Delivery Systems For Bioactive Compounds Research Articles

Effects of different solid particle sizes on oat protein isolate and pectin particle-stabilized Pickering emulsions and their use as delivery systems

Oat protein isolate (OPI)/high methoxyl pectin (HMP) complexes (OPP) were prepared to stabilized Pickering emulsions and applied as nutraceutical delivery systems. The different mass ratios and pH changed the interactions between OPI and HMP that caused the different size of OPP. Specifically, smaller particle size of OPP (125.7–297.6 nm) were formed when hydrophobic interactions along with electrostatic forces predominant in OPP (OPI:HMP = 3:1, pH 4, 5). Among these particles, OPP-2 could stabilize Pickering emulsion efficiently through formation of dense interfacial film, which exhibited the highest apparent viscosity and the smallest average droplet size (23.39 μm). Moreover, OPP-2 stabilized Pickering emulsions with superior stability not only exhibited higher encapsulation efficiency of 85.63%, but also could control curcumin release in simulated gastrointestinal fluids to improve curcumin's bioaccessibility. These results verified the possibility of OPP to be a Pickering emulsions stabilizer, and also identified its potential to be a stable delivery system for bioactive compounds.

Development of Nanostructured Lipid Carrier-Loaded Flavonoid-Enriched Zingiber officinale.

Flavonoids, which are bioactive molecules found in Zingiber officinale, have been widely used as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory drugs. The presence of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) as sophisticated delivery systems for bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids, can increase their bioavailability and stability, thus potentially producing better therapeutic effects. This study aimed to develop an anti-inflammatory topical gel using NLC-containing flavonoids derived from Zingiber officinale. The NLC formulation was prepared using stearic acid, a mixture of medium-chain triglycerides and isopropyl myristate, Tween 20, and Span 20 by using a hot homogenization method. The total flavonoid content obtained through sequential maceration stages was 4.04 mg of QUE/g of dry extract. The highest encapsulation efficiency of flavonoid-loaded NLC was observed at a flavonoid, Zingiber officinale extract (ZOE) concentration of 2%. It was found that a ZOE concentration of 0.4% provided excellent stability with a particle size of 302-344 nm and a polydispersity index of 0.14-0.23 after 28 days of observation. Morphological analysis of the ZOE-loaded NLC revealed a stable and well-developed formulation with a fairly uniform distribution. The presence of distinctive and uniformly distributed single particles suggests a promising alternative drug delivery system for conventional topical preparations. ZOE-loaded NLC gel showed solid-like properties and higher quality stability than the gel.

Esterified porous starch from guinea grass seed for enhanced facile microencapsulation of bioactive materials

The present study focuses on the utilization of non-conventional starch (NS) derived from guinea grass seed to produce porous starch (PS) and octenyl succinic anhydride-modified PS (OSAPS). The study also introduces a novel approach to produce PS, aiming to overcome the high cost associated with glucoamylase. The formation of porous granules was successfully achieved through the combination of alpha-amylase and ultrasonication, as confirmed by electron micrographs and analysis of pore size and specific surface area. The results demonstrate that OSAPS exhibits superior emulsion stability, well-defined pore structures, and desirable amphiphilic characteristics. All three starches were loaded with lycopene, flaxseed oil, and a combination of both to prepare microcapsules. The presence of flaxseed oil within the starch matrix was confirmed through micrographs and functional group analysis. Notably, OSAPS exhibited the highest encapsulation efficiency at 74.80 %, along with a lycopene retention rate of up to 27.32 mg/100 g. Moreover, OSAPS showcased favorable antioxidant activity (89.29 %), phenolic content (0.45 mg GAE/g), and flavonoid content (97.61 mg QE/100 g). These findings underscore the remarkable potential of OSAPS as a delivery system for bioactive compounds, particularly for the co-encapsulation of oils and pigments.

Hydrocolloid-based nutraceutical delivery systems: Potential of κ-carrageenan hydrogel beads for sustained release of curcumin

This study investigates the potential of κ-carrageenan hydrogel beads as a delivery system for curcumin, a bioactive compound with various health benefits. Hydrogel beads were prepared using the extrusion technique with a hypodermic needle. The encapsulation efficiency of curcumin in the κ-carrageenan hydrogel beads was found to be 74.61 ± 3.2 %. FTIR spectroscopy analysis revealed shifts in absorption peaks, indicating possible hydrogen bonding and/or ionic interactions between the polymer and salt. An increase in the melting point of curcumin, by 25 °C, in curcumin- κ-carrageenan beads suggests the heat protection offered by the carrageenan chains to curcumin molecules. The in vitro release of curcumin from the beads suggests a sustained and pH-dependent release nature. The release kinetics follow the first order and the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. The outcome offers value-added delivery systems of bioactive compounds toward developing novel food and pharmaceutical applications.

