Les nanotechnologies appliquées aux sciences pharmaceutiques ont pour but d’améliorer l’administration de molécules actives par l’intermédiaire de transporteurs nanométriques. Parmi les différents types de véhicules proposés pour atteindre ce but, on retrouve les nanoparticules polymériques (NP) constituées de copolymères “en bloc”. Ces copolymères permettent à la fois l’encapsulation de molécules actives et confèrent à la particule certaines propriétés de surface (dont l’hydrophilicité) nécessaires à ses interactions avec les milieux biologiques. L’architecture retenue pour ces copolymères est une structure constituée le plus fréquemment de blocs hydrophiles de poly(éthylène glycol) (PEG) associés de façon linéaire à des blocs hydrophobes de type polyesters. Le PEG est le polymère de choix pour conférer une couronne hydrophile aux NPs et son l’efficacité est directement liée à son organisation et sa densité de surface. Néanmoins, malgré les succès limités en clinique de ces copolymères linéaires, peu de travaux se sont attardés à explorer les effets sur la structure des NPs d’architectures alternatives, tels que les copolymères en peigne ou en brosse. Durant ce travail, plusieurs stratégies ont été mises au point pour la synthèse de copolymères en peigne, possédant un squelette polymérique polyesters-co-éther et des chaines de PEG liées sur les groupes pendants disponibles (groupement hydroxyle ou alcyne). Dans la première partie de ce travail, des réactions d’estérification par acylation et de couplage sur des groupes pendants alcool ont permis le greffage de chaîne de PEG. Cette méthode génère des copolymères en peigne (PEG-g-PLA) possédant de 5 à 50% en poids de PEG, en faisant varier le nombre de chaînes branchées sur un squelette de poly(lactique) (PLA). Les propriétés structurales des NPs produites ont été étudiées par DLS, mesure de charge et MET. Une transition critique se situant autour de 15% de PEG (poids/poids) est observée avec un changement de morphologie, d’une particule solide à une particule molle (“nanoagrégat polymére”). La méthode de greffage ainsi que l’addition probable de chaine de PEG en bout de chaîne principale semblent également avoir un rôle dans les changements observés. L’organisation des chaînes de PEG-g-PLA à la surface a été étudiée par RMN et XPS, méthodes permettant de quantifier la densité de surface en chaînes de PEG. Ainsi deux propriétés clés que sont la résistance à l’agrégation en conditions saline ainsi que la résistance à la liaison aux protéines (étudiée par isothermes d’adsorption et microcalorimétrie) ont été reliées à la densité de surface de PEG et à l’architecture des polymères. Dans une seconde partie de ce travail, le greffage des chaînes de PEG a été réalisé de façon directe par cyclo-adition catalysée par le cuivre de mPEG-N3 sur les groupes pendants alcyne. Cette nouvelle stratégie a été pensée dans le but de comprendre la contribution possible des chaines de PEG greffées à l’extrémité de la chaine de PLA. Cette librairie de PEG-g-PLA, en plus d’être composée de PEG-g-PLA avec différentes densités de greffage, comporte des PEG-g-PLA avec des PEG de différent poids moléculaire (750, 2000 et 5000). Les chaines de PEG sont seulement greffées sur les groupes pendants. Les NPs ont été produites par différentes méthodes de nanoprécipitation, incluant la nanoprécipitation « flash » et une méthode en microfluidique. Plusieurs variables de formulation telles que la concentration du polymère et la vitesse de mélange ont été étudiées afin d’observer leur effet sur les caractéristiques structurales et de surface des NPs. Les tailles et les potentiels de charges sont peu affectés par le contenu en PEG (% poids/poids) et la longueur des chaînes de PEG. Les images de MET montrent des objets sphériques solides et l'on n’observe pas d’objets de type agrégat polymériques, malgré des contenus en PEG comparable à la première bibliothèque de polymère. Une explication possible est l’absence sur ces copolymères en peigne de chaine de PEG greffée en bout de la chaîne principale. Comme attendu, les tailles diminuent avec la concentration du polymère dans la phase organique et avec la diminution du temps de mélange des deux phases, pour les différentes méthodes de préparation. Finalement, la densité de surface des chaînes de PEG a été quantifiée par RMN du proton et XPS et ne dépendent pas de la méthode de préparation. Dans la troisième partie de ce travail, nous avons étudié le rôle de l’architecture du polymère sur les propriétés d’encapsulation et de libération de la curcumine. La curcumine a été choisie comme modèle dans le but de développer une plateforme de livraison de molécules actives pour traiter les maladies du système nerveux central impliquant le stress oxydatif. Les NPs chargées en curcumine, montrent la même transition de taille et de morphologie lorsque le contenu en PEG dépasse 15% (poids/poids). Le taux de chargement en molécule active, l’efficacité de changement et les cinétiques de libérations ainsi que les coefficients de diffusion de la curcumine montrent une dépendance à l’architecture des polymères. Les NPs ne présentent pas de toxicité et n’induisent pas de stress oxydatif lorsque testés in vitro sur une lignée cellulaire neuronale. En revanche, les NPs chargées en curcumine préviennent le stress oxydatif induit dans ces cellules neuronales. La magnitude de cet effet est reliée à l’architecture du polymère et à l’organisation de la NP. En résumé, ce travail a permis de mettre en évidence quelques propriétés intéressantes des copolymères en peigne et la relation intime entre l’architecture des polymères et les propriétés physico-chimiques des NPs. De plus les résultats obtenus permettent de proposer de nouvelles approches pour le design des nanotransporteurs polymériques de molécules actives. / The goal set to nanotechnologies applied to pharmaceutical sciences is to improve drug delivery and benefits with the help of nanometer-sized vehicles. At this time different types of drug carriers had been proposed. Amongst them, block copolymer nanoparticles (NP) have been designed to allow, at the same time, efficient drug encapsulation and provide surface properties (hydrophilic layer) to the NP which are necessary for its interactions with biological systems by preventing the opsonisation and the subsequent recognition by the mononuclear macrophage system (MPS) and the rapid elimination of the drug carrier. The most prominent polymer architecture in drug delivery application is the linear di-block copolymer architecture, such as poly(ethylene glycol) blocks (PEG) linked to a polyester hydrophobic chain. PEG is the gold standard to add a hydrophilic corona to drug carrier’s surface, but its efficacy is directly linked to its surface organization and surface densities. In spite of limited success of diblock at the clinical stage, few studies have been devoted to other type of architecture such as comb-like copolymers, either for the exploration of new synthesis routes or for the characterization of particles prepared from alternative architecture polymers. We attempted in preamble of this work to define more closely the conceptual and technical framework allowing quantitative determination of PEG surface densities. This review work has been used in the experimental work to define the characterization methods. Several synthesis strategies have been developed for the preparation of comb copolymers in this work. All strategies are based on random copolymerization of dilactide with small epoxy molecules with a pendant group suitable for subsequent PEG grafting, yielding a polyester-co-ether backbone. In a second step, PEG chains have been grafted on available pendant groups (alcohol groups or alkyne) to produce the final comb copolymers. In the first part of the experimental work, esterification reaction by acylation and coupling (the Steglish reaction) allowed the preparation of a first comb-like copolymer library with PEG content varying from 5 to 50 % (w/w). The number of PEG chains (PEG grafting density) was varying while the lengths of the PEG chains and the hydrophobic PLA backbone were kept constant. The library of comb-like polymers was used to prepare nanocarriers with dense PEG brushes at their surface, stability in suspension, and resistance to protein adsorption. The structural properties of nanoparticles (NPs) produced from these polymers by a surfactant-free method were assessed by DLS, zeta potential, and TEM and were found to be controlled by the amount of PEG present in the polymers. A critical transition from a solid NP structure to a soft particle with either a “micelle-like” or “polymer nano-aggregate” structure was observed when the PEG content was between 15 to 25% w/w. This structural transition was found to have a profound impact on the size of the NPs, their surface charge, their stability in suspension in presence of salts as well as on the binding of proteins to the surface of the NPs. The arrangement of the PEG-g-PLA chains at the surface of the NPs was investigated by 1H NMR and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). NMR results confirmed that the PEG chains were mostly segregated at the NP surface. Moreover, XPS and NMR allowed the quantification of the PEG chain coverage density at the surface of the solid NPs. Concordance of the results between the two methods was found to be remarkable. Physical-chemical properties of the NPs such as resistance to aggregation in saline environment as well as anti-fouling efficacy, assessed by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), were related to the PEG surface density and ultimately to polymer architecture. In the second part of this work, grafting of PEG chains on a polyester-co-ether backbone was directly performed using cyclo-addition of PEG azide on pendant alkyne groups. The new strategy was designed to understand the contribution of PEG chains grafted on PLA backbone ends. The new polymer library was composed of PEG-g-PLA with different PEG grafting densities and PEG molecular weights (750, 2000 and 5000 D). PEG chain grafting could only take place on pendant groups with this approach. NPs were produced by different methods of nanoprecipitation, including “flash nanoprecipitation” and microfluidic technology. Some formulation variables such as polymer concentration and speed of mixing were studied in order to observe their effects on NP surface characteristics. Unlike for the first copolymer library, here the NPs size and zeta potential were found to not be much affected by the PEG content (% w/w in polymer). Sizes were also not affected by the PEG chains length. TEM images show round shaped object and as expected sizes were found to decrease with polymer concentration in the organic phase and with a decrease in mixing time of the two phases (for flash nanoprecipitation and microfluidic technology). PEG chain surface densities were assessed by quantitative 1H NMR and XPS. In the third experimental part, we explored the role of polymer architecture on drug encapsulation and release of curcumin from NPs. Curcumin has been chosen as a model with a view to develop a delivery platform to treat diseases involving oxidative stress affecting the CNS. As previously observed with blank NPs, a sharp decrease in curcumin-loaded NP size and morphology change occurred between 15 to 20 % w/w of PEG. Drug loading, Drug loading efficiency and the diffusion coefficients of curcumin in NPs are showing a dependence over the polymer architecture. NPs did not present any significant toxicity when tested in vitro on a neuronal cell line. Moreover, the ability of NPs carrying curcumin to prevent oxidative stress was evidenced and linked to polymer architecture and NPs organization. In a nutshell, our study showed the intimate relationship between the polymer architecture and the biophysical properties of the resulting NPs and sheds light on new approaches to design efficient NP-based drug carriers. The results obtained lead us to propose PEG-g-PLA comb architecture copolymers for nanomedecine development as an alternative to the predominant polyester-PEG diblock polymers.

