Preparation of core-shell hordein/pectin nanoparticles as quercetin delivery matrices: Physicochemical properties and colon-specific release analyses.

Quercetin (Que) is a hydrophobic flavanol that has the potential to prevent colon diseases. This study aimed to design hordein/pectin nanoparticle as a colon-specific delivery system for quercetin. The encapsulation efficiency, physicochemical stability and release properties of the nanoparticles were estimated. The FTIR and secondary structure analysis indicated that hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions and electrostatic attractions were formed in the quercetin-loaded hordein/pectin nanoparticles (Que-hordein/pectin NPs). In comparison to Que-hordein NPs, Que-hordein/pectin NPs exhibited better colloidal stability (physical, UV light, heating and salt). Furthermore, the release properties studies showed that pectin coating restrained the premature release of Que from hordein NPs in gastric fluid and intestinal fluid. In-vitro release, when the Que-hordein/pectin NPs were exposed to simulated colonic fluid (SCF) for 6 h, quercetin was greatly released from the hordein/pectin NPs (15.29 ± 1.17% - 80.60 ± 1.78%). In-vivo release, the concentration of Que (µg/g) in Que-hordein/pectin NPs was 2.18 times higher than Que-hordein NPs in colon tissue after 6 h of oral administration. This study suggests that Que-hordein/pectin NPs have promising applications in the specific delivery and release of quercetin to the colon.

Levan in the developing of new colon-specific polymer material: evaluation of the permeability, moisture and thermal analyses in free films of Eudragit® FS 30 D / Levana no desenvolvimento de novo material polimérico cólon-específico: avaliação da permeabilidade, intumescimento e análises térmicas de filmes isolados de Eudragit® FS 30 D

Levan was used as agent in the synthesis of new colon-specific polymeric matrix together with Eudragit® FS 30 D. Eudragit® FS 30 D films incorporated with levan were made by casting process and characterized to: water vapour transmission, sweeling index, differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric. The levan increased the films permeability (p < 0.001) however did not influenced in the sweeling index of the formulations (p > 0.05). The thermal analyses of the films indicated a glass transition temperature approximate at 47°C and thermal decomposition at 400°C. The results indicated that there is potential for using such site-specificity blend as pharmaceutical coating material.

Levana foi utilizada na síntese de novo material polimérico cólon-específico conjuntamente com o Eudragit® FS 30 D. Filmes de Eudragit® FS 30 D aditivados de levana foram feitos pelo método de "casting process" e caracterizados quanto à transmissão de vapor de água, índice de intumescimento, calorimetria diferencial de varredura e termogravimetria. A levana aumentou a permeabilidade dos filmes (p < 0,001), entretanto não influenciou no índice de intumescimento das formulações (p > 0,05). As análises térmicas dos filmes indicaram uma temperatura de transição vítrea aproximada de 47°C e temperatura de decomposição de 400°C. Os resultados indicaram que há potencial de uso desta nova blenda sítio-específica como material de revestimento farmacêutico.