to their ability to encapsulate molecules with poor solubility and bioavailability, improve active targeting, prolong circulation time, and sustain drug release. Cell-mediated delivery strategy have posed the obstacles of insufficient drug transport and safety. Macrophages, the very same cells that carry the HIV virus, could reach tissues that would otherwise have little or no drug penetration. Macrophages can protect drugs from metabolic degradation with large quantities of drugs for delivery. Activated macrophages express the folate receptor, a potential targeting moiety. In this study, I intended to develop a novel folate-decorated nanoemulsion (FA- NE) for the delivery of ARVs to HIV infected macrophages. To reach the goal, I focused on two goals: (1) construction of a nanocarrier capable of encapsulating ARV drugs with physiological properties suitable for use in drug delivery and (2) enhancement of delivery to HIV infected macrophages. In Chapter 2, I discuss the rationale for nanoART for HIV treatments. I introduce current HIV treatments and their drawbacks, notably the viral rebound due to limited drug concentration in viral reservoirs. Then I explain why nanotechnology would be a promising strategy for HIV treatment and provide examples of nanomedicine. In all iv cases, however, cell uptake and drug release were limited or complicated by toxicity, which is a significant issue for a validated delivery system that are safe and effective. In chapter 3, I introduce the design and development of the FA-NE. This system includes (1) an oil core to encapsulate antiretroviral drugs that are highly hydrophobic, (2) a lipid monolayer to protect the oil core and to form nanoemulsion (3) folate for target. The system was prepared using the emulsification solvent evaporation method, developed and optimized based on physical properties, including size, PDI, zeta potential, and other in vitro characterizations, such as encapsulation efficacy, drug loading, stability, and drug release. Chapter 4 is a continuation of the work done in Chapter 3 and focuses on the enhancement of cellular uptake with folate overexpression cell models. A lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activated macrophages was built and utilized for intracellular drug release and retention evaluations. In Chapter 5, cytotoxicity and antiretroviral efficacy studies are described. With the conclusion drawn in Chapter 4, I was curious if the enhanced cellular uptake can be translated into improved efficacy. As a result, collaborated with Dr. Kamel Khalili, School of Medicine, Temple University, we evaluated antiretroviral efficacy with an HIV indicator cell and monocyte-derived-macrophages from human donors. Furthermore, I performed cytotoxicity assay to evaluate this nanoemulsion system safety profile. Chapter 6 summarizes the highlights and conclusions of this project and provides suggestions for the future. / Pharmaceutical Sciences

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The primary objective of this study was to obtain nano-emulsion containing polyphenolic compounds extracted from sour cherry pomace and to investigate the effect of degritting of polyphenolic concentrates on the encapsulation efficiency and particle size distribution of capsules and emulsions. It was also aimed to study storage and baking stability of the capsules. Extracted polyphenolic concentrate was degritted at 10,000 rpm for 2 min. Purification reduced Sauter mean diameter (D[32]) of concentrated extract from 5.76 &mu / m to 0.41 &mu / m. Unpurified and purified concentrates were freeze dried for 48 h to obtain extracted phenolic powder (EPP) and purified extracted phenolic powder (PEPP), respectively. Powders were entrapped in two types of coating materials which contain 10% maltodextrin (MD) or 8% MD-2% gum arabic (GA). Samples were prepared by ultrasonication (160 W, 50% pulse) for 20 min. Emulsions containing EPP had D[32] of 1.65 and 1.61 &mu / m when they were entrapped in 10% MD and 8% MD-2% GA coating material solutions, respectively. It was possible to obtain nano-emulsions when purification step was performed. Emulsions prepared with PEPP and coated with 10% MD and 8% MD-2% GA had D[32] of 0.396 and 0.334 &mu / m, respectively. Encapsulation efficiency of the capsules increased significantly from 86.07-88.45% to 98.01-98.29% by means of degritting (p&le / 0.001). Loss of total phenolic content during storage at 43% and 85% relative humidities was smaller for encapsulated powders when compared to powders not entrapped in coating material. In addition, encapsulation significantly increased retention of phenolic compounds from 15.1-22.2% to 30.4-30.7% during baking (p&le / 0.05).

