Development of controlled topical release formulations of the antimicrobian ciprofloxacin in ordered mesoporous silica and clays

Abstract

The aim of this project is to facilitate the cooperation of 3 different research groups, from UNICAMP, USP and University of Copenhagen, in the quest of developing new antimicrobials, nanoformulated (with different drug-delivery carriers) and encapsulated in mesoporous silica/clays, to generate novel pharmaceutical formulations of increased antimicrobial activity against resistant pathogenic bacteria. These new formulations will br used in the treatment of topical (skin, mucosal) infections. During the elaboration of these novel functional materials it is vital to understand the features that trigger their physical properties. To this end it is necessary to apply research methods capable of gaining information on the material's bulk properties, product performance and stability. Under these lines the possibility of using a broad variety of advanced solid-state techniques offers a unique opportunity to obtain a microscopic view of the new developed materials. Therefore, the main goal of this proposal is to start the elaboration of a joint long-term research project, combining pharmaceutical technology and material science characterization expertise. The resulting project will explore how advanced solid-state techniques, such as in-situ studies using Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS), Nitrogen Adsorption Isotherm (NAI), Dynamical Light Scattering (DLS), thermodynamic analysis (DSC and TGA combined with FTIR), neutron and X-ray imaging combined with incoherent inelastic neutron scattering (IINS) studies and computational investigation by means of density functional theory (DFT) experiments, can lead to the elaboration of controlled topical release formulations of the antimicrobial Ciprofloxacin in ordered mesoporous silica and clays This ensures that if this seed funding is awarded, a long term and outstanding joint research project will be accomplished. (AU)