Ethosomes for transdermal delivery of phytocompounds as tools to prevent skin pollution damage

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Abstract:

Three research units, from the University of Ferrara (UNIFE), Marche Polytechnic University (UNIPM), and the University of Verona (UNIVR), cooperate to propose a project based on the complementary research in life science, applied physics and pharmaceutical technology. The main idea is to encapsulate plant derived molecules in a new class of lipid nanovesicles with a high transdermal potential, to investigate the mechanism of interaction between the skin and the nanovesicles, and to verify their capability to cross the skin and reach the dermis. Indeed, the tremendous therapeutic potential of phytocompounds such as mangiferin, kaempferol and genistein makes them suitable to counteract skin conditions and pathologies induced by the noxious effect of environmental pollutants. However, the therapeutic use of phytocompounds shows some drawbacks since (i) they are prone to oxidation and chemical degradation during storage, (ii) they are difficult to administer due to their lipophilicity and (iii) they can hardly pass the cell membranes. To solve these drawbacks, biocompatible vehicles based on phosphatidylcholine and ethanol, characterized by high transdermal potential, the so-called “ethosomes,” will be produced by a simple, low energy method, employing different components. To understand the ethosome behaviour once applied on the skin, UNIVPM will thoroughly characterise their size distribution, and inner structure, evaluating their physical stability for 6 months. Afterwards the fate and biodistribution of ethosome applied on explants of human skin by an ex-vivo model associated with transmission electron microscopy will be investigated (UNIVR). Selected ethosome composition will be employed to encapsulate different phytocompounds, considering entrapment efficiency, possible size, or morphological changes, as well as interaction of phytocompounds with ethosome matrix and diffusion kinetics. Biological studies will be conducted by UNIFE to study in vitro the ethosome activity on in vitro human skin exposed to ozone and UV to mimic the oxidative and inflammatory damage induced by pollution. These studies will enable us to select the more promising phytocompound-loaded ethosome, whose transdermal fate will be investigated after administration on ex-vivo human skin explants treated by ozone and UV (UNIVR). Notably, UNIVR will evaluate by transmission electron microscopy the eventual fine morphological modifications induced by ethosomes in the epidermis and derma, while UNIFE will evaluate the expression of proteins, such as collagen, elastin and keratin, by immunohistochemical analysis of human skin explants. Furthermore, x-ray microcomputed tomography will shed light on 3D morphological changes of the different human skin strata treated with ethosomes (UNIPM).

Dettagli progetto:

Referente scientifico: Esposito Elisabetta

Fonte di finanziamento: Bando PRIN 2022 

Data di avvio: 16/10/2023

Data di fine: 16/10/2025

Contributo MUR: 70.200 €

Co-finanziamento UniFe: 24.180 €

Partner:

  • Università degli Studi di FERRARA (capofila)
  • Università Politecnica delle MARCHE
  • Università degli Studi di VERONA