title: Natural collagenic skeleton of marine sponges in pharmaceutics: Innovative biomaterial for topical drug delivery.
abstract: The growing interest in the use of recyclable and biodegradable natural materials has become a relevant topic in pharmaceutics. In this work, we suggest the use and valorization of natural horny skeleton of marine sponges (Porifera, Dictyoceratida) as bio-based dressing for topical drug delivery. Biomaterial characterization focusing on morpho-functional traits, swelling behavior, fluid uptake performances, glycosaminoglycans content and composition and microbiological quality assessment was carried out to investigate the collagenic skeleton properties. After grinding and sieving processes, l-cysteine hydrochloride-loaded formulations were designed in form of powder or polymeric film by testing various drug concentrations and different drying parameters. Drug content, SEM analyses and in vitro permeation studies were performed to test the suitability of skeleton-based formulations. To this respect, drying time and temperature are key parameters for skeleton-mediated drug crystallization. Consequently, this behavior seems to influence drug loading and permeation profiles of formulations. The high percentages of drug are found after absorption into sponge powder and in vitro permeation studies demonstrate that cysteine is released more slowly than the pure drug within 1h. Such a system is attractive because it combines the known healing properties of cysteine with the advantageous potentials of the collagen/proteoglycan network, which can act as biocompatible carrier able to absorb the excess of the wound exudate while releasing the drug. Furthermore, due to its glycosaminoglycans content, natural sponge skeletal scaffold might act as bioactive-biomimetic carrier regulating the wound healing processes.
authors: Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy. Electronic address: rlangasco@uniss.it.
authors: Rita
authors: R
authors: Langasco
authors: Department of Science for Nature and Environmental Resources, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy. Electronic address: bcadeddu@uniss.it.
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Cadeddu
authors: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy. Electronic address: formato@uniss.it.
authors: Marilena
authors: M
authors: Formato
authors: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy. Electronic address: ajlepedda@uniss.it.
authors: Antonio Junior
authors: AJ
authors: Lepedda
authors: Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy. Electronic address: m.cossu@uniss.it.
authors: Massimo
authors: M
authors: Cossu
authors: Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy. Electronic address: pgiunc@uniss.it.
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Giunchedi
authors: Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita (DISTAV), Università di Genova, Genova, Italy. Electronic address: pronzato@dipteris.unige.it.
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Pronzato
authors: Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy. Electronic address: grassu@uniss.it.
authors: Giovanna
authors: G
authors: Rassu
authors: Department of Science for Nature and Environmental Resources, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy. Electronic address: r.manconi@uniss.it.
authors: Renata
authors: R
authors: Manconi
authors: Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy. Electronic address: eligav@uniss.it.
authors: Elisabetta
authors: E
authors: Gavini
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000464:Alginates / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D059001:Aquatic Organisms / Q000737:chemistry*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003094:Collagen / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003545:Cysteine / Q000032:analysis; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000032:analysis; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D062069:Inventions; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010539:Permeability; D011161:Porifera / Q000737:chemistry*; D011208:Powders; D012863:Skeleton / Q000737:chemistry*; D013242:Sterilization; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D011208:Powders; D014867:Water; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D003094:Collagen; D003545:Cysteine
keywords: Alginate-based film; Bioactive-biomimetic material; Environmentally sustainable formulation; Glycosaminoglycan; Novel wound dressing; Porifera skeleton