Le poly (acide lactique) (PLA), est un polymère synthétisé à partir de ressources renouvelables, qui est l'objet de beaucoup d'études à l'heure actuelle mais qui souffre d'une faible résistance au choc. Le but de ce travail est de rechercher des pistes permettant la préparation d'un matériau à base de PLA avec une résistance au choc améliorée tout en minimisant la perte de résistance à la traction. Les travaux présentés ici ont étudié le rôle de nanoparticules élastomères de poly (acrylate de butyle) (PBA) chargées de laponite (LRD) (PBA-LRD) ainsi que de nanocomposites coeur-écorce (PBA-LRD)/poly(méthacrylate de méthyle) (PMMA) en tant qu'agents de renforcement d'une matrice de PLA. Ces nanoparticules ont été dispersées dans la matrice PLA à l'état fondu. La synthèse de ces nanoparticules a été effectuée par polymérisation en émulsion ou miniémulsion. La laponite a été incorporée dans les nanoparticules afin de minimiser la perte de la rigidité tout en améliorant la résistance au choc de PLA. Trois types de tensioactifs et des modifications de surface de la laponite ont été testées pour améliorer l'adhérence entre les particules de PBA et la matrice de PLA. Enfin une écorce de PMMA a été utilisée pour assurer la bonne adhérence entre les particules de PBA et de matrice PLA. Nous avons montré que les particules coeur-écorce ont permis d'augmenter la résistance au choc au 3 fois du PLA tout en réduisant la diminution du module d'Young et la perte de résistance à la traction (~25%). Les propriétés de les particules synthétiques et les propriétés des mélange du PLA avec les particules PBA ou particules coeur-écorce ont été étudiées par diverses techniques de caractérisation (DLS, FTIR, ATG, MET, MEB, RMN 1H, DSC, DMTA...) / Poly (lactic acid) (PLA), come from renewable resources, one of the most important biopolymers, suffers from weak impact resistance. The aim of this work is to develop a process that will allow preparing a PLA with improved impact resistance while minimizing loss in tensile strength. The work presented here examined in detail the synthesis of poly(butyl acrylate) (PBA) nanoparticles charged with laponite (LRD) (PBA-LRD) and (PBA-LRD) / poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) core-shell nanocomposites. They were dispersed phase in PLA matrix and were synthesized by emulsion or miniemulsion polymerization. The clay such as laponite was included in these nanoparticles to minimize the loss of rigidity while improving the impact resistance of PLA. Note that three types of surfactants and some modify agents for LRD have been tried to improve the adhesion between the PBA particles and matrix PLA, PMMA was finally used to ensure a good adhesion between the PBA particles and the matrix. To this end, we explored successively the PLA blend, using PBA nanocomposites and the PBA/PMMA core-shell nanoparticles as reinforcing agents, with improved impact resistance, showing that core-shell particles allowed increasing of 3 times of impact strength of the PLA with a minimum amount of loss (~25%) in Young?s modulus and tensile strength. The properties of the synthetic particles and the properties of PLA blends have been demonstrated by various characterization techniques (DLS, FTIR, TGA, TEM, SEM, 1H-NMR, DSC, DMTA ...)