Chrysin is a flavonoid that can be used as a medication for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to its anti-inflammatory activities. However, no studies have investigated the effectiveness of an inhaled formulation of chrysin on its own or in combination with corticosteroids. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the aerosol performance of chrysin formulations as well as the performance of combined formulations of chrysin and budesonide. Dry powder inhaler formulations were used first, where chrysin was processed using three different techniques, namely ball-milling, sonocrystallisation, and spray drying, to obtain a suitable particle size for inhalation. The highest fine particle fraction was 27% when the sonocrystallised samples were used. As the lung deposition was relatively low, budesonide was not added to the formulations. Next, liquid formulations of chrysin and budesonide were prepared in two concentrations using limonene and oleic acid as the oil phase. In a comparison of low and high drug concentrations of the formulations, the FPF of the formulations prepared with limonene ranged from 45% to 53.3% and from 49.3% to 53.9% for chrysin and budesonide, respectively; by contrast, the FPF of the formulations prepared with oleic acid oil ranged from 41% to 50.4% and from 46% to 53.3% for chrysin and budesonide, respectively. A genotoxicity study confirmed the safety of these combined formulations, and an anti-inflammatory study confirmed the potential for chrysin to be used with budesonide in a combined formulation; thus, chrysin’s anti-inflammatory efficacy can be improved and the required inhaled dose can be reduced.

A nanotecnologia é um fenômeno que se aplica a praticamente todos os etores da ciência, sendo que na área cosmética o elevado investimento neste campo tem reforçado a idéia de que os produtos nanotecnológicos proporcionam vantagens reais aos consumidores. A crescente exigência do consumidor e os avanços no conhecimento sobre a obtenção e estabilidade dos sistemas dispersos viabilizam o desenvolvimento de veículos diferenciados como, por exemplo, nanoemulsões, que além da inerente estabilidade, apresentam aspecto sensorial agradável, alta capacidade de espalhabilidade e hidratação. Existem dois métodos de obtenção das nanoemulsões: empregando baixa ou alta energia de emulsificação. O uso de óleos vegetais em produtos cosméticos tem sido intensamente valorizado, baseando-se no conceito de que são seguros e biocompatíveis. Podem ser utilizados em cosméticos com sua funcionalidade potencializada, sendo estes ricos em ácidos graxos essenciais, Ômega 3, Ômega 6, Ômega 9, fitosteróis, vitamina C e polifenóis (antocianinas). Alguns óleos vegetais têm poder antioxidante comprovado, previnem as oxidações biológicas e reduzem a formação de radicais livres responsáveis pelo dano celular, grande vilão do envelhecimento e das doenças crônico-degenerativas, como o câncer. Atualmente é crescente o interesse da pesquisa sobre a atividade de substâncias capazes de proteger a pele contra a radiação ultravioleta de forma eficaz. O metoxicinamato de octila é um filtro solar químico capaz de proteger a pele e conferir um fator de proteção solar ao produto final. Nesse estudo foram desenvolvidas nanoemulsões à base de óleos de oliva e semente de uva aditivadas de metoxicinamato de octila. Após a análise da estabilidade físico-química e caracterização das formulações, foram avaliados o potencial antioxidante das formulações, o efeito de proteção solar do sistema, liberação e permeação do ativo e uma possível irritação ocular das formulações que se mantiveram estáveis. / Nanotechnology is a phenomenon that is applied to mainly all sectors of science. In the cosmetic area the high investment has strengthened the idea that nanotechnology products offer real advantages to consumers. The growing demand of consumers and the advances in the knowledge about production and stability of dispersed systems enable the development of differentiated vehicles such as nano-emulsions, which besides their inherent stability, they have pleasant sensorial aspect, high spread ability and hydration power. There are two methods of nano-emulsions attainment: low or high energy of emulsifying. The use of vegetable oils in cosmetic products has had enormous and growing value, based in