Phenolic Fingerprint, Bioactivity and Nanoformulation of <i>Prunus spinosa</i> L. Fruit Extract for Skin Delivery
Maria De Luca,
Carlo Ignazio Giovanni Tuberoso,
Ramon Pons,
María Teresa García,
María del Carmen Morán,
Giulio Ferino,
Antonio Vassallo,
Giuseppe Martelli,
Carla Caddeo
Affiliations
Maria De Luca
Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
Carlo Ignazio Giovanni Tuberoso
Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, SS 554–bivio per Sestu, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
Ramon Pons
Department of Surfactants and Nanobiotechnology, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), c/Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
María Teresa García
Department of Surfactants and Nanobiotechnology, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), c/Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
María del Carmen Morán
Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Physiology Section, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona, Avda. Joan XXIII 27–31, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
Giulio Ferino
CeSAR, University of Cagliari, SS 554–Bivio per Sestu, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
Antonio Vassallo
Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
Giuseppe Martelli
Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
Carla Caddeo
Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, SS 554–bivio per Sestu, Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
The nanoformulation of plant extracts in phospholipid vesicles is a promising strategy to exploit the biological properties of natural bioactive substances and overcome drawbacks such as poor aqueous solubility, chemical instability, low skin permeation and retention time, which strongly limit their topical application. In this study, Prunus spinosa berries were used for the preparation of a hydro-ethanolic extract, which showed antioxidant and antibacterial properties owing to the presence of phenolic compounds. Two types of phospholipid vesicles were developed to improve the applicability as topical formulations. Liposomes and Penetration Enhancer-containing Vesicles were characterized for mean diameter, polydispersity, surface charge, shape, lamellarity, and entrapment efficiency. Additionally, their safety was assayed with different cell models, including erythrocytes and representative skin cell lines.
