Silva, SaraFerreira, DomingosPintado, M. E.Sarmento, Bruno2017-10-132017-10-132016SILVA, Sara; FERREIRA, Domingos; PINTADO, M. E.; SARMENTO, Bruno - Chitosan-based nanoparticles for rosmarinic acid ocular delivery-in vitro tests. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. ISSN 0141-8130. Vol. 84 (2016), p. 112-120http://hdl.handle.net/10400.14/23071tIn this study, chitosan nanoparticles were used to encapsulate antioxidant rosmarinic acid, Salvia offici-nalis (sage) and Satureja montana (savory) extracts as rosmarinic acid natural vehicles. The nanoparticleswere prepared by ionic gelation using chitosan and sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) in a mass ratio of7:1, at pH 5.8. Particle size distribution analysis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmedthe size ranging from 200 to 300 nm, while surface charge of nanoparticles ranged from 20 to 30 mV.Nanoparticles demonstrate to be safe without relevant cytotoxicity against retina pigment epithelium(ARPE-19) and human cornea cell line (HCE-T). The permeability study in HCE monolayer cell line showedan apparent permeability coefficient Pappof 3.41 ± 0.99 × 10−5and 3.24 ± 0.79 × 10−5cm/s for rosmarinicacid loaded chitosan nanoparticles and free in solution, respectively. In ARPE-19 monolayer cell line thePappwas 3.39 ± 0.18 × 10−5and 3.60 ± 0.05 × 10−5cm/s for rosmarinic acid loaded chitosan nanoparti-cles and free in solution, respectively. Considering the mucin interaction method, nanoparticles indicatemucoadhesive proprieties suggesting an increased retention time over the ocular mucosa after instilla-tion. These nanoparticles may be promising drug delivery systems for ocular application in oxidative eyeconditions.engChitosanNanoparticlesRosmarinic acidCell modelsjournal article10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2015.11.0708495027269126645149000369456800016