La conception de nanoparticules (NPs) polymériques pour le transport de médicaments dans la peau repose sur la compréhension du rôle de leurs compositions chimiques sur leurs interactions avec la peau, notamment la peau pathologique. Ce travail s'est attaché à définir le rôle de la composante hydrophile des NPs sur l'administration cutanée d'un principe actif lipophile modèle (cholécalciférol). Il a été remarqué que la composition hydrophile de polymères amphiphiles à base de PLA conditionnait les propriétés physicochimiques des NPs, notamment la taille, la surface, et la structure, tout comme la protection du cholécalciférol. Concernant l'absorption cutanée sur peau intacte, la composante hydrophile de NPs de 100 nm a eu peu d'influence. Une absorption cutanée du cholécalciférol légèrement plus importante a toutefois été obtenue à partir des NPs très riches en PEG hydrophile en comparaison aux NPs peu PEGylées. A l'inverse sur peau lésée, les NPs hydrophobes et négativement chargées de PLA seul ont permis la meilleure absorption du cholécalciférol. D'une part, la dynamique de la structure des NPs très PEGylées a permis une meilleure mouillabilité de la peau et une possible extraction de lipides cutanés, pouvant faciliter l'absorption sur peau intacte. D'autre part, la composition de la peau a conditionné la structure des NPs, puisque, sur peau lésée, les espèces ioniques libérées de la peau ont déstabilisé les NPs peu ou non PEGylées. Par adhésion à la surface de la peau, les agrégats de PLA ont pu ainsi faciliter l'absorption sur peau lésée.Lors du développement de formulations de NPs, leur composition chimique est donc à optimiser selon l'état pathologique de la peau / The design of clinically efficient polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) for skin drug delivery is based on the understanding of the influence of NPs chemical composition on their interactions with the skin tissue, notably the pathological skin. The aim of this work was to determine the influence of the hydrophilic component of polymeric NPs on the delivery of a lipophilic model drug (cholecalciferol).It was noticed that the polymeric hydrophilic composition of amphiphilic PLA-based NPs conditioned the NPs physico-chemical properties, notably in terms of size, surface properties, structure and drug protection. With regard to absorption into intact skin, the hydrophilic composition of 100 nm NPs had little impact. Only a slightly greater skin absorption was obtained from NPs with high hydrophilic PEG content compared to weakly PEGylated NPs. On the contrary in impaired skin, hydrophobic and negatively charged non-PEGylated NPs (PLA NPs) provided the best drug absorption. On the one hand, the dynamic structure of highly PEGylated NPs providing better skin wettability and potential skin lipids extraction may have contributed for increased absorption in intact skin. On the other hand, skin condition altered the NPs structure since it was observed that a non-negligible quantity of ionic species was released from impaired skin, triggering the destabilization of weakly or non-PEGylated charged NPs. However, only PLA aggregates sedimented/adhered onto the skin surface, which could have facilitated absorption in impaired skin. The polymeric hydrophilic composition of NPs and the pathological skin condition are therefore essential points to consider when designing nanoformulations

A nanotecnologia é uma ciência interdisciplinar onde se desenvolve nanomateriais para uso em diversas áreas como a farmácia, cosmética e agroindústria. Um de seus objetivos é aprimorar propriedades de ativos para novas aplicações, por exemplo, através de sistemas para liberação controlada através do uso de biomaterias. Dentre estes biomateriais destaca-se o poliácido lático (PLA) que é constantemente aplicado como matriz polimérica de várias nanoestruturas para o encapsulamento de ativos. Na área cosmética, ativos como os óleos essenciais são de grande interesse. O óleo essencial de pimenta rosa (Schinus molle L.) é composto por terpenos que apresentam, entre outras, atividade antioxidante e inseticida. No presente trabalho desenvolvemos um novo sistema de nanopartículas de PLA em solução aquosa, para liberação controlada do óleo essencial Schinus molle L. visando a utilização cosmética. As nanopartículas de PLA foram avaliadas quanto a estabilidade através da técnica de espalhamento dinâmico de luz (DLS). A formação foi estudada através do uso de difração de raios X (XRD) e espectroscopia vibracional (FTIR). A morfologia foi observada por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (SEM) comparando-se alguns dos resultados obtidos por DLS. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que o sistema é estável por aproximadamente 100 dias quanto ao tamanho, polidispersão e carga de superfície, mesmo com a variação de pH da solução em relação ao tempo. A estabilidade do nanossistema foi atribuída ao tensoativo dodecil sulfato de sódio (SDS), além da própria semicristalinidade e alta massa molar do PLA. Os componentes do sistema apresentaram interações químicas comprovadas por FTIR. O estudo por SEM mostrou que as nanopartículas obtidas têm aparência esférica, com a matriz polimérica contínua e com vários tamanhos constituindo assim um sistema polidisperso, como observadas também por DLS. A eficiência de encapsulação de 83% avaliada por calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC) e a liberação do ativo analisada por gravimetria mostraram-se satisfatórias. O sistema de nanopartículas obtido é estável e, por tanto, com potencial adequado para aplicação em produtos cosméticos. / Nanotechnology is an interdisciplinary science through which nanomaterials are developed for use in areas, such as pharmaceutical, cosmetology and agribusiness. One of its objectives is the improvement in the properties of active compounds for new applications by, for example, systems that use biomaterials for controlled release. Lactic polyacid (PLA), one of such biomaterials, has been constantly applied as a polymer matrix of various nanostructures for the encapsulation of active compounds. In cosmetics, active compounds, as essential oils are of great interest. The essential oil of pimenta rosa (Schinus molle L.) is composed of terpenes, which display antioxidant and insecticide activities. This dissertation addresses the development of a new system of PLA nanoparticles in an aqueous solution for the controlled release of essential oil Shinus molle L. to be applied to cosmetology. The stability of PLA nanoparticles was evaluated by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The formation of the system was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and vibrational spectroscopy (FTIR) and its morphology and polydispersivity were verified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), comparing some of the results obtained by DLS. The results show that the system is stable for approximately 100 days regarding size, polydispersion and surface charge, even when the pH of the solution varies over time. Stability was assigned to surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), PLA\'s semi crystallinity and high molecular weight. The chemical interactions of the system\'s components were evidenced by FTIR. SEM revealed spherical nanoparticles with a continuous polymeric matrix and polydispersivity, also observed by DLS. Satisfactory results were provided by the 83% of encapsulation efficiency calculated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the drug release analyzed by gravimetric technique. The nanoparticle system obtained is stable and, therefore, suitable for application to cosmetics.

