Extraction, Characterization and Incorporation of <i>Hypericum scruglii</i> Extract in Ad Hoc Formulated Phospholipid Vesicles Designed for the Treatment of Skin Diseases Connected with Oxidative Stress
Mohamad Allaw,
Maria Manconi,
Matteo Aroffu,
Francesca Marongiu,
Marco Porceddu,
Gianluigi Bacchetta,
Iris Usach,
Rita Abi Rached,
Hiba N. Rajha,
Richard G. Maroun,
Jose Luis Pedraz,
Tania B. Lopez-Mendez,
Anna Maria Fadda,
Maria Letizia Manca
Affiliations
Mohamad Allaw
Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Drug Science Division, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
Maria Manconi
Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Drug Science Division, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
Matteo Aroffu
Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Drug Science Division, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
Francesca Marongiu
Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Drug Science Division, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
Marco Porceddu
Sardinian Germplasm Bank (BG-SAR), Hortus Botanicus Karalitanus (HBK), University of Cagliari, Viale S. Ignazio da Laconi, 9-11, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
Gianluigi Bacchetta
Sardinian Germplasm Bank (BG-SAR), Hortus Botanicus Karalitanus (HBK), University of Cagliari, Viale S. Ignazio da Laconi, 9-11, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
Iris Usach
Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and Parasitology, University of Valencia, Burjassot, 46100 Valencia, Spain
Rita Abi Rached
Centre d’Analyses et de Recherche, Unité de Recherche TVA, Laboratoire CTA, Faculté des Sciences, Université Saint-Joseph, B.P. 17-5208 Riad El Solh, Beirut 1104 2020, Lebanon
Hiba N. Rajha
Centre d’Analyses et de Recherche, Unité de Recherche TVA, Laboratoire CTA, Faculté des Sciences, Université Saint-Joseph, B.P. 17-5208 Riad El Solh, Beirut 1104 2020, Lebanon
Richard G. Maroun
Centre d’Analyses et de Recherche, Unité de Recherche TVA, Laboratoire CTA, Faculté des Sciences, Université Saint-Joseph, B.P. 17-5208 Riad El Solh, Beirut 1104 2020, Lebanon
Jose Luis Pedraz
NanoBioCel Group, University of Basque Country, Paseo de la Universidad 7, 01006 Vitoria, Spain
Tania B. Lopez-Mendez
NanoBioCel Group, University of Basque Country, Paseo de la Universidad 7, 01006 Vitoria, Spain
Anna Maria Fadda
Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Drug Science Division, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
Maria Letizia Manca
Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Drug Science Division, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
An extract of Hypericum scruglii, an endangered endemic plant of Sardinia (Italy), was prepared and characterized. It was loaded in special phospholipid vesicles, glycerosomes, which were modified by adding maltodextrin (glucidex) and a polymer (gelatin or hyaluronan). The corresponding liposomes were also prepared and used as reference. The vesicles disclosed suitable physicochemical features for skin delivery. Indeed, their mean diameter ranged from 120 to 160 nm, they were homogeneously dispersed (polydispersity index ≤ 0.30), and their zeta potential was highly negative (~−45 mV). The vesicle dispersions maintained unchanged characteristics during 60 days of storage, were highly biocompatible, and were able to protect keratinocytes against damages due to oxidative stress induced by treating them with hydrogen peroxide. Vesicles were also capable of promoting cell proliferation and migration in vitro by means of a scratch wound assay. The results confirmed the fruitful delivery of the extract of H. scruglii in glycerosomes modified with glucidex and gelatin and their promising ability for skin protection and treatment.
