Development of an antibiotics delivery system for topical treatment of the neglected tropical disease Buruli ulcer

last updated: 2022-07-13
TitleDevelopment of an antibiotics delivery system for topical treatment of the neglected tropical disease Buruli ulcer
Publication TypePapers in Scientific Journals
Year of Publication2022
AuthorsMendes A. I., Rebelo R., Aroso I., Correlo V. M., Fraga A. G., Pedrosa J., and Marques A. P.
Abstract

Skin infection by Mycobacterium ulcerans causes Buruli ulcer (BU) disease, a serious condition that significantly impact patient’ health and quality of life and can be very difficult to treat. Treatment of BU is based on daily systemic administration of antibiotics for at least 8 weeks and presents drawbacks associated with the mode and duration of drug administration and potential side effects. Thus, new therapeutic strategies are needed to improve the efficacy and modality of BU therapeutics, resulting in a more convenient and safer antibiotic regimen. Hence, we developed a dual delivery system based on poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) microparticles and a gellan gum (GG) hydrogel for delivery of rifampicin (RIF) and streptomycin (STR), two antibiotics used for BU treatment. RIF was successfully loaded into PHBV microparticles, with an encapsulation efficiency of 43%, that also revealed a mean size of 10 μm, spherical form and rough topography. These microparticles were further embedded in a GG hydrogel containing STR. The resultant hydrogel showed a porous microstructure that conferred a high water retention capability (superior to 2000%) and a controlled release of both antibiotics. Also, biological studies revealed antibacterial activity against M. ulcerans, and a good cytocompatibility in a fibroblast cell line. Thus, the proposed drug delivery system can constitute a potential topical approach for treatment of skin ulcers caused by BU disease.

JournalInternational Journal of Pharmaceuticals
Volume623
Date Published2022-07-25
PublisherElsevier
ISSN0378-5173
DOI10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.121954
Keywordscontrolled drug release, Gellan gum hydrogel, Mycobacterium ulcerans infection, Poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) microparticles, Skin ulcers, Topical drug delivery
RightsclosedAccess
Peer reviewedyes
Statuspublished

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