A nanotecnologia é uma ciência interdisciplinar onde se desenvolve nanomateriais para uso em diversas áreas como a farmácia, cosmética e agroindústria. Um de seus objetivos é aprimorar propriedades de ativos para novas aplicações, por exemplo, através de sistemas para liberação controlada através do uso de biomaterias. Dentre estes biomateriais destaca-se o poliácido lático (PLA) que é constantemente aplicado como matriz polimérica de várias nanoestruturas para o encapsulamento de ativos. Na área cosmética, ativos como os óleos essenciais são de grande interesse. O óleo essencial de pimenta rosa (Schinus molle L.) é composto por terpenos que apresentam, entre outras, atividade antioxidante e inseticida. No presente trabalho desenvolvemos um novo sistema de nanopartículas de PLA em solução aquosa, para liberação controlada do óleo essencial Schinus molle L. visando a utilização cosmética. As nanopartículas de PLA foram avaliadas quanto a estabilidade através da técnica de espalhamento dinâmico de luz (DLS). A formação foi estudada através do uso de difração de raios X (XRD) e espectroscopia vibracional (FTIR). A morfologia foi observada por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (SEM) comparando-se alguns dos resultados obtidos por DLS. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que o sistema é estável por aproximadamente 100 dias quanto ao tamanho, polidispersão e carga de superfície, mesmo com a variação de pH da solução em relação ao tempo. A estabilidade do nanossistema foi atribuída ao tensoativo dodecil sulfato de sódio (SDS), além da própria semicristalinidade e alta massa molar do PLA. Os componentes do sistema apresentaram interações químicas comprovadas por FTIR. O estudo por SEM mostrou que as nanopartículas obtidas têm aparência esférica, com a matriz polimérica contínua e com vários tamanhos constituindo assim um sistema polidisperso, como observadas também por DLS. A eficiência de encapsulação de 83% avaliada por calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC) e a liberação do ativo analisada por gravimetria mostraram-se satisfatórias. O sistema de nanopartículas obtido é estável e, por tanto, com potencial adequado para aplicação em produtos cosméticos. / Nanotechnology is an interdisciplinary science through which nanomaterials are developed for use in areas, such as pharmaceutical, cosmetology and agribusiness. One of its objectives is the improvement in the properties of active compounds for new applications by, for example, systems that use biomaterials for controlled release. Lactic polyacid (PLA), one of such biomaterials, has been constantly applied as a polymer matrix of various nanostructures for the encapsulation of active compounds. In cosmetics, active compounds, as essential oils are of great interest. The essential oil of pimenta rosa (Schinus molle L.) is composed of terpenes, which display antioxidant and insecticide activities. This dissertation addresses the development of a new system of PLA nanoparticles in an aqueous solution for the controlled release of essential oil Shinus molle L. to be applied to cosmetology. The stability of PLA nanoparticles was evaluated by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The formation of the system was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and vibrational spectroscopy (FTIR) and its morphology and polydispersivity were verified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), comparing some of the results obtained by DLS. The results show that the system is stable for approximately 100 days regarding size, polydispersion and surface charge, even when the pH of the solution varies over time. Stability was assigned to surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), PLA\'s semi crystallinity and high molecular weight. The chemical interactions of the system\'s components were evidenced by FTIR. SEM revealed spherical nanoparticles with a continuous polymeric matrix and polydispersivity, also observed by DLS. Satisfactory results were provided by the 83% of encapsulation efficiency calculated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the drug release analyzed by gravimetric technique. The nanoparticle system obtained is stable and, therefore, suitable for application to cosmetics.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:16:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 AliceRO_DISSERT.pdf: 2104659 bytes, checksum: 208850f5293dd4764037ec4c490d3636 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-12-19 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / Methotrexate (MTX) is a drug used in the chemotherapy of some kind of cancers, autoimmune diseases and non inflammatory resistant to corticosteroids uveits. However, the rapid plasmatic elimination limits its therapeutic success, which leads to administration of high doses to maintain the therapeutic levels in the target tissues, occurring potential side effects. The aim of this study was to obtain spray dried biodegradable poly-lactic acid co-glycolic acid (PLGA) microparticles containing MTX. Thus, suitable amounts of MTX and PLGA were dissolved in appropriate solvent system to obtain solutions at different ratios drug/polymer (10, 20, 30 and 50% m/m). The physicochemical characterizing included the quantitative analysis of the drug using a validate UV-VIS spectrophotometry method, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectrophotometry (IR), thermal analyses and X-ray diffraction analysis. The in vitro release studies were carried out in a thermostatized phosphate buffer pH 7.4 (0.05 M KH2PO4) medium at 37?C ? 