Thermo and Photoresponsive Emulgel Loaded with <i>Copaifera reticulata</i> Ducke and Chlorophylls: Rheological, Mechanical, Photodynamic and Drug Delivery Properties in Human Skin
Katieli da Silva Souza Campanholi,
Ranulfo Combuca da Silva Junior,
Jonas Marcelo Jaski,
Jéssica Bassi da Silva,
Mariana Carla de Oliveira,
Rafaela Said dos Santos,
Magali Soares dos Santos Pozza,
Lidiane Vizioli de Castro-Hoshino,
Mauro Luciano Baesso,
Lucio Cardozo-Filho,
Marcos Luciano Bruschi,
Wilker Caetano
Affiliations
Katieli da Silva Souza Campanholi
Chemistry Department, State University of Maringá, Maringá 87020-900, Brazil
Ranulfo Combuca da Silva Junior
Chemistry Department, State University of Maringá, Maringá 87020-900, Brazil
Jonas Marcelo Jaski
Agronomy Department, State University of Maringá, Maringá 87020-900, Brazil
Jéssica Bassi da Silva
Laboratory of Research and Development of Drug Delivery Systems, Department of Pharmacy, State University of Maringá, Maringá 87020-900, Brazil
Mariana Carla de Oliveira
Laboratory of Research and Development of Drug Delivery Systems, Department of Pharmacy, State University of Maringá, Maringá 87020-900, Brazil
Rafaela Said dos Santos
Laboratory of Research and Development of Drug Delivery Systems, Department of Pharmacy, State University of Maringá, Maringá 87020-900, Brazil
Magali Soares dos Santos Pozza
Animal Science Department, State University of Maringá, Maringá 87020-900, Brazil
Lidiane Vizioli de Castro-Hoshino
Physics Department, State University of Maringá, Maringá 87020-900, Brazil
Mauro Luciano Baesso
Physics Department, State University of Maringá, Maringá 87020-900, Brazil
Lucio Cardozo-Filho
Chemical Engineering Department, State University of Maringá, Maringá 87020-900, Brazil
Marcos Luciano Bruschi
Laboratory of Research and Development of Drug Delivery Systems, Department of Pharmacy, State University of Maringá, Maringá 87020-900, Brazil
Wilker Caetano
Chemistry Department, State University of Maringá, Maringá 87020-900, Brazil
Recently, the number of new cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis has been of concern among health agencies. Research that offers new therapeutic alternatives is advantageous, especially those that develop innovative drugs. Therefore, this paper presents the incorporation of Copaifera reticulata Ducke and chlorophyll extract into Pluronic®® F127 and Carbopol gels, under optimized polymer quantities. The chlorophyll extract (rich in photosensitizing compounds) was obtained by continuous-flow pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), a clean, environmentally friendly method. The system aims to act as as a leishmanicidal, cicatrizant, and antibiotic agent, with reinforcement of the photodynamic therapy (PDT) action. Rheological and mechanical analyses, permeation studies and bioadhesiveness analyses on human skin, and PDT-mediated activation of Staphylococcus aureus were performed. The emulgels showed gelation between 13° and 15 °C, besides pseudoplastic and viscoelastic properties. Furthermore, the systems showed transdermal potential, by releasing chlorophylls and C. reticulata Ducke into the deep layers of human skin, with good bioadhesive performance. The application of PDT reduced three logarithmic colony-forming units of S. aureus bacteria. The results support the potential of the natural drug for future clinical trials in treating wounds and cutaneous leishmania.
