Natalia Della Rocca

Dr. Natalia Della Rocca


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

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

Representative Publications

View All Publications
28 October 2023 in Pharmaceutics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ELErwin Lamparelli
Erwin Lamparelli
Marianna MarinoMarianna Marino
Marianna Marino
Marta Anna SzychlinskaMarta Anna Szychlinska
Marta Anna Szychlinska
NRNatalia Della Rocca
Natalia Della Rocca
MCMaria Camilla Ciardulli
Maria Camilla Ciardulli
Antonietta SantoroAntonietta Santoro
Antonietta Santoro
Plastics have changed human lives, finding a broad range of applications from packaging to medical devices. However, plastics can degrade into microscopic forms known as micro- and nanoplastics, which have raised concerns about their accumulation in the environment but mainly about the potential risk to human health. Recently, biodegradable plastic materials have been introduced on the market. These polymers are biodegradable but also bioresorbable and, indeed, are fundamental tools for drug formulations, thanks to their transient ability to pass through biological barriers and concentrate in specific tissues. However, this “other side” of bioplastics raises concerns about their toxic potential, in the form of micro- and nanoparticles, due to easier and faster tissue accumulation, with unknown long-term biological effects. This review aims to provide an update on bioplastic-based particles by analyzing the advantages and drawbacks of their potential use as components of innovative formulations for brain diseases. However, a critical analysis of the literature indicates the need for further studies to assess the safety of bioplastic micro- and nanoparticles despite they appear as promising tools for several nanomedicine applications.