0.2 ?C. The in vitro release date was subjected to different kinetics release models. The MTX-loaded PLGA microparticles showed a spherical shape with smooth surface and high level of entrapped drug. The encapsulation efficiency was greater then 80%. IR spectroscopy showed that there was no chemical bond between the compounds, suggesting just the possible occurrence of hydrogen bound interactions. The thermal analyses and X-ray diffraction analysis shown that MTX is homogeneously dispersed inside polymeric matrix, with a prevalent amorphous state or in a stable molecular dispersion. The in vitro release studies confirmed the sustained release for distinct MTX-loaded PLGA microparticles. The involved drug release mechanism was non Fickian diffusion, which was confirmed by Kornmeyer-Peppas kinetic model. The experimental results demonstrated that the MTX-loaded PLGA microparticles were successfully obtained by spray drying and its potential as prolonged drug release system. / O metotrexato (MTX) ? um f?rmaco utilizado na quimioterapia de alguns tipos de c?ncer, doen?as autoimunes e uve?tes n?o inflamat?rias resistentes aos corticoster?ides. No entanto, sua r?pida elimina??o plasm?tica limita o sucesso terap?utico, levando ? necessidade de altas doses para manuten??o da concentra??o efetiva no tecido alvo, ocasionando o potencial surgimento de rea??es adversas. O objetivo principal desse estudo foi obter um sistema microparticulado biodegrad?vel ? base de ?cido poli (?cido l?tico-co-?cido glic?lico) (PLGA) por spray drying para libera??o prolongada do MTX. Para isso, quantidades distintas de MTX e PLGA foram dissolvidas em sistema solvente adequado para obter solu??es com diferentes propor??es de f?rmaco em rela??o ao pol?mero (10, 20, 30 e 50% m/m). A caracteriza??o f?sicoqu?mica incluiu an?lise quantitativa do f?rmaco incorporado na matriz polim?rica por espectrofotometria UV-VIS em 303nm previamente validada, microscopia eletr?nica de varredura (MEV), espectrofotometria de infravermelho (IV), an?lises t?rmicas e difra??o de raios-X (DRX). O perfil de libera??o in vitro do f?rmaco nas micropart?culas foi realizado em tamp?o fosfato (0.05 M KH2PO4) em banho termostatizado 37 ?C ? 0.2 ?C. Os dados obtidos do estudo de libera??o in vitro foram submetidos a diferentes modelos cin?ticos de libera??o. As micropart?culas de PLGA contendo o MTX apresentaram a forma esf?rica, uniforme, com superf?cie aparentemente lisa. O n?vel de efici?ncia de encapsula??o foi superior a 80%. A espectroscopia na regi?o do infravermelho demonstrou que n?o ocorreu liga??o qu?mica entre os componentes dos sistemas, no entanto foi observado forte intera??o entre o MTX e PLGA indicando prov?vel ocorr?ncia de pontes de hidrog?nio. An?lise XII t?rmica e DRX demonstraram que o MTX est? distribu?do na matriz polim?rica com a preval?ncia do estado amorfo ou em dispers?o molecular. O estudo de libera??o in vitro confirmou o perfil de libera??o prolongada para as diferentes micropart?culas. O mecanismo de libera??o envolvido foi por difus?o n?o Fickiana, ao qual foi determinado a partir do modelo cin?tico de Kornmeyer- Peppas. Os resultados experimentais demonstraram o sucesso na obten??o das micropart?culas de PLGA contendo o MTX por spray drying e seu potencial como sistema de libera??o prolongada do f?rmaco.

L'objectif de cette thèse était de mettre en oeuvre le développement d'une thérapie des plaies cutanées profondes basée sur l'utilisation de nanoparticules (NP) biodégradables de poly(acide lactique) (NP-PLA) vectrices de médiateurs de la cicatrisation. Le but était d'accélérer la cicatrisation cutanée et de favoriser la reconstruction d'un derme fonctionnel. La méthode a été de (i) réduire la réaction inflammatoire pour en contenir les effets délétères et (ii) stimuler la réépithélialisation pour accélérer la cicatrisation et réduire le risque infectieux. Les moyens ont été l'utilisation d'un antioxydant, la vitamine E (VE) et d'un facteur de croissance des fibroblastes (le FGF2) vectorisés par des nanoparticules biocompatibles et biodégradables de poly(acide lactique) (PLA). Nos NP-PLA contiennent l'antioxydant (VE) dans leur coeur hydrophobe, et portent le facteur de croissance fibroblastique (FGF2) à leur surface. Ces formulations ont été (i) caractérisées par des méthodes physico-chimiques et (ii) testées par des méthodes in vitro pour évaluer leurs effets potentiels, en tant que système de délivrance de VE et de FGF2, sur la cicatrisation des plaies. Des modèles expérimentaux in vivo ont été développés et caractérisés pour mettre en évidence l'efficacité des NP-PLA fonctionnalisées pour la cicatrisation cutanée et la reconstruction dermique fonctionnelle. Nos résultats montrent que l'activité antioxydante de la VE n'est pas perturbée par l'encapsulation dans des NP-PLA et qu'elle est légèrement supérieure à celle de la VE libre dans un système in vitro. De même, l'activité biologique du FGF2 sur la prolifération et la migration des fibroblastes dans un système in vitro n'est pas altérée par son adsorption sur des NP-PLA. Aucune de ces deux NP-PLA fonctionnalisées n'a de cytotoxicité avérée in vitro. Deux modèles expérimentaux de plaies cutanées profondes ont été développés sur souris sans poils SKH1 saines : (i) Un