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Argenziano M, Arduino I, Rittà M, Molinar C, Feyles E, Lembo D, Cavalli R, Donalisio M. Enhanced Anti-Herpetic Activity of Valacyclovir Loaded in Sulfobutyl-ether-β-cyclodextrin-decorated Chitosan Nanodroplets. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2460. [PMID: 37894118 PMCID: PMC10609596 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11102460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Valacyclovir (VACV) was developed as a prodrug of the most common anti-herpetic drug Acyclovir (ACV), aiming to enhance its bioavailability. Nevertheless, prolonged VACV oral treatment may lead to the development of important side effects. Nanotechnology-based formulations for vaginal administration represent a promising approach to increase the concentration of the drug at the site of infection, limiting systemic drug exposure and reducing systemic toxicity. In this study, VACV-loaded nanodroplet (ND) formulations, optimized for vaginal delivery, were designed. Cell-based assays were then carried out to evaluate the antiviral activity of VACV loaded in the ND system. The chitosan-shelled ND exhibited an average diameter of about 400 nm and a VACV encapsulation efficiency of approximately 91% and was characterized by a prolonged and sustained release of VACV. Moreover, a modification of chitosan shell with an anionic cyclodextrin, sulfobutyl ether β-cyclodextrin (SBEβCD), as a physical cross-linker, increased the stability and mucoadhesion capability of the nanosystem. Biological experiments showed that SBEβCD-chitosan NDs enhanced VACV antiviral activity against the herpes simplex viruses type 1 and 2, most likely due to the long-term controlled release of VACV loaded in the ND and an improved delivery of the drug in sub-cellular compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Argenziano
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 9, 10100 Torino, Italy; (M.A.); (C.M.); (R.C.)
| | - Irene Arduino
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Antiviral Research, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043 Orbassano, Italy; (M.R.); (E.F.); (M.D.)
| | - Massimo Rittà
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Antiviral Research, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043 Orbassano, Italy; (M.R.); (E.F.); (M.D.)
| | - Chiara Molinar
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 9, 10100 Torino, Italy; (M.A.); (C.M.); (R.C.)
| | - Elisa Feyles
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Antiviral Research, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043 Orbassano, Italy; (M.R.); (E.F.); (M.D.)
| | - David Lembo
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Antiviral Research, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043 Orbassano, Italy; (M.R.); (E.F.); (M.D.)
| | - Roberta Cavalli
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 9, 10100 Torino, Italy; (M.A.); (C.M.); (R.C.)
| | - Manuela Donalisio
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Antiviral Research, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043 Orbassano, Italy; (M.R.); (E.F.); (M.D.)
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