Natural Ergot Alkaloids in Ocular Pharmacotherapy: Known Molecules for Novel Nanoparticle-Based Delivery Systems
Iara Baldim,
Wanderley P. Oliveira,
Varsha Kadian,
Rekha Rao,
Nitesh Yadav,
Sheefali Mahant,
Massimo Lucarini,
Alessandra Durazzo,
Raquel Da Ana,
Raffaele Capasso,
Selma B. Souto,
Antonello Santini,
Eliana B. Souto
Affiliations
Iara Baldim
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. do Café s/n, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-903, Brazil
Wanderley P. Oliveira
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. do Café s/n, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-903, Brazil
Varsha Kadian
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar 125001, Haryana, India
Rekha Rao
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar 125001, Haryana, India
Nitesh Yadav
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar 125001, Haryana, India
Sheefali Mahant
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak 124001, Haryana, India
Massimo Lucarini
CREA-Research Centre for Food and Nutrition, Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Rome, Italy
Alessandra Durazzo
CREA-Research Centre for Food and Nutrition, Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Rome, Italy
Raquel Da Ana
Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
Raffaele Capasso
Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, Via Università 100, 80055 Portici, Italy
Selma B. Souto
Department of Endocrinology, Hospital de São João, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200–319 Porto, Portugal
Antonello Santini
Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
Eliana B. Souto
CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
Several pharmacological properties are attributed to ergot alkaloids as a result of their antibacterial, antiproliferative, and antioxidant effects. Although known for their biomedical applications (e.g., for the treatment of glaucoma), most ergot alkaloids exhibit high toxicological risk and may even be lethal to humans and animals. Their pharmacological profile results from the structural similarity between lysergic acid-derived compounds and noradrenalin, dopamine, and serotonin neurotransmitters. To reduce their toxicological risk, while increasing their bioavailability, improved delivery systems were proposed. This review discusses the safety aspects of using ergot alkaloids in ocular pharmacology and proposes the development of lipid and polymeric nanoparticles for the topical administration of these drugs to enhance their therapeutic efficacy for the treatment of glaucoma.