modèle robuste de brûlure cutanée thermique de 3ème degré qui se caractérise par une inflammation massive de la plaie et par un stade de granulation tardif après 16 jours de cicatrisation. (ii) Un modèle de plaie d'excision cutanée a également été utilisé. Un modèle de cicatrisation retardée a été obtenu par induction chimique d'un diabète de type I stable avant réalisation des plaies d'excision ou de brûlure. Ces modèles de plaies cutanées ont été caractérisés tout au long du processus de cicatrisation par des études (i) macroscopiques de cinétique de fermeture des plaies, (ii) histologiques d'inflammation, de nécrose et de réépithélialisation, (iii) physiologiques de perfusion sanguine cutanée. L'expression de 84 gènes impliqués dans le processus de cicatrisation a été étudiée sur le tissu cicatriciel 14 jours après formation de la plaie. Pour conclure, nos résultats mettent en évidence le potentiel de vectorisation de molécules thérapeutiques des NP de PLA pour le développement de futures stratégies de délivrance ciblée de VE et de FGF2 dans les plaies cutanées profondes. Les modèles expérimentaux in vivo développés et caractérisés, ouvrent la voie aux études précliniques d'efficacité des NP-PLA fonctionnalisées dans le processus de cicatrisation des plaies profondes / The objective of this thesis was to develop a therapy of cutaneous deep wounds based on biodegradable poly (lactic-acid) nanoparticles (PLA-NP) releasing wound healing mediators. The goal was to accelerate wound healing and to promote the reconstruction of a functional dermis. Our method was (i) to reduce the inflammatory reaction in the aim of limiting its deleterious effects, (ii) to stimulate reepithelialization to accelerate wound healing and to reduce the risk of infections. The implementation of means was based on the use of an antioxidant (vitamin E, VE) and a fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) carried by biocompatible and biodegradable poly(lactic-acid) based nanoparticles. Our PLA-NP contained the antioxidant (VE), in their hydrophobic core and carried the fibroblastic growth factor (FGF2) on their surface. These formulations were (i) characterized by physico-chemical methods and (ii) tested by in vitro methods to evaluate their effects as a delivery system of VE and FGF2 on wound healing. Experimental in vivo models have been developed and characterized in the aim of studying the potential beneficial effect of functionalized PLA-NP on wound healing and functional reconstruction of dermis. Our results show that the antioxidant activity of VE was not inhibited by encapsulation into PLA-NP and was lightly increased compared with free VE in an in vitro system. The biological activity of FGF2 on proliferation and migration of fibroblasts in an in vitro system was not altered by adsorption onto PLA-NP as well. No cytotoxicity of these functionalized PLA-NP was detected in vitro. Two experimental models of deep cutaneous wounds were developed on the healthy SKH1 hairless mouse: (i) A robust third degree thermal burn model that was characterized by massive inflammation of the wound and a late granulation stage after 16 days of healing. (ii) A model of excisional skin wound was also used. A model of delayed wound healing was established by chemical induction of stable type I diabetes prior to excision and burn injuries. The healing process of these models of cutaneous wounds was characterized by (i) macroscopic studies of wound closure, (ii) histological studies of inflammation, necrosis and reepithelialization, and (iii) by physiological studies of cutaneous blood perfusion. A study of the expression of 84 genes involved in the healing process was carried out on the scar tissue 14 days post-wound. In conclusion, our results highlight the potential efficacy of PLA-NP as a vector of therapeutic molecules for the development of future strategies for targeted delivery of VE and FGF2 in deep skin wounds. The developed and characterized in vivo experimental models open the way to preclinical studies of efficacy of functionalized PLA-NP on the healing process of deep wounds

The master's thesis focuses on preparation of blown films from polylactid acid (PLA) which was blended with selected polyesteres – poly(butylene adipate-co-terephtalate) (PBAT), polycaprolactone (PCL) and polybutylene succinate (PBS) – and thermoplastic starch (TPS) in amount of 30% in order to soften PLA films. The influence of the aditives on static and mechanical tensile properties, on structure, morphology and thermal properties of the films was determined and the obtained parameters were compared to properties of films prepared from neat PLA and high density polyethylene (HDPE). The results showed that the additives increased crystalinity of PLA and thus significantly influenced the properties of the films. In contrast to the film from neat PLA, softening in terms of lowering glass transition temperature occured only by adding PBS and TPS, in terms of increasing ductility only by adding PBAT. All PLA films showed nearly constant elastic modulus up to the beginning of glass transition enabling their potential application till 50 °C. Preparation of the film with TPS was problematic and the film showed the worst mechanical properties. Preparation of other films was without any problems. The most promising additive from the tested ones was PBAT which showed comparable mechanical properties as the film from HDPE.

