Electrosprayed chitosan microcapsules as delivery vehicles for vaginal phytoformulations

Abstract

The design of novel delivery systems to treat vaginal fungal infections is a topic of high interest. Chitosan, being itself antimicrobial and having good mucoadhesive properties, is an excellent candidate as a delivery matrix for active compounds. In this work, chitosan microcapsules containing dry extracts of Argentinean medicinal plants with proved biological properties (Larrea divaricata, L. cuneifolia, L. nitida, Zuccagnia punctata and Tetraglochin andina) were developed through electrospraying and compared with conventionally used tablets containing the same extracts. Total phenolics, loading efficacy, physical properties, morphology and particle size, molecular organization, water sorption capacity, release of bioactive compounds and biological properties were assessed. The encapsulation process or the inclusion in tablets did not degrade the bioactive compounds of the extracts. The release of phenolic compounds from chitosan microcapsules was faster than from tablets. The fingerprint of released phenolic compounds from microcapsules and tablets was similar to that from the dry extracts and the antioxidant and antifungal capacity remained unchanged. The FT-IR analysis suggested interactions between the chitosan and the extracts, which explained why the microcapsules kept the integrity in slightly acidic media. Increased solubility of the extracts when incorporated in the microcapsules was seen in simulated vaginal fluid, potentially increasing the bioavailability of bioactive compounds in the vaginal environment. This work highlights the potential of the chitosan-based delivery systems for phytomedicines with antifungal and antioxidant activity to be used in vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Zuccagnia‐type Propolis from Argentina: A potential functional ingredient in food to pathologies associated to metabolic syndrome and oxidative stress

“…All samples showed effective scavenging activity on ABTS with SC 50 values between 29.5 and 33 µg/mL (Table 4). The antioxidant capacity of Z. punctata extracts was also demonstrated in previous reports (Carabajal, Isla, & Zampini, 2017, Carabajal, Isla, Borsarelli, & Zampini, 2020; Carabajal, Perea, Isla, & Zampini, 2020; Isla et al., 2016; Moreno et al., 2018). Other authors also evidenced scavenging activity of Argentinian PE on ABTS and DPPH radical (Nieva Moreno, Isla, Vattuone, & Sampietro, 2000, 2005; Salas et al., 2016a; Solórzano et al., 2012).…”

The 21st century revival of chitosan in service to bio-organic chemistry

“…ionotropic gelation, emulsion phase separation, cross-linking with various agents, emulsion solvent diffusion, coacervation, etc. (Figure 4) [55,77,82,88,89].…”

“…Generalized procedure for chitosan nano-/micro-particles synthesis and encapsulation. Adapted from[18,78,88,[90][91][92][93][94][95][96].…”

Potential use of medicinal plants from Argentinean highland as agent anti‐photoaging

“…Z punctata is an Argentine medicinal plant widely recognized by its functional properties (antibacterial, antifungal, anti‐inflammatory, antigenotoxic, and antioxidant, between other activities) 8‐12 . Also, it was reported its activity as inhibitor of chemotherapeutic resistance factors such as efflux pump 8 and as agent that prevents cardiovascular diseases related to hypercholesterolemia and endothelial dysfunction 13 .…”