the concept that they are safe and biocompatible. They can be used in cosmetics with their functionality improved, being rich in essential fatty acids, Omega 3, Omega 6, Omega 9, phytosterols, vitamin C and polyphenols (anthocyanins). Some vegetable oils have proved antioxidant power, as well as they avoid biological oxidation and decrease the forming of free radicals responsible for cellular damage, which are the causes of aging and disease such as cancer. Nowadays, the interest of research about the activity of substances that protect the skin against ultraviolet irradiation in an efficacious way is growing. Octylmethoxycinnamate is a chemical sunscreen that can protect skin and offers sun protection factor to final product. In this study nano-emulsions were developed using olive oil and grape seed oil added with octylmethoxycinnamate. After the analysis of the physic-chemical stability and formulation characterization, the antioxidant potential of formulations, the effect of sun protection of the system, delivery and permeation of the active agent, and a possible ocular irritation of the stable formulations were evaluated.

L’arthrose est une maladie dégénérative de l’articulation caractérisée par une dégradation du cartilage, une inflammation de la membrane synoviale et un remodelage de l’os sous-chondral. En conditions physiologiques, les chondrocytes, seul type cellulaire du cartilage, sont en hypoxie (≈ 2% d’oxygène). Le cartilage étant un tissu avascularisé, il existe un gradient de concentration en oxygène au sein des différentes couches du cartilage. Lors du développement de l’arthrose, la dégradation du cartilage provoque une rupture de ce gradient, exposant ainsi les cellules des couches profondes à des concentrations en oxygène beaucoup plus élevées et induisant des modifications de leur métabolisme, ce qui induit leur dysfonction. Le syndrome métabolique est défini par un ensemble de perturbations glucidiques, lipidiques et vasculaires menant au développement de maladies cardiovasculaires et au diabète de type 2. Récemment, un lien entre arthrose et syndrome métabolique a été suggéré, introduisant une notion d’arthrose métabolique. Au cours de cette étude, nous nous sommes intéressés au lien entre arthrose, syndrome métabolique et stress oxydant induit par de fortes concentrations de glucose. Dans la première partie de ce travail, nous avons étudié les effets in vitro de 25 mM de glucose sur une lignée de chondrocytes humains immortalisés (T/C28a2), en hypoxie (2% d’oxygène) et en normoxie (21% d’oxygène). Nous avons montré que le glucose à 25 mM induisait la production d’espèces réactives de l’oxygène (ERO) et de l’azote, l’activation de la caspase 3, la production d’interleukine 6 (IL-6), la diminution de l’activité lysyl oxydase (LOX), qui est impliquée dans les liaisons de pontage des fibres de collagène et d’élastine, ainsi que l’activation du système thiorédoxine (Trx). Ce dernier est un système de défense anti-oxydant endogène composé de la thiorédoxine, de la thiorédoxine réductase (TR) et de Txnip, qui intervient dans le maintien de l’homéostasie cellulaire en réduisant les protéines oxydées, contrôlant ainsi l’environnement redox des cellules. Les effets du glucose 25 mM ont été observés dans les deux conditions d’oxygène étudiées, cependant la réponse cellulaire en normoxie était plus précoce qu’en hypoxie. Nous avons également pu mettre en évidence un rôle de régulateur négatif de la Trx-1 sur la production d’IL-6 faisant intervenir la voie de signalisation p38MAPK. Dans la deuxième partie de ce travail, nous nous sommes intéressés aux effets de l’apport exogène de resvératrol sur les modifications induites par le glucose à 25 mM. Le resvératrol (3,4’,5-trihydroxystilbène) est un polyphénol de la famille des stilbènes, connu pour ses multiples propriétés anti-oxydantes, anti-inflammatoires, anti-diabétiques et anti-cancer. Nous avons pu observer que le resvératrol à 25 μM était capable de diminuer les effets délétères provoqués par le glucose à 25 mM. Cependant, la biodisponibilité du resvératrol est très limitée, empêchant son utilisation en thérapeutique humaine. Par conséquent, dans la troisième partie de cette étude, nous nous sommes intéressés au développement de nouvelles formulations galéniques de resvératrol (nano-émulsions (NE)) et à leurs effets sur