In der vorliegenden Dissertationsarbeit wird auf die Thematik der Entwicklung von Polymerwerkstoffen, basierend auf vollständig natürlichen Resourcen, eingegangen. Die vorliegende Lösung beruht auf der Compoundierung von Polylactid mit unterschiedlich modifizierten Vanillin. Ziel war es, flammschutzwirkende Komponenten einzubringen und die Abhängigkeiten zwischen Zusammensetzung und Eigenschaften aufzuklären. Dem liegt die Absicht zugrunde, optimale Werkstoffe zur Verfügung zu stellen, die sich durch deutlich verbesserte flammhemmende und mechanische bzw. thermo-mechanische Eigenschaften auszeichnen. Die erzeugten modifizierten Vanillin-Derivate sowie deren Composite wurden hinsichtlich der physikalischen und chemischen Struktur mittels REM, EDX, FTIR, NMR, DSC, TGA, SEC und Zugversuch charakterisiert. Zur Bestimmung der flammwidrigen Eigenschaften wurden UL-94 V, LOI und CCT durchgeführt. Es hat sich gezeigt, dass System aus PLA und einem Vanillin-Phosphorsäure-Ester in Bezug auf werkstofflichen Eigenschaften insgesamt die optimale Leistung aufwies. Die Materialen ergaben eine verbesserte Zähigkeit und erheblich erhöht flammwidrige Eigenschaften. In einem weiteren Schritt wurden MMT und APP, zwei kommerzielle Flammschutzmittel, mit dem PLA/VP System kombiniert. Die daraus abgeleiteten Resultate bewiesen eine synergistische Wirkung zwischen VP und MMT bzw. APP und führten zu besseren Brandklassen bei LOI und UL-94 Brandtests. / The present work demonstrates the development of fully bio-based polymeric composites. It was realized by the compounding of poly(lactic acid) and differently modified vanillin. The aim of this work was to introduce flame retardant components into PLA and to study the flame retardant mechanism. The intention of this approach is the preparation of optimized PLA composites with significantly improved flame retardant, mechanical as well as thermo-mechanical properties. The modified vanillin and the PLA composites based on those vanillin derivatives were characterized by means of SEM, EDX, FTIR, NMR, DSC, TGA, SEC and tensile test for their physical and chemical structures. UL-94 V, LOI and CCT were carried out to determine the corresponding flame retardant properties. The results showed that, the PLA/VP system represented the best overall performance. The PLA/VP composite exhibited increased toughness and significantly improved flame retardancy. In addition, two commercialized flame retardants, MMT and APP, were introduced into the PLA/VP system, respectively. It was suggested that there were synergic effects between VP and MMT as well as APP. The combined used flame retardants resulted in an improved classification in UL-94 and LOI tests.

Les assemblages colloïdaux représentent une nouvelle piste très prometteuse dans le domaine de l'ingénierie tissulaire. Idéalement, ce type d'assemblage permet l'obtention de matériaux injectables et gélifiants sur le site lésionnel, favorisant par la suite le développement de néo-tissus viables. Ce travail porte sur la formation de tels assemblages à base de chitosane et de poly(acide lactique) (PLA). Deux types d'assemblages ont été conçus et étudiés dans ce travail. Dans une première approche, le mélange de particules anioniques de poly (acide lactique) (PLA) avec du chitosane en solution faiblement acide conduit à la formation de « gels composites », résultant des interactions colloïde-polymère. Des analyses rhéologiques et de diffusion des rayons X aux petits angles ont permit de mettre en évidence le mode de formation et l'influence de plusieurs paramètres sur les propriétés finales de ces gels. Notamment, ils présentent des propriétés rhéofluidifiantes et un caractère réversible, c'est-à-dire que le gel peut se reformer après déstructuration mécanique. Le second type d'assemblage résulte du mélange de particules anioniques de PLA et de nanogels cationiques de chitosane, conduisant à la formation de « gels colloïdaux », par interactions colloïde-colloïde. L'influence de plusieurs facteurs sur la formation et les propriétés de ces gels a également été étudiée par mesures rhéologiques. Notre étude s'est notamment orientée sur la caractérisation et la stabilité des hydrogels physiques de chitosane sous forme colloïdale, ainsi que sur l'optimisation de leur cohésion / Colloidal assemblies may be a promising pathway to obtain injectable scaffolds favoring the development of neo-tissue in regenerative medicine. This work investigates the formation of such assemblies composed of chitosan, soluble or in suspension (nano-hydrogel), and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanoparticles. Two types of assemblies are studied. As a first approach, mixing negatively charged PLA particles and chitosan solution leads to the formation of “composite gels”, based on colloidpolymer interactions. Rheological and Small Angle X-Ray Scattering measurements highlighted the formation process and the influence of various parameters on final properties of these gels, which features shear-thinning and reversibility behavior, that is, the capacity to gel again after yielding. PLA nanoparticles could also be mixed with cationic chitosan nanoparticles, which are crosslinker free nano-hydrogels, leading to the formation of “colloidal gels”, based on colloid-colloid interactions. Influence of various parameters on gel synthesis and properties are investigated through rheological measurements. The study also focuses on the characterization and control of the morphological and cohesion properties of chitosan nanogel