Zuzanna Styrna

The main goal of this work was to develop nanoparticles of lysozyme (Lys) for biological and biomedical applications. The developed biosystems were based on Lys-loaded calcium alginate 2% and chitosan 1% beads and films with different concentrations of each polymer. Encapsulation efficiency was 100%. The ratio of adsorbed Lys on the films, Lys activity, and the release profile of Lys were measured using water and buffer solution at pH similar to the environment of cancer cells, at a controlled temperature of 37 °C and a constant speed, to assess the efficacy of the encapsulation process. Lys antimicrobial activity was assessed using Micrococcus lysodeikticus. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of the developed biosystems were also evaluated. The anti-inflammatory activity of Lys released from calcium alginate 2%-chitosan 1% beads loaded with Lys was about 99%. These findings highlight the potential of the developed beads and films for biomedical applications, particularly in antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory therapies.

Fungal infections pose a significant global health problem, affecting 20–25% of the population and contributing to over 3.75 million deaths annually. Clotrimazole (CLO) is a widely used topical antifungal drug, but its efficacy is limited by poor penetration through the stratum corneum. Microneedle (MN) systems, composed of micron-scale structures arranged on a patch, offer a promising strategy to overcome the outermost skin barrier and enhance drug penetration into deeper layers. However, optimizing MN design, particularly in terms of size, shape, and fabrication technology, is essential for efficient drug delivery. This study aimed to develop CLO-coated MN systems using an Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)-based 3D printing technique and a thin-film dip-coating method. A comprehensive optimization of printing parameters, including anti-aliasing, layer thickness, curing time, and printing angle, was conducted to ensure the desired mechanical properties. The optimized MNs were coated with either suspension or ethanol-based CLO-hydrogels, with ethanol hydrogel demonstrating superior characteristics. Additionally, the study investigated how microneedle geometry and coating formulation influenced drug release. Antifungal activity against reference and clinical origin Candida albicans strains varied significantly depending on the coating formulation. Finally, the acute toxicity test confirmed no significant toxic effects on Aliivibrio fischeri, indicating the potential biocompatibility and safety of the developed MN-based drug delivery system.