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In the present work new highly biocompatible nanovesicles were developed using polyanion sodium hyaluronate to form polymer immobilized vesicles, so called hyalurosomes. Curcumin, at high concentration was loaded into hyalurosomes and physico-chemical properties and in vitro/in vivo performances of the formulations were compared to those of liposomes having the same lipid and drug content. Vesicles were prepared by direct addition of dispersion containing the polysaccharide sodium hyaluronate and the polyphenol curcumin to a commercial mixture of soy phospholipids, thus avoiding the use of organic solvents. An extensive study was carried out on the physico-chemical features and properties of curcumin-loaded hyalurosomes and liposomes. Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering showed that vesicles were spherical, uni- or oligolamellar and small in size (112-220 nm). The in vitro percutaneous curcumin delivery studies on intact skin showed an improved ability of hyalurosomes to favour a fast drug deposition in the whole skin. Hyalurosomes as well as liposomes were biocompatible, protected in vitro human keratinocytes from oxidative stress damages and promoted tissue remodelling through cellular proliferation and migration. Moreover, in vivo tests underlined a good effectiveness of curcumin-loaded hyalurosomes to counteract 12-O-tetradecanoilphorbol (TPA)-produced inflammation and injuries, diminishing oedema formation, myeloperoxydase activity and providing an extensive skin reepithelization. Thanks to the one-step and environmentally-friendly preparation method, component biocompatibility and safety, good in vitro and in vivo performances, the hyalurosomes appear as promising nanocarriers for cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

In this paper, orally disintegrating tablets (ODT) were prepared using nanocrystal formulations in order to optimise dissolution properties of lipophilic, poorly soluble drug piroxicam (PRX). Different nanocrystal formulations were prepared using a high pressure homogenisation technique and poloxamer 188 as stabiliser. Characterisation of PRX nanocrystal ODT was carried out by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray powder diffractometry (XRPD), differential scanning calorimetry and photon correlation spectroscopy. Dissolution study of PRX ODT was performed in distilled water (pH 5.5) and was compared to that of PRX coarse suspension ODT, PRX/poloxamer 188 physical mixture and bulk PRX samples. The XRPD and FTIR studies demonstrated that the homogenisation process led to a polymorphic transition from form I (bulk commercial PRX) to form III and monohydrate form of the nanocrystals. All ODT formulations prepared using PRX nanosuspensions showed a higher PRX dissolution rate compared with the ODT prepared with the coarse PRX. Since the solubility of the different PRX polymorphic forms increased only slightly from bulk PRX (form I) to monohydrate, form II and form III, we can conclude that the improvement in PRX dissolution rate is mainly caused by the increased surface-to-volume ratio due to the submicron dimension of the drug particles., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Steinert's myotonic dystrophy (DM) is a genetic autosomal dominant disease and the most frequent muscular dystrophy in adulthood. Although causative mutation is recognized as a CTG trinucleotide expansion on 19q13.3, pathogenic mechanisms of multisystem involvement of DM are still under debate. It has been suggested that mitochondrial abnormalities can occur in this disease and deficiency of coenzyme Q 10 (CoQ10) has been considered one possible cause for this. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate, in 35 DM patients, CoQ10 blood levels and relate them to the degree of CTG expansion as well as to the amount of lactate production in exercising muscle as indicator of mitochondrial dysfunction. CoQ10 concentrations appeared significantly reduced with respect to normal controls: 0.85 +/- 0.25 vs. 1.58 +/- 0.28 microg/ml (p < 0.05). Mean values of blood lactate were significantly higher in DM patients than controls (p < 0.05) both in resting conditions (2.9 +/- 0.55 vs. 1.44 +/- 1.11 mmol/L) and at the exercise peak (6.77 +/- 1.79 vs. 4.90 +/- 0.59 mmol/L), while exercise lactate threshold was anticipated (30-50% vs. 60-70% of the predicted normal maximal power output, p < 0.05). Statistical analysis showed that serum CoQ10 levels were significantly (p < 0.05) inversely correlated with both CTG expansion degree and lactate values at exercise lactate threshold level. Our data indicates the occurrence of reduced CoQ10 levels in DM, possibly related to disease pathogenic mechanisms associated with abnormal CTG trinucleotide amplification.