Co-Encapsulation of Curcumin and α-Tocopherol in Bicosome Systems: Physicochemical Properties and Biological Activity
Daniela Vergara,
Olga López,
Claudia Sanhueza,
Catalina Chávez-Aravena,
José Villagra,
Mariela Bustamante,
Francisca Acevedo
Affiliations
Daniela Vergara
Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine—Scientific Technological Bioresource Nucleus (CEMT-BIOREN), Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Casilla 54-D, Temuco 4780000, Chile
Olga López
Department of Chemical and Surfactant Technology, Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), C/Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
Claudia Sanhueza
Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine—Scientific Technological Bioresource Nucleus (CEMT-BIOREN), Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Casilla 54-D, Temuco 4780000, Chile
Catalina Chávez-Aravena
Laboratory of Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Bioproducts, Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine (CEMT), Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Casilla 54-D, Temuco 4780000, Chile
José Villagra
Laboratory of Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Bioproducts, Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine (CEMT), Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Casilla 54-D, Temuco 4780000, Chile
Mariela Bustamante
Center of Food Biotechnology and Bioseparations, Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus BIOREN, Universidad de La Frontera, Casilla 54-D, Temuco 4780000, Chile
Francisca Acevedo
Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine—Scientific Technological Bioresource Nucleus (CEMT-BIOREN), Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Casilla 54-D, Temuco 4780000, Chile
A novel co-encapsulation system called bicosomes (bicelles within liposomes) has been developed to overcome the limitations associated with the topical application of curcumin (cur) and α-tocopherol (α-toc). The physicochemical properties and biological activity in vitro of bicosome systems were evaluated. Bicelles were prepared with DPPC, DHPC, cur, and α-toc (cur/α-toc-bicelles). Liposomal vesicles loading cur/α-toc-bicelles were prepared with Lipoid P-100 and cholesterol-forming cur/α-toc-bicosomes. Three cur/α-toc-bicosomes were evaluated using different total lipid percentages (12, 16, and 20% w/v). The results indicated that formulations manage to solubilize cur and α-toc in homogeneous bicelles 85% in fibroblasts (3T3L1/CL-173™) and ≥65% in keratinocytes (Ha-CaT) and proved to be hematologically compatible. The cur/α-toc-bicelles and cur/α-toc-bicosomes inhibited the growth of C. albicans in a range between 33 and 76%. Our results propose bicosome systems as a novel carrier able to co-encapsulate, solubilize, protect, and improve the delivery performance of antioxidant molecules. The relevance of these findings is based on the synergistic antioxidant effect of its components, its biocompatibility, and its efficacy for dermal tissue treatment damaged by oxidative stress or by the presence of C. albicans. However, further studies are needed to assess the efficacy and safety of cur/α-toc bicosomes in vitro and in vivo.