Research themes
Formulation of physical hydrogels based on natural and synthetic polymers and their use as innovative mucoadhesive materials, enhancers and for modified drug release.
Hydrogels are three-dimensional, hydrophilic, polymeric networks able to absorb large amounts of water without dissolving. Due to their soft consistency, they are similar to natural living tissue and can be used for different pharmaceutical applications. The research is addressed to the production of thin films and lyophilized matrices for local or systemic delivery of active substances upon mucosal (vaginal, nasal and buccal) or cutaneous application. The choice of the appropriate polymeric material together with the use of the suitable productive technology allows for an increase in the residence time of the dosage form at the application site and modulates the release and/or permeation through the biological membranes.
Micro and nanosystems to improve the treatment of local infections.
Infections pose a huge threat to public health and constitute a real health emergency. The research activity is based on exploiting advanced strategies for the formulation and manufacturing of innovative drug delivery systems to be used in the prevention and treatment of local infections. The research activity is focused on the mucosal and/or cutaneous delivery of antimicrobials and includes the development of polymeric and lipid-based release platforms, through sustainable production technologies, with the final aim to improve the treatment efficacy. In particular, micro- and nano-systems, associated with appropriate bioadhesive vehicles, are developed to modulate the release of the antimicrobial agent, prolonging its permanence at the administration site and favouring its interaction with the infectious agent.
Delivery of health-promoting bacteria and active metabolites.
Probiotics may represent a natural, alternative or complementary, approach to the use of drugs for the prophylaxis and treatment of diseases characterized by the local microbiota alterations. The research is mainly focused on the development of: 1- vaginal and buccal mucoadhesive matrices for the local release of lactobacilli and their supernatants; 2- nanocarriers for the administration of active metabolites produced by lactobacilli (biosurfactants with antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties) alone or in combination with antimicrobial drugs. The research is also focused on the study of the influence of probiotics, their supernatants and metabolites on drug permeation through biological barriers, such as skin and mucosae.
Development of ecosustainable wound dressings to accelerate wound healing process.
Wound dressings have a crucial role in management of healings. Dressings based on cellulose fibers (Spanish broom, cotton and flax) have not healing, anti-oxidant and antibacterial activities and for this reason can be combined with molecules to promote the healing process. The research is focused on the development of new wound dressings based on Spanish broom, cotton and flax fibers carrying, in micro-nanosystems, healing polymers (hyaluronic acid, alginates) and bioactive compounds with anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties.