Raffaele Conte

Dr. Raffaele Conte

Toxicology and clinical chemistry laboratory of “AMES polydiagnostic centre”, Via Padre Carmine Fico 24, 80013 Casalnuovo di Napoli (NA) Italy
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

10Years (2017-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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RCRaffaele Conte
Raffaele Conte
VMValentina Marturano
Valentina Marturano
Gianfranco PelusoGianfranco Peluso
Gianfranco Peluso
ACAnna Calarco
Anna Calarco
Pierfrancesco CerrutiPierfrancesco Cerruti
Pierfrancesco Cerruti
Phytocompounds have been used in medicine for decades owing to their potential in anti-inflammatory applications. However, major difficulties in achieving sustained delivery of phyto-based drugs are related to their low solubility and cell penetration, and high instability. To overcome these disadvantages, nanosized delivery technologies are currently in use for sustained and enhanced delivery of phyto-derived bioactive compounds in the pharmaceutical sector. This review focuses on the recent advances in nanocarrier-mediated drug delivery of bioactive molecules of plant origin in the field of anti-inflammatory research. In particular, special attention is paid to the relationship between structure and properties of the nanocarrier and phytodrug release behavior.

30 December 2021 in Molecules
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Driss OUSAAIDDriss OUSAAID
Driss OUSAAID
HMHamza Mechchate
Hamza Mechchate
HLHassan LAAROUSSI
Hassan LAAROUSSI
Christophe HanoChristophe Hano
Christophe Hano
MBMeryem Bakour
Meryem Bakour
IAIlham El Arabi
Ilham El Arabi
The popularity of fruits vinegar (FsV) has been increased recently as a healthy drink wealthy in bioactive compounds that provide several beneficial properties. This review was designed in the frame of valorization of fruits vinegar as a by-product with high value added by providing overall information on its biochemical constituents and beneficial potencies. It contains a cocktail of bioactive ingredients including polyphenolic acids, organic acids, tetramethylperazine, and melanoidins. Acetic acid is the most abundant organic acid and chlorogenic acid is the major phenol in apple vinegar. The administration of fruits vinegar could prevent diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, oxidative stress, cancer, and boost immunity as well as provide a remarkable antioxidant ability. The production techniques influence the quality of vinegar, and consequently, its health benefits.

18 January 2021 in Molecules
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HMHamza Mechchate
Hamza Mechchate
IEImane Es-safi
Imane Es-safi
AAamal amaghnouje
amal amaghnouje
SBSmahane Boukhira
Smahane Boukhira
AAAmal Alotaibi
Amal Alotaibi
DBDalila Bousta
Dalila Bousta
Coriandrum sativum L. seeds are traditionally used to treat diabetes and its complications (inflammation and formation of reactive oxygen species) around the world. The present study investigates the antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects of the polyphenol fraction of Coriandrum sativum seeds (PCS). Diabetic mice were orally administered with PCS (25 and 50 mg/kg b.w.) for 28 days. Oral glucose tolerance (OGTT) was also evaluated along with the anti-inflammatory effect, assessed by measuring paw edema development induced with carrageenan in Wistar rat and the antioxidant activity assessed using two tests (β-carotene discoloration and DPPH). Treatment of diabetic mice with PCS for four weeks managed their high fasting blood glucose levels, improved their overall health, also revealed an excellent antihyperlipidemic activity. The OGTT result showed a potent antihyperglycemic activity, and following the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, the PCS exhibited a perfect activity. LC-MS/MS result revealed the presence of 9 polyphenols. This modest work indicates that the PCS have an important antidiabetic, antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effect that can be well established treatment of diabetes and its complications.

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RCRaffaele Conte
Raffaele Conte
ILILENIA De Luca
ILENIA De Luca
Anna ValentinoAnna Valentino
Anna Valentino
Pierfrancesco CerrutiPierfrancesco Cerruti
Pierfrancesco Cerruti
PPParisa Pedram
Parisa Pedram
ACAnna Calarco
Anna Calarco
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common disease-causing skin inflammation, redness, and irritation, which can eventually result in infection that drastically impacts patient quality of life. Resveratrol (Res) is a natural phytochemical famed for its excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. However, it is poorly bioavailable. Thus, a drug delivery system is needed to enhance in vivo bioactivity. Herein, we report the preparation of hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels containing resveratrol-loaded chitosan (CS) nanoparticles, their physicochemical analysis, and their potential therapeutic effects in the treatment of AD. Positively charged CS nanoparticles prepared by tripolyphosphate (TPP) gelation showed sizes ranging from 120 to around 500 nm and Res encapsulation efficiency as high as 80%. Embedding the nanoparticles in HA retarded their hydrolytic degradation and also slowed resveratrol release. Resveratrol released from nanoparticle-loaded hydrogel counteracted the oxidative damage induced by ROS generation in TNF-α/INF-γ-treated human keratinocytes (HaCaT) used as an AD in vitro model. Moreover, pre-treatment with Res@gel reduced secretion and gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines in HaCaT cells. The physicochemical analysis and in vitro assay confirmed that the formulated hydrogel could be considered an efficient and sustained resveratrol delivery vector in AD treatment.

12 March 2025 in Gels
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FSFabrizia Sepe
Fabrizia Sepe
Anna ValentinoAnna Valentino
Anna Valentino
LMLoredana Marcolongo
Loredana Marcolongo
OPOrsolina Petillo
Orsolina Petillo
ACAnna Calarco
Anna Calarco
RCRaffaele Conte
Raffaele Conte
Polysaccharide-based hydrogels have emerged as indispensable materials in tissue engineering and wound healing, offering a unique combination of biocompatibility, biodegradability, and structural versatility. Indeed, their three-dimensional polymeric network and high water content closely resemble the natural extracellular matrix, creating a microenvironment for cell growth, differentiation, and tissue regeneration. Moreover, their intrinsic biodegradability, tunable chemical structure, non-toxicity, and minimal immunogenicity make them optimal candidates for prolonged drug delivery systems. Notwithstanding numerous advantages, these polysaccharide-based hydrogels are confronted with setbacks such as variability in material qualities depending on their source, susceptibility to microbial contamination, unregulated water absorption, inadequate mechanical strength, and unpredictable degradation patterns which limit their efficacy in real-world applications. This review summarizes recent advancements in the application of polysaccharide-based hydrogels, including cellulose, starch, pectin, zein, dextran, pullulan and hyaluronic acid as innovative solutions in wound healing, drug delivery, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. Future research should concentrate on optimizing hydrogel formulations to enhance their effectiveness in regenerative medicine and antimicrobial therapy.

11 August 2021 in Nutrients
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HMHamza Mechchate
Hamza Mechchate
IEImane Es-safi
Imane Es-safi
RCRaffaele Conte
Raffaele Conte
Christophe HanoChristophe Hano
Christophe Hano
AAamal amaghnouje
amal amaghnouje
DBDalila Bousta
Dalila Bousta
Flaxseed is an oilseed (45–50% oil on a dry-weight basis) crop. Its oil has demonstrated multiple health benefits and industrial applications. The goal of this research was to evaluate the antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory potential of the free polyphenol fraction of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) seeds (PLU), based on their use in traditional medicine. Mice with alloxan-induced diabetes were used to study the antidiabetic activity of PLU in vivo, with an oral administration of 25 and 50 mg/kg over 28 days. Measurements of body weight and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were carried out weekly, and biochemical parameters were evaluated. An oral glucose tolerance test was also performed. Inhibitory activities of PLU on α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities were evaluated in vitro. The anti-inflammatory was evaluated in vivo in Wistar rats using the paw edema induction Test by carrageenan, and in vitro using the hemolysis ratio test. PLU administration to diabetic mice during the study period improved their body weight and FBG levels remarkably. In vitro inhibitory activity of digestive enzymes indicated that they may be involved in the proposed mode of action of PLU extract. Qualitative results of PLU revealed the presence of 18 polyphenols. These findings support daily consumption of flaxseed for people with diabetes, and suggest that polyphenols in flaxseed may serve as dietary supplements or novel phytomedicines to treat diabetes and its complications.