un modèle de cellules endothéliales aortiques bovines (BAEC), sur les T/C28a2 ainsi que sur des chondrocytes humains en culture primaire provenant de cartilage de patients arthrosiques. Nous avons montré qu’une des NE permettait d’augmenter le passage intracellulaire de resvératrol dans les deux modèles étudiés et d’en potentialiser les effets protecteurs contre un stress oxydant. Cette NE s’est également montrée efficace dans le rétablissement de l’activité LOX dans les cellules de patients arthrosiques. En conclusion, nous avons montré que le glucose à 25 mM avait des effets délétères sur les chondrocytes de la lignée T/C28a2 et que l’apport exogène de resvératrol permettait de lutter contre ses effets. (...) / Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterized by cartilage degradation, inflammation of synovial membrane and subchondral bone remodelling. Under physiological conditions, chondrocytes - the only cell type found in cartilage - are under hypoxia (around 2% of oxygen). As cartilage is an avascular tissue, an oxygen gradient is established from the superficial to the deeper layers. During OA development, cartilage degradation is responsible for a break in this gradient; consequently, cells from the deepest layers are exposed to higher oxygen concentrations inducing modifications in cell metabolism leading to their dysfunction. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined by a cluster of factors (impairment of glucose and lipid metabolism, vascular dysfunctions…) leading to cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes development. Recently, a link between OA and MetS has been suggested, introducing a notion of metabolic OA. We have focused our study on the link between OA, MetS and oxidative stress induced by high glucose concentrations. In the first part of this study, we have determined the in vitro effects of 25 mM glucose on an immortalized human chondrocyte cell line (T/C28a2), under hypoxia (2% oxygen) and normoxia (21% oxygen). We demonstrated that 25 mM glucose induced radical oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide production, caspase 3 activation, interleukin 6 (IL-6) production, decrease in lysyl oxidase (LOX) activity (involved in type II collagen crosslinks), and activation of the thioredoxin (Trx) system. Trx system is an endogenous anti-oxidant system, composed by thioredoxin, thioredoxin reductase (TR) and Txnip; it is involved in cellular homeostasis by reducing oxidized proteins, thereby controlling cellular redox environment. Effects of 25 mM glucose have been observed under both oxygen conditions; nevertheless, cellular response under normoxia underwent earlier than under hypoxia. We have also highlighted Trx-1 as a negative regulator of IL-6 production through p38MAPK signalling pathway. In the second part of this study, we have focused our work on the effects of the addition of an exogenous antioxidant, i.e. resveratrol, on the modifications induced by 25 mM glucose. Indeed, resveratrol (3,4’,5-trihydroxystilbene) is a polyphenol of the stilbene family, known for its multiple anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-diabetes and anti-cancer properties. We have observed that 25 μM resveratrol was able to decrease deleterious effects induced by 25 mM glucose. However, resveratrol bioavailability is very low, avoiding its use in human therapeutic strategy. Consequently, in the third part of this study, we have developed new galenic formulations of resveratrol, i.e. nano-emulsions (NEs) and determined their effects on a bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) model, on T/C28a2 cells and also on primary cultures of human chondrocytes from osteoarthritic cartilages. One of our NEs was able to increase resveratrol intracellular passage in both cellular models, and to increase the protective effects of resveratrol against oxidative stress. This NE was also efficient in the normalization of LOX activity in osteoarthritic chondrocytes. To conclude, we have demonstrated that 25 mM glucose induced deleterious effects on chondrocytes of the T/C28a2 cell line, and that an exogenous supply in resveratrol allowed to counteract these effects. Development of a new galenic formulation of resveratrol opens new interesting prospects in human therapeutic strategy against OA associated with MetS.

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.

A nanotecnologia é um fenômeno que se aplica a praticamente todos os etores da ciência, sendo que na área cosmética o elevado investimento neste campo tem reforçado a idéia de que os produtos nanotecnológicos proporcionam vantagens reais aos consumidores. A crescente exigência do consumidor e os avanços no conhecimento sobre a obtenção e estabilidade dos sistemas dispersos viabilizam o desenvolvimento de veículos diferenciados como, por exemplo, nanoemulsões, que além da inerente estabilidade, apresentam aspecto sensorial agradável, alta capacidade de espalhabilidade e hidratação. Existem dois métodos de obtenção das nanoemulsões: empregando baixa ou alta energia de emulsificação. O uso de óleos vegetais em produtos cosméticos tem sido intensamente valorizado, baseando-se no conceito de que são seguros e biocompatíveis. Podem ser utilizados em cosméticos com sua funcionalidade potencializada, sendo estes ricos em ácidos graxos essenciais, Ômega 3, Ômega 6, Ômega 9, fitosteróis, vitamina C e polifenóis (antocianinas). Alguns óleos vegetais têm poder antioxidante comprovado, previnem as oxidações biológicas e reduzem a formação de radicais livres responsáveis pelo dano celular, grande vilão do envelhecimento e das doenças crônico-degenerativas, como o câncer. Atualmente é crescente o interesse da pesquisa sobre a atividade de substâncias capazes de proteger a pele contra a radiação ultravioleta de forma eficaz. O metoxicinamato de octila é um filtro solar químico capaz de proteger a pele e conferir um fator de proteção solar ao produto final. Nesse estudo foram desenvolvidas nanoemulsões à base de óleos de oliva e semente de uva aditivadas de metoxicinamato de octila. Após a análise da estabilidade físico-química e caracterização das formulações, foram avaliados o potencial antioxidante das formulações, o efeito de proteção solar do sistema, liberação e permeação do ativo e uma possível irritação ocular das formulações que se mantiveram estáveis. / Nanotechnology is a phenomenon that is applied to mainly all sectors of science. In the cosmetic area the high investment has strengthened the idea that nanotechnology products offer real advantages to consumers. The growing demand of consumers and the advances in the knowledge about production and stability of dispersed systems enable the development of differentiated vehicles such as nano-emulsions, which besides their inherent stability, they have pleasant sensorial aspect, high spread ability and hydration power. There are two methods of nano-emulsions attainment: low or high energy of emulsifying. The use of vegetable oils in cosmetic products has had enormous and growing value, based in the concept that they are safe and biocompatible. They can be used in cosmetics with their functionality improved, being rich in essential fatty acids, Omega 3, Omega 6, Omega 9, phytosterols, vitamin C and polyphenols (anthocyanins). Some vegetable oils have proved antioxidant power, as well as they avoid biological oxidation and decrease the forming of free radicals responsible for cellular damage, which are the causes of aging and disease such as cancer. Nowadays, the interest of research about the activity of substances that protect the skin against ultraviolet irradiation in an efficacious way is growing. Octylmethoxycinnamate is a chemical sunscreen that can protect skin and offers sun protection factor to final product. In this study nano-emulsions were developed using olive oil and grape seed oil added with octylmethoxycinnamate. After the analysis of the physic-chemical stability and formulation characterization, the antioxidant potential of formulations, the effect of sun protection of the system, delivery and permeation of the active agent, and a possible ocular irritation of the stable formulations were evaluated.