Sviluppo di nuovi vettori colloidali (nanocapsule e nanoemulsioni) a base di olio d'Argan.

The aim of this work is the development of new colloidal suspensions based on niosomes and nanocapsules containing argan oil as carriers for hydrophobic drugs. Two approaches were carried out: firstly, argan oil-based nanoemulsions of sorbitan esters containing diclofenac as hydrophobic drug model were prepared using the ultrasonication method. The size, zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency of the dispersions were investigated. In addition, the ability of sorbitan ester derivates to form nanovesicles (niosomes) was particularly examined. Additional stabilizing agents were not required in the recipe and formulations using only sorbitan monolaureate, argan oil and water lead to attractive results. Their submicron size (< 250 nm), zeta potential (between -40 and -50 mV) and drug-encapsulation efficiency (higher than 85%) allowed obtaining a good physical stability and predicting a good performance as drug carriers. The second part of the work explored the preparation and characterization of polymer nanoparticles for the encapsulation of oils via nanoprecipitation method [1]. Encapsulation is a current, important and broadly used process to retain and protect volatile and flavoring compounds against oxidation and evaporation [2]. The goal of this study was to obtain ethanol-based formulations for topical applications. Eudragit (a series of acrylate and methacrylate polymers forming an inert resin)[3] was the polymer used to form the oil-loaded nanoparticles. Eight different oils utilized both in cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry were chosen as models to be encapsulated: benzyl benzoate, picaridin, N,N-diethyltoluammide, geranium, citronella, argan, almond and labrafac oils. Polymeric nanoparticles were formed at different concentrations of both polymer and oils; the average size of the particles, the macroscopic aspect and zeta potential of stable formulations were studied. As expected from Eudragit solubility in oils data, the most suitable oils to obtain stable nanocapsules without separation of phase were benzyl benzoate, picaridin and N,N-diethyltoluammide. Keywords: Nanoemulsion, Niosome, Nanoparticle, Encapsulation, Argan oil, Eudragit, Transdermal