Desenvolvimento e caracterização de filmes de Quitosana e zeina contendo ácido elágico para aplicações biomédicas

Abstract

Introduction: Chitosan (CHI) is a biocompatible, biodegradable, biofunctional natural polymer with antimicrobial and antioxidant effects. Zein is a protein that has the ability to carry different molecules of therapeutic interest. Ellagic acid (EA) is a polyphenol that has some activities of pharmaceutical interest, such as antimicrobial and antioxidant action. In view of these, it was aimed to evaluate its functionality for biomedical applications. Objective: To evaluate the biopharmaceutical potential of ellagic acid, chitosan and zein in the films composition for biomedical applications. Methodology: The antimicrobial activity was determined by the microdilution method through the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The antioxidant activity was studied using the DPPH free radical scavenging method. The possible drug-polymer interactions were evaluated by NMR spectroscopy. The anti-collagenase and antielastase activities were determined using colorimetric tests A central composite design was used to evaluate the effects of different polymer concentrations on the response variables of the films obtained. The morphology and possible chemical changes of the films were studied by SEM and FTIR. It was also determined the modulus of elasticity and the strength of films with better performance. Results and discussion: EA presented antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and an IC50 of 0.079 mg/ml regarding its antioxidant activity. Zein improved the inhibitory activity of EA against P.aeruginosa and improved its antioxidant activity, demonstrating antimicrobial and antioxidant activity itself. CHI enhanced the inhibitory activity of EA against both bacteria and also showed itself a more discrete antimicrobial activity. NMR spectroscopy revealed the interaction between EA with zein. The films obtained presented satisfactory morphology and biofunctional and mechanical properties. Conclusions: The association of EA with CHI-zein has shown to be favorable, considering the biological aspects studied. The obtained films from this association showed favorable characteristics for their use in biomedical applications