Structural and Thermal Properties of Faba Bean Starch and Flax Seed Oil Nanoemulsion: Effect of Processing Conditions on Nanoemulsion

AbstractNanoemulsions derived from unconventional polysaccharides have gained attention as efficient delivery systems for bioactive compounds, helping in their enhanced absorption. Nontraditional sources of starch have been investigated in recent years due to their potential applications. Therefore, this study investigates the potential of extracting starch from faba beans and investigating their structural properties. Furthermore, the nanoemulsion is developed from starch, flax seed oil, and tween 80 and evaluated for different processing methods (temperature, pH, and NaCl). The extracted starch yields 31.20 g/100 g and X‐ray diffraction reveals its semicrystalline structure. The optimized nanoemulsion (N3) has an average droplet size of 108.62 ± 2.78 nm and a surface charge of −27.74 ± 0.12 mV. At different pH levels (2–9), temperature (30, 50, 70, and 90 °C), and ionic strengths (0.5, 1, and 2 m), the N3 nanoemulsion demonstrates significantly greater changes in stability. All the samples show excellent structural properties and stability. Overall, the results suggest that faba bean starch‐based nanoemulsion shows promise as a stable delivery system for bioactive compounds, but its stability is influenced by pH levels and ionic strengths.

Preparation and characterization of iota carrageenan-cyclodextrin-curcumin fibers and the release nature of curcumin in simulated digestion conditions

Healthy foods, known as functional and medicinal foods, are gaining popularity as they contain reasonable amounts of bioactive compounds (BCs) that can boost immunity. However, the intrinsic water insolubility and instability of BCs limit the design and development of healthy foods. To this end, carriers are effective in overcoming these setbacks. Among the several carrier choices, herein, human-compatible hydrocolloid iota-carrageenan (IC), a food hydrocolloid with the ability to form thermos-reversible gels, is chosen due to its intrinsic non-toxic and inexpensive traits. The ordered network structures of iota-carrageenan have been created by complexing with α-, β-, and γ-cyclodextrin (CD); later, curcumin has been encapsulated. Curcumin release has been tested in aqueous, simulated gastrointestinal, and simulated intestinal conditions. The maximum curcumin release was obtained in the aqueous conditions, and the IC fibers containing 50 mM NaCl displayed the highest curcumin release of 1.55 mg/g, followed by IC50-0.1β-CD of 1.37 mg/g. On the other hand, in IC fibers with 100 mM NaCl, the best release obtained was from IC100-0.1γ-CD and IC100 of 0.84 and 0.83 mg/g, respectively, and the minimum release of 0.39 mg/g was from the IC100-0.5γ-CD fibers. In simulated gastric fluid (SGF) media (pH 1.2), the highest release detected was 0.26 mg/g from the fibers with 50 mM NaCl. However, in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) conditions (pH 6.8), the maximum achieved release of 1.00 mg/g was from the IC50 fibers, followed by 0.93 mg/g from the IC50-0.1β-CD fibers. Overall, the IC-CD network thermally protects curcumin, and the type of CD impacts its sustained release nature. The outcome is important in designing value-added delivery systems of bioactive compounds required to develop novel functional foods and improve human health.

Self-Assembled Nanocarrier Delivery Systems for Bioactive Compounds.

Although bioactive compounds (BCs) have many important functions, their applications are greatly limited due to their own defects. The development of nanocarriers (NCs) technology has gradually overcome the defects of BCs. NCs are equally important as BCs to some extent. Self-assembly (SA) methods to build NCs have many advantages than chemical methods, and SA has significant impact on the structure and function of NCs. However, the relationship among SA mechanism, structure, and function has not been given enough attention. Therefore, from the perspective of bottom-up building mechanism, the concept of SA-structure-function of NCs is emphasized to promote the development of SA-based NCs. First, the conditions and forces for occurring SA are introduced, and then the SA basis and molecular mechanism of protein, polysaccharide, and lipid are summarized. Then, varieties of the structures formed based on SA are introduced in detail. Finally, facing the defects of BCs and how to be well solved by NCs are also elaborated. This review attempts to describe the great significance of constructing artificial NCs to deliver BCs from the aspects of SA-structure-function, so as to promote the development of SA-based NCs and the wide application of BCs.

Nanoparticle-Enhanced Approaches for Sustainable Agriculture and Innovations in Food Science

This comprehensive review paper delves into the burgeoning field of nanoparticle-based applications in sustainable agriculture and food science. With a focus on the latest advancements, we explore the diverse ways in which nanoparticles are being harnessed to enhance agricultural practices and revolutionize the food industry. The review covers the synthesis methods of nanoparticles, their unique physicochemical properties, and their multifaceted roles in promoting sustainable agriculture, including improved crop yield, disease resistance, and nutrient uptake. Furthermore, we investigate the applications of nanoparticles in food science, ranging from food preservation and packaging to the development of nanostructured delivery systems for bioactive compounds. The potential benefits and challenges associated with nanoparticle utilization in agriculture and food science are critically examined, providing insights for researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders. This review aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on sustainable and innovative practices that can shape the future of agriculture and food technology.

“DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SELF-MICROEMULSIFYING DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM (SMEDDS) FOR BAUHINIA VARIEGATA LEAF EXTRACT”

This study aimed to formulate and characterize a Self-Microemulsifying Drug Delivery System (SMEDDS) for Bauhinia variegata leaves, a traditional medicinal plant renowned for its anti-tumor properties, in order to enhance the solubility and bioavailability of its bioactive compounds. Bauhinia variegate leaves were collected locally (Amity university ).The successful formulation and characterization of the SMEDDS for Bauhinia variegata not only contribute to advancing drug delivery technologies for traditional medicines but also pave the way for further research into practical applications in the pharmaceutical and herbal medicine industries. This study provides valuable insights for the development of innovative and effective delivery systems for bioactive compounds derived from traditional medicinal plants. Developing a self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) for an ethanol extract from Bauhinia Variegate leaves involves creating a formulation that can spontaneously form a stable microemulsion when introduced to aqueous media, such as the gastrointestinal fluids. The use of a ternary phase diagram can help optimize the proportions of the key components in the formulation. SMEDDS are described as isotropic mixtures of herbal or synthetic oils, solid or liquid surfactants, or instead, one or greater hydrophilic solvents and co-solvents/surfactants that have a completely unique ability of forming satisfactory oil-in-water (o/w) microemulsions upon mild agitation followed by way of dilution in aqueous media, including GI fluids

Sustainable design and characterization of Aegle marmelos fruit nanomucilage-flaxseed oil nanoemulsion: Shelf-life of coated fresh-cut papaya

Nanoemulsions made from polysaccharides sourced from unconventional materials have gained attention as efficient delivery systems for bioactive compounds, aiding in their enhanced absorption. Therefore, this research was primarily focused on developing an economical and environmentally sustainable method for the preparation of nanoemulsion and the evaluation of its characteristics. Moreover, the synthesized nanoemulsion was assessed for its synergistic antibiofilm effects and its application as a coating material on fresh-cut papaya fruits. Aegle marmelos mucilage, flaxseed oil, and Tween 80 were utilized for the formulation of nanoemulsion by the low-energy method. Flaxseed oil analysis confirmed the existence of key fatty acids, including stearic acid, oleic acid, α-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, and palmitic acid. The optimized nanoemulsion (NM3) exhibited an average droplet size of 119.16 ± 5.38 nm with −25.20 ± 0.99 mV of surface charge. In addition, NM3 stability was investigated by subjecting it to different storage temperatures, pH levels, and NaCl concentrations by measuring the changes in zeta potential and droplet size. The NM3 nanoemulsion demonstrated significantly higher changes in stability (p < 0.05) at different pH levels and ionic strengths (p < 0.05). The FTIR results inferred the majorly existing functional groups at 3339.05 cm−1, 2127.88 cm−1, 1636.64 cm−1, and 589.27 cm−1. Furthermore, the SEM images also revealed a uniform distribution of droplets throughout the nanoemulsion. When the nanoemulsion was applied to fresh-cut papaya fruits, it effectively delayed weight loss and also affected the titratable acidity content and total soluble solids (TSS), thereby reducing spoilage. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the nanoemulsion exhibited superior antimicrobial effects and great potential for the shelf-life improvement of fresh-cut papaya fruits. Thus, combining oils with mucilage represents a promising approach to enhancing the effectiveness of antimicrobial activity and controlling foodborne pathogens.

Control release of α-mangostin by a novel dual-polysaccharides delivery system for colitis treatment under simulated gastrointestinal conditions

The poor hydrophilia and strong cytotoxicity of α-mangostin, a major component of xanthones from pericarps of mangosteen (Garcinia Mangostana L.), restrict its application in functional food. To overcome its shortage, a series of alginate/xanthan gum or alginate/κ-carrageenan hydrogels loaded with α-mangostin were fabricated and their anti-inflammatory effects were investigated under gastrointestinal tract (GIT). With the increased concentration of polysaccharides, the release of α-mangostin was slower due to denser microstructure and hardness. The digestive profile suggested that the release of α-mangostin in 0.3% alginate/0.15% xanthan gum (0.15%X-αM), 0.3% alginate/0.2% xanthan gum (0.25%X-αM) and 0.3% alginate/0.3% κ-carrageenan (0.3%C-αM) hydrogels were faster than the others. The cytotoxicity of α-mangostin loaded in hydrogels was dramatically reduced. However, the anti-inflammatory effect of the three intestinal digestive fluids was still maintained at 71.9% ± 1.2%, 83.1% ± 2.0%, and 70.6% ± 3.3% in LPS-induced Raw246.7 cells. In addition, the three intestinal digestive fluids (50 μM of α-mangostin) showed good inhibition of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) and the expression of iNos and Cox-2 respectively. Given these data, xanthan gum/κ-carrageenan-alginate composite hydrogels can be a good colonic target delivery system for bioactive compounds, which can be applied in functional foods to improve human health and wellness.

Lipolytic behavior and bioaccessibility of curcumin nanoemulsions stabilized by rice bran protein hydrolysate

This study aimed to use rice bran protein hydrolysate (RBPH)-stabilized curcumin nanoemulsions, compared with rice bran protein (RBP), to investigate digestion in the oral and gastrointestinal tracts and to investigate the effect of each digestion factor (pepsin, bile salts, pancreatic lipase) on the lipolysis rate and curcumin bioaccessibility of oil-in-water emulsions. After the enzymatic hydrolysis with the 3% degree of hydrolysis, the protein molecules tended to be looser and disordered. The droplet size analysis results indicated that during oral digestion the RBPH nanoemulsion showed extensive flocculation from 216 ± 2 nm to 1208 ± 81 nm, while 259 ± 2 nm to 383 ± 4 nm for the RBP nanoemulsion. During gastric digestion, the conformation of the protein emulsifier, especially RBPH, was destroyed by pepsin according to SDS-PAGE. During the simulated small intestine digestion, the RBPH emulsion obtained higher lipolysis rate (107 ± 2%) and bioaccessibility of curcumin (42.4 ± 0.1%). Moreover, the influence degrees of different factors on the in vitro digestion were obtained as follows: pancreatic lipase (oil digestion) > bile salt (micellization) > pepsin (emulsifier digestion). These studies contributed to the construction of an effective delivery system for bioactive compounds based on rice bran protein.

Physical stability, microstructure and interfacial properties of solid-oil-in-water (S/O/W) emulsions stabilized by sodium caseinate/xanthan gum complexes

Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) has poor suspension stability, which severely limits its application in food processing and products. In this study, sodium caseinate (NaCas) and sodium caseinate (NaCas)-xanthan gum (XG) mixtures were compared for the stable preparation of solid/oil/water (S/O/W) emulsions for the delivery of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) to solve the problem of poor suspension stability. The physical stability, particle size distribution, and microstructure of S/O/W emulsions were investigated to prove the successful construction of the system. The dynamic surface pressure and surface swelling properties of 2.0 wt% NaCas with different concentrations of XG were investigated to clarify the effect of interfacial properties of NaCas-XG mixtures on the emulsion stability of S/O/W emulsions. The results showed that the addition of XG resulted in enhanced physical stability, reduced particle size distribution, and enhanced encapsulation effect of the emulsion, forming a more three-dimensional core–shell structure via dendritic links. XG had a significant effect on the dynamic properties of the NaCas adsorption membrane: NaCas interacted with XG and the diffusion (kdiff) of NaCas to the interface decreased in short adsorption time, thus limiting the protein adsorption effectiveness; the presence of XG reduced the penetration (kP) and rearrangement (kR) rates at the interface during long adsorption times. Meanwhile, the NaCas-XG mixture has a high swelling elasticity. The results of this study can be used to improve the quality of related emulsion products or to prepare delivery systems for bioactive compounds.

Nanofibrils of food-grade proteins: Formation mechanism, delivery systems, and application evaluation.

Due to the high aspect ratio, appealing mechanical characteristics, and various adjustable functional groups on the surface proteins, food-grade protein nanofibrils have attracted great research interest in the field of food science. Fibrillation, known as a process of peptide self-assembly, is recognized as a common attribute for food-grade proteins. Converting food-grade proteins into nanofibrils is a promising strategy to broaden their functionality and applications, such as improvement of the properties of gelling and emulsifying, especially for constructing various delivery systems for bioactive compounds. Protein source and processing conditions have a great impact on the size, structure, and morphology of nanofibrils, resulting in extreme differences in functionality. With this feature, it is possible to engineer nanofibrils into four different delivery systems, including gels, microcapsules, emulsions, and complexes. Construction of nanofibril-based gels via multiple cross-linking methods can endow gels with special network structures to efficiently capture bioactive compounds and extra mechanical behavior. The adsorption behavior of nanofibrils at the interface is highly complex due to the influence of several intrinsic factors, which makes it challenging to form stabilized nanofibril-based emulsion systems. Based on electrostatic interactions, microcapsules and complexes prepared using nanofibrils and polysaccharides have combined functional properties, resulting in adjustable release behavior and higher encapsulation efficiency. The bioactive compounds delivery system based on nanofibrils is a potential solution to enhance their absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, improve their bioavailability, and deliver them to target organs. Although food-grade protein nanofibrils show unknown toxicity to humans, further research can contribute to broadening the application of nanofibrils in delivery systems.

The functionality characteristic of the different formulas of nano-emulsion containing temulawak-red palm oil extract

Temulawak or Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb is usually used as traditional medicine (herbal medicine) by the community. Temulawak has antioxidant, anticancer, antihyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and gastroprotective properties. Its application in functional foods is often limited by its low solubility and bioavailability in aqueous media. Nanoemulsion was made to improve the stability and bioavailability of Temulawak. Preparation of nano-emulsion was used high-pressure homogenization method. Temulawak extract in 10% red oil combined with Tween 20 and Tween 80 at a pressure of 1500 psi follows seven homogenization cycles. This method could produce nano-emulsion with the particle droplet below 150 nm. The antioxidant activity of temulawak extract nano-emulsion was 567.69 - 1324.62 ppm (AAE). The nano-emulsion preparation of temulawak extract was stable at 40°C storage, and its solubility increased (>90%). The in vitro bioaccessibility of temulawak extract nano-emulsion ranges from 23 to 98%. The optimum formula was produced with the concentration of 5% temulawak extract, 1% Tween 80, 2% Tween 20, with bioaccessibility of 98%. The optimum formula was tested in vivo bioavailability on white male rats with Spraque Dawley strain. The results showed that the nano-emulsion treatment had experienced faster elimination or metabolism than the temulawak extract. These results have important implications for effective delivery systems for bioactive compounds on temulawak.

Recent Developments in Starch-Based Delivery Systems of Bioactive Compounds: Formulations and Applications

Recent Developments in Starch-Based Delivery Systems of Bioactive Compounds: Formulations and Applications

Development of dendrimer-like glucan-stabilized Pickering emulsions incorporated with β-carotene

The impact of sugary maize dendrimer-like glucan octenyl succinate (OSA-SMDG) on the storage stability and antioxidant activity of β-carotene (BC)-loaded emulsions as well as bioaccessibility were investigated. The encapsulation efficiency of β-carotene in emulsions containing 3% OSA-SMDG (3OSA-SMDG-BC) or 5% OSA-SMDG (5OSA-SMDG-BC) was 89.6% and 94.9%, respectively. The antioxidant activity of both emulsions was higher than that of pure β-carotene. During simulated digestion, the particle size of emulsions was immediately reduced, whereas zeta-potential was continuously increased in intestinal digestion. After 2 h digestion, the free fatty acids (FFA) release rate of 3OSA-SMDG-BC and 5OSA-SMDG-BC was significantly higher than that of blank emulsion. Bioaccessibility of β-carotene encapsulated in 3OSA-SMDG-BC and 5OSA-SMDG-BC was also significantly higher than that of blank emulsion. FFA release rate and β-carotene bioaccessibility of 5OSA-SMDG-BC were higher than that of 3OSA-SMDG-BC. These results demonstrated that OSA-SMDG could be used to fabricate food-grade O/W Pickering emulsion as a delivery system for bioactive compounds.

Laccase‐induced wheat bran arabinoxylan hydrogels from different wheat cultivars: Structural, physicochemical, and rheological characteristics

The impact of three arabinoxylan (AX) cultivars (262, 44, 229) on the physicochemical, rheological, and microstructural characteristics of AX hydrogels was explored. The gelation of AX262 was faster and the viscoelastic modulus was higher. During the gelation process, the consumption of ferulic acids was 96%, 87%, and 69% for AX262, AX44, and AX229, respectively, indicating a higher oxidative cross-linking degree of AX262. The decline of adsorption intensity for AX262 hydrogel at 1,644 and 3,423 cm−1 was more pronounced, which might be related to a denser gel network as a result of higher oxidation degree of FA. Meanwhile, AX262 hydrogel was more capable of binding water molecules and exhibited better thermal stability. The difference in the gelation properties of varied AX cultivars lied in the molecular structure. AX262 had a higher ferulic acid content (0.23 μg/mg) and larger molecular weight with 1.17 × 106 Da, contributing to an enhanced oxidative cross-linking capacity. Novelty impact statement Wheat bran arabinoxylans extracted from strong gluten wheat cultivars with higher contents of FA were suitable to fabricate hydrogel system, due to their better oxidative cross-linking capacity. The prepared AX hydrogel had uniform honeycomb structure with enhanced thermal stability and mechanical properties, which could be potentially used as delivery system for bioactive compounds.

Roots and rhizomes of wild Asparagus: Nutritional composition, bioactivity and nanoencapsulation of the most potent extract

The nutritional composition and bioactive properties of roots and rhizomes of Asparagus stipularis were evaluated. Antioxidant activity of extracts obtained by infusion was evaluated using free radicals scavenging and reducing power methods. Porcine liver primary cell was used to check the hepatotoxicity of infusions. Results revealed that Asparagus samples are likely a source of nutrients, such as dietary fibre and essential fatty acids. HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS characterization of infusions allowed the identification and quantitation of 7 phenolic compounds, all hydroxycinnamoyl derivatives, with caffeic acid as the most abundant. Roots infusion contained the highest amounts of these compounds. It also exhibited the highest antioxidant activity in all assays, with EC50 values of 0.44 ± 0.01, 0.98 ± 0.03 and 0.64 ± 0.01 mg/mL for DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays, respectively, with no toxicity towards PLP2 primary cell cultures (GI50 > 400 μg/mL). PLGA nanoparticles loaded with root extract were prepared using solvent-evaporation double emulsion method. Nanoparticles size was about 260 nm and a polydispersity index around 0.1, with a zeta potential of about -36 mV, as well as a good encapsulation efficiency of approximately 83%. Their morphology was analysed by SEM and spherical polymeric nanoparticles with a smooth surface were observed. FTIR and DSC were also performed, which allowed corroborating the efficacy of the encapsulation and to confirm the production of a stable and robust system to load Asparagus extracts. The developed nanoparticles are expected to be used as delivery systems for bioactive compounds of A. stipularis and they could be used as an innovative dietary supplement.

Hydrogels: A Promising Vehicle for the Topical Management of Atopic Dermatitis

AbstractAtopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disease with a high worldwide prevalence. AD is characterized by fluctuating and recurrent eczematous lesions and intense itch, being associated with high physical and psychological impact leading to disturbed sleep quality, anxiety, and depression. Most of the patients have mild to moderate forms of atopic dermatitis and topical therapies (emollients, corticosteroids, calcineurin, and phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors) are the mainstay of therapy for these patients. Hydrogels are explored in the field of cutaneous application and have proven to be a good solution as a topical vehicle for atopic dermatitis, due to their high water content, improved drug delivery, responsiveness to stimuli and versatility in terms of preparation and drug‐loading, representing a good alternative to regular ointments or creams. This review highlights some of the atopic dermatitis characteristics and the use of hydrogels in the management of this disease. An outline of hydrogels as drug delivery systems for bioactive compounds is discussed, as well as their major advantages and drawbacks when compared to other galenic forms, and also an overview of clinical trials and patents engaged